Happy Father's Day!

Bob- The kids were so excited to pick out your gifts. Just look at Avery showing her mad love for ya!Hiding them for you to find is always a favorite thing of theirs.

Oh, and helping you open them is a big treat too!
I mean, I couldn't tell who was more excited for your gifts, Owen or yourself!

But, hopefully you'll know that their excitement stems from the fact that they love you so.

They've, each and every one of them, been Daddy's girls and boy.

Yes, you're their favorite. Owen's screaming fit in Sacrament meeting when you went up to pass the sacrament today was just another indicator. "I want my dad!" he yelled, screamed and cried for the entire congregation to hear. Nothing I could do would console him. I really appreciated everyone coming up to me afterwards and saying what a daddy's boy he is.
I have a few things to say to you about that...........Thank you!

I love you!

Happy Father's Day!

Lots and Lots of Randomness

It's late and I should be folding and putting away laundry. I've decided to blog instead. This post title used to be, Little Bits of Randomness. Then I poured out writing like a fast, moving, broken dam. So I changed the title. Forgive my rambling ways.

*My babies are all fast asleep in their beds (well my bed, really). The girls are doing swim team and Owen has swim lessons. They swim in our little pool on the patio at least 3 times a day. They are exhausted and sound asleep even before the summer sun goes down.

*Robert has been in Wisconsin since Sunday. Tonight he told me he missed me and when I told him I loved him, he said he loved me more. I was surprised. I feel all I do is complain to him...about everything. Why do I do that? I vent to him too much. I guess I want him to feel my PAIN of being home alone without him. Maybe he doesn't mind my feeble attempts of sympathy. He loves me more....somehow I doubt that.

*I am sick. It makes taking care of the kids all by myself a bit hard at times. I feel I haven't been as patient as I should be. I wonder if my kids think I am crazy....sometimes nice mom, other times...not so nice. It's the first week of summer and they're fighting more than I think they should be. I'm trying to create good days and memories, but at moments, I'm NOT succeeding.

*I have good friends. My kids have played at their houses (giving me little breaks to run get groceries without them) and they have had us over for dinner. Oh, thank you.....really, thank you!

*My dad turned 61 on Monday. I wonder if he'll ever know what his life and example has meant to me....everything.

*I haven't run all week. It feels strange. I realize what a big part of my life running has become. I need it. It is my outlet, my one hobby, my RELEASE. I was snuggled on the couch with Owen watching his sweet movie he picked out at the library (The kids all got their own cards today. We checked out like a million books and movies. I haven't had a late fee in months. Can we keep it up all summer long? When I told Bob about the kid's cards he just moaned. Late fees! Late fees! Late fees....was all he could think of.) I was really snoozing. Avery ignored my napping attempt and woke me, pleading for me to put the Garmin on her wrist. "No, it isn't a toy," I told her. "Go put it away." "But mom, I really need it. I am going to go out and run around the yard a lot, so I really need it mom, please." This made me laugh.

*Bob's big race is Saturday. Poor him, he's out of town and sick like me. I hope he's better soon. I am excited for him. He has worked hard for 6 months to finish this 1/2 Ironman. It's pretty much consumed his life. I will admit, I have had a few melt downs. So, has he. There was a day or two that he was serious about quitting. He just didn't want to spend any more time away from us, he said. I don't know that I believed that one. It was sweet, but I think he was just plumb worn out from the new job and all the training. I can't wait for Saturday, to cheer him to the finish...I really am SO proud of him, but more so....I want my husband back.

*Chanel...we have a love/hate relationship. I love her when she snuggles by me and lays so quietly on my lap. I hate it when she escapes from the yard and I arrive home to see the neighbor left a note on my kitchen counter telling me he found her in the street. That's all fine and dandy.....but my house? It looked like a nuclear bomb went off. I was so not ready for company.

*I need to go to bed. Chanel will be up before 6 whining for me to let her out. I don't want to go to sleep. I know I'll be up half the night thinking I hear a burglar breaking in to bring to life my worst nightmare. I'll be going over scenarios and escape routes in my head all night. When I am sleeping soundly, it won't last long. Owen will kick me in the head, or Payton will talk in her sleep. Yes, when dad's gone, we all sleep together. Well, except Avery. I move her into her own bed before I go down. She is newly out of pull-ups, so there are often accidents. It ain't happening in my bed. That's just that.

*I am looking forward to the weekend, Bob's big race, Beckham's baby blessing, Aunt Kris's surprise party, seeing Danette and Keion, and Shon and Jen......then staying with the kids a few more days in Pocatello where we can play with family and friends and I can take my kids to all my favorite summer spots. Pocatello was a fabulous place to grow up. I snubbed it for many years, now as an adult, I have reconnected with all the reasons I love it and have enjoyed sharing them with my kids. I attribute my love for it mostly because of the love I have for the people there. Many are gone, some are still there, but some of the best people I've had in my life, have been a part of my past in, Pocatello.

*Here's to good memories and especially....... sweet dreams!

5 Years ago...

Avery J arrived in this world, and it hasn't been the same since!

Five, is it really so? How come they grow so fast? I don't like it, not for one minute. If I had my way, she would stay little forever, so I can hold and snuggle, and love on her and she'll still let me. So her little self and voice can stay small, funny, and oh, so cute.

All Avery wanted was breakfast and presents in bed....oh, and her ears pierced too, and to have friends over to share her "pink pony" cake her dad was making her.

Birthday wishes....granted!

