Stop over

My brother Calvin, and his beautiful wife, came for a visit on their way back to Oregon from Mississippi. The kids had a blast visiting Red Rock Canyon, and a couple of other parks. Brianna couldn't get enough of her Aunt Becca. Calvin had to tell her that Becca was his kissing toy, not that that stopped my sweet kiss monster. Calvin and Rebbecca are alway teasing each other about who Brianna loves the most. This visit Calvin asked Brianna and she told him she loved Becca more. Ouch, but really, don't ask a question if you're not ready for the answer. I think he took it in stride and found another willing admirer in Kaitlynn who told him about 20 times in the car that she loved him.


They are a sweet couple. It was Calvin's first time meeting Elizabeth. They hit it off just fine. Although he did try feeding her to a dinosaur at the park...

One of every color

While getting my military ID extended a lady next to me wanted to chat.

Lady: "You have one of every color, don't you"?

Me: "Yes, I do, and they all have the same father"!

Lady: "I think you are one of the first people to talk back to me, most people ignore me".

Me: "I know, Vegas is a difficult town for making friends. What made me more approachable"?

Lady: "Well, you don't have your arms folded in front of your body for one thing".

Me: "So, if I did this," folding my arms, " you wouldn't have talked to me"?

Lady: "Yes, it's all in the body language".

She was so approachable my red head came up and pointed to her arm where she had a tattoo of a cartoon like bunny.

Red: "What's that"?

Lady: "That is dumb, dumb, dumb. Can you say that"?

I love that there are people who are fine with themselves and can make fun of the silly choices they've made in life. She said she got the tattoo when she was 14-15 and hid it from her mom for 3 years, just making sure to put a sweater on every time her mom came around. Once her mom saw it she told her that one day she would be a grandma and her bunny would sag with her skin and she could make it hop. She is still trying to get the bunny to hop. Her skin was not yet sagging though, maybe in a few years.

She was a very nice lady and helped the hour and a half wait time to go by pleasantly. She had two "Kyle Bush" m&m bracelets she had made for some other little girls, who had since gone, that she gave the girls to play with. Later she ended up giving it to the 'one of every color' girls.

What's going on, What's going on?

So, it looks like this is becoming a once a monthly blog now.

Update: We are currently about three weeks out from knowing if Greg will be medically retired or just medically released from the Air Force. We really want to be retired. Greg's re-enlistment date as come and past (Sept - 29), we have been given a three month extension on our IDs and medical coverage. Greg is currently looking to line up work for when he is retired/released.

I have been trying to de-clutter the house (this is a really hard job for me!). I can now officially get rid of all little baby toys, but they are so cute... This is my problem with everything. What if I need it one day? I admire the home-maker who's house is in order with only a drawer/room of clutter.

I have been working on my kids to understand that if they bring something out, they need to put it away, in the designated spot so they can find it the next time. I had baskets for gathering, thinking that would make it easier on cleaning up time, but they ended up being for their storage. They seldom put things back where they are supposed to, and then I get the never ending question, "mom, where is ____"? To which my reply, "I don't really know, I didn't play with it, maybe if you would have put it away where it is supposed to go you'd be able to find it now". I feel like a broken record! I think this must be a never ending job, like dishes, laundry, and cleaning.

Funny how we find ourselves saying the very same thing our parents did when we were growing up.

That's it for now, "LIFE," maybe I'll come up with something fun to post soon.

Busy August

Gosh, so much to catch up on!

First there was my birthday, the big ## (did you really think I would reveal my age?). I don't like getting older after all, I think I'd really like this machine my son keeps talking about inventing where you can go back to a younger age. I'm not sure what age I'd pick but I'm sure I'd like to go a "little" younger, oh, but I'd like all the things I have now like my kids and my husband.

My in-laws visited for a week just days after the water heater was fixed (thank Heavens!!). It might be the last time they could come to Vegas and have a free room to stay in, and see their grandchildren to boot.

We went to my family reunion in Malad, Idaho. What fun that was! And only a little family drama. We were missing only a few of our family members, my brother Ben, my brother Calvin and his wife. We try to meet every year to celebrate the life of my brother Lachoneus, who died when he was 17, we call it "Lakie Day." This year we had all of the 13 grandchildren in attendance. Unfortunately we did not get any pictures of the whole family.

My little Elizabeth was the "baby bully," she may be the youngest but she is for sure the biggest and the meanest (but she really isn't mean, she's just very aggressive with her love)! She is one of the luckiest cousins around, she has three cousins born just two months before her (Jessi's little Zeke, and Zeb's twins, Elliot and Otto). Otto and Elliot got to the point where just seeing Elizabeth coming was enough to make them cry (in unison), I can't wait till next year when they will get her back.

