Monday, December 29, 2008

Happy 100th

Can you believe it!! And just in time for the new year!!

In celebration of our 100th post...

Y'all get to pick your favorite post and vote in your comment. I'll calculate the totals with my mathematical talents and announce the winner in an NEW up and coming post. And for all of you who haven't read the winning post can read it, and for all of you who have get the honor of rereading it!!! (Cause I know y'all love it.)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Babe


The gal we call babe is my silly, cute, and strong willed little Ashlyn. I love this girl, she is a little party waiting to happen. But she has also "turned 2." There are moments she drives me C-R-A-Z-Y!!! Our arguments are mostly the normal terrible two stuff except for the clothes! She is terribly picky, only wants to wear either her jammies or one of her two favorite outfits. She changes her clothes at least 5 times a day and I can never even begin to guess what she will want to wear. So if you have any words of wisdom for me, please let me know!! I am a little desperate.

This is a picture of Ashlyn's fairy wings that she got from a Chick-fa-A party night. They were having a buy one get one free meal night along with a clown who painted faces and tied balloons. She never wanted to take them off.
Lately I have been loving her "pirate face." She will try to close just one eye and say "arggggggggg." Very cute! I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that come out of her mouth and about every little thing she does it so cute. But there is not enough room here for all of it. But I do want to put all her clothes in a pile and have a bon fire!!!!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

We love Nini and Poger

A bonus to moving around the country at least gets Connor's parents out to see us on a regularly basis. We are glad we can help them see more sites around the country. We love when they get to come see us because it feels like a vacation at home!

Connor and I finally got to go to the Temple TOGETHER. Rog and Co got to go as well. We traveled over to Durham to see Duke and UNC as well as the Life and Science museum. We also had the entire I-MAX theatre to ourselves for a showing of Madagascar 2.
(Duke's Cathedral)

My favorite part was watching the kids with their Nini and Poger. They truly love them so much and didn't want to do anything unless they were there with us. They fought over who got to sit next to them, or ON them!! We want them to know how much we truly love them!!!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Polar Bear Pose

I have been enjoying my weekly tennis class since we have been here in Raleigh. A gal in my ward found us a great coach who has played in Wimbledon. Connor has been a great coach in the past, however, my lessons were few and far between (both getting away at the same time was a feat.) It has been nice to play consistently and with other ladies in the ward/area so that I don't get too frustrated. Connor was sceptical about my ability to improve in a large class- but we went and played once together and he was VERY impressed. At least now I might be able to somewhat play with him before I get too old to stand on my own feet!

I also love having some time away with the girls. My coach has a thick Jamaican accent and all those once familiar tennis terms sometimes get confusing. It is now starting to get cold and we play at night so we have called ourselves the Polar bear pose. Our coach runs us around the court well so we can stay warm.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Thank DC


We met our awesome friends from Cleveland, the Ellsworth's, in Herndon, VA for Thanksgiving. Because of $ and time we had to skip out on the Thompson gathering in Utah this year. But boy did the Ellsworth's deliver!! We had a great time at Kristin's parents house in VA. It was almost half way between us (shorter on our end, he he he.) The kids were all very entertained (and not by us) because they each have their bestest friend ever in this great family, and I do believe Corbin fell in love with Kaitlyn at first sight!

Kristin's mom is the next best thing to Martha Stewart, so you can only imagine what Thanksgiving dinner was like (with my addition of Sweet potato casserole and a layered jello- a king family fav.) And to top it all off we had a shmorgishboard of pies to choose from, that lasted all weekend long! So are the pie eaters next to their choice of pie- chocolate, cherry, lemon, pumpkin, bannana cream and cheese cake!


The day after we caught the tail end of a near by parade (just enough) and headed out to see some sites in DC. It was perfect and the kids had so much fun sharing it with their friends. We saw the Lincoln memorial, Washington monument, the Vietnam Veterans memorial, Korean War Veterans memorial and finally Rainbow pool (WW2 Memorial.) So here we are in front of all the states we have ever lived in! Sad isn't it????

We played games and laughed while the kids played forever. We also enjoyed jumping on the trampoline, Connor's story telling skills, custard and Five Guys burgers, and all making friendship bracelets that matched!!!

We were sad to leave, but I guess it is always good to end on a good note! We just hope there will be a next time!!!

Thank you, you guys!!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Turkey Trot

So who of you have done your turkey trot???

I did mine on Saturday in Pinehurst, NC (the golfers out there might recognize this place.) I was lucky enough to be able to do it with a couple of gals from one of the wards in my stake- beats doing it alone.

This 1/2 marathon felt much better than my last one, however, there were more hills. Most the time I was either running up a hill or down a hill. The view was gorgeous but the weather was a little chilly (high of 42.) I was very happy when I beat my last time for a 1:46! I felt pretty good about that!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

VS.


I know for many of you this was a big game. But at our house it is even bigger!!! As you know we are a divided family, or I guess I could say there is ONE faithful follower and ONE that turned to the DARK SIDE. Connor can barely stand that it is so difficult to watch his beloved Utes play football (out here we don't get the Mountain) and it is heartbreaking. I stand by quietly, knowing that my alliance is right and we will prevail (well, maybe next year.)

