A Day in the Life of a Smith

Day 181: August 20, 2009

2009-08-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

I know you can barely see them but there are several hang-gliders in the sky. At first there were about 30 of them all bunched together but as the wind had its way with them they scattered north and south along the mountains.

Day 180: July 10, 2009

2009-07-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

The kids finally got me to drag out the pools, but only because their friends came over to play too.

Day 179: July 9, 2009

2009-07-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

A family in our neighborhood is generous enough to let anyone and everyone pick from their cherry tree. They even provide a ladder!

Day 178: July 8, 2009

2009-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

For days Michelle has been asking to go to the store so she could buy a Juicy Drop Pop (too much tv leads to too many commercials and thus silly "must haves" like this). So last night I told her to give me her money and I'd buy one while I was doing errands. She was so excited she woke up at 6:19am and was enjoying the sour candy by 6:21am. After a few licks she closed it up and went back to bed - obviously it wasn't as great as the advertisment. Shocker!!

Day 177: July 7, 2009

2009-07-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

Caleb has successfully taught Michelle how to play Pokemon - she's a good substitute brother.

Day 176: July 6, 2009

2009-07-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Megan's Pirate Cowboy teaparty. She's been fascinated by pirates and cowboys ever since we went to the American West Heritage Center where she rode a pony and met a pirate woodwright (he wore a patch over his eye since an accident in his youth). Megan even asked him if he spoke pirate language.

Day 175: July 5, 2009

2009-07-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

After the kids were back in their own beds I was able to have a few minutes to myself. I dug into my souvenir from the trip: a solid chocolate golden spike! Yummy!!

Day 174: July 4, 2009

2009-07-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Megan and Michelle standing by the railroad tie where the Golden Spike was driven to complete the transcontinental railroad. Earlier they'd each been able to hold real gold spikes (the original is of course in a museum at Stanford).

Day 173: July 3, 2009

2009-07-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

We visited the aerospace museum where Caleb found the real plane that's exactly like his toy plane he bought when we were at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Day 172: July 2, 2009

2009-07-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in the Pepperidge Farm's outlet store. The kids thought it was the greatest thing ever that they were able to get a whole bag of goldfish all to themselves.

Day 171: July 1, 2009

2009-07-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is just one of the tires that's used on the huge trucks at Kennecott Copper Mine.

Day 170: June 30, 2009

2009-06-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

I kidnapped Snow White from the Seven Dwarfs. She's a pretty good worker, too.

Day 169: June 29, 2009

2009-06-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

As I came back from running this morning I saw this weed that is taller than our plum bush. But did I pull it - No. I didn't even pull it after I took this picture - it's still happily growing.

Day 168: June 28, 2009

2009-06-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

Today at church, part of a lesson was about respect. As I was wondering what my daily picture should be I looked around our house and this flag caught my attention. Inside of the frame is a photograph of Trevor's great-uncle who was killed in action in France during World War II. Everytime I look at any flag I can't help but think of all those who have and continue to sacrifice themselves all in the name of freedom, God and country.

I love the sticker that I've seen: Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave

2009-06-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

June 19: Pineview Reservoir was just one of the gorgeous views along our relay race course. Of course it was more beautiful since I had just finished my first run and could now relax - at least until I run again at 3 in the morning.

June 20: This is my garmin watch showing the elevation I finished running at was 8,961. I ran at almost 9000 feet above sea level - and did I mention it was 48 degrees, raining and on a steep uphill dirt road!

June 21: Happy Father's Day - we love you tons

June 22: Last night was the first night Gabriella slept in a toddler bed. All the books in the white basket were in her bed prior to the picture.

June 23: I finally took the kids swimming yesterday. I soon realized we had no water toys or accessories. Michelle and Caleb are loving their snorkeling gear; Megan and Gabriella love their new kickboards.

June 24: I asked Megan to take a picture of Caleb and I playing a card game. Not to bad of a picture considering that Megan tries to look through the viewfinder with both eyes

June 25: My first loaf I've been able to braid. It looked so good that Megan snuck a huge hunk when I was in the other room. When I asked her why she took the bread she simply replied, "it was delicious!" and licked her lips like Scooby Doo does after he gets a scooby-snack.

June 26: Megan got all fancied up to go to Kangaroo Zoo

June 27: Caleb earned his golf beltloop for cubscouts. He had a great time hitting the golfballs as hard as he could

Day 158: June 18, 2009

2009-06-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation boredom at its best! Caleb begged me not to send this to anyone - technically I'm not sending, I'm posting ;)

Day 157: June 17, 2009

2009-06-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is Megan's "evil scheme" - can you tell the kids watched a "Phineas and Ferb" marathon on Saturday?

