Memorial Day, 2009

We went on Saturday to visit the graves.  We started at Washington Heights Cemetery in Ogden.  Travis' Grandpa Barnes is there, along with my Grandpa Fowles, my brother and lots and lots of great aunts and uncles.  

We kept Gavin busy by giving him a job.  He was in charge of watering all the flowers once they were placed on the graves.

My grandpa, Thomas Leroy Fowles:  October 30, 1909 - October 1, 1976

My brother, Troy Douglas Child: December 1, 1964 - December 2, 1964

Travis' grandpa:  Virgil Keldith Barnes: November 5, 1926 - October 25, 2007

After we finished up there, we went over to Leavitt's Aultorest, also in Ogden to visit Trav's great grandpa and grandma.  

We didn't know for sure the exact location, so it took some searching.  We finally ended up asking at the front desk and they provided us with a map.  Much easier.  Why didn't we think of that 30 minutes earlier?

Trav's Great Grandma: Rozalean H. Barnes: August 24, 1907 - July 7, 1953

Trav's Great Grandpa: Hyrum Keldith Barnes: November 29, 1905 - September 1, 1997

Here's Gavin after he decided to do a little puddle jumping!

It was a fun day and a great experience for our kids to learn a little bit about their ancestors. Gavin was especially excited to see that his great grandpa and great-great grandpa shared his middle name.  After we were finished, Grandpa Shorty made breakfast for everyone.  And that is ALWAYS worth it :)

Kate's in the Exersaucer!

I cannot believe Kate is big enough to be in the exersaucer already.  Travis had been telling me for a couple of weeks that he thought she was ready, but I kept saying, "no, she's way to small."  I think I was in denial.  She was a bit wobbly at first, but after she got the hang of it, she loved it!

She is getting to be very observant.  She loves to grab and hold things and is constantly watching everything that is going on around her.  It is so much fun to watch her progressing.

Does she win the award for the chunkiest thighs?  I LOVE her thighs!  It's all I can do not to pinch them all day long!

Thanks, Emily!

It was such a beautiful day today.  Emily and her friends decided that they wanted to have a picnic together out in the back yard.  I told her that would be fine, but she needed to bring the dishes back in as soon as she was finished.  She brought this back to me and said "Mom, I'm pretty full.  You can go ahead and eat the rest of my chips."  Gee thanks Em :)

Play Ball!

Well, the season is officially underway.  Tyler started baseball and Emily started t-ball games this week.  They both play on Tuesday and Thursday nights, so our schedule is a little hectic.  They often play at the same times, so it will be interesting to see how we are able to work that out.  

Tyler started player-pitch baseball.  I think it's going to be a frustrating season for him.  The kids are used to the balls being perfectly pitched right down the middle by a machine, so hitting from a real pitcher is proving to be a little more difficult.  Tyler struck out his first time up to bat, but learned to really watch the pitches and was walked the second time.  He played a great game and even picked up a couple of grounders that came his way.  I hope he can stick out the next couple of seasons until the pitching improves.  He has a lot of potential in baseball.

Emily is playing her second season of t-ball.  The coach throws three pitches and if they can't hit the ball from the coach, they bring out the tee.  So far she hasn't had to use the tee.  She often hits the ball WAY over third base.  She isn't afraid of the ball and is the first one to jump all over any grounder that is hit her way. 

The dark clouds rolled in during Emily's game.  After a few sprinkles, this beautiful rainbow appeared.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of Emily under the rainbow :)

Here's hoping for a successful season for both of them, and a little bit of sanity for me :)

GET OUT!!!

I have been debating whether or not I should post this on the blog.  I figured since I want to make this into a book at the end of the year, this will be one that I WON'T want to forget!  

I was showering about a month or so ago.  I always make sure that the doors are locked, but my smart little cookie (Gavin) has figured out how to pick the lock with a toothpick.  A couple minutes into my shower, in comes Gavin.  I thought "don't panic, he's only two.  He won't even notice".  Then he said "Mommy.  I didn't know that you had TWO baby foods".  I responded with a big "GET OUT NOW!!!"  

I am a pretty private person.  When I feed Kate, I prefer to do it in private.  I at least make sure that I am always covered, so I was very shocked and surprised that he knew what was going on.  Gavin has no problem running around naked and can often be found outside without clothes.  The neighbors have gotten used to it and say that he belongs on a nudist colony!  

