Charlotte's first day of school

Charlotte waiting to go inside....

Waiting patiently while Mommy gets one more picture.....

And now, not so patiently while Mommy takes yet another picture!!

She was just so happy to be back in school, and she was so proud that she is a big kid in the Pre-K class! Also, Barrett tried to convince her that their preschool is really the Batman school...Charlotte was not the least bit impressed!

Barrett's first day of school

In front of the doors...ready to go and play.

In his very own seat in his classroom.

Barrett was excited to go to school, although we did have to explain to him, many times, that he would not be:

1- Riding on the bus to school. (why are all kids so flippin' fascinated with riding the bus?)

2- In Miss Jesika's class (Miss Jesika is one of the teachers at the school, in fact, she was one of Savannah's pre-k teachers! But, alas, she is not his classroom teacher. He was very sad about that, she is his very favorite teacher!)

and

3- Going to the Batman Preschool. (We really don't know where he came up with the notion that he is going to Batman Preschool, but he did have his adorable three-year-old heart quite set on it. I think he will settle in nicely, and even come to like preschool, despite the lack of Batman!)

Oh, such a cute boy! And how is it possible that he is old enough to be in school, anyway?

DEPECHE MODE!!

So, Colby and I went to the Depeche Mode concert last night!! It was so awesome, even if it was the 5th or 6th time we've seen them live. They just get better every time! Now, before anyone says anything negative or lame about the fact that we've not only seen such an "80s" band in concert, several times, just stop!! I've already heard enough of that from my darling sister Steph, who continually reminds me that I am hopelessly, and yet happily, stuck in 1985! Know what I say to that? "You're right!! And what a great time and place to be stuck in!"

Dani and Colby...literally a stone's throw from the stage!!! Isn't Colby just the most hot and handsome man you've ever seen??!! You don't have to answer that, I already know he is!! :)

The perfectly adorable and marvelous Martin Gore....he is Dani's secret
(or not-so-secret!) celebrity crush, ever since about 1985!!! Don't worry, Colby knows!! :) He even downloads pictures of Martin for me, and teases me about what would happen should Martin ever show up at my house!

Martin and Dave Gahan...they put on such a fun and rockin' show!

This is a picture of Martin from the last concert a few years ago...isn't he just delicious?!?!

So, I know you are all jealous that we got to see them in concert...again!! Anyway, it was soooo much fun, and we can't wait until they come to town again!!!

And, a big thank-you to my Dad, who watched the kids overnight so we could have a fun date night! Thanks Dad, you're the best!

Little Miss Sassy!

So, Charlotte has a funny little sassy and fiery attitude to her personality. I have no idea where she gets it. I mean, Colby is so mellow and easygoing, and I am most certainly not sassy and fiery!!! So, where did it come from? Hmmm...it must be one of those unexplained mysteries of life.

Anyway, Charlotte has this new thing she says lately if she gets asked to stop doing something that is naughty...or if she gets asked to do something that she just doesn't have any interest in doing.

She will say "I know!" with a fair dose of attitude and sass. When the inevitable happens, and I ask her a second time, she usually says "Stop telling me!"

When the third time comes around, which I am always hoping is the last time, you know...the whole "third time's the charm" thing? She now says "Mom, just turn around and stop looking at me."

Hmmm....so if I turn around and stop looking, you'll suddenly feel this incredible newfound desire to be obedient? And to think, all this time I thought it was a clever ploy!

So today, Charlotte and Barrett wanted a granola bar with their lunch. I said okay, and proceeded to give them a granola bar. Charlotte says "Are these chocolate granola bars?"

I tell her those are all gone, and she can just eat the honey nut flavor and be happy.

She then tells me "When it is your payday and you go to Harmon's, I will tell you to get me some chocolate granola bars, and you can say 'Okay, Char' and you can't say 'Not today, Honey.' Okay, Mom? Just do that."

Honestly, the fire and sass in this girl! I love it!!!!!

Come on, pull yourself together!

So, my little Savannah is not so little anymore. I realize this is old news, and that she hasn't been my "little girl" for a while now, but it hit me quite badly this morning.

Today is Savannah's first day of school, and she is now officially a big, grown-up third-grader.

Third Grade!

Sigh.