Day 156: June 16, 2009

2009-06-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is the map I've been poring over lately. This weekend is the 187 mile relay race I'm running with 11 other teammates. We're going from Logan (top of the map) to Park City (bottom of the map). Last year it was HOT but I'm afraid this year will be RAINY - I don't know which one's worse. I'm just hoping for no car trouble.

Days 145-155: June 5-15, 2009

2009-06-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

June 5: Gabriella the princess in her "office"

June 6: Caleb and Michelle get a post-track meet treat at their favorite train restaurant

June 7: Megan's contagious smile finally caught on film

June 8: Caleb catches me in the fine art of barbequing brats

June 9: Happy 5th Birthday, Megan my princess!

June 10: Caleb and Michelle at Discovery Park

June 11: Michelle at soccer camp

June 12: Caleb the scout showing us his accomplishments from a day at scout camp

June 13: Megan has made the best of the rainy days by riding her new scooter around the house

June 14: Unfortunately the sand we bought was wet so we've spent lots of time shoving it into the tiny hole in our new basketball hoop. Someday soon Caleb will finally be able to shoot hoops.

June 15: We spent the evening transplanting our vegetable plants into the garden. Also take note of the new shrubs we planted next to the fence. We also picked enough strawberries to make 5 jars of freezer jam.

Day 144: June 4, 2009

2009-06-04T20:39:00.001-07:00

More living room forts! But now that Caleb and Michelle are building them they have multiple rooms.

Day 143: June 3, 2009

2009-06-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

When we returned from our trip we found out that Caleb earned an award for his state testing results. He earned the highest score in the second grade in reading comprehesion (a 6th grade level). Well done, Caleb!

Day 142: June 2, 2009

2009-06-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Caleb's first baseball game of the season. When we got home we discovered the power was out so we HAD to go out to eat - oh darn I couldn't cook dinner ;)

Since we were tired of the kids eating nothing at restaurants but chicken fingers or pizza, Trevor and I chose a mexican restaurant. The kids were disappointed at first but then the unlimited chips and salsa came. Needless to say it was a success and we can now add one more choice onto the list of restaurants we can go to.

Day 141: June 1, 2009

2009-06-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Michelle has come up with some interesting outfits in her time but today's takes the cake! The blue frilly thing she's wearing is actually a DRESS that fits 2 year old Gabriella. Michelle decided to use it as a long shirt that spins when she twirls. But then, because the dress is sleeveless, I told her that she needed to wear a shirt under or over the dress so she'd have sleeves, so she chose to wear this 3/4 length jacket that goes with her Christmas dress.

She never ceases to amaze me with her fashion trends.

Day 140: May 31, 2009

2009-05-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

Laundry, here I come! Ugh! This is the downside of a week long trip for 6 people.

Day 139: May 30, 2009

2009-05-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

The time finally came to say goodbye to Oma and Grandpa. It was a nice vacation but we're all looking forward to sleeping in our own beds tonight.

Day 138: May 29, 2009

2009-05-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

On our drive back from Carlsbad to Mesquite, we stopped at a 50's diner in the happening town of Yermo which I think only exists because of the Marine base. I also think that my dad has made this trip so many times he knows every 50's type diner along the way.

Day 137: May 28, 2009

2009-05-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

You can't really see the penguins but Gabriella just loved them. As you can see she's trying her best to go swimming with them.

Day 136: May 27, 2009

2009-05-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

My parents were kind enough to watch the kids so Trevor and I could have some time alone. We drove past my old house which brought back a thousand memories.

Day 135: May 26, 2009

2009-05-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

The kids' first roller coaster ride at Legoland. Michelle and I are in the front - which was a first for me.

Day 134: May 25, 2009

2009-05-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

Our first family trip to the beach. At first Gabriella screamed if any part of her body touched the sand, but as you can see she soon couldn't be pried away from her digging.

Day 133: May 24, 2009

2009-05-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

Since it was Sunday but it was our first full day in California we needed to find something to do that was free. We headed down to La Jolla to see the seals with my brother and his son. On our way back to the condo we stopped at the San Diego temple.

Day 132: May 23, 2009

2009-05-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Last night we drove from our house to Mesquite, Nevada. This morning we checked out of our hotel and headed to our final destination of Carlsbad, California.

