Hot Summer Nights

Mike and I were out just pulling a few weeds tonight and spot watering in the front yard. Before you know it, the kids found the sprinkler and that was the beginning of their impromtu water party. It was funny to watch Brandon because he wouldn't run through the sprinkler, but stand right in it. He loved it!

Then, the party moved to the backyard where the girls were practicing their cartwheels and pretty soon Brandon came out back and started doing somersaults! They were more like head stand somersaults, but so cute! Who knew he could do that? Not the parentals!

Much screaming occured when I stopped the party and took them in for baths, but I did let them play until Brandon's teeth started chattering! You gotta love summer!

Excuse me, Laura Ingalls?

Amanda had Little House on the Prairie Day at school today. Doesn't she look cute? We got her shortish hair braided and she's wearing the dress my Mom had made me for a Raggedy Ann costume one Halloween! We've gotten good use out of this dress! They wore their dress-ups and played games all day, made lemonade, had a watermellon seed spitting contest and read the last chapter of the book by 'firelight' (flashlights the kids brought to school). What a fun memory!

When I was little, I loved watching 'Little House on the Prairie' and it was fun to hear Amanda talk about the book. When she came home today she said she for sure doesn't want to be a pioneer! They work too hard!

I have a little turtle....

So, it was Brandon's very first swimming lesson today and guess what? He hated it! He did alright for the first couple of minutes. He was kicking his legs, but as soon as his teacher tried to make him back float he lost it! Screaming at the top of his lungs and yelling for Mommy! Then