What in the world is happening? Someone please, oh pretty please, stop pressing the super-duper-ultra-fast-forward button on my kid's growing-up years.

Before I know what's what, Savannah will be in high school, driving a car, and thinking that we'll let her date! :o)

I need to go now. My eyes are drippy and Charlotte and Barrett are wondering what my problem is.

I'm sure they are thinking something like "Come on Mom, get it together! We're still home, we don't start school for two more weeks!!"

Aaaaarrrggghhh!

My babies start school in two weeks?!?!?!?

Maybe a lot more Kleenex.......

Still around

So, it has been a while since the last post, hasn't it? Well, to bring you up to speed, we have been up to.... not much of anything, really. We stayed home for the 24th of July this year. It was really nice. We had some barbecued steak, corn-on-the-cob and various salads for dinner; we had our dear friends Judy and Shirley over; and we had some small fireworks. It was fun. Other than that, not much happening. Charlotte is excessively excited and counting down the days until August 12th, when her dance classes begin again. Barrett is excited for his first season of Tee-ball coming up in September. He is finally old enough to play! And Savannah is in the middle of trying to make up her mind about what she wants to do. She really loves soccer, but she has expressed an interest in dance classes and softball. We'll see. Personally, I think she should try softball, and not only because I really love baseball. On the 24th, Colby was outside playing with Savannah, and she can really hit! She has quite a good eye, and a good batting arm. I think she'd enjoy playing softball. But, we'll see what she chooses.

The kids are also eager for school to start. Savannah is going to be our big third-grader. Where has the time gone? She is old enough to be learning long divison and fractions? Sigh. Charlotte will start her final year of pre-school in September. She is pretty excited to be in "the big Pre-K class" this year. And, my Barrett starts pre-school this year as well. Really, why does time keep speeding up? How can my baby possibly be old enough to start pre-school? He is quite excited to "go to school just like Charlotte." What am I going to do with a couple hours a week with no kids at home? Hmmm......naptime!!! :)

Not much else happening. Colby is still in school, and Dani is still a walking zombie half the time!! I really look forward to the day when my work schedule will not include any graveyard hours. But until then, I will try to function in Mommy-Zombie-mode!

Music Appreciation Lessons

So, we all know that Colby and I love music. All kinds, all eras, all types. And, probably everyone knows that I almost always have my IPod, a CD, the radio, or something playing at my house. Maybe I am secretly afraid of silence!!! Anyway, so the kids are constantly exposed to many different kinds of music. I thought I might share with you what their favorites currently are. It is kind of funny, or, in my darling sister Steph's opinion, downright sad!!



So, Savannah's Top 5 Songs are:
1- "Hoedown Throwdown" from the Hannah Montana soundtrack
2- "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
3- "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo
4- "Need You Tonight" by INXS
5- "Funny Man" by KT Tunstall



Charlotte's Top 5 Songs are:
1- "Secret" by OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)
2- "Need You Tonight" by INXS
3- "Upside Down" from the Curious George soundtrack
4- "It's a Sin" by The Pet Shop Boys
5- "Surfer Girl" by The Beach Boys



Barrett's Top 5 Songs are:
1- "Knights of Cydonia" by Muse
2- "Superman" by R.E.M.
3- "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo & the Bunnymen
4- "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence
5- "Lazy Eye" by the Silversun Pickups



Well, there you have it. The most current favorite songs from my little music lovers. And, just in case anybody wondered, every one of their favorite songs can be found on my IPod, with the exception of the Hannah Montana song. Try as I might, I just can't get into Hannah Montana. Sounds a little too country for my taste!!

Pretty, Lovely, and Handsome

As you know, my girls are blessed (or cursed) with very straight hair. And, they both decided that they wanted curlers in their hair to make it curly instead. Well, here is how it turned out!

Charlotte was soooo excited when we took out the curlers and she saw lovely little ringlet curls. "Mom, I look just like a princess!" Yep, Charlotte is a fan of curlers. She has asked for curlers in her hair nearly every single night since then. What have I started?!

Savannah loved her curls too. She was especially excited for the little curl in front of her face. She thought it made her look so cool, like a "diva." Okay, then. It's a hit!