Day 131: May 22, 2009

2009-05-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Gabriella is a great sport. Here she is wearing Caleb's hand-me-down pajamas, complete with tractors.

I also need to point out the cute bracelet my mom had made for Gabriella for her blessing day. Even then it was too small for her tiny wrist but this week we found that it fits Dottie's ankle just fine.

Day 130: May 21, 2009

2009-05-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

I heard on the radio that the pork industry is having a rough time since people are wrongfully thinking that they can catch Swine Flu by eating pork products. I'm just taking advantage of the great prices on porkchops - can't beat 89 cents a pound!

Day 129: May 20, 2009

2009-05-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

This post is a little late but I wanted to show everyone how thoughtful my husband is. For Mother's Day he got me a visor to wear while running. I'd specifically asked him for the visor but was pleasantly surprised when he gave me this gymbag too. It's got side pockets that hold running shoes, side pockets for water bottles, and inside it has multiple small pockets for my watch and mp3 player, etc. It's going to be perfect for the 4 races I have out of town this season - especially the overnight relay race. He remembered me complaining after last year's relay race that I had to shuffle through 2 bags to find all my running gear - which is not easy to do in the back seat of a moving car during the middle of the night. He's terrific!

Day 128: May 19, 2009

2009-05-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know where Megan picked it up but today she kept referring to her dad as Handsome. She was also upset that he married me and not her; nevertheless, she asked him to dance with her at the party. She has some imagination.

Day 127: May 18, 2009

2009-05-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

The latest bulbs to bloom in our front yard. Either my mom or my mother-in-law planted all of the bulbs in our yard so I don't even know what these are called, but they're pretty.

Day 126: May 17, 2009

2009-05-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Megan was not happy at all that I made her pose by the seeds she helped me plant a few days ago. She's afraid there might be bugs in the grass - and there probably are, oh well.

Day 125: May 16, 2009

2009-05-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

Caleb did a great job mopping the floor.

Day 124: May 15, 2009

2009-05-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Yard work has been haunting me. Since we took up running 2 summers ago, our yard has paid a heavy price. Yesterday I was pounding in fertilizer stakes around various tress and bushes in our yard. When I came to the side of our house we rarely go I saw that our oak tree is actually flourishing (unlike our other oak which is still the exact same size as when we planted it 7 years ago). Then I saw that this ugly cottonless cottonwood tree (which we planted only because we desperately needed shade on our patio) was hogging the sun so that our beautiful oak was only growing branches on one side. I quickly solved the problem.

When I'd used the clippers as much as I could, I then found a handsaw. It wasn't until I'd sawed halfway through a large branch that I realized I was standing on a stepstool right below the heavy branch. Suddenly everything that I'd ever heard, read or watched on a tv show came flying through my mind. I re-directed the angle at which I was sawing in hopes the branch would fall a slightly different direction. But it was probably the quick silent prayer that actually made the branch fall just to the side of my shoulder. Last night when I re-told Trevor the story he was not very pleased with my risky my life for a silly old branch.

By the way the branch is still partway attached to the tree, hence the reason I was able to take this shot this morning.

Day 123: May 14, 2009

2009-05-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

The night before last we found Caleb sleeping on the floor next to his bed. Then last night we found him on the floor again, but this time Michelle had joined in on the fun. (I would have liked a picture of them actually sleeping there, but Megan had "borrowed" my camera and I couldn't find it until after the kids left for school).

Maybe we should just removed their beds then we'd have one less place to have to clean under.

Day 122: May 13, 2009

2009-05-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

A few blogs ago I wrote that we have the "luck of a dead duck", maybe I should change that to Trevor and I have bad luck. Caleb has great luck! His was the very last name chosen in a lottery that gained him (and therefore all our other kids) into a great charter school. And this morning he actually found a cash card in a box of cereal. In all our years of eating cold cereal Trevor and I have never been one of the lucky few that actually receive a great prize from a cereal box unless the prize was put into every box.

But Caleb won a $5 gift card. What a great lucky charm we have.

Day 121: May 12, 2009

2009-05-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

At lunch today, Megan prepared a delicious picnic for Trevor and I.

Day 120: May 11, 2009

2009-05-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Our poor 3 month old car! While parked at Trevor's office someone crashed into the back of it. We have the luck of a dead duck!

Day 119: May 10, 2009

2009-05-10T15:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! I was always told I looked more like my dad than my mom. How can so many people be so wrong.

