August

Hereeeee weeee GO!

Back to school!

Like I said before, Collin only lasted for a little bit before I had to pick him up, so it didn't quite feel like school was back in session til the next week. 

Ohh, what did you unwrap there? Fun toy?

Miss Camilla surprised me with an unusual birthday date after the craziness of summer died down. We got dinner then went to a place I guess you could best describe as an interactive art exhibit??? It was called The Lavatory (side note: it's since been shut down due to sexual abuse charges brought against the owner by employees) If that doesn't give you some context clues as to the character of this place, I don't know what will. The whole point in going is to participate in the weekend "ball drop", where you stand in a room while thousands of balls drop on you, filling it up to what amounts to an adult, McDonald's playplace, haha. There's some bizarre pomp and circumstance that happens first, then you can walk through another part of the building that is just the "art". It uh... well, it's weird. And kind of gross. There's definitely a "type" of person that this would appeal too, and I don't think we fit the bill, but playing the balls was fun!

We didn't do it all, but we gave it a fair shot!

 The way he says sorry... "sawby" is my favorite. Most words starting with "c" he starts with a "t" instead. Cars are "tars". Coloring is "toloring". 

80's earrings are back, baby! I remember seeing similar ones on my mom's dresser when I was a kid.

Ok, now they're all finally back in school!

Go Neely, Knights!

When your toddler amuses himself with whats in the pantry.

If this was in a professional setting, it might qualify for one of those awkward family photos, haha. Dad is a good sport!

Went to a meeting about incoming sex education curriculum that we're trying to stop. They're calling it Comprehensive Sex Education and it's pretty sickening what they want to teach children is appropriate. I hate that this is what is finally propelling me into becoming more politically active.

 This is one of the most exhausting parts of motherhood. He always wants me to hold him. And I just can't. Not while I'm showering, going to the bathroom, making dinner or a dozen other things. But the meltdowns... oy the meltdowns!! I find myself sneaking around, hoping I can dash upstairs to go pee without him realizing I'm not within 2 feet of him.

Collin Kartchner is a public speaker who advocates for no smart phones or social media for kids. He came to speak at ALA by our house and I went with my mom and Marcie. It was AWESOME!!! He spoke for over two hours and I didn't want him to stop. His presentation is what EVERY parent, adult and teenager needs to hear. Smart phones are so very detrimental to our kids' mental health. I loved everything he had to share. Really cements my feelings about not wanting my children to have smart phones.

Birthday lunch for Shelley! 

Olive started dance at CanDance studios just a couple miles from our house. Oh boy it will be so nice having her at a close by studio just doing a couple regular classes instead of a performance team. She's in ballet and hip hop on Wednesdays. 

He's got moves too.

It's fun keeping a toddler entertained at a boring dance studio for two hours. 

We have a routine. Even if he doesn't want to be part of the documentation. We share an acai bowl every morning. And he's lucky I share! It's my favorite!!

Favorite's party at Grandma's house! I love my Udall cousins. Wish I had more time to visit with each of them. 

I don't get enough physical touch each day. Said no mom ever. 

Just about anything I sit down to eat, I immediately hear an eager Tanner crying out, "I share withyou! I sharewithyou!" He's developed quite a love of salads as a result.

Marcie wanted to learn how to bake bread, so I had all the sisters over to make a morning of it!

You go, Glenn Coco!

Collin loves chicken marsala so much that after he got his tonsils out, I heard him gasp one afternoon and exclaim in horror, "What if I don't like mushrooms anymore!!!" The doctor had told him that some people's taste buds are affected and things might not taste the way they did before. He was genuinely terrified that one of his favorite foods wouldn't taste good to him anymore. He said he'd rather have these mushrooms over a bucket of candy. And he was serious.

Olive girl turned SIX! And it was a good thing we took this picture right after we got the balloon because Tanner popped it 12 minutes later. Lots of tears. Gotta love little brothers. 

She got to pick a special friend and go out on a special date! 

This was her first ever pedicure and boy howdy was she ever EXCITED!! Visibly giddy and everyone just fawned over her. Love my girly girl.

One part was very ticklish. She almost couldn't finish, haha.

Then, on to My Pie! Her favorite because they give you a little piece of dough to play with. MY favorite because have you had their ridiculously amazing garlic knots???? It will be my one source of calorie free pleasure in heaven. 

Finally, Menchies for dessert! One part frozen yogurt, 8 parts gummy bears, sprinkles and maraschino cherries.

Posey and Olive's birthdays are two weeks apart so the Porter's invited us over for a celebratory pool party and BBQ!

You don't know how lucky you are to be getting crepes, little man!

How we do....

sucker

outgrown coveralls

sprawled out under a pew

Can I join you, Tanner?

Weston set a booby trap for the Tooth Fairy, bahahahahaha!

DYING!!!!

He attached the tooth pillow to a string which was attached to a pile of books and toys that was supposed to topple over when the tooth fair picked up the pillow.... waking him up to catch her in the act!

Juicy, Utah peaches in cream for breakfast. Thank you, Grandmother!

On her actual birthday, we picked her up for a lunch date to.... can you guess?! Mod Pizza! This girl likes her pizza. The two of them were adorable. I'm a lucky mama.

 Her reaction to her presents was perfection. Giddy shrieking means I did good.

Flippy backpack, unicorn robe and big girl scooter!

 I want his moves. Innocent, blissful, toddler dancing. It's too cute for words!!

Nighttime snuggles, books and songs. And thanks to his sleep sack, he's still in his crib! 
It's not short routine getting all the kids down to bed!

This Utah peach carried an intruder. A horror film, large pincer monster whom I only saw after eating half of it!!! BLECHHHH!!!! I can't even! Scarred for LIFE, people!! The inhumanity.

It's coming down! Demo going well!

Whatchu lookin' at?

Date night to an art exhibit in Scottsdale Fashion Square. Something new to try! 

Came across this old gem. My husband, ladies and gentlemen.

And just look at how his mother adores him, haha!

The only picture I took on Labor Day weekend! We took the whole family to the river to kayak and paddle board down. We met up with Gary Krauser and his girls too. Lots of work. Tanner was so so. But it was fun doing something as a family! Ended with Sonic drinks and swimming at Grandma's house!