The Planetarium

Last Tuesday our friend Lydia invited us to spend the morning with her at the Planetarium. This was part of her week long 2nd birthday celebration. We had a good time and these kids can't get enough of space and rocket ships. Ethan especially had a blast time running around checking things out. It was a fun morning!

Ethan The Hero

This afternoon I was feeling extra grubby, even though I showered at 7:30 this morning. So I decided to rinse off again and I put a movie on for the kids while I took a quick shower. When I was almost all done Ethan came bursting into the bathroom and said "Mom! Mom! Lauren is going to fall!" I was scared and asked him what he was talking about, but het jetted from there and ran back out to the living room.

So I quickly got rinsed off, grabbed a towel, and ran out there too. Ethan was trying his best to carry Lauren in from the back deck. It's very hard for him to do this so it was a big deal. Apparently Hailey had opened the sliding door and wandered outside and Lauren followed. She was just about to fall down the 14 steps when Ethan grabbed her.

It might not seem like a big deal, but it was for a four year old. These girls don't know how lucky they are to have a big brother who looks out for them like this. Ethan loves his sisters so much and I pitty any boy who ever breaks their hearts!

My Dad

I realize that not every girl has a dad like mine. I never realized how lucky I was when I was little. Dad would sometimes take a day off work and take me (and only me) out for a day long date. We called it Veronna day. He would also do this for each kid in the family. Dad has always had a gift for making all seven of us feel like we are his favorite. Who ever he is talking with at the time feels special and loved, as if they are the only one. I know that not every girl has a dad like this. But I sure wish they did because every girl deserves one.

When I was a kid I loved the movie "Annie" and I still do to this day. When Dad would come home from work he and I would have our own time together. We would lie on the bed and sing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow". I don't know why I loved that song so much but I did. And I don't know why such a manly guy like Dad would happily sing the song over and over with me, but he did.

Even now as an adult I feel like I'm his favorite. But I know in reality he has seven favorites. He's good at making us each feel like we are the center of the universe when we need that attention. I've been having a hard time with life lately. I've been feeling the weight of the wolrd on my shoulders as I sit back and think about the economy, the evils lurking around every corner, what kind of job I'm doing raising my kids, trying to be everything to every body, etc.

Today, out of nowhere in the mail I got a letter from Dad. Hand written and everything, in his crazy cursive handwriting that has always been uniquely his own. As I began reading it, tears began streaming down my face. It was simply a letter of encouragement. How did he know that today, of all days and of all times, I needed to hear those words? How did he know exactly what to say to soothe my tender heart? He has a way of making things okay and putting things into perspective.

Ethan saw me crying and gave me a hug and said "It's okay Mom, I'm here. It's okay." I couldn't help but laugh through my tears. I then explained to him that sometimes people cry when they are happy, not just sad. Those were happy tears. I am so blessed to have not one, but two incredible parents who have taught me and love me and would sacrifice almost anything for me. I owe so much to them and I'll never be able to thank them enough. My heart is full.

FHE Halloween Cupcakes

Last night after our FHE lesson we decorated Halloween cupcakes. So fun and so yummy!

First Snowfall

Didn't we just get past winter? It snowed into June and here we go again. We woke up yesterday morning to everything covered in white. As soon as we got home from church, Lauren went down for a nap and the other two grabbed their coats and headed outside. I didn't want to tarnish their excitement, but are we in for a long winter or what???

Happy Birthday, Cody!

Happy 35th to Cody! Friday was his birthday and we had a small celebration as a family. The kids picked out some presents for him which turned out to be Swedish Fish, Kit Kats, a 20 case of Coke, and a movie. After having pizza and opening presents, we headed over to Lance and Courtnee's to have cake. I made the traditional berry cake that Cody asks for every year. It is soooo yummy! Then Ethan stayed the night at their house and had a blast. Happy birthday Daddy. We love you!!!
We did not have any 3 or 5 candles so we decided to use a 2 and a 1. Cody was fine with being 21 this year!