Day 118: May 9, 2009

2009-05-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

That's my dad-always finding ways to make things run more efficiently. This morning was Michelle and Caleb's first track meet. The only events were the 50 meter dash and the standing long jump. I couldn't take any action shots since my camera can't handle speed.

Day 117: May 8, 2009

2009-05-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

My brother came over for a visit and since I'm running out of photo subjects he kindly obliged to be my photo of the day.

Day 116: May 7, 2009

2009-05-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite flowers. It also represents my heritage (Dutch) and my childhood (the Columbine is Colorado's state flower).

Day 115: May 6, 2009

2009-05-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hope of America pageant that both Michelle and Caleb participated in. They're not in the flag, but neither one of the pictures I took of their individual dances turned out very well. That's what happens when you try and take a picture with one hand while videotaping with the other hand.

Day 114: May 5, 2009

2009-05-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Caleb has turned into quite a good goalie.

Day 113: May 4, 2009

2009-05-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Only a few weeks left until the daily ritual of school pick-up is over (at least a 2 1/2 month break).

Day 112: May 3, 2009

2009-05-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

Thank heaven for DVD players in minivans!

Day 111: May 2, 2009

2009-05-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Caleb's lego helicopter creation. He used pieces from every set he's ever been given to make this. He is going to have a blast at Legoland!

Day 110: May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I kept finding un-bent paper clips laying around the kitchen floor, then I discovered why: Michelle's new hobby is cleaning the rocks out of our shoes. Anything to postpone homework, right?

Day 109: April 30, 2009

2009-04-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

The tooth fairy brought Michelle a pile of coins. She must've known that Michelle is learning to count money at school.

Day 108: April 29, 2009

2009-04-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

Megan has started a computer-based preschool program that's part of a research program with the state's education department. She loves her "school". Tomorrow is her kindergarten registration. She can't wait for the real deal. Although she's having fun teaching Gabriella all her new skills: "Gabriella, this is a D. It makes a duh sound."

Day 107: April 28, 2009

2009-04-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

My own little energizer bunny. He woke up at 5:15 am to run 5 1/2 miles (mile intervals) then came home after work and before dinner spent an hour mowing our huge lawn.

Day 106: April 27, 2009

2009-04-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Bargain of the year. I bought this scooter for $5 from a neighbor. It's the best $5 I've ever spent. Michelle has ridden it rain, snow and sun.

Day 105: April 26, 2009

2009-04-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

This is for you Mom. What could be more Dutch than orange tulips?!

Day 104: April 25, 2009

2009-04-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

Trevor's family birthday party with the lemon cake I made for my cutie pie.

Day 103: April 24, 2009

2009-04-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Cold Stone ice cream cake. I've been waiting months for Trevor's birthday so we'd have a good excuse to use our gift certificate. YUM!

Day 102: April 23, 2009

2009-04-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Day 101: April 22, 2009

2009-04-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Day 100: April 21, 2009

2009-04-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

"Look Mom, the tulips are waking up!"

Day 99: April 20, 2009

2009-04-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Even though I have dozens of daffodils planted, this is the first one to bloom in over 2 years.

Day 98: April 19, 2009

2009-04-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Due to unexpected mass amounts of treats we had while camping, the s'mores got put off until we got home. 9 seconds in the microwave makes perfect s'mores - and there's running water nearby to help with the inevitable mess.

Day 97: April 18, 2009

2009-04-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law knew of this hot springs out in the middle of nowhere. I didn't brave it, but apparently the water was like warm bath water. Of course since the wind was blowing it made for a very cold walk back to the car.

Day 96: April 17, 2009

2009-04-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

We hiked to some Anasazi Indian ruins.

Are those actually short sleeves I see?! Don't worry it didn't last too long-yet again the rain clouds came back.

Day 95: April 16, 2009

2009-04-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

Our hike to the waterfall. This morning had started out sunny and warm but by this time (only 11 am) the rain clouds started rolling in.

Day 94: April 15, 2009

2009-04-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

This 5 inch snow fall is the reason we're going down to Utah's dixie to camp tonight.

Day 93: April 14, 2009

2009-04-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is just a fraction of all the supplies we'll need for our Spring Break camping trip tomorrow.

Day 92: April 13, 2009

2009-04-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

This morning I went up to a pioneer museum and since the capitol building was right across the street with beautiful blossoms, I couldn't resist the photo shoot.

Day 91: April 12, 2009

2009-04-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

Easter morning goodies!