So congrats to the Utes! But the Lord's School still ROCKS!!!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Poline Fun

We are really enjoying our trampoline (or poline and Ashlyn calls it.) Dylan is my dare devil child who can do all the crazy tricks, and no one taugh him, he just figures it out. But here is a new trick I bet none of you have seen yet! (His last try, before the flips, are his best- so hold out.)

By the time Dylan is done he looks pretty silly

He also really loves to play dodgeball and tag, and is very good at them- those who know him might understand what I mean!
And When Ashlyn even looks at the trampoline she looks pretty similar


Who wants to come jump with us?

Sunday, November 16, 2008

New Toy

Don't ask me why but this...

has not left Dylan's side for the last few days. It is amazing what it can be... mainly a sword but also a broom. He even keeps it tucked in his pants like a warrior. He even tried to sleep with it. And then at least 20 times a day he asks if I would fight with him, and proceeds to shove into my hand a...

and gets this for Ashlyn...

And you can only imagine how that goes.

I tried to hide it hoping that he might forget about it (out of sight, out of mind) but it doesn't work. I actually hid it from myself one of those times. Him bugging me really jogged my memory!

We watched this recently...

which could be the culprit, but we loved it and I highly recommend it!

Here's to basting fights!

If I were as Strong as...

Before even taking the test I knew...
I'm a Alice! I found out through TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

My Hunk

The Husband Tag...

1.What is his name? Connor, but his first and real name is Lincoln
2.Who eats more? I could put up a good fight, but I shouldn't
3.Who said I love you first? Ya know, I have no idea
4.Who's taller? All of you who know me, know that answer!
5.Who is smarter? Definitely Connor, that was one reason why I married him
6.Who is more sensitive? Maybe Connor- his sisters taught him well. But I really take the lead when I am pregnant
7.Who does the laundry? Me, I enjoy it, but I make him fold his own socks
8.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me
9.Who does the bills? Me

10.Who cooks more? Me. But Connor makes some mean breakfasts and Japanese dishes
11.What meals do you cook together? Zip- how do you make anything together with three kids??
12.Who is more stubborn? We can both say it is me, but I know Connor is he just does what he has been told to do and tells me I am always right
13.Who is the first to admit they're wrong? Connor but it takes him longer to really get over it- weird huh
14.Who has more siblings? Connor- wins by three!
15.Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both wear one pant leg
16.What do you like to do together? play with the kids, be kids, dance, sing, play tennis, eat desert, watch movies, play cards, exercise
17.Who eats more sweets? Again I win this by a landslide!
18.Guilty pleasures? Eating deserts after the kids go to bed and staying up late and then taking turns sleeping in

19.How did you meet? In the biggest class at BYU- he sat down right next to me the first day and had to get my number or else we might never have met again.
20.Who asked who out first? Connor asked me to "study"
21.Who kissed who first? Of course he kissed me
22.Who proposed? Connor did, I was so mad at him, then I realized what he was doing!
23.His best features? If there was anyone close to perfection- that is why I picked him, but I do love his cheeks for some reason
24.What is his greatest quality? He does everything with his whole heart- he loves me, his kids, the gospel, he supports me in all my endeavors and he excels in everything he puts his mind to
25.Tag... everyone who wants to gloat about their amazing husbands!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Singing in the Rain

Ashlyn would have really sang and danced in the rain if I let her! The rain is welcome here cause it still stays warm!
Ashlyn would wear her rain coat any day. She looks for every excuse to put it on. So here she is enjoying the rain dry. Here she is standing directly under a broken gutter, so she is right under a stream of water- and loving it!!!

Isn't she a doll?!?!?!

Just for background- Ashlyn loves the rain. When we lived in Boston we would go out to our backyard (aka parking lot) and if it had rained there were always puddles. Dylan loved to stomp through them, Ashlyn loved that too, but what she really loved was to SIT in them. Seriously her favorite thing to do!! Guess she hasn't grown out of it yet!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Could We Ever Get Sick of The Park?

We have some great parks here that we frequent often because of the great weather. Here we are at one of them with our friend Lydia. Her and Dylan have become great friends. They love this...

Dylan is really good at pushing it and going...

But usually ends up here...

All because he is going way too fast (all of you who know him, know what I mean.)

And here he is mastering the monkey bars. I can't tell you how many times he cried over the monkey bars. He wanted SO badly to get all the way across and all by HIMSELF. If I even took a step close to him he would insist he had to start over. And then when his hands got all sweaty and slippery, well he fell apart! But he did it! Funny kid!


Any my cutie (with her booboo nose), who is to brave at the park...

Here she is swinging before she goes down the slide... (she also hangs on all by herself on thos zipline things.)

