Maybe a Prince

The kids found a toad in the front yard and they were so excited to hold it. I love the picture of the two of them. Gavin can be so sweet to Renée. Renée gave the toad a kiss just in case it was a prince. It wasn’t. Maybe that only works with frogs.

First Talk

Renée gave her first talk in Primary on Sunday. She did a great job. The video is of her practicing with her dad. She wore clothes for the actual event.

Mmmm Cake Batter

I took the first two pictures while my kids were sharing, yes they were actually sharing without fighting, the beater. I thought I captured enough of it but Sam luckily caught the last two after the rest of us moved on. It appears that Renée really likes cake batter and who can blame her.

We love the pool!

We made it to the pool for a few hours. Sam hasn’t gone to the pool too much with us because he is usually working when we go and when he is off we usually go to the water park. We did make it there on Friday. The kids love to swim with their dad because he throws them around and lets them hold onto his neck while he swims underwater. I got to lie on a lawn chair and read a chapter in book without having to worry about my kids. What a treasure that was!

Movie Night with the Thurmans

The Thurmans invited us over to watch The Last Samurai while our kids watched their own movie in another room. Really what happened was Spencer told Sam that he had recorded the movie off of the TV which meant it was edited. Sam really wanted to see that one, so he told me to make it happen. The Thurmans were nice enough to share their movie with us. The kids did pretty well considering they were up so late. Renée did complain, “That big baby (their two year old son Owen) keeps getting in my way!” Thanks Susan and Spencer.

Another Baby Shower

I went to Brook’s baby shower, so that meant I made another boppy. I have a lot of pregnant friends, so I have been sewing a lot more than usual. Good thing I get to watch Lost while I cut, pin, and iron.

Dentist

All three kids went to the dentist. They all have perfect teeth and were really good. I was hoping that my kids would inherit my strong enamel and it is looking like they did. We went to a pediatric dentist that is super close. They had video games for the kids to play while they were waiting for the dentist. It was so much nicer than my last dentist experience. If you need a laugh http://sheppardsheep.blogspot.com/2007/07/going-to-dentist.html

Where are you sleeping?

Sam and I watched 27 Dresses after the kids when to bed, or so we thought. After we finished watching the movie, which was really good, this is where we found Renée. I guess she likes chick ficks too.

Fixing the Baby Pool

The baby pool at our pool needed to be fixed and we were lucky enough to go to the pool while it was being fixed. Gavin spent most of his pool time watching the fixing and talking to the fixers. He learned all about plaster thanks to some patient workers. Carter is enjoying the pool more and more each time we go. When we first started going he wouldn’t leave my lap. He will now walk around the pool including on the little waterfall, walk in the baby pools, and even float with his waterwings in the pool if I let him hold onto my fingers. Renée is swimming very well with her life jacket and will even jump in the pool. I think she will be swimming by the end of the summer.

Vista Meadows

We got together with a group of friend at the Vista Meadows pool. My kids love to swim in a new place so they had a great time. We ended up staying from 10 until 1:30. Michaelann, Susan, and I lasted the longest which is kind of funny because none of us live in Vista Meadows. When my kids are being good, we stay at the pool for as long as we can.

Mr. Fix It

We have had a busy fun weekend. Friday night was Pizza night. We found a place that sells their pepperoni pizzas for $7.00 and they are ready without ordering. I decided that $7 a week is worth me having a break from making dinner. Thanks for the idea Tiffany Moses. After our pizza we met the Thurmans at the pool and ended up staying there until almost 10pm. Our kids were pretty tired.

On Saturday Sam got the garage organized, with the help of Carter. My van is actually parked in there right now. It only took us four monthsJ

I made another throw pillow for the family room. I have always liked the striped fabric positioned into a square. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but it turned out nice.

Our new neighbors had a block party at their house so we joined the party for an hour before heading to NRH2O to see the fireworks. It was a great display and they are going to have two more fireworks

shows this year. Sam loves fireworks, so I am sure we will go again. We didn’t get home until 11pm.

