I have a Hole!

Just a few funny quotes!
The other day, the low temp. was 76 degrees, and Jace went outside to get thew newspaper for me. It was about 7:30, so I'm guessing it was about 82 degrees and Jace came in and said:
Jace: "Wow mom. It is not a good day for the park."
Mom: "Why?"
Jace: "You should feel it, it's freezing out there!" (Is he an Arizona kid or what?)

Parker: "Mom, I dot a hole in me."
Mom: "Where?"
Parker: "Right here, in my beyee button."

Parker: "Yook dad, dat's da moon!" "Dat where Jesus yives."
Jace: "That's not where Jesus lives, that's where aliens live."
Mom: "Then where does Jesus live?"
Jace: "If you look at the sky, where there is a little hole in the clouds, that's where Jesus lives."

Jace (Being naughty and beligerent): "I don't want to go to my room!"
Mom: "Get in there right now before you get in more trouble."
Jace: "Jesus doesn't like it when you talk like that."

Incredible Photographer--Gorgeous Wedding

My friend Jamie Hammond is an amazing photographer and I love her weddings, but this one takes the cake (pun intended). I don't know the people, but I know it was in San Diego, and I'm dying over how gorgeous and tasteful and different everything was, and the photos ahhhh. You have to check the slideshow out! http://www.jamiehammondphotography.com/webslideshows/nortonmathis/
Also, Jamie lives in AZ but will be in Vegas over Veteran's Day and So. Cal over Christmas. Her website is http://www.jamiehammondphotography.com/

Best Boy...

Last Sunday when we came home from church, Jace ran upstairs as fast as he could and told me to stay down. After a few minutes, he grabbed my hand and told me to close my eyes as I walked upstairs. He showed me into my room where he had "made" my bed (left the comforter on the ground), and placed a heart on it that said, "I love to serve you." Is that the sweetest thing ever? He has great Primary teachers that really seem to help the kids understand the true meaning of the gospel, to love others and love God. He has such a sweet soft heart and beamed with pride and a goofy smile as I told him how great I thought he was and what a kind boy he was becoming. These are the moments that make all the tough ones worth being a parent! I LOVE being a mom.

Super-star Jace

I have to say, one of the greatest things about having boys is sports! I love watching them be physical and active and I love seeing the passion in their eyes as they play. Jace just started soccer again, and he is doing so great. Mike has definately passed on some talent, and best of all, Jace absolutely loves it. He wants to play soccer all day, even though it's still 106 here! Last Saturday was his first game, and he scored a goal and loved being the goalie, and this Saturday, even in the sweltering heat played so hard and scored two goals! Mike is a great coach--great with the little ones and still seems to teach them something. Hooray for soccer season!

Boise Babes!

For my birthday, Mike surprised me with a trip to Boise with Kelli to see Lyric. I couldn't beleive it. He took the kiddos (all three!!) for 4 days while I spent an amazing weekend with some of my best friends. It made me so sad that Lyric no longer lives here, but she has a great home and great life in Boise. Our 3 a.m. decorating sessions were the greatest and I learned sooooo much from my two talented friends (and even came up with a few good ideas, gasp!) Even more I enjoyed the 3 am heart to hearts and hours of shopping (that is us in a car full of good decor finds) and eating we did. Thanks to Steve for babysitting ALL weekend. Mike did a fabulous job, all three boys were alive and well fed, and he even said how grateful he was to have had those 4 great days with them, that he learned so much and appreciates me even more. All in all, besides saying good-bye to Lyric, Steve, Max, and Sophie, it was a perfect weekend.

Catch the Freakin' Ball!

Before the BYU football season started, we got a package from Provo with new blue and white T-shirts for the whole family that say something like, "Fully invested." Mike dutifully wears his every Saturday, along with his BYU hat and dresses the boys in theirs and begs me to put mine on, but I just can't do it--oversized sports Ts just aren't my thing; maybe when they play the U. Anyway, I tell this so you understand that Mike is into BYU football, and will be a totally embarassing teenage dad.
I left while they were watching the game on Saturday. When I came home, Mike ran to the store and my boys were playing football downstairs. Everytime one of them missed the other would say, "Catch the Freakin' Ball," in a horribly mean voice. I told them that it was not a nice thing to say. Jace of course responds, "Well, dad does." I told him that it wasn't nice when dad said it either and dad would need to work on it. Jace understood and stopped saying it, but Parker continued a few more times. I got more stern and he started saying, "Mom, we don't say Catch the freakin ball, huh?" (Picture this with his accent). I finally said, "Parker, I do not want to hear you say that one more time, or you'll go do your room." He then said, "Mom." and proceeded to mouth, "Catch the freakin' ball." I laughed out loud. He is so quietly naughty it kills me.
I think I might need to have them with me during the next BYU game.

Today is your birthday!

The title is deceiving. My birthday was on the 26th, the day we left Rocky Point. My husband made us get a "Birthday sombrero," so I hope you like it because it will be in every birthday picture for the next million years. My birthday started out great, with all my friends making delicious crepes for me in the morning and singing Happy Birthday. It was so fun. We then packed up the house, drove home, went to the singles' ward to get a little church in (weren't they surprised when we came in with our 3 kids), ate a frozen pasta dinner (bummer) and didn't have cake (double bummer). But, I got lots of phone calls from great friends and family and fun presents from Mike and the boys (tickets to see a few plays in Tempe with the Broadway touring company, and a surprise trip to see Lyric in Boise while Mike took the kids for 4 days--yes, he is the greatest gift giver EVER. I always feel like such a loser when I present him with a new shirt and German chocolate cake.)

My goal was to write thank-you notes to everyone who sent me a card or a present, obviously it is not happening, but I am still working on it. Thanks for all your love. I can tell, 28 will be a great year.

Oh, Oh, Mexico!

I have not been a very good blogger lately because I've been waiting for our pics from Rocky Point, Mexico. We had the greatest weekend ever with 4 other amazing families in a huge Hacienda house where everyone had their own room right on the beach. The kids never stopped playing (I honestly don't think I saw Jace the whole time), the water was almost 80 degrees, the waves were fast and fun, and the beach secluded and beautiful with tons of tide pools and gorgeous shells. It was a perfect weekend, except that I forgot the port-a-crib for James, so sleeping was a little tough (thanks to the Nielsons we figured out a way!!) These were the things I learned:

1. I am so happy I live in Arizona, not Mexico--though the tortillas might we worth it.

2. Cooking with friends is the best. We ate like kings and I realized how much I enjoy biscuits and gravy and how I like to cook for a crowd.

3. Jace's favorite thing about the trip, according to him was, "Playing with Noelle (she's 7)."

4. I never want to live on the beach. We swept sand out of the house a million times a day!

5. 5 men together are so fun to watch.

6. I wish I went to high school with Kirk Nielsen, just to watch him on the football field.

7. We are not too old to play crazy card games late into the night listening to music from the 90s and telling most embarassing moments.

8. I am happy I married my husband.

9. Kyle Rogers and Sheri Huber are great party planners.

10. My husband does not like to follow, but he is the best in every other way.

11. A gigantic hacienda house with beautiful balconies and plenty of room is the only way to do Mexico.

12. The four other girls I went with were fabulous moms and friends. They all make me want to be a better person, and I'm so grateful for their friendship--I say this often, but I can't believe all the amazing people I have in my life.