Ogden Marathon Relay

Yesterday I ran the Ogden Marathon Relay with some friends.  Liz Packard, Kiersten Peterson, Suzette Jackson, and her daughter Alysha.  It was so much fun!   We named ourselves Team DC (Diet Coke).  They are all huge Diet Coke fans (I don't care for soda, but that's OK).  Liz made us all matching shirts.  We met at 4:30 downtown so that Kiersten (leg 1) and Suzette (leg 2) could catch the 5:00 bus.  Alysha (leg 3) and myself (leg 4) needed to be on the 6:00 bus.  Liz (leg 5), was such a good sport.  She didn't have to be there so early, but didn't want to miss out on all the fun.  After Kiersten and Suzette left, Alysha and I waited in line for our bus.  It was fun to talk to her and get to know her a little.  Alysha left at 6:45 and my bus didn't leave until after 7:30.  An hour and a half late!!!  It was freezing while we were waiting, but once we got on the bus, we were fine.  

Here we are before the race! (R to L)  Liz, Kiersten, Alysha, Steff, Suzette

The bus took us to the start of our leg and the driver was nice enough to stay so we could all stay on the bus!  I was VERY grateful that I didn't have to stand out in the cold for two more hours!  It was fun chatting with others and cheering on the passing runners.  Alysha reached me at 10:00 and the race was on!  I felt like I was going so slow... there were tons of runners passing me.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong.  I just couldn't run any faster.  The run was beautiful.  I didn't even turn on my ipod until about half way through my run.  I ran from the Oaks to the Timbermine (5 miles).  My parents were there towards the end of my leg and it gave me the extra boost I needed to finish strong!  It was so fun to see a friendly face on the course!  I had planned on running the last three miles with Liz, but when I reached her I was so tired!  I finished in 45 minutes!  I was really excited!  I had planned on running it in 55 minutes. I hadn't ran for two weeks due to a sore knee and nerve damage in my foot, so I was really pleased with my time.  I drove Liz's car to the finish and met up with the rest of my team there. 

 After the race!  I loved our matching shirts!

Here's Liz looking for the results - 4 hours and 19 minutes!!!

I was extremely tired at the end of the day.  I was afraid that the alarm clock Paulette gave me wouldn't go off, so I was up every 15 minutes during the night checking the clock!  It was so much fun to run with such good friends!  They are trying to talk me into doing the Wasatch Back next year......  That seems a little crazy, but we'll see how hard they twist my arm :)

Girl's Night Out

The Father and Sons overnighter was Friday night, so the girls and I got some girl time!  We started by going to the Hannah Montana movie. It was so much fun to watch Emily singing along and totally enjoying herself.  The movie was really pretty good.  I found myself getting teary in a few spots.  What has become of me???

After the movie we met a friend for dinner at Mimi's cafe.  Emily was so full from the popcorn, treats and soda that she didn't eat ONE BITE of her spaghetti dinner.  And she just wanted water to drink.  Strange. Anyway, dinner was really good and we all had a great time.

After dinner we went to Grandma Paulette's house to spend the night.  I was running the Ogden Marathon Relay with some friends the next morning and needed to leave at 3:45 - yes, that's right, 3:45 in the morning and didn't want to have to wake the kids.  Grandma had just gotten bunk beds and we had lots of fun sleeping over!

What a fun weekend!  I am so glad that we got the chance for a girl's night!  Thanks girls :)

Emily's Nose Book

Emily came home from school yesterday with this nose book.  

Inside she had drawn pictures of all the things that she could smell.  Flowers, popcorn, fruit, etc.  This is what I found on the last page.  A chocolate chip cookie and another picture that I couldn't figure out.  

I asked her to explain it to me and this is what she said... 

"Mom, this is a picture of a fart.  This part here is the bum and this is the fart that comes out of the bum."  

WHAT???  Did that just come out of my sweet little girl's mouth?  I was horrified, but a little amused.  Let me explain that in my house, there is no potty talk.  I don't like potty talk and kids get soap in their mouth for using potty talk.  We don't call them FARTS either.  I prefer TOOT, so I have no idea where she came up with this.  Welcome to public school?

Five months

Kate is five months old!