So with all these late nights out ,Sam and I stayed in bed until 10am this morning. Renée has learned to open her own pop tarts and everyone else slept in. I guess there are a few advantages to 2pm church.

STOMP

We had a great anniversary. After Sam got home from work we dropped the kids off at Alycia’s house for a sleep over. Then we headed to Dallas to eat at Texas de Brazil. The food was fabulous and Sam got to eat several things that he had on his mission. We went to see STOMP at Fair Park and it was amazing. It was everything I had hoped it would be. If you ever get the chance to see it preformed, take the opportunity. Thank, Alycia for making it all possible.

Lisa's Birthday Lunch

I hosted a birthday lunch for my new friend Lisa. There were nine of us ladies and more kids than I can count. There were several babies that weren’t at the table when I took this picture. We had yummy strawberry spinach salad (I put the recipe on the my recipes link), homemade rolls, and great dessert made by Susan. It was a little crazy with all the kids, but thank goodness we have a huge toy room.

Nine Years

Nine years ago today, I knelt across the altar looking into the eyes of this boy. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I would do it all over again because I love that man he has become even more.

We met at BYU. We were in the same ward and apartment building. My first memory of Sam was of him at a ward prayer telling a funny story about how his dad was buying him food in bulk. The next time I saw him I was trying to avoid another boy at our apartment complex dance. Sam graciously helped me out by dancing with me. After that we had a whirlwind of dates for the next six weeks and then fell in love. Sam asked me to marry him at a fancy restaurant. The waiter brought out a tray with a dozen roses spread out on it with the ring box open in the middle. Eight months later we were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Diving Board Fun

Our church play group was at the relief society president’s back yard pool. The pool was beautiful and even had a diving board. Gavin had never used one before and was a little cautious at first but after he tried it, I couldn’t pull him away. Carter even had to check it out but of course didn’t jump. I had to take his picture looking so brave. Moms’ with one or two kids might worry that their one year old would fall in the pool. By the time you have your third you know that the water wings with give you the time to fish the kid out and you are much more concerned about getting a good picture for your blog. I guess that is the life of the third child. Sorry Dane and John, I guess that was your life. Anyway, we had a great time today. Even Renée was pleasant.

More Draperies and a Rug

I finished the last of the downstairs draperies. I put up, well Sam actually hung them, matching panels in the formal living and dining room. I sure am glad to be finished with that sewing project. When I do I project, it is usually all I do until I get in finished. My kids watch a lot of TV, Sam has to pick up dinner, and my house ends up looking like a disaster. This time I paced myself and only spent a little time each day working on them. I must say that life ran a lot smoother and I still got the project done.

Our other big change to our home is our new rug in the family room. I found it on target.com but the shipping was $150 and I couldn’t find any free shipping codes. I have been holding out these last couple months and it finally was offered with free shipping. Not only do I get to enjoy my new rug but I was able to put out our lamps that I bought, another Target find. The cords needed to be run under the rug, so we had to wait to get a rug before we could put them out. I am so glad to have some more light in my family room.

Renée

It is hard to get a smile out of her, but she sure is pretty when I do.

Pink

Renée loves horses. While we were in PA my mom made Renée this horse blanket with the cutest fringe. Renée calls it 'horse blanket" and every night and nap she has to be covered in it last so she can see it. Pink is her stuffed horse with Malibu hair. I have found Pink sleeping on a little pillow, covered with horse blanket in more places you can image. Her she is laying on our kitchen stool.

Father's Day

Sam is such a wonderful father to our kids that we wanted to make Father’s Day special for him. We colored a banner for him and hung it from the stairs. I made camel twists for breakfast. Yummy! We gave him Lego Indian Jones and him and Gavin played all morning before church. Gavin and Renée sang to Sam at church with the rest of the Primary. After church we had a great dinner and the Nelsons came over to enjoy cheese cake with us.

I really tried to get a good picture of the kids with Sam. The results were almost comical. I had to include them in this post.