Happy Birthday, Tomma-longa!

Tommy had a special visitor from Africa in his class today.


This is actually a second generation tradition. Zack's dad used to embarrass the snot out of him when he was little. We figured that the opportunity was just too good to pass up. The gorilla not only screamed and beat his chest, he also made sure to pick the "bugs" out of Tommy's hair. It was a lot of fun and I don't think that I have ever seen Tommy's face so red!



Tommy, we are so happy that you are a part of our family. You are so fun and we love you so much! Happy birthday, Tommy!

With his Sweetheart once again...

June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008

Words simply cannot express how I feel about President Hinckley. I have to admit that I fell apart when we found out about his passing and that I am still struggling. I didn't want him to go. Yes, he was preparing us for this, but since I am mortal I can only be so ready. I am extremely happy for him though, he missed Marjorie so much. I can only imagine the tender, loving, and joyous reunion they are having. I feel so blessed to have been on the earth while he was the prophet. I hope that my children will remember him as I do...a humble, hard working, servant of the Lord, that he loves us so incredibly much, and best of all, he is a hoot!

Until we meet again...

This may be a bit late, but for Christmas this past year, I asked Zack to be the one in charge of the stockings. We finally organized all of the leftovers and found that maybe I should hold onto that responsibility. He went a little crazy (just the way I like it). Just imagine how much there was before divvying it up among 4 boys, mom, and dad. A certain friend of mine would roll over in her symbolic grave if she had that much sugar in her house. You know who you are!




Also, a first for both me and Emily: they are a bit sparse and tiny, but at least it’s possible.

About 3 1/2 years ago, when I was a young 28 and had just had my fourth son, my oldest asked me if I could do a cartwheel. Of course I could, I did it all the time as a teenager, so why not now? I still felt (and acted) like a teenager so I never thought twice about the question.

Within minutes, I positioned myself for the amazingly graceful cartwheel that I was about to wow my children with. I stuck out my right foot, threw up my arms, took a deep breath, and as my first hand touched the ground and my foot left it, I knew I was in trouble. It seemed like time went into slow motion. I felt every inch of my body scream out in protest as gravity pulled me into 67 different directions. I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it back into a standing position. It's quite amazing how fast the mind can think hundreds of thoughts in such a tiny space of time.
I started to think about how embarrassed I would be if I didn't complete the full cartwheel. That, and how the respect and confidence of my children rested on this one moment. If I couldn't succeed, from that point on, I knew it would always be, "Well, Mom couldn't even do a cartwheel, how can she do ....?"

Anyway, once I was back upright, I smiled, fixed my hair, and then pretended to tie my shoe. I figured that I needed to be closer to the ground just in case I passed out. I was so upset. It was the first time in my life that I felt like I had aged and I didn't really appreciate it.
I am trying to age gracefully, but that moment seemed to punch me in the face. I wasn't ready to admit that I was getting older. I will never say that I am past my prime because I think that every age can be that.

Just the other night, I saw someone on the news doing a split. I actually had the thought,"I can do that - piece of cake." I believe that with every ounce of my being - in fact, I'll go try it right now.....

This is my most recent picture. If you look closely, you can see that at least I am smiling.

Mission: Impossible

You'd think that after potty training 3 boys, I'd know all the secrets. I am just pulling my hair out trying to train my little Scotty. He is 3 1/2 and is absolutely against this. I NEED HELP!!!
Any ideas or suggestions?
I've tried having the treats, the celebrations, the all day drink-a-thons, the brothers and daddy showing him how, and even bought a doll that wets so that Scotty could "teach" the doll how to use the potty. These all worked for a tiny while, but then the magic wore off and it's all a pain in the you know what again. How ironic.
HELP !!!

My princesses...and it's not who you think!

My children have always had a fun time dressing up. Their grandparents have so many different costumes to play with. On New Year's day, Scotty came to me in tears because he wanted to be a princess but his older brother Tommy was monopolizing the outfit. After Tommy had had his fill, this was Scotty's new look.

Next, we have Tuesday night at the church. The younger two boys had to play in the nursery during scouts and YM/YW. Sister Wood came and told Zack that he needed to look in the nursery room. Of course, Zack was thinking that they were into something that they shouldn't be, but this is what he found!

This was on the night of Tommy's very first basketball game. He did great! He even shot and made a basket in the first half of the game. Way to go, Tommy!

Timber!!!

After seeing the last Youtube video of Scotty jumping down the stairs, my sister has requested this one. Now, before anyone gets all upset and wants to call Child Protective Services, just remember that Scotty loves to jump off things (always has). The only problem he has is that his head is so big and heavy, that he doesn't always land upright.

We put pillows down to help, but I guess sometimes even that doesn't work out right. And, yes, that is me laughing hysterically at him - what a good mother, right?

Don't worry, he didn't even cry.

Ouch...how can he do that?

I took this a couple months ago of Scotty's traditional way of jumping down the stairs. It looks so painful, but he loves to do it like this.

S-s-s-ooooo cold-d-d-d!

This last week, we decided to go up to Salt Lake to see the beautiful lights at Temple Square. For some reason, we hadn't been for a couple of years. Maybe that was due to the bitterly frigid temperatures!
The lights were beautiful, especially Zack's favorite tree - the enormous pine that stands at the east entrance. It was ablaze with tens of thousands of brilliant red lights.

It was so cold, that it seemed like we were running through the whole experience. It was just way too cold to stop and enjoy each tree like we'd like to have. Then again, I guess that would create a wind chill factor that wasn't originally there. You can't really tell, but our faces were numb from the cheek bones down. Poor Emily couldn't even drink her bottle because it got too cold too fast.

Oh...to babies!