I know . . .

 . . . we've become complete dog people . . .

and I even find it disturbing sometimes . . .

We were babysitting Susan and Sophie again.  We took Zoey and Sophie in the car and Sophie proved to us {again} that she is a little monster.  A little crazy, full of energy, monster. 



Definitely more distracting than a cell phone . . . we had to banish her to the trunk. 

Oh and WE does NOT include Ansen for the record.  

OLD - Really?! (iPhone style)

My family loves me . . . they really do love . . . I can feel it. 

A little Lehi winds . . . no big deal.

Chris was here.  Golfing was in order.  Golfing 18 . . . maybe not necessary, but done.

One day . . . one day I want a new sewing machine.  For now I like to look  . . . and take pictures . . . ?

We grabbed dinner and with Jen and Jer. 

The four of us finally all got situated at this over-sauced table. 

Apparently no one did this . . . it just magically happened. 

I hate these guys . . . but we became best friends again last summer.

This is where you do the laundry all day, but you only have time to pile it on your bed.  Then it's late, you're tired and you just push it all onto the ground . . . ya . . that happens here. 

We had no idea that this little welcome home tribute to Jeff when he came hom from his mission would be the last time we would have wax ball frosting.  Betty Crocker has discontinued this flavor and we couldn't not be more unhappy with Betty . . . jerk.  

Lucky little Olivia was smart . . . she took it upon herself to "touch up" all the edges of every cupcake with her finger on the way over to Banna's house when we set this up.  So I guess I'm hoping that Jeff actually ate these. 

And finally . . . Black Friday shopping didn't bring me home until 6:30 am this year.  A full 12 hours shopping.   This was the begining of the adventure . . . already laying down  . . . waiting for my ride.

I am too old. 

Halloween 2013

Catching up to Halloween 2013 . . .

Addie decided on a flapper for Halloween, so Olivia decided on a flapper for Halloween and Banna volunteered to make the costumes. 

Drew decided on a vampire . . .

"with teeth and blood, that scares little kids except for Halle (our cousin)."

We had a dry run for the ward Halloween party.



Then we had the dress rehearsal with a family party.  Ansen and I were able to "trick" my family into doing pumpkins and most people took a turn helping a kid. 

Lisa and Liv designed a darling little Minnie Mouse.

Addison went with a painted pumpkin with several characters by the time she was done.  

And Branda ended up taking on Drew with a traditional jack-o-latern face.  For the record . . . my Dad is dressed up.  

Us AND the pumpkins even made it to Pumpkins on Parade at the school this year. 

And Halloween pre-school pictures.

And now we get to the part where I quite literally want to die . . . 

All of my Halloween night pictures are lost. 

May favorite holiday of the year . . . my routine yearly pictures of me and my kiddos . . . pictures with Halle and Tess here . . . Trick or Treating . . . lost.  And now I'm trying to mentally move on. 

We bought some googles at Costco.  Drew was pretty excited . . . nevermind the stickers on the lenses . . .

My Grandma went . . . or actually came . . . on a mission to Salt Lake Temple Square.  We all went to dinner the night before we started.  16 kids in a restaurant . . . pretty much a nice, relaxing evening.

Look at all this effort Drew made to hang up his pajamas.  I appreciated his hard work even though normally we just throw them all in the basket. 

Still wtruggling with the sleeping arrangements.

But it's so sweet. 



Lisa and Matt had our 3 kids sleep over with their 2 "kids."  That was my payment for tax preparation this year - one I'll gladly accept. 

Jen and Jeremy had Tyce sealed to them in Logan.  Fun to catch up with old friends . . . it's been almost 15 years since I met Jen (and Liz).  15 years since I started college.  Man, I'm getting old.

We had Drew's 4 year old Dr.'s appointment.  He had to have shots and apparently he didn't know what a shot was.  He was totally fine with the idea until it happened.  The shock on his face was so sad, but an ice-cream cone helped.  Same trick since Addison was my crying baby. 

Olivia always keeps the little kids entertained.  Yeah, they're just watching the iPad this time . . . but normally they are actually playing. 

I went to my first REAL game . . . and I'm a fan!  The obsession . . . .I get it now. 

And a trip to Logan means time with the Robbins!

(please never grow up)

and Aggie ice-cream.

And we wrapped May up a litte Arrested Development and some frozen banannas.  Jeff and I have been waiting 6 years for this  . . . but I couldn't wait the 4 more months for him to get home.  Lukcily, I got Ansen on board after my accident when he used to watch an episode or two every night. 

We NEED a dog!

Although Ansen will STRONGLY disagree, I think the pictures prove otherwise.

Lisa and Matt had to go out of town for 5 days, my parents were gone too and no one would kennel their new puppy soooo I volunteered (with Ansen's permission). 

As it turned out the one little boy ended up being much, much harder than the two dogs - even with one being an unpotty trained puppy.

First, Drew NEVER-EVER put "the little girl" Sophie down.

Every time I walked out to the kitchen, he'd hurry and put her down and then ask in his nicest voice if he could please hold "little Soph-Soph."

NEVER-EVER put her down.  NEVER.

Second, he had to "check" on the dogs constantly.  Right after the bath I couldn't find him . . . he was out with the dogs . . . naked. 

 Third, he "needed" Sophie to watch movies with him.  Sometimes she was a willing participant and it worked out.  Sometimes, not so much and Drew would be devastated.

Fourth, we didn't let Sophie out of the kitchen so Drew felt it was his obligation to assist her with full viewing for hours . . . and whoops - most of the time she somehow made it over the barrier.

Fifth, he fancied himself their personal tour guide of the neighbor's chickens and yards.  We had an "emergency" when "the little one fell in the (neighbor's) window well."

There was water all over the kitchen all the time from Drew refilling the dogs' water and he tore the back screen door out for them so they could run in and out.

 And then there was the night they talked me into taking them both to Liv's soccer game.  I realized 1/2 way there, Ansen wouldn't be there until after he picked up Addison from soccer, Olivia would be playing and I'd be on the field coaching . . . which left Drew to two dogs all by myself. 



I didn't get ANY pictures of Addie with the dogs, but she loved them just as much.

Both kids have sunburns and food on their face . . . maybe 3 kids and 2 dogs is just too much for me.  

Luckily Susan loved all the busy-ness of our house and 3 kids to entertain her and Sophie was a really, really patient puppy.  

Here and there

Who doesn't love a little first grader note . . .

"Know Won"

Phonetically, she's awesome.

Drew is into friends.

lots and lots of friends.  Everyday if he had his pick. 

Addison babysits the neighbor's dog, cat and chickens when they go out of town.  I have to say she might be close to one of the most attentive animal sitters now.  The dog gets walked several times a day and I'm actually beginning to become fond of the cat . . . I was tolerable of the cat last summer and it might actually be turning to fondness.  It may be too early to tell . . . that's kind of a risky statement. 

I considered buying this for Drew for about 30 seconds.  Ansen said "no way in hell."

Probably the better decision.

Olivia got to eat lunch with Mrs. Barger since she was a "great helper" in class. 

I went into a store with this . . .

my little boy in his pj shirt, his swimming suit, no shoes and a cape used as long hair.  He's holding the headband behind me for the picture.  I dropped off Liv at gymnastics and decided to run over to Office Depot to get ink.  I forgot until I opened the back door that Drew was dressed in this special get up - we just went with it.

I officially went back to the dumb gym after a 2 month "Holiday leave".  It really stinks coming back, but I keep leaving so I have to keep coming back. 

And it briefly became open window weather!  It was short lived.  But that's what March is . . . a little taste of the good life.