Get Ready!

Today has by far been one of the WORST days I have had in a LONG time. When I was finally able to take a minute, I found serenity. And my smile. Finally.

You can even tell by the baby's expression that something's coming down there!

Hopefully by Saturday the sickbug will have left our house, so we can focus on more important things.

T is for Thomas!

About a month ago we bought tickets for the Orange Empire Railroad Museum "Day out with Thomas." We had heard about it last year, but missed it. I was determined not to let that happen again! Grandma and Papa wanted to come, too.

I kind of put it in the back of my mind once we received the tickets. Then this week I started telling Dillan about his "surprise that starts with the letter T." He constantly threw out guesses like Tiger, Telescope, and Tea Cup! I thought for sure he would figure it out, but he didn't.

Our instructions were to arrive an hour before our departure time, which was 9:00. We all got up before 7:00 to get ready to go. Grandma and Papa came over and had a special conductor hat and bandana for him to wear. Then we set off.

When we arrived there weren't too many people there. We caught our first glimpse of Engine #1 and Dillan's face lite up! First step, get pictures taken. Dillan couldn't take his eyes off Thomas. Right after we finished our photo shoot we got to see Thomas leave the station for his first trip. Dillan refused to look at the camera. Seriously, his eyes were transfixed.

When it was our turn to board we climbed up and couldn't wait to get moving! It was fun waving to all the people from the train and hearing the whistle blows and railway crossing bells. The conductors handed out certificates to all the kids, making them honorary train conductors. Too cool.

We wandered around, ate fresh kettle corn, watched Dillan (courageously) ask for a temporary tatoo, and then found the tent where you could color to your hearts' content, build train tracks and trains, and play play play. Dillan would not leave that place. He was in heaven. Even with all the other kids there stealing his train pieces and going the wrong way. He was hooked.

It was such a fun day! Thank you Grandma and Papa for spending such a fun day with us!

My Thanksgiving 2008

This month at school, Dillan has been learning about Thanksgiving. Pilgrims, Indians, Turkey, everything. They're planning a big feast at the end of the month. Too bad he probably won't try and eat any of it!

He's also told me about a new song he's learning, but doesn't quite have it down. The 5 little pumpkins he taught us went well. Who knows what's next?

Anyway, he came home with a little book that had a few phrases pasted inside. We were supposed to discuss them to see what he came up with. Here are the results:

Our family decided to have a Thanksgiving dinner just like the pilgrims.
Yup, we did. But I think Daddy will be there and he can tell us what to do.

Here is my recipe for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey.
Put it in a pan. Then sit on a chair and put it in the oven. Ms. Carol said, "That's a good one, Dillan!"

Hopefully every holiday is as memorable!

Dillan @13 months, loving the swing-------------------Leah 13 months

Smarty Pants

Dillan has been thriving in preschool this year. More than once his teacher, Ms. Carol, has told me how well he does writing his letters. I don't take any credit for it. Dillan has always loved books and after we found the magnet alphabet letters to play with at church, he's been hooked. He just picked up on everything very well. Apparently he loves learning and hopefully will always be that way!

Today when I picked him up, he anxiously ran to his cubby to show me what he had done that day. The first thing he pulled out was his worksheet with the letter of the week "L". I think I told him that was great, his tracing was getting better. Then he turned it over to the other side. There I saw his name written twice (by the teacher) and at the bottom of the page: his name again, slightly crooked, but legible. WHAT??!! Who wrote that??? There were a few stars and a small note from the teacher that said simply "He Did It!"

I was shocked. Unfortunately, Ms. Carol was preoccupied with another parent so I didn't get a chance to find out exactly what had happened! But I have the proof pasted to the fridge. Dillan wrote his name for the first time! All letters, in the right order. I've seen him practice his D's and I's, but that's about as far as he ever gotten before stopping.

Maybe we should start drilling him for hours a day writing and reading! Who knows what he's capable of!


Dillan, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you! You are such a smart boy and we can't wait to see what you will become! You really are our SuperDillan and a SuperBigBrother!
We love You!

41 - 12 = 29!