View all

Get your own

Poor Bob wanted to be there for the ear piercing, but he wasn't invited. Not really, I told him he could come, but I didn't beg. This time, it was MY turn. So, my friend, Kerri and I took all the kids to the mall to get Ave's ears pierced.

You see exactly 5 years ago when Avery was just a brand new baby, Bob took Pay swimming at the local pool. They were gone for hours. When they finally arrived home Pay hesitantly entered the living room, holding her hands over her ears and sporting a look of terror. "What are you doing?" I asked in wonder. She removed her hands, revealing newly pierced ears.

I took one evil eyed look at Bob and yelled, "WHAAAAAT DID YOU DO??!!!!!"

He was baffled, truly baffled. He couldn't understand what the big deal was. "She said she wanted her ears pierced," he said completely nonchalantly. "So I took her."

Just like that. My big, rite of passage, milestone, ear piercing moment with my daughter...

...Stolen.

Plus, she was ONLY 3!

Not this time, Bob.....Not this time. Oh, and don't you dare think you're real funny evening out the score by taking Owen to get an ear pierced one day!

Oh, no you didn't!

BeforeAfterLook how adorable our little Nelly Belly looks. She has big, brown, chocolate eyes.

Who knew?!

She just had her first hair cut. I dropped her off at Petco and felt like a terrible parent for leaving her. The other dogs looked frightened out of their minds. What she was in for, I had no idea. I'm new at all this.

Bob picked her up later that day and when she ran through the front door we all screamed with excitement. She was wearing two little bows in her hair and looked down right adorable. We chased her through the house giving her hugs and kisses and doting over her knew look.


We were pretty excited, and unfortunately, so was she. I caught her, right in the act. (Yes she is squating and doing the deed.)

Oh, no you didn't, Chenelly belly...

Oh, yes you did!

Rats!

Happy Graduation, Kalli

Whew! What a busy day Sat. was. I left the house super early to attend a graduation breakfast in Nampa at 8. Then I ran to the Civic Center to see my seniors at Richard McKenna get their diplomas.

I cruised home around noon and gathered up the fam and loaded everyone in the car. Off to Twin Falls we drove. You see little Kalli, who was three when Bob and I started dating, just graduated from high school. So, there was a big family shin dig at Grandma McBrides to celebrate Kalli's success.

We decorated her room, alright down right destroyed it, with candy, confetti and streamers, but we left lots of fun goodies on her bed.

After the most delicious meal I have had in days, yes my mother-in-law totally re-created all the fixins at Cafe Rio, and we ate till we all had to be rolled out to the yard for some game time.

We had a washers (you toss little washers into a wooden box for one point, and get three points if it lands in the tin can in the center) tournament. That's right, we don't mess around. It is never just a fun game or two with whomever wants to play. It is names drawn, teams assembled, tournament chart posted, GAME ON! No wonder Bob and I never had any problems adjusting to our new, extended families. We are all the same....competitive, sports crazed nut cases!Just so you know, this one totally went in, probably the tin can too. Ya, probably not.
Oh, did I mention little Beckham was there looking as adorable as ever? I held and snuggled and kissed him lots. Maybe a little too much, but how could I resist? Oh, I miss him already....
We let the little ones join in for a shot or two.
There was some serious cheerleading action from the sideline spectators. This is Madalyn's, "I am so cool because I just dominated at washers pose."

....and her partner in crime, Aunt Mikkel's, rockin' victory dance.

Kalli, the future looks bright for you, girl. We know you'll continue to be successful in all you do. We sure have enjoyed watching you grow into such an amazing person.

Happy Graduation, Kalli....We love you!

Lesson Learned

Aunt Mikkel came Sunday for a little visit. We decided to get out and enjoy the lovely evening.

We took her to our favorite hiking spot.So, upward we climbed.

We made it victoriously to the top.I think Aunt Mikkel liked the views.

They were pretty spectacular.Have I mentioned how much I love my family?

Avery picked me lots and lots of flowers. I held on to them until my allergies got the best of me!



People were showing off their muscles....

and climbing lots of big rocks.

Owen was feeling the fear of heights!

We found lots of Boise landmarks.

Tuckered out, we headed back down the trail.



Little House on The Prairie style.
Lesson learned, you wonder?

Never take your four month old shipoo on a hike!

Cut us some slack...we're new at this dog thing!

"It's Too Hot For Hair!"

Bob says...

So, he gets out the clippers...

and gives Owen the summer shave.

Then he proceeds to shave his own.

No drying

No straightening

No product

No spraying

NO HAIR!

Boys.....they don't know how good they have it!

A Milestone

Miss Avery J graduated from Brite Kids Pre-school last week.

We took the family to dinner beforehand to celebrate Ave's special night!Where the girls sipped happily on their favorite, cherry, Italian sodas.Owen and his Batman shades. He kills me! Avery couldn't get out of there sooner. She was ANXIOUS for graduation!

Where she reluctantly said good-bye to Teacher Summers. (The most amazing Pre-school teacher!)

...and her class of friends.
But, she was given a lot of fun stuff!
And was able to play with her friends one last time.
Which was by far...her favorite part of the evening.

Too soon the night ended and we had to leave. It took a lot of coaxing to get Aves in the car, and as we drove off she sadly sported big alligator tears dripping down her little cheeks. Her love for teacher Summers and her Pre-school friends is BIG, and she is going to miss them lots.
Miss Avery J, I can't believe you are entering the world of public school this fall. What am I going to do without you? I will miss you terribly, but know you will bring so much fun and energy to your Kindergarten class.

Graduating from Pre-school....A Milestone!
.....sniff, sniff