Day 90: April 11, 2009

2009-04-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house. We were treated afterwards to ice cream at Macey's.

Day 89: April 10, 2009

2009-04-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

I'm lucky enough to have a husband and kids that are just fine with eating cold cereal for breakfast. The warmest breakfast they get is toast, and if they're really lucky Toaster Strudel. The only problem is when the kids get about 2 or maybe 2 1/2 yrs old they want to eat cereal like the older people. That includes milk in the bowl. Fortunately, today Gabriella decided to forego the spoon since eating with her hand gave her greater success.

Day 88: April 9, 2009

2009-04-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Mail is like dishes and laundry, it never stops coming.

We get double the trouble since Trevor's office's bills are sent here. I get the luxury of being the bookkeeper. I'm also a procrastinator. Those two don't mix very well. I've spent the last 2 days holed up in our home office doing paperwork for all of last year - will I ever learn to do things as they come?! Megan and Gabriella have probably "suffered" the most. They've been couch potatoes as I've been forced to use the tv as a babysitter. They can sing you the theme songs to almost all Disney Playhouse shows.

Day 87: April 8, 2009

2009-04-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

Caleb played his second indoor soccer game. He played against a team that had 2 very experienced players that ran and dribbled circles around Caleb's team. That coupled with the fact that we had a goalie that had never played goalie before. We lost 13-3. But it was good for Caleb to see things from the other side.

Day 86: April 7, 2009

2009-04-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

Caleb has gotten into the March Madness basketball fever. When the college basketball tournament got to the Elite 8, he and I both picked teams to win. Amazingly, Michigan State made it to the final game; however, my North Carolina team won the whole enchilada.

Days 73 - 85: March 25 - April 6, 2009

2009-04-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

March 25, 2009: Due to the interesting weather we've had (like getting 6 inches of snow) Michelle has been forced to ride her scooter in the basement.

March 26, 2009: My grandmother's grandparents that came to Utah from England in the late 1860's via ship, train, wagons and walking. My pioneer ancestors: William Swansea Lewis and his wife Sarah Walsh.

March 27, 2009: Ever since Michelle's school friend moved away she's has found new friends that have taught her jump roping. In just over a week her skills have greatly increased and her jumping rhymes brought back childhood memories: "Cinderella dressed in yella, went upstairs to kiss a fella....."

March 28, 2009: Gabriella lost her favorite stuffed animal Dottie. Trevor, Caleb and I searched for 2 hours both inside and outside with no luck. After enduring over an hour of crying in her bed I finally resorted to giving her the spare Dottie. She looked at it strangely but decided that we must've just really cleaned up her old Dottie. You should have seen her face when I happened to find her old Dottie crammed inside the box of wipes at diaper changing time (who knows where Gabriella hid the wipes). She held both Dotties for a few seconds before tossing the new one and kissing her old one.

March 29, 2009: Maybe the girls wearing new Spring dresses will encourage Spring to actually come...and stay.

March 30, 2009: The new Walmart has a huge Star Wars guy (I'm sure Caleb knows the guy's name). The kids stopped and stared for 10 minutes before we could go any further into the store. At this rate it'll take us days and days to make it all the way through Lego Land on our upcoming vacation.

March 31, 2009: The slowness of the office computer about drove me nuts as I was simply trying to scan the computer to make sure it wasn't infected with the conflicka virus/worm/whatever it was.

April 1, 2009: Caleb's first ever organized soccer game. He was a great first half goalie and an even better second half scorer. His team won 7-3.

April 2, 2009: I took the kids to the pet store while Michelle was at clogging lessons. We have a hamster but apparently Caleb still has issues with mice.

April 3, 2009: Snowy, cold days brought out the need for Play-Doh.

April 4, 2009: The Smith family tradition of a get-together during General Conference, had the kids doing crafts such as Caleb's blue and white Pokemon mouse.

April 5, 2009: I didn't even think about taking a picture today, but Megan saved the day by "borrowing" my camera and taking lots and lots of pictures. This is her self portrait. Most of her other pictures were close-ups of her thumb.

April 6, 2009: During yesterday's "nap" Gabriella decided not to sleep but to undress herself including the diaper. Therefore her sheets and blankets were in the wash so I gave her a new blanket (she'd actually been given it for Christmas when she was 10 days old). She loved the pink blankie with puppies on it so much she couldn't part with it this morning.

Day 72: March 24, 2009

2009-03-24T09:54:00.001-07:00

Wishful thinking. It'll be awhile yet before we see the real deal outside. This are butterflies my parents gave the girls for an early Easter gift.