I cannot believe how fast another month has come and gone.

We started her on some rice cereal on Saturday and she really liked it.  The doctor told me when she starts looking interested in our food then she was ready to start.  We were eating Saturday night and she grabbed a hold of my hamburger.  We figured that was a pretty good sign that she was interested.  Too bad she only got rice cereal.  I loved watching her try her first food.  I think she had more on her face than in her mouth :)  Aren't her blue eyes pretty?

She is sleeping really good.  She goes to bed around 7:30 or 8:00 and wakes up at 6:30.  She stays up for about 2 hours and goes down for three more!  She is starting to be interested in her toys, loves blowing bubbles, and makes all sorts of squealing noises.  She is such a sweet baby!

Mother's Day, 2009

What a great day!  The kids were all so excited to give me the gifts they had made at school for me.  Emily made a tile with a cute poem, which made me cry, and her handprint on it.  She was so excited when I made room for it in my curio cabinet (where all my most special things go). Tyler was excited, but didn't want to show it too much, to give me a card he had made.  It was a pop up card and on the inside it said "You make my heart jump for joy!"  "My teacher made me write that", was his reply when I told him how much I loved it.  Gavin didn't have anything homemade and felt a little bad.  I told him he could give me a big kiss instead.  He wrapped his grubby little arms around me and planted a huge kiss on my cheek, after eating a chocolate cupcake.  Here is the evidence.... I loved it!

Travis surprised me with new clothes which I so desperately needed. Things just haven't been the same since I had Kate... 

After church, we went to Travis' parents for dinner.  Tyson and Ashley made Salmon and Halibut from their Alaska trip.  It was delicious :)  

Most mother's want to celebrate Mother's day by taking the day off.  Not me.  Mother's Day for me is all about celebrating being a mother, and I wanted my kids around me all day long.  I love each of my children dearly and feel so blessed to be their mother.  Thanks kids, for such a great day and being so wonderful!  I love you all :)

Tyler's Birthday Party

Saturday we celebrated Tyler's birthday, AGAIN!!!  He had three parties this year and felt very fortunate to spread it out.  He invited a few friends to join him at Sparetime Family Fun for miniature golf, bowling, pizza, and video games.  We all had a great time!  I was very thankful that we decided not to have the party at our house... nine year old boys can get a little rowdy :)

He got plenty of fun gifts.  This was one of his favorites.

Brady had his mouth wide open in every single picture I took of him.  

What is it with boys?

Here's the final bowling scores.  Preston beat Tyler by 2 pins.  

There was plenty of trash talking going on :)

Ice Cream

This is Gavin's first ice cream cone of the season.  He was so cute that I had to post a few pictures of him.  

He had no idea I was taking these pictures.  I love to watch them when they don't know that you're watching them.

Nothing like an ice cream cone on the back porch in your underwear!  Like he often says... "Ahhh.  This is the life!"

Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks???

No wonder my windows look like they do!

Gavin the Jedi

Gavin came into my bedroom in tears the other day.  I asked what was wrong and he said "Mace Windu hit me in the head with a light saber."  I asked who Mace Windu was and he replied "Gavin is."  He finds some way to make me laugh every day!

Happy Birthday Tyler

I just cannot believe that Tyler is nine years old.  It seems like yesterday that we were making preparations for our first child.  Time goes so fast. He had a great birthday.  We celebrated with my family on Sunday.  My parents and brother and sister all chipped in and bought him a DS. Wow!  Was he surprised and absolutely thrilled!  He has been playing non-stop for two days now!  He was sooo excited!  Grandma Paulette came to visit and brought a Star Wars lego set that he cannot wait to put together.  He received several visits and phone calls throughout the day. I feel so lucky that we have such great family and friends!  Tonight he had his first baseball practice that he did not want to miss, until he got there....  suddenly he didn't think that it was fair that he had to play on his birthday.  We opened presents before practice and had Chinese food, cake and ice cream after practice.  As I tucked him into bed tonight, I hugged him a little tighter.  I hate to see my kids getting so big, but I wouldn't change it for the world :)  We love you Tyler!

P.S.  The family was wondering who Tyrel was?  When I put his name on the cake, it made sense to me to do it in a circle... it turned out to look like Tyrel instead of Tyler... OOPS!