Walk to the temple

June 6, 2012
In preparation for Trek, our Stake President asked all the youth to walk to the temple.

Up hill both ways.

Ok, so not both ways. But it feels like it when you finally get there.

If you've ever driven to the Bountiful Temple then you'll know the uphill climb is STEEP! Several years ago, I made a goal to walk to the temple from my house. It took me two hours. I was dumb, thinking, it's not that far (technically it's not that far in terms of miles, but as I said, it's a very steep incline the entire way up) and forgot to take water. It was hot. I sweated A LOT. And Jeff figured I'd passed out somewhere along the way.

But I did it.

And my Young Women did it tonight.

I told one of the girls, if an old, out-of-shape lady like me can keep going, so can you! I think the goal of making it to the temple is a neat experience not only because it helps the youth get ready physically for Trek, but because sometimes getting to the temple in your life isn't always easy.

But it's worth all the sweat and pain to get there.

Scraps and skinned knees

June 5, 2012
It's that time of year for scraps and skinned knees.

Especially if you are a busy, little boy who thinks he can do ANYTHING by himself.

5

June 4, 2012
Happy birthday to my sassy, spunky, smart, and super cute Pearl.

Who said she was bored all day, even after building a doll house, playing in the sprinklers, sliding down the slip-n-slide, eating Popsicles, going to the pool, getting a burger, and opening even more presents.

Is she five or 16? I get confused.

Smurf kiss

June 3, 2012
It was HOT today when we got home from church.

Of course, it didn't help my internal thermostat that I had to teach my first YW lesson today, broke out into my typical "bridal rash" and bawled like a baby. Then had a near heart attack leaving the church parking lot after realizing my absolute favorite painting I took for my lesson (which I didn't even use because of time) had been left in the library - which was now locked - and then ran around in heels trying to find someone to let me in to get it.

So the second we got home, I told the kids we were having a Popsicle.

And as you can see, the kids picked blue ones. Cole kept looking at me and pulling the funniest faces, with blue dripping all over his mouth and chin. I'm almost 100% positive he's figured out how funny and cute he is. Especially when his sister laughed and told us, "Cole looks like he got kissed by a Smurf!"

Party day

June 2, 2012
Since Cole and Pearl's birthdays are only a couple weeks apart, Jeff and I decided long ago to ride the combined-birthday-party-train for as long as possible. We figured it's better to be completely broke, utterly exhausted, and our kids totally spoiled once instead of twice. So with a ballerina party this morning and a family BBQ this evening, you'd think I'd have gotten one decent picture of the two birthday kids together. Or at least a family picture.

But it didn't even cross my mind. 

And since it doesn't really seem fair to post just a picture of Pearl or just one of Cole, you'll have to take the only shot of them together. Blowing out their candles.

Happy birthday Pearl and Cole! I sure hope my pipsqueaks had fun today because I am exhausted, I've never seen so many dishes in the sink before, and my feet and legs hurt so bad that I can barely walk!

Party preparations

June 1, 2012
I had grand plans today.

Spend all of Jeff's hard earned money at Walmart, the grocery store, Costco, and the party planning store. Then clean the house until it shines. Ok, so really just make it somewhat presentable with a quick vacuum, dusting, de-cluttering, and maybe a good mopping. Then clear off all the junk on the back patio, pick up the toys and random gardening supplies strewn about the yard, paint the trampoline box for a "ballet shoe" toss game, and then bake 30 cake pops and a dozen blueberry muffins. Oh, and this was all after getting up for a 6:00 a.m. walk plus the normal "mom" stuff trying to keep the kids feed and alive all day. All in preparation for not one, but two birthday parties tomorrow.

Instead, Cole begged "home" after the party planning store, Costco, and an unexpected stop at Kid 2 Kid for a new pair of ballet slippers for Pearl. I couldn't blame him though. I was just as tired as he was from running errands and cleaning the patio.

We fell asleep together on the couch while Pearl fended for herself until Jeff got home. Needless to say, I was up until the wee hours of the morning attempting my first try at cake pops. Good thing sprinkles hide blemishes!

Cheesy face

May 31, 2012
I thought Cole looked SOOOOO cute tonight. Something about the right color of blue shirt bringing out the sparkle in his blue eyes!

I had a bazillion pictures of him. And he's pulling a different face in all of them... hmmm sounds like his sister. But this one made me giggle. This is Cole's cheesy face. He squints his little eyes nearly shut, puts his teeth together, and does this funny smile. Then he laughs through his teeth and usually says, "Mom" and tries to kiss me afterward.

I love it.