Daisy Dukes

For the past couple of months, my sweet husband has been getting up early with the boys. Before that, we usually just switched off days.

I blame Collin's love of early mornings on my father. That, coupled with his unending energy could only be attributed to Chris Lindblom. Remind me to thank him later.

I HATE mornings. When I wake up in the morning, all I can think is, "Why does God hate me?"

Seriously, they are the worst. It does not matter if I went to bed early the night before. It does not matter if have just gotten 9 hours of sleep! Never ever, do I wake up happy to to be awake.

So you can imagine my boundless gratitude when Trav decides he'll make mornings his exercise and scripture study time. Blessings be upon that man. 

OK, now to get to the picture. Travis was up one morning in the living room, when he heard Collin get up and rummage around in his room. Then out he popped, with a disgruntled face, and what appeared to be Daisy Dukes on, accusing, "DAAAD! Mom got it WRONG!!!"

I had put away laundry the night before, after they had gone to bed. Apparently, I had mistakenly put a pair of Weston's shorts in Collin's drawer. To which, I'm sure, Collin just thought were a new pair of shorts for him! What a disappointment.

Well, he sure made Travis's morning. He could barely tell me the story, he was laughing so much.

Time Out For Women

This past weekend was kind of a big deal.

I drove {by myself}... what I mean is, with no other adults.... and my two kids, from Farmington to Mesa. 

!!!!!!!!

Prior to this, I had never driven longer than 3 hours.

 I gave myself mental pep talks the entire week before.

We pulled out of the driveway at 4pm and got to Mesa at 9pm. With the 1 hr. time change, that means I made the trip in 6 hours!! (Picture me doing all kinds of ugly, victory dancing.) Quite literally, when we reached Payson and I knew I was on the home stretch, I was doing mental cartwheels. 

Turns out, I have a lot more of my father in me, than I knew. I'm generally a pretty nervous driver so I pictured myself to be the car that was always getting passed. 

Kind of the opposite happened. 

It was petal to the metal. 

Don't be alarmed! I never felt I was being reckless. Dolly just makes it a smooth ride. And being the driver is SO much more enjoyable than a passenger. It's nice to be in control. 

The boys did great. Waaaay better than in the past. I just kept a steady stream of movies and snacks on hand. 

At the very beginning, as we pulled out of the driveway, Collin did a little fist pump and said, "Woo! We're TRAVELING!!"

He's had a runny nose, so he also asked if he could have a baby wipe to blow his nose. (I'm bad at keeping Kleenex on hand, but I've always got baby wipes!) But this time, I announced that I actually had a real tissue he could use. Amazed, he excitedly exclaimed, "A REAL tissue?!!! Like one that walks and talks??!!!" Funny boy!! How does he think of this stuff?

Collin threatened to fall asleep 3 different times. I didn't want that to happen, because by 8pm I was hoping both kids could be out for the night. 

The first two attempts, candy kept him awake. On the the third, nothing was cutting it. I turned up the movie ALL THE WAY. Weston was probably concerned. I leaned back and grabbed his foot and started pulling, yelling, "Collin!!!! Wake up, wake up, wake up!" For sure at this point, Weston was leaning forward, checking out the strange scene. Then I grabbed handfuls of popcorn and just started chucking. Full on, kernels hitting his face.

Nothing. ARG!

After 15 min. of that we got to Gallup and pulled into Wendys. After a little stretcheroo, bathroom break and nuggets, the only other stop we had to take was in an empty lot in Holbrook to let Collin water the dirt. 

Only downside was that I didn't realize that I had to download the audio book that I had imported onto my phone. Bummer. Pandora to the rescue!

The next day was the reason for the trip. Time Out For Women!

I dropped the boys off at Paula and Wayne's, then picked up Shelley to start with a little shopping! 

We checked out a really fun furniture store in Scottsdale called the Potato Barn. 

This particular bench was not exactly our taste, but eccentric enough to qualify for a picture!

 My mom found a couple of cute pieces to buy, plus a rug. 
Yay, Sharon!

 Then it was off to Scottsdale mall for some more shopping and eating at the Grand Lux. Marcie and our friend/honorary sister, Alison met us there.