The Marble Jar

We decided to start teaching the kids about money and how to earn it. But instead of teaching the concept right off with real money, we started a marble jar. Every time they do something good or helpful they get to add a marble to the jar (earn money). When they do something bad, a marble gets taken out of the jar (pay a fine). When the jar is full they get to pick out a toy at the store. On Friday morning the jar was full, something which has taken over a month to accomplish. Ethan picked out two new Transformers and Hailey got a new Barbie. We will do one more round of marbles and then switch to coins. This new incentive program has been cause for some good behavior!

Bad Exercises, Bad!

Yesterday afternoon Hailey and Kaden were playing in the basement when we heard a blood curdling scream. Apparently Hailey had been playing with my "exercises" (as she calls my dumbells that I keep next to the elliptical). She dropped one of the ten pounders on her right foot. That made for a terrible ending to a great day.

She screamed for over an hour and we debated about taking her into the ER. We watched it and she calmed down so we thought it would be okay. It immediately began to swell and turn purple, but she could still move it so we thought it wasn't broken. By tonight she was in serious pain and her entire big toe was bright purple and blood began seeping out around the toe nail. So I decided to take her to instacare where they did an x-ray.

Poor Hailey had been so brave up to that point. She even took a rock that she had gotten at Antelope Island to show the doctor. The nurse and doctor fell in love with her. She finally began crying when I had to sit her on the x-ray table. Turns out is wasn't broken, but she had a severe hematoma under the nail. So the doctor drilled a hole through the nail and blood began spurting out. Hailey screamed and clung to me for dear life.

She wrapped it up and said the swelling went down instantly. Hailey looked at the picture of her toe and said "Look, that is where the exercises hurt my foot!" She got a sucker, a milk shake, and a copy of her x-ray as a reward. Way to go Hailey girl. You were so brave!

Antelope Island

On Friday we decided to go exploring. When you live in a city, it's very rare to get out and do the touristy stuff because life gets in the way. But we decided to load up and head out to Antelope Island with Grandma and Papa. It was the perfect getaway. It took about 45 minutes to get there and back and was only $9 for our carload.

It seemed surreal as we drove across the straight that took us to the island. We were the only car on the road and it was a gorgeous drive! It stretched on forever. When we got there we saw buffalo and antelope and some pretty cool birds. After exploring the visitor center we drove out to see the ranch and along the way we saw so many buffalo up close and personal. It was a really neat experience! One of these days we need to go back out there and hike around the lake because there is a lot to see.

Caramel Apples

Grandma and Papa came to stay with us on Thursday night. After dinner we made caramel apples. Nothing says October like this yummy treat!!!

Getting To Know Her

Today we got back from dropping Ethan off at school, and Hailey wanted her picture taken with the pumpkins and her new elephant. I can't get enough of this kid.

She has almost stopped taking naps, which is about six months earlier than Ethan stopped. When we get home from taking Ethan, Lauren goes down for a nap and then I get two uninterupted hours with just Hailey. It's really been fun getting to know her on a more individual level.

I've always known she had a great personality, but lately she has become my friend. I love playing Barbies, playing house, coloring, and doing fun projects with her. Even though I usually have chores of some kind that need my attention during that time, I love having her by my side during those two hours. It's just the two of us and it's a lot of fun.

Halloween Kick-Off

October is here! Oh how we love Halloween. I didn't have time to get the decor up on the house today, but there will for sure be cob webs and spiders up tomorrow.

Tonight was our kick-off to Halloween night so we watched "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and munched on popcorn. I talked to Ethan and Hailey about Halloween and they had some funny things to say.

Ethan's Question and Answer-
Mom: Why do you like Halloween?
Ethan: Because I like to be spiderman.
Mom: Is there another reason?
Ethan: And Darth Vader too.
Mom: What do we do on Halloween?
Ethan: See spooky monsters.
Mom: What's your favorite Halloween candy?
Ethan: Pumkpins, candy, chocolate, and other candy.

Hailey's Question and Answer-
Mom: Why do you like Halloween?
Hailey: The backyard!
Mom: What about the backyard?
Hailey: It's scary out there!
Mom: Why else do you like Halloween?
Hailey: It's very spooky too!
Mom: What's your favorite Halloween candy?
Hailey: Trick or treat!

(This girl was so excited about all of her answers.)