Talk about amazing. The final score of the BYU/SDSU game was 41-12. We won (obviously). The amazing part is that 41 minus 12 equals 29! No, it's not my math skills that are amazing. It's my age, as of yesterday. As of the same day of the game. Coincidence? I think not.
Yes, it's true, I'm another year closer to 20-10. It kind of snuck up on me this year. But, I ended up having a great day!
It started out with Chris telling me he was getting off early, meet him at home at 4. In the morning, I was able to take the kiddies to Grandma's house while I went to the Primary Program Practice. That went smoothly. Deciding what I wanted more than anything was to get my car washed, I then met grandparents and kids at the coin-op wash where my lovely brother washed my van. After a vacuum, I grabbed a taco while everyone else went to run errands. What could I do with all this freedom? I went shopping. Not one of my favorite pasttimes. I like buying the kids' clothes, but for myself? It's never been fun. Ever.
I had made a mental list of all the articles of clothing that I needed, and others that weren't really a need, more of a "nice to have someday" thing. I walked aimlessly around a couple stores, trying to decide what I was going to do. I really like sweaters, especially this time of year, but also like jackets. Well, what I've seen on others, anyway. I finally decided on a skirt, top, and jacket. I figured it made the most sense, since I normally only care about what I'm wearing when I go to church. It may not be obvious to my fellow ward members, but be grateful!
Then I decided I wanted a pedicure. I'd only had 2 previously. I was pregnant both times. I still feel like a rookie when I walk into the salon, but was unusually relaxed as well. For a few extra dollars, I got a sea salt scrub/massage up to my knees. Pure Heaven. I also had my arches just above my heels pounded with the cosmetologists' fists. Hard. I looked around, no one else was having that treatment. Why was I so lucky? It was loud, but seemed to work. She then asked me how that felt. Uh...good?
I got home just before 4, having made a pit stop at grandma's to see how the kids were doing. Really, I know my parents love my kids, but could they really stand them for the WHOLE day? Chris was waiting for me when I got home. He gave me a sweet card and the compression shorts I'd been eyeing for sometime. Used for exercising. I can't wait to try them out so I can see what the big deal is. He had made a reservation at a little Italian restaurant I had never heard of. He had planned a hike just before sunset, but figured we wouldn't make it before sundown, so we went minature golfing instead. It's been a while. I beat him, of course.
Then we went to dinner, the food was awesome!
My brother promised me dessert when we picked up the kids. I don't like birthday cake, so I was curious as to what he was fixing up. Muddy Buddies!
It doesn't get much better than that! Thank you to all my family who sent cards, phone calls, and to my lovely parents who took my kids the WHOLE day. I never realized how much stress I take on with kids. Thank you Chris for reminding me how old I'm getting, but loving me more and more all the time. Life is good.

Tennessee-Part Deux

So, we made it back home. The whole way to the airport, Dillan, like a broken record, "I'm sad! I miss Roxy!" Then on the airplane. Then after he saw Daddy. Then this morning. Those kids had so much fun together. Too bad you don't live closer! I tell him she'll be here for Christmas, but I don't think he believes me. I think we're going to start a countdown just so he can be happier.

I realize I didn't take many pictures of the little guys while we were out there. Unfortunately all the cute moments were overdone by the big siblings, and that was when I thought to pull out my camera. Sorry guys! We'll make up for it later!

We spent the final days in Tennessee playing, shopping, and riding Uncle Aaron's tractor/mower. Dillan even got brave enough to try out Roxy's tree swing. He hates swings! I think it's the motion. But he had a blast on this one.

We were so excited to see our Daddy, and he surprised us with a spotless house! It was so nice to not have to do any extra cleanup. Daddy is the best.

Tenessee: Take I

No, blogs do not take vacations. They really can't. Especially mine since it's more like our family journal. Too bad, huh? Sacrifices. It's all about sacrifices.
So Dillan, Leah, Grandma and I all boarded a plane headed for Nashville. We haven't been here since Dillan was 1. My sister Shannon lives out there with her husband and two kids, the same age as mine. The plane ride was not too bad. The flight attendant even talked Dillan into helping her collect garbage from the passengers. It was the first time he didn't shy away from speaking out his name to a stranger! They announced it over the intercom and he received a roaring applause from all passengers. My little superstar!



We've had a lot of fun playing, laughing, dressing up, making silly faces, trick or treating, and celebrating Roxy's 4th birthday. Dillan and Roxy average nearly 3 arguments a day where they insist they are no longer friends and will not speak to the other. They've been really good about apologies and making up. Dillan gets pretty brave when she's around, but also competitive.



We carved pumpkins then headed out to Trick or Treat. Dillan was Spiderman, Leah Sleeping Beauty. Staying true to character, Leah slept most of the time we were out.




Never faltering from tradtion, even silly ones, we wore our BYU GameDay Apparal to Roxy's birthday party at the park. Daddy called that morning to check-up on us.

The landscapes out here are beautiful. Trees everywhere. The leaves are breathtaking, with so many mixes of reds, yellows, oranges and greens. Dillan has asked why the leaves change color. I told him because Heavenly Father wanted it that way. Thinking twice, I should have explained why the leaves at home don't change like these, but maybe he won't notice.



We're having so much fun being altogether, even though we miss our Daddy a lot. Dillan woke up one night wanting to sleep in Daddy's bed. But, we're staying strong and making the most out of our time with family. They're great!