And here's my Barrett. Obviously, we had no curlers in his hair, but he is also a devastatingly handsome little man, in spite of his blond, shorter hair!!

Family Reunion

At a family reunion in Oak City, Utah. I know, I know... "Where??" Oak City. In the middle of Utah, between nothing and more nothing!!!

Charlotte playing on the playground.

Barrett smirking around on the playground.

Savannah trying to decide what she wants to do next.

Happy to be on the swings, Bear??!!

Charlotte wanting to go "faster, faster!!"

Charlotte giving Barrett a helping hand on the swings. See, most of the time, they really do like each other and get along!!

Barrett thinking, "This is awesome!"

Is there anything more fun and exciting than a tractor??!!

The kids had so much fun, and the 2 hour drive was less traumatic than I thought it might be. So, driving to Disneyland in September may work out. Ha ha ha.

Car ride surprise

We took the kids for a car ride the other day, and look what we saw: deer! The kids thought it was so fun, and so awesome that we could see them right out of their windows. We were so close, we could almost touch them.

Barrett was absolutely certain that these are some of the reindeer from Santa's sleigh. We told him that they probably weren't, since Santa is at the North Pole and all, but he was insistent. These are Rudolph, Dasher and Dancer. So, now you know where Santa's reindeer come on their summer vacation- to good ol' Utah!!

Ladybug!!

This is at Charlotte's final soccer game of the season. Barrett was so excited-he found a ladybug! Ordinarily, he is quite afraid of little creepy-crawly critters, but he really seemed to like it.

Barrett trying to decide if the ladybug will try to crawl up his arm or fly away.

Smile!! He thought it was so funny when the ladybug started to crawl on him. "Mommy, it tickles me!" Oh so cute!

Father's Day...belated

Hello, I am a slacker, once again! I have just realized that I had this post "saved as draft," and then forgot to go back in and post it. And not only that, but it's about Father's Day. Honestly, could it happen to something unimportant, like the cat's new favorite toy being Savannah's pink winter mittens; or the fact that Charlotte has decided (with no wiggle-room or exceptions) that "girls don't watch baseball." Of course not, it has to happen with something very important, or fathers in our lives. So, just pretend that it's Father's Day all over again, would you? Or at least pretend that I did not forget about this post until almost a week later? Oh thank you!

So, it is Father's Day. I like this holiday. I have the great fortune of having a wonderful father, a wonderful father-in-law, and also a wonderful husband who is a wonderful father to our three wonderful children. Isn't that wonderful!!?? Ha ha ha. Okay, enough with the boring alliteration, but truly, it IS a wonderful blessing to have such great men in my life.

My Dad is really such an amazing and great man. I know that I have said it before, and posted about it before, several times, but it's true. When I was younger, I used to think that if I ever had a husband, he had sure better be so different than my Dad. Of course, I was in my teens and thought that I knew everything, and all that typical lame-idiot-teenager-who-hates-their-father crap. I can say with all seriousness and fondness now, that the older I get, the more wonderful and wise my dad becomes to me. I am very grateful and proud that Colby is a lot like my Dad in some ways. My dad is the hardest-working man I know. He is the first to volunteer when someone needs help, he is not afraid of working 10, 12, whatever-it-takes hour days to get the job done, and to get it done right. He gets that from my Grandpa, his dad. Another wonderful man!! Also, my Dad has never been "too good" for any job or work that will support his family. I love that about him. I know so many people who seem to be unwilling to lower themselves, in their eyes, to take a job that they feel is beneath them somehow. I know my dad would have worked 10 jobs, whatever they may have been, if it meant food on the table and a roof over our heads. As a kid, I never appreciated that strong work ethic. To be honest, I actually resented it. He tried so hard to instill that same ethic in us, and it got to be really annoying when I was about 10 and thought that rinsing the dishes fairly well was a perfectly acceptable job of "doing the dishes." Nope- get back in there and do it again, and this time, do it right. I am grateful for that. I am grateful that he was willing to continue and try to teach me, even if it meant I was going to be pretty annoying and whiny and pouty about it. He loved me enough to keep on trying, in hopes that someday I would not be a pouty kid, and learn! My dad is also the first person I want to talk to if I need advice, or someone to just listen to me ramble on about whatever I am trying to work through. He really is wonderful. Thank you Dad, for being so great, and amazing, and special to me! I love you dearly.



