The many faces of Eden

Eden has a very expressive face. Usually it is a form of a "grouchy" look. I am always telling her to talk and look "happy".

She is telling me to put my money in the wishing pond.

Who isn't happy after an oreo?

Trying to keep still so a butterfly will land on her...never happened.

Not wanting to smile.


A sweet moment.

This is her "sad" look. When we say or do something she doesn't like; she sits down, folds her arms and puts on a sad face. We crack up everytime...she can be so dramatic.

This is why...

we went on vacation. Our landlord tiled the whole downstairs! Goodbye yucky carpet & stained check board linoleum.





Before
&
After

Family Vacation

It started with the Watermelon Carnival. It was so stinkin hot, sweat was the accessory everyone was wearing. There was lots of fun shops, overpriced fried food and good ole southern music.

We spent two days in Bourbon, MO with Aunt Sue and Uncle Roger. It was so fun to meet them and spend time together. Aunt Sue shared photo albums and we talked about Nana (Paul's grandma) who passed away several years ago. She sounds like an amazing women. They live in a beautiful resort with a lake & pool. We LOVED relaxing and soaking up the sun.

In St. Louis we spent the whole afternoon at the mall. I was a kid in a candy store...total heaven. Even Paul thought it was awesome, they had a fireplace in the dinning area. We took the kids to see Wall-e. It was cute but once the popcorn ran out the excitement for the kids was pretty much over.


That evening we went to the Cardinals vs. Dodger game. THANK YOU ebay for our $.99 tickets! They were great seats, especially when it started raining (we were covered). Earlier we walked to the arch and let the kids run around. Once the game came they were ready to sit (plus bringing bottles helped).

Six flags was fun, the weather wasn't too hot (thank goodness for an overcast day). We spent most of the day at the water park in the wave pool and the splash area. This was our first family only trip. We look forward to many more.

Two little monkeys...

jumping on the bed.

Birthday presents...

Presents are so fun to give and get! It is a chance to let people enjoy things they love. Here are a few fabulous presents from this year...

Amber made an adorable orange bracelet...which will match one of my skirts perfectly! Also, Gigi sent two fabulous dresses.






FABRIC! Marianne really knows me. Isn't that just perfect? I already have plans for them.

My FAVORITE mousee/gel combo. At $16.95 a bottle: it is definantely a present.

Isn't Paul so clever? I didn't even think of this...but totally need one. Anytime I sew I have to bring my machine downstairs on the kitchen table. All you ladies who have a sewing room are SO lucky. I would do more sewing...but the whole process of getting the machine and supplies out discourages any desire.

Katie Child makes the best frosting!
One is missing...I couldn't resist :)



I didn't get the Computer Armoire yet (notice the yet!). I decided to look around a little more...(well Paul said we should before making a final decision). I'm cool with that...as long as it isn't too long.

AGAIN, thank you to everyone for making my day so special! I love you guys.

27

My birthday is probably my favorite day of the year! Breakfast in bed, presents, cake...all good stuff. This year was no exception. Birthday cake:
Fudge Lover's Strawberry cake
You will LOVE it if you are like me: NO such thing as TOO RICH or TOO MUCH chocolate (if you do use strawberries, plan on eating it all that day...they won't stay fresh).
Thank you for all the phone calls, cards and gifts. It was such a boost and made me feel so special. Even though I don't want to get older...I sure do love presents :)


Lovin the chocolate!

Here we come

Pull out the red carpet and bust out your jell-o dessert because we are coming to UTAH! My brother is coming home from his mission and the kids and I will be there to celebrate...September 9-23rd (I just couldn't resist). The thought of waiting until next summer was too painful. Thank you a million times to Paul for letting us go. Don't ask how much my tickets were...way too much. I was having panic attacks every time I checked airfare prices, I stopped the insanity and just booked them. I sold some of Paul's golf balls, worked extra nights and am participating in a garage sale in a few weeks...all these penny pinching techniques have paid off and I am so happy to report that we will be seeing all you people of Zion soon!

Sticky, Sweaty & Sleepy

That's a good summer day.