Then we had my my Dad, my sister Rose and her two, Eamonn and Fiona, stay with us for a few days before we went to my cousin Traci's wedding in California. Her wedding was very beautiful up in the hills at Palos Verdes Estates overlooking the ocean. The wedding lasted six hours, only 4 of which we stayed for...kids don't do too well after 9pm.















There was a lot of waiting around after the ceremony and before dinner, during which time my children made the best of it.


Funny story: A couple were sitting and betting on which one of the kids would fall into the fountain first. Not pictured in above photo: Joe (wearing blue).

Me: "What's the bet?"

Gentleman: "I've got $100 on the boy in blue going in first."

Me: "Who's putting up?"

Gentleman: "My wife."

Me, to the wife: "Might as well pay out now. My bet's on the boy too!"

Although no one fell in we had quite the time trying to pry them away from the beautiful fountain. I can't wait to see if the photographers got any good ones of Elizabeth touching the water with her momma holding a foot to make sure she didn't go face first into the pond. Every time I would try and get her away someone else with a camera would say, "Just one more?"Even one of the flower girls and bride's mother partook of the cool water.

Joseph and Elizabeth had birthdays, posts for them later.

That's it for now. I told you it was busy. One more California picture:

My First "Tag"

I've never been 'tagged' before, but I was surprisingly pleased when I saw I had been in a friend's blog. Thanks Heidi!

1. How long have you been married? 8 years! Where has the time gone?
2. Who eats more sweets? The kids by far.
3. Who said I love you first? I'm sure it was me.
4. How old is he? 34, I started the new celebrity trend of marrying younger men!
5. Who is taller? Greg (by at least a foot)
6. Who is smarter? I'm a woman, who do you think is smarter? JK
7. Who can sing better? You'd have to ask an innocent bystander (but why would you want to hurt an innocent bystander?).
8. Who does the laundry? Me, loads and loads.
9. Who pays the bills? Me.
10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? We both do...wink, oh you said sleep. Me
11. Who mows the lawn? What lawn, we live in VEGAS baby, our HOA doesn't allow grass in the front and we have rock in the back as well.
12. Who cooks dinner? Cook? We both do, he's a great cook!Who drives? He does if we are on a trip, I do if we are in Vegas traffic. He doesn't want to drive the mini-van around town too much.
13. Who kissed who first? He did, but I didn't turn away.
14. Who asked who out? I had an offer with his military friend that if he ever had any "single friends" come to town I'd show them around. Greg was the first and last. After the first date we both knew.
15. Who has more siblings? Me, I have 7; he has 3 half siblings.
16. Who wears the pants? I'm the only one who wears a skirt/dress if that answers your question.

Now I tag Stacey, Jennifer, and Jessica.

Thats Done, What's Next!

We have our garage repaired and our water heater installed (we really only went without hot water for a couple of days until a temporary hook-up was done). So far everything has run very smoothly, having insurance is a good thing. Sometimes it is hard to make the payment when money gets tight, but oh how much more tight it would be when disaster strikes! And this one really wasn't too bad (I say that because I haven't seen the invoice yet).

It is good to not have the hole in the wall, now if I can get all the cracks inside the house fixed! We asked if the company could give us an estimate on cosmetically fixing a few things. The gentleman that fixed the wall came in to get a look. He shook his head at one of the "problem" areas and said that it would be really hard to give a dollar amount until he "got up there and took down the ceiling." And it would take a "few" days for the stuff he could see.

PHHHH, heavy sigh.

I am feeling the economy's pinching a little more right now with Greg's pending release from the military. He told me yesterday that it took his buddy a year to get his retirement check after he was medically released.

Never a good sign

We were on our way out to grab some lunch with a friend when the kids came back in to tell me Kaitlynn was standing in some warm water. I immediately thought she had pee'd her pants and was getting ready to change her clothes so we could get on our way. It wasn't pee, and it was HOT water.

Yep, that's the Fire & Water Cleanup and Restoration truck! Nope, no fire, just a busted water heater (I guess it's time, ours is about 12 years old if put in when the house was built). Time or not it wasn't convenient for us, but is any disaster? So, we are seriously thinking it is time to get one of those home warranty programs. We've already replaced the dishwasher, now the water heater. With our luck the next thing to go is the A/C, which would not be a pretty thing for me and the kids here in HOT Vegas! Does anyone know of a good company they could recommend?
It did some water damage (could only have been leaking for about 2-3 hours). But, we will have a new water heater that we can add to the great new amenities of our house when we sell. Plus, if I have it my way, a home warranty to sweeten the deal.

Basket Fun

I recently found out Elizabeth can put things into baskets, I was so excited to have another hand to help out around the house with all the toys that seem to find their way onto the floor.

Today I found her taking a few toys out of the basket to replace them with a bigger toy.

My children never cease to entertain me.

Out and about

This is from our outing to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum with the Clement girls. Joe and Brianna read enough books to receive a free pass each from the Aliante Library. Got to love the summer reading programs at the library(s)!! They ran out of the swimming passes, but hopefully they'll get more in soon.