Best quote of the night:

The waitress came to get our orders right when my mom stepped away to take a call. By the time she got back, she was the only one left to order. She looked around and asked if any of us had gotten side salads to start. With a look of bewilderment, Shelley answered for us all with a slight snort of disgust and the almost too serious reply, "No, but we got sides of ranch." I just couldn't take it. I was laughing so hard I had to cross my legs. Dang straight we don't mess with salads! But bring on the ranch!

If lightening struck me, I'd die a happy woman with this in my mouth. 

(As long as it wasn't my first bite.)

That night we enjoyed hearing Michael McLean as well as a few other speakers, including the woman who was asked by the prophet himself to write his biography! Pretty cool. 

Let's be honest, Michael is one strange cat, but once I got past that, I really enjoyed his music.

Here's our whole group! Adele, Sarah, Leah, Shelley, my mom, me, Marcie and Alison! 

 That night we stayed at the DoubleTree hotel in Phoenix. Yummm, DoubleTree cookies.

Oh, I should mention, I had lost my voice that morning. Like, completely lost it. I was all squeaks and whispers. And just trying to talk, strained my throat and gave me a headache. Nice. My night of talking with the girls, and I'm a mute! 

Even still, we talked til almost 2am. Shells and I shared a king bed and I think we were out the second the lights were. Except for the time when she started sleep talking and told me she had a secret crush on Adam Lambert and wished she'd gone to law school.

Juuuust kidding. Did I get ya, Shell?!

The next morning, the continental breakfast knocked all our socks off. It was amazing. All kids of fresh fruit. Fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, french toast, and on and on. The breakfast was worth the hotel room alone. 

 The next day we were serenaded by Jericho Road. My favorite was right after lunch when they got all {boy band}and pop and encouraged everyone to stand up and dance. I was the only one feeling the groove and hopped right up. I think it was my two glasses of Pepsi talking. But it was FUN! Pretty sure I was entertainment for the whole back section.

Now for a fun game... who's hand is whose??!!

 We got lunch at TGIFridays at Bank One Ballpark. So ironic that our Aunt Carla and two cousins were seated right behind us.

 Not a bad view! Too bad there was no game.

The theme for this year was "Seek the Good." So each speaker gave a slightly different spin on that topic. Chris Williams spoke about losing his pregnant wife and two of his kids in a car accident when they were hit by a drunk teenage boy. For sure the tears were flowing then. His story of forgiveness is incredible. 

I really related to the two girls who created Our Best Bites. They were funny and spoke about being moms and how life is not what it seems in the blogging world. They have cookbooks filled with professional pictures of gourmet food but they shared that often they serve cereal for dinner... on a placemat... so the kids think it's really dinner that way. Or they play the {400} game. They tell their kids to go to the freezer and find any foods that say "Bake at 400 degrees" and they can throw it on the pan for dinner. Love that.

Most importantly, one of them, Sara, talked about memories she had growing up with her mom. Her mom now has a debilitating disease that has affected her mentally. It seemed like she wasn't able to be a normal part of her life anymore. But she tearfully described memory after memory that let her know her mom loved her as a child. And most importantly, none of those memories was something her mom could have "blogged" about with cute pictures and tutorials to accompany. What a wonderful reminder! It's so fun to do cute activities with our kids or make creative crafts, but it's the little moments that matter and let them know we love them. 

There were just a few quotes I liked enough to jot down in my phone:

"There is more work than we can do. But the Lord makes us able."

"It's not what you do, it's how you do it."

"Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

"If we said the things we say to ourselves in our minds, to other people, we would have no friends." Be nice to yourself!!

"Make a ta-da list!" I loved this... I make lists like it's nobody's business. Seriously, I've made thousands in my life. I make daily to do lists. Monthly, even yearly lists. I make packing lists, to buy lists, to learn lists, and to do for others lists. (And on this trip I learned that my twin sister has never made a to do list in her life!!!! HOW??!!!) Well, this speaker encouraged us to celebrate the things we have accomplished instead of the things that are always left "to do". Love that idea.

One speaker focused on how bad things often have unintended positive consequences. Take the Book of Mormon musical, for example. Not exactly created to respect or comment positively on the Mormon church. However, Deseret Book got a call from Barnes and Noble after it started, asking if they could get some of those "Books of Whatzits" that so many people were requesting in their store, since the musical's start. Look for the good!

I certainly have a lot of good surrounding me in this picture. Love my family!