I have also had the great privilege of knowing Colby's dad, Ken, for the past 13 years. He is amazing to me. I don't know if I can think of a person who is more calm, balanced, and humble than Ken. I admire his ability to relate scriptures to daily occurrences and situations. I admire that he is able to pull a scripture right out of the air, and never seems to be preachy or self-righteous. I love how gently and tenderly he speaks of Renee, Colby's mom. I love that he never allowed Colby (or any of Colby's siblings) to speak to Renee unkindly or disrespectfully. I am grateful to him for being such a wonderful example of a tender and loving husband and father. I am very blessed to have him a part of my life.



And now, certainly not least, my dear and beloved Colby. I will try to keep this part in check, and not become too sappy and long-winded. Although, you've made it this far, you may as well settle in for the long haul of my rambling, right!! I adore Colby. I love him, and I worship the ground he walks on. I know everyone always says that their husband is the best, the most loving, the perfect husband, and everything else. Sorry ladies....MY husband is the best! He really is. I love how easy and fun and devoted he is to the kids. I love that he is able to be so focused on their needs all the time. I love that he is worried about them, and tries to protect them, even when I may think he is being almost "smothery" at times. I love where his heart is at those times, and I love how much he cares. Like my dad, Colby is such a hard worker, and he does so much for us. He has told me about a gazillion times that all he has ever wanted in life is to make me happy. And when the kids came along, that extended to them also. He does so much to ensure our well-being and happiness. Like his dad, he does not tolerate the kids speaking to me in ways that he deems disrespectful or unkind. And I love that he always tells them "You do not ever talk to my sweetheart like that." He tells them quite firmly, with no room for them to misunderstand him, and yet it really comes across as sweet, tender, and loving. I love that example for them. I love that Barrett sees that, and will hopefully treat his wife with the same degree of kindness, respect and love. That is, of course, if I ever allow him to date! I love that Savannah and Charlotte see that, and hopefully will expect their husbands to treat them with such devotion, love and respect. And of course, that is if Colby ever lets them date! I love that he plays with the kids, and that he likes to talk to them. I always want them to feel their dad has time for them, and that they'll want to talk to him. I can think of a thousand more things I could say about Colby, but for the sake of those who may actually have suffered through this post, I will save them for another time!


What wonderful men I am blessed to know! Happy Father's Day!

Why would it happen any other way?

So, I finished mopping my kitchen floor no more than an hour ago. Barrett just spilled a cup of RED PUNCH all over the floor just now. Of course. Why not? AAARRRGGHHHH!

A Great Song

So, Colby and I love music. All kinds of music and from virtually any timeframe. It just so happens that I dearly LOVE the song "So Happy Together" by The Turtles. It is a wonderful song dating back to 1967; before I was even born! I love this song, it makes me think of Colby every time I hear it. I have it and I have listened to it several times. Today it came on, and Savannah and Charlotte and Barrett all said, "Mommy, it's your Daddy song!" Well, they were right! And since Savannah didn't complain about it being uncool or "old" this time, I turned up the volume nearly full-blast, and we had a great time listening to a delightful older song, while Mommy told the kids how cute and amazing and cool their Daddy is. After that started, Savannah made faces and gaggy noises at me and rolled her eyes. And for the record, Savannah thinks that the Jonas Brothers are who we should have been listening to instead of The Turtles. No way Savannah! Those little boys don't have any songs even half as cool as "So Happy Together!!"

Dance recital!

Charlotte's summer dance recital! She really loves dance, and it is so fun to see her perform!Charlotte getting, as she calls it, all "make upped" before the performance. She likes the blush and lipstick, but she's not such a fan of eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara. They make her eyes water like crazy, and it's really counter-productive......

....which is kind of sad, because look how the mascara makes her eyelashes stand out! So pretty!

Charlotte on stage and loving it!!!


Charlotte seems to be a natural performer, just like her Dad. She shows no signs of nervousness, or jitters being on stage in front of a hundred people. She loved it!


This recital was only a few days ago, which signals the end of dance for the summer, and I have heard at least 50 times in the past 3 days, "When do I go to dance?" Sigh. It's going to be a long summer!