Jumping

Today at the library after the puppet show a line of children had formed around the popcorn machine. Eden was on the outside watching timidly, David was sitting on my lap. As soon as Miss Nancy started handing out the popcorn David jumped off and weaseled his way to the front of the line and was the second child to retrieved a cup of popcorn. He walked back with such satisfaction on his face. Eden was still in line and actually ended up being the very last person. Both were content, both did it all by themselves…just in never different ways.

On my mind

Lately I have been wishing for two things: a bed frame and an office armoire. The bed
frame is merely for looks...but still important right? Isn't the storage so fun! ( I know...probably not practical but looks so much better than all the bags I have pushed under my bed)

I am tired of the kids consistently climbing, touch and coloring on the computer. I have found David standing on top of the printer several times. I LOVE the idea of having an office armoire I can close and keep the kids out! I haven't ever seen one in any ones house...so that makes me think they aren't so great. What do you think? Opinions welcomed.

Nothing...nothing at all

I don't really have much to blog about. I made some super easy material & ribbon bracelets last week. Eden and David have runny noses, last night Paul put a tissue up to Eden's nose and said, "blow" she positioned her mouth in an oval shape and "blew" as if blowing out a candle.

Telford's & Tag

A great new family moved here this summer. They have four of the cutest kids that are so nice. At the pool party Jalayne snapped some photos of our kids. Aren't they great? Watch out...everyones going to be asking for family pictures now :)

Tagged:

What I was doing 10 years ago: in junior high…what? Don’t I look that young?

Yesterday: Played at the park until heat exhaustion kicked in, laundry, cleaned bathroom and recipe group.

5 favorite snacks: Sweet & Salty Popcorn, Trail mix, Frozen grapes, New York patties, snow cones.

5 places I would love to run away to: Utah, Gulf Shores, Beijing, a water park, even an air conditioned mall would be great!

5 bad habits: not folding the laundry once it comes out of the dryer, forgetting to fix a balanced lunch (that is the hardest meal for me to plan), snapping at Paul, going back for seconds…or thirds…maybe fourths if it has sugar, having SO many good intentions and not doing ANY of them!

5 things I would never wear: t-shirts, sweats, Paul's basketball shorts, flip flops, headbands...I only wear pressed clothes with high heels when going out.

5 pet peeves: Being woken up by Paul…when the kids are still sleeping, swearing, expense candy at the movie theaters, cheaters, how the library doesn't have a DVD/CD drop box outside.
5 things I like to do: Talking on the phone to my sister and mom, read, sew, shop, go for walks with Marianne & Susan.

5 favorite TV shows: Design on a dime (I now want a staple gun), The Office, King of Queens, Lost, The Biggest Looser.

5 famous people I would like to meet: I don’t know…I don’t really care about meeting famous people. Plus, what would I say? “ I love you…you are so great…then what?” My last encounter with Donny Osmond at Days Market this past Christmas proved that I really have nothing to say. Let me think…I would be star struck if I met President Eyring or Monson (who am I kidding, any of the apostles have a spirit that just draws you in…you just want to get some glue and stick to them).

4th of July

This is my FAVORITE holiday: races, parades, watermelon, BBQ's, popsicles and fireworks. It is packed with perfect summer time activities. We made the best of our small town parade (which lasted about 5 minutes). Later, the Fyes hosted a fabulous pool party which was so fun. We didn't escape before David pooped on their back patio (sorry about that :)) We ended the night with a firework show at the college & yummy hot fudge brownies with the Yamniks. Eden was quite disturbed by the fireworks and loud booms. She buried her face in my shoulder and kept saying, "I'm scared mommy, I want to go home." We tried to get her to look at the fireworks (even saying pink sparkles didn't work), afterwards on the car ride home she was squealing with delight saying, "I saw pink sparkles". She acts like she loved it...strange?
Showing their candy from the parade.

Everyone deserves a blissful childhood!

Dentist trip

Paul had one of his wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. It was quick and almost painless...almost. He kept it to put under his pillow for the Toothfairy. He is hoping for at LEAST a dollar.