And just another picture for my benefit- aren't they adorable!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween

Here are all of our pumpkins that we carved the night before Halloween. But at least we did it. Dylan was a marvelous "cheer leader" who kept telling Connor and I that we were great carvers! I can now add another talent to my list! As you can see after two pumpkins each we were a little tired and the last pumpkin got the shaft! Poor Corbin's pumpkin is just a ghetto flower! Left to right- Spider, ghost face, flower, bat, and scary face.

I know some of you are thinking we couldn't possibly be the Incredibles one more time (at least moving has one good side.) But after making Ashlyn's costume I was tired out. This was my fall back. So here is Elastigirl and baby Jack Jack (undercover as you can see.)

Here is Ashlyn as Wonder Red from Super Readers! She even has "roller blades." Don't ask me what kind of pose she is sporting, I don't really know.

Here are the boys- Dylan was Dash for our Ward party but he was Luke Skywalker for Halloween. He was terribly excited to have his "life saver" with him. He hasn't take off his hooded cape since Monday (thank you Laurel!) However, I didn't get a picture- yet! I think I still have time. And isn't Connor a real life Mr. Incredible??? (Except for the fact that he looks really tired here!)

Dylan in his star wars costume. So there is a shirt that goes with the cape, but for some reason he insisted that he had to wear "black clothes" to complete his costume (which really are navy blue, but don't you dare try to correct him!)- I have no idea. So he has now worn his "black clothes" for 2 weeks straight!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Crazy 8's

So I got tagged twice and both were a little different, so I mixed them together for one, great big Crazy 8 list!

8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Chipotle
2. Cafe Capistrano
3. Cafe Rio
4. Subway
5. TGI Friday's
6. Sheetz- does this count? I doubt any of my Western friends even know what this is, but I love it!!!
7. My husband's breakfasts!!!
8. Anything really that I haven't made sounds good.
Notice how they are mostly all Mexican Resturants!!!

8 things that happened yesterday...
1. Ran - Surprising, I know
2. I ate too many peanut M&M's- well too many is an understatment, more like the whole bag!
3. Dylan to and from Preschool
4. Parent- Teacher conference with Dylan's Preschool teacher- he's doing GREAT!!!
5. Had an interview for a casual pool position at the Hospital- so nerve racking!!
6. Played swords with Dylan
7. Read so many books I put myself down for a nap instead of my kids!
8. Nursed, Nursed and Nursed again!!!

8 things to look forward to...
1. Connor's Parents come this week
2. Halloween- I enforce the parent tax (20% of the candy goes to me!!!)
3. Thanksgiving with the Ellsworths
4. Christmas in CA with my whole fam
5. When Connor comes home
6. Sundays!!
7. Running another 1/2 in a month- can I say I am addicted???
8. Quiet time after the kids go to bed

8 Favorite TV Shows...
1. Dancing with the stars
2. Eli Stone
3. 24
4. Monk
5. CSI
6. Backyardigans, because it is so cute and I love the songs!
7. A football game here and there with Connor is always a treat
8. No TV might actually be nice!


8 things I love about Fall...
1. Crisp but warm days
2. Cruncky leaves
3. Halloween
4. Thanksgiving
5. Perfect weather- which never lasts long enough
6. getting out my winter clothes- fun until I realize how pathetic it is because I am always pregnant during the winter
7. Hot Chocolate
8. Cuddleing up in big warm blankets with my kids or husband

8 things on my wishlist...
1. My own house
2. Never move again (but first we have to move back out west)
3. My pre-baby tummy!!!
4. A cook
5. Time and energy for another triathlon
6. A masters Degree in Child Life
7. A cruise with just my husband
8. A month to play with my kids with no "to do" list

4th folder, 4th picture...
My super, awesome, little sister, Carianne who I guess is now making her debut appearance on my blog!!
If there was anyone I would want to be like- it would be her!


8 people I tag...
1. Carrie
2. Morgan
3. Jenny
4. Kristin
5. Liz
6. Robbin
7. Rochelle
8. Suzi

Sunday, October 26, 2008

To The Farm We Go

Dylan's preschool class took a trip to Hill Ridge Farm last week. I didn't really know what to expect, but let's just say Dylan didn't want to leave after a full day of play! Here is a glimpse of our Day.
Sorry again for all the collages. Just an easy way to get more cute pictures in!!!

First we took a hay ride to the pumpkin patch...

All of us at the pumpkin patch- Choosing the right pumpkins is rather hard!! It was especially hard when I had to carrying all three of them, ALL my "stuff" (well not really mine, but you know) and get three little kids on the hayride back to the farm!

The pumpkin patch...

Then off to the maze. Ashlyn got quite confused (it is very long) but Dylan would have done it all day long. When Dylan announced he had to go to the Bathroom, instead of going straight there, he made a detour through the maze (he really had to go huh??). Thankfully he made it!

Dylan's favorite place at the farm was the Dried Corn Box- a lot like a sand box but with dried corn. We had to come back for a second round it was so fun! I loved it too- I could use one in my backyard.

There was also a hay maze- much easier for Ashlyn...

The tee pee...

This was a big slide. You sit on burlap and slide down it. Corbin even enjoyed it!

Best picture of the day... Isn't he the cuttest???