I have no pictures of me and Jeffy, but that night, sweet Aubrey came over while my boys slept, and I was able to go out to dinner with my little brother. We stayed two hours at BJ's, sharing a pizza, pizookie, and life stories. We are 12 years apart and have never really spent a lot of time together. My loss! What a fun night. Once again, so grateful for my family. I have the best brothers. 

By Sunday, I was feeling pretty beat up. I had started a cough and if I had any voice before, it was completely gone now. I could barely whisper. Weston wasn't doing so great either, so my mom took Collin to church and Weston and I got an almost 3 hour nap. What a blessing! Thank you Mom!!

That night, good ol' Steve-a-rino stopped by! He lives in North Dakota now and happened to be in town the same weekend as me. Haven't seen him in ages. He brought some old pictures he found, that I had sent him on his mission. Oh my. Those were the days. Just makes me realize how long we've been friends!

Just when my boys were about to drive me bonkers, the cousins came over!! Yay for Lane and Rusty! Sunday nights at Grandma's are the biggest thing I miss, living far away. 

On Monday, my mom watched the boys all day while I spent some time with Marcie Moo. My mom rearranged a meeting, just to be able to do that for me. She's is so good to me!

That night it was another trip to BJ's to be with my girls! It has been years and years since all 5 of us have been able to get together at once. We caught up a little bit on life, but then spent the majority of time laughing our heads off about the past. Oh the "trouble" we used to get into! All I have to say is, Jenni has an impeccable memory. Names and faces that I could barely recall, seemed fresh in her mind. Throw in "Bruises" and "The Big 5", among others, and for the second time this trip, I was crossing my legs from laughing so hard. We were pretty ridiculous in our day, and had a dang good time at it! Love these girls and all our good times.

 The next day it was time to peace out. I had contemplated leaving in the late evening, like last time, but truth be told, I was pretty anxious to see my honey. We left about 10:30 am, and only made one stop in Holbrook for their A&W root beer. OK, what is in that stuff??! That could border on narcotic. YUM. 

The boys agreed.

 What kind of mother puts root beer in a bottle?! Apparently he was pretty excited about it.

 Minus our 20 min. stop, we made it in 6 hours again. The boys did great. 

And I am dang proud of myself. 

I love accomplishing something that scares me. 

There was something planned for just about every minute of the trip. I'm kind of amazed it all came together and worked out perfectly. How often does that happen?! I could really get used to this {living close to home} thing! :) 

Halloween!

In the order in which they occurred....

Friday night we enjoyed chili and games at the ward Trunk or Treat!

The boys got their first taste of Halloween sugar. Maybe the sucker was sour?? Can't remember what this face is about, but I thought he was funny.

Saturday night we went to an {Adult Halloween Party}. Thrown by a rich couple in another ward (am I allowed to say that?), it was arrayed with Costa Vida, a DJ, real dance floor, and all the decorations that fill the Spirit Halloween store. We didn't really know many people, but still had a good time dancin' Gangnam style on the dance floor!

(Travis was "Mayhem".. from the Allstate commercials, and I was "Flo" from the Progressive commercials. Trav was all ready with responses for when people asked who he was. "I'm a teenage girl jogging down the road. I gotta keep this.. pointing up and down body... a 10. Or, I'm your GPS you haven't updated in 5 years. Turn left, HERE!) :) Too bad, no one really asked. 

Sad you can't see my "I ♥ Insurance" pin! Best part about these costumes was, we spent about $4 total. Sweetness.

The night before Halloween was pumpkin carving time! 

 Collin picked Frankenstein... and acted like him most of the night.

 I've never seen anyone so proud.

Spidy and puppy are ready to bring in the loot!

We started at 6pm and were the first out on the street. Before long, Rio was crawling with kiddos.

 After 1 1/2 hours, they had filled their pails, twice over. Collin was really good at saying "Trick or Treat", then "Thank you". I tried to add in a "hello", but that was just too many lines to remember and got him all tongue tied. 

Lots of good candy, and a few coins. I didn't know people really did that?! 

 Travis's office dressed up too. The theme was "Prom night of the living dead" or something like that. They participate in a contest with all the other offices. I can't believe he worked on kids, looking like this! Poor children!

School Pictures 2012

I believe this was taken in Nov. 2012, but I'm adding it to 2013 so it makes it in the book for that year!