Crafty, yes, sometimes.

A few years (about 4 to be exact) a friend told me about this sling she had bought. She showed me how it worked and gave it to me (it was too small for me, but I used it for a pattern). All of my girls have been slinglings (great website!). I have tried to spread the word and even given some to family members.

Recently another friend asked if she could borrow mine for a trip she was taking, she was going to be flying and now the airlines are charging extra to check on strollers. She came over to try it on. I decided to make her one. Long story shorter, we discussed how cool it would be with a pocket for carrying cell phones so she could really be hands free. Only we discussed it AFTER the sling was made. Life would have been easier if I had just put one in to begin with!!

But, it is done, pocket put in and all. Here are the pictures to prove how successful I was. Got to toot your own horn every now and again.

Cute baby M!

Almost There

Little Liz is working hard at standing on her own, she even is able to squat and sometimes get back to full standing position. We are having fun cheering her on at every turn (and fall) and everyone takes part in helping her in her quest to become a "big girl".

Happy Little Window Cleaners

I decided to put my two older girls to work cleaning windows to help ease the LOAD of housework. Brianna did a pretty good job, just lost steam. Kaitlynn, though, she is going to be a good worker-bee, and happy to boot. Elizabeth wanted to help...eat paper towels.

Not only am I breaking child labor laws, I think I could get in trouble for having 1/2 dressed window cleaners too.

To believe or not to believe

Last night when Joe went to bed I talked him into putting his tooth in the treasure bag and then keeping it under his pillow while he slept. He complied, the whole time saying,
"Mom, there is no such thing as the Tooth Fairy! I know it is really you."

This morning, bright and early (earlier than I wanted!), Joe came to my room and thanked me. When I asked him what for, he said "for his gold dollar." I asked what he was talking about. So he showed me his Sacagawea dollar. Along with the dollar he got a note and a shark tooth! He was pretty excited but still claimed it was me. Guess one can't fool a smarty pants.

"Why would the Tooth Fairy give me a shark's tooth?"

"Maybe she thought you'd feel better if you had a replacement tooth."

"Nah, I know it was you, what does the Tooth Fairy do with teeth?"

"I'm not sure, but what would I do with your teeth?"

"Put them in your mouth."

"Right, cuz I don't have enough teeth of my own."

After our little conversation on the existence of the Tooth Fairy he left and promptly came back saying his light had gone out in his room when he turned it on. I worked a little spin on it claiming that was proof it was the tooth fairy who came into his room and not his mom.

"What!!??"

"Yeah, the tooth fairy is so beautiful and bright the light knew he couldn't compete anymore and just went out."

"Hmmm."

Maybe some fairy dust would have helped him 'believe'. I've never wanted to trick my kids into believing in things that aren't real. But, this time I couldn't resist, mom's need a little fun too!

Joe's other tooth came out this morning at breakfast. I wonder if he'll put it under his bed.

Update

Yeah, so most of you may be wondering, did she get the iPhone or not? I did, and should have said something right away, but alas I was too busy playing with it. Not that I need anything else to distract me from things I should be doing...

We used the navigation application today (not that we really needed it, but to check it out) when we went to dinner. I have plenty of "keep your kids busy" applications now and have to wonder who's phone it is. Everyone loves it even Elizabeth, there is a bubble popping application that keeps her mesmerized. Kaitlynn will take it first thing in the morning or anytime it's on the charger, she likes to hide it from me. What can I say about Joseph, he has been asking for a phone for a long time, now he wants an iPhone. So, I put on an application that turns the phone into a light-saber (you can pick the color of the little light-saber on the screen, and it makes light-saber noises when you move it around). That with a few other applications keep him happy enough to just hold mine.

OH, and some more news...we have finally joined the "lost tooth" club. All my friend's kids are loosing their teeth left and right, I think we were the last in line.
Joe's two bottom front teeth have been wiggling for a while now, at least a month. He already has his adult teeth growing in toward his tongue since the baby teeth have been stubborn and not giving way, until today!!
Tonight at dinner he didn't eat all his pizza saying his teeth were hurting, we got home and he said it just popped out. We had been offering to pull them for him, to which he constantly refused. I'll be glad when we get rid of his four front teeth! And I really hope his adult teeth are more healthy than his baby teeth. I have a strong feeling we will be having to do something for crowded teeth though, the dentist has already mentioned it once or twice. His daddy had braces, Momma had braces (although for a different reason), sorry Joe, it looks like you'll get braces.

If he doesn't believe in the Tooth Fairy should he get any money??

Step'n Up

I can't believe I caught her climbing already. I actually watched her use the dinosaur as a step to climb up onto the music stand. Unbelievable! As you can see she was mightily pleased with her new found ability. Just wait till the falling down starts, that smile will turn into tears.