We play air guitar

Old story and 2 new ones:

1. When we were in California over Thanksgiving, it was early morning, we were stopped at a gas station. Mike was getting gas and I was in the car with the boys. A song I loved came on and I was rocking out with my air guitar in the front seat. When I stopped I looked out the window and 3 guys were watching me and dying of laughter. I died, waved, and got in the backseat.

2. The other day was a medium kind of day, when Beyonce's song came on. Well, I always dance in the car if a good song is on, and my boys have learned to do the same. I look in my rearview mirror, Parker is shakin it and singing at the top of his cute 3 year old voice: "All the single ladies, all the single ladies" "If you like it, then you should have put a ring on it!" I love moments like that.

3. I was picking up carpool at Jace's school and the song, "Just Dance came on." I was trying to keep my movements low key since I was in a pick up line, but I guess I wasn't doing a great job at it because when Jace got in the car he said, "Mom, you are so embarassing." Oh, he has lots more of those moments coming up!

We're Bringin Fanny's Back! Yeah!

James loves fanny packs. Every morning he finds his two fanny packs, buckles them around his waist or neck and says, "I have a fanny pack, ha ha!" He's trying to revive a trend. Do you think it will work?

When he woke up this morning, I said, "What did you dream about?" He replied, "My fanny pack. My blue Nemo fanny pack."

The other day I brought him to my workout and he was still wearing them. Um, can you say, "Things I said I'd never let my kid do when I was a parent?"

Parker Quote

"I can't wait until I grow up so I can drive an ice cream truck."

Aim high.

A Family Valentines

This is the first year we've hung with the kids on Valentine's Day, but we did have a very special treat--my cousins Corbin and Melissa and their 3 cute kids moved just 10 minutes from us! We are So excited and So happy they are here. There is nothing like family, and if it is even possible, Melissa is more social than I am, so I look forward to spending LOTS of time together. Our kids hit it off right away (Jace even prayed that night that Anthony would like his new house and that he and Anthony would get baptized when they turned 8!)

So, Uncle Mike was helping them move in and we ordered Chinese take out and ate at their great, new house. Then we did some chocolate dipping that was a real hit with the adults and kids. Maybe not as romantic as usual but fun nonetheless to be with so many people I love!

Let the Awkward Pictures Begin!

Jace lost his first tooth! Looks like he wasn't really born with a full set of teeth huh? It fell out at school, which is the coolest...I remember trying to pull my tooth out at school just to get the special attention, never happened.

When Jace put his tooth under his pillow, he woke me up at 5:40 the next morning to tell me the tooth fairy forgot. Lucky for the tooth fairy, the tooth had fallen behind the bed. She came through on night number two; though when Jace told me she brings dollars, I reminded him that we are in a recession, so she has scaled back to quarters...he was happy anyway.

One Year Older and Wiser Too...Happy Birthday to You!

Most years, I'm not sure if this line is true, but if wisdom comes through experience, chalk some serious points up to my husband. He's in commercial real estate in AZ (100% commission), so this year hasn't been, oh let's say, blissful in his line of work as of late.
But, Tuesday was his birthday and I have to say I have been amazed by him this year. He is strong, optomistic, faithful, and so loving. I know work is tough but each night he comes home, helps me clean, spoils me with compliments and attention, roughhouses with the boys, gets them ready for bed, reads them scriptures and answers at least 22 questions each night. I'm so happy I've been able to spend the last 9 birthdays with him. I can't imagine my life any differently or any better than with him.

More Grandparents, More Spoilage, We Love It.

In AZ, everyone comes in the winter. It's gorgeous here! So, we were lucky enough to have Mimi and Papa come into town last weekend to be with us. They are so much fun. I love chatting with them and learning about what they are doing. They are such great listeners and have so much faith in us as parents and are always so complemetary, even when we don't deserve it. I really love that about them.

Thursday night, they got in a little late (much to my boys' dismay), but it was fun to be able to have adult chit chat for a bit.

Friday we spent the day playing, checking out model homes (they are remodeling theirs), and letting the boys monopolize every second they gave them. That night we had dinner at Joe's Farm Grill. We haven't been there for awhile, but the outside tables and fun atmosphere (and lots of food!) made us remember why it had been one of our favorite spots.

On Saturday Jace was so happy to have an audience for his big game, then we played and relaxed, and Mike installed a new faucet (very impressive). Later in the day we headed to Freestone Park, another one of the best spots around here and we went on the rides, took a loop on the train and played sports until our feet got too cold. Parker loved snuggling up to Papa and telling him, "I love you Papa." That little one is so sweet.

One aside: Marci, Jace, and James were squished on a seat on the train and Marci said, "You can squish here, good thing we're all skinny." Jace replies, "No, you're not skinny." Marci says, "Oh, who is skinny?" Jace: "My other grandma is skinny, but you are not skinny."

Are you joking?? Please keep in mind that Marci is stunningly beautiful and is in the best shape I've ever seen her in. She is thin, fit, glowing, healthy and yes, Jace, she is SKINNY! Good thing is is not a girl. I'd say he'd be prime picking for an eating disorder!

I love that both our parents are so young and active. What a blessing that my children get to do this kind of stuff with their grandparents. We obviously have 3 little ones who love sports.

That night, the adults headed to one of our favorite new restaurants, Brio, and ate more than I should have, but I sure did enjoy it.

They stayed Sunday and played more and more until we had to go to church. They left from there and when we got home, Jace immediately noticed how empty things felt. We wish our grandparents were here all the time. We miss them when they are away. We just love them so much, and they are so so so good to us!