Fall Family Pictures 2012

Like I had mentioned, while we were in Gallup, Megan did our family pictures. 

Check out her website here: http://www.shaheenphotography.com/

She is the seriously the best. I always know she will pull through with some great shots, even when Collin is historically throwing huge tantrums. Luckily, this time, he was pretty good, just hard to get a natural smile from. He's king of the smirks or cheesy grins. 

OK, now help me decide!!! I have never gotten a really big family picture printed, but now is the time! Which family photo do you like best?!

#1

#2

#3

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this sweeter than sweet face! 

This half smile is so characteristic of him. I loooove it.

Whaa?! A shot with them BOTH looking AND smiling?!?! It's a Christmas miracle!! :)

Thank you Megan!! You're the best!

When the Relatives Came...

Two weeks ago, I got an unexpected call from my sister, Shelley. She said the following week was their October break and their plans had fallen through. Soooo, she wondered if they could come visit US instead! I didn't know whether to laugh or take her seriously, haha! We were second in line after Disneyland! The happiest place on earth! Does that make Farmington the second happiest? :) Of course we were thrilled to have them! I just never, in a million years, thought we'd ever get visitors, living in New Mexico. 

(Casey deserves some sort of award for driving 6 hours and not getting to any type of ocean.)

Then, two nights later, I got an even more unexpected text from my mom, wondering if the rest of the family might be able to come too. That would mean both parents, Jefferson, Craig, Marcie, and Shelley's family! At the last minute, Jefferson and my Dad couldn't make it, but we had a great time with the rest.

They all drove in late Thursday night. (It must be noted, this was the longest my mother has ever driven by herself. She is 50. Go Mom! :)

On Friday, bad weather threatened, so we went to the uber cool, children's museum. It's not so fancy, but it's free. But Mom made a donation!! :) And the boys ran that place for at least two hours. 

There is a section with all padded toys for those 5 and under. Lane made it by a month. Craig and Casey slightly broke the age limit, but shhhh, no one tell. I think we were pretty lucky to leave with no broken bones. 

Then it was time to tour the ol' dental office and meet the staff. They have a pretty cute dentist that works there. He seems to get into a lot of my pictures. :)

That night, I got a babysitter for the boys so us "adults" (+Craig) could go out to dinner in peace. 

On the way home we passed a DQ and Dolly (our car) instinctively knew Casey was on board and threw a U turn to order up some Blizzards. 

I had to take a picture of my mom and Casey all trying to throw money out the window to pay for it. Trav finally just rolled up the back window. :)

Community baths! I should have turned on the jets! 

That night we laughed pretty hard playing Loaded Questions. Casey wins another award for picking the best question... "What word makes you cringe." I'll save you a lot of cringing and leave out what we wrote. Then we had to deal with Craig continuously trying to get us to explain what "fondle" meant. :/ Sorry, one cringe for ya!

On Saturday we drove up to Durango to board the Charlie Brown and Peanuts Pumpkin Express! This is the popular train that usually goes between Durango and Silverton, but today it only went about 1/2 hr. to a family pumpkin patch.

Beautiful scenery! Colorado is gorgeous.

The kids had fun playing games, going on a hayride, picking out pumpkins and meeting Charlie Brown and "Snoofy!" (We just made sure to show them a Charlie Brown DVD before we went so they actually knew who he was. :)

Back in Durango, we walked through the shops downtown then popped a squat outside on a grassy area and let the boys run free.

Shelley pulled up Pandora on her phone, the boys enjoyed getting thrown into the giant pumpkin, and we all relaxed for a bit.

Then we walked into the Palace Grill, that had been recommended to us, and shifted uncomfortably in our seats while checking out the dinner menu with items starting around $25! And going much, much higher. (Guaranteed Craig would have ordered the $60 steak.) So, word of the wise, ask for the {Lighter Fare} menu and enjoy a much cheaper, but delicious meal!

That night I got my hair did by Marcie Moo and we snacked on brownies that I'm sure everyone was dying to eat at 10:30pm. Marcie, Craig, and my Mom headed out around noon on Sunday and Shelley's fam joined us for sacrament meeting before hitting the road. Right when we got home from church, Collin whined, "Mooooom, can we invited some friends over. I'm BORED." He was dead serious. Come back, cousins! We miss you already!