Day 71: March 23, 2009

2009-03-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

And to think that 2 days ago it was 75 degrees and we went to the park. But this spring snow that fell last night was gone by mid-afternoon today.

Day 70: March 22, 2009

2009-03-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

I know it's another picture of food but this one is different. These are cookies Trevor made. It's not that he doesn't bake every once in awhile but when he makes cookies he bakes the BIG one in a pizza pan. Today, however, he took the time to bake individual sized cookies.

Day 69: March 21, 2009

2009-03-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

Michelle practicing for her future job at Disneyland.

Day 68: March 20, 2009

2009-03-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

We went to a park with my parents this morning. I still can't believe my mom could lift Michelle and keep her up on the monkey bars.

Day 67: March 19, 2009

2009-03-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

Caleb at Walmart buying his first ever pack of Pokemon cards. Oh how I tried to talk him into spending his money on something else.

Day 66: March 18, 2009

2009-03-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

Lately, Gabriella thinks she can change her own diaper. Needless to say we had a bit of a wrestling match. By the time she was cleaned and re-dressed she was in a complete tantrum state. I chuckled to myself when I saw that she had put herself into timeout, where she quickly calmed down. Whatever it takes, right?!

Day 65: March 17, 2009

2009-03-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

What's green and is 100 feet long and lives in our backyard and can completely frustrate me in .0004 seconds?
Answer: our hose!

It's been tangled in a heap for over a year; therefore it has almost hardened into a tight knot. This is what it looked like AFTER I spent 20 minutes trying to untangle it. UGGGGH!

Day 64: March 16, 2009

2009-03-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

Kids have a 50/50 chance of putting their shoes on the correct feet; why is it that 90% of the time they get it wrong? Better yet, why doesn't it bother them. They throw a bigger fit when you try and fix it. Maybe I should just be glad that Gabriella can put her own shoes on now.

Day 63: March 15, 2009

2009-03-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

The one tv show we can all agree on and enjoy is Disney Channel's "Phineas and Ferb".

Day 62: March 14, 2009

2009-03-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

New pinecone! A sign that spring must be near. This is on our Scotch pine that is supposed to be an extremely slow grower (the tag said it'd take 20 years to reach it's full height of 15-20 feet). Apparently we planted it in ideal conditions because it's now 15 feet high in just 8 years. Our maple tree (in the previous post) was also a slow grower but has grown taller than our 2 story house in about 8 years. On the other hand, most of our supposed fast growing trees are not growing so quick like.

Day 61: March 13, 2009

2009-03-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Caleb climbing our backyard Maple tree that we planted as a sapling just 6 months before Caleb was born.

Day 60: March 12, 2009

2009-03-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Last year's bird's nest in our front yard's flowering plum tree. I never even knew it was there until I was scouring the trees for new buds. Hopefully the birds will return this spring.

Day 59: March 11, 2009

2009-03-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Bridge to Megan's Terabithia. It must be the Spring air because Megan's been on a creative roll lately.

Day 58: March 10, 2009

2009-03-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

Megan's ball snowman that caused her much grief in building so it greatly satisfied her that I snapped a photo.

Day 57: March 9, 2009

2009-03-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

This warrants two photos so you can get the full perspective since I don't have a panoramic lens. This is Megan's way of compensating for not being able to play with sidewalk chalk outside since it snowed last night and the sidewalks were wet.She covered the entire wall you see below. You can't see as much of it because this is after Megan and Michelle's "attempt" at cleaning the walls.

Day 56: March 8, 2009

2009-03-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

Michelle, Megan and I each got haircuts yesterday. Gabriella has never in her lifetime had a haircut but she was just too cute to leave out of the picture.

Day 55: March 7, 2009

2009-03-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

Caleb's scout den went to Home Depot and built racetracks. Caleb was really proud of his track.

Day 54: March 6, 2009

2009-03-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

Trevor did a work trade with a jewelry store employee and boy did I reap the rewards. Here's the pearl and diamond ring that I got out of the deal (I also got a pearl necklace and a watch that'll never need batteries).

I love you, honey!

Day 53: March 5, 2009

2009-03-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

The wonders and beauty of the world.

Day 52: March 4, 2009

2009-03-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

I've seen cats climb trees before but never one like this with such skinny branches this tree was really swaying in the early morning canyon breeze. The two dogs that are chained up right below this tree meant that this cat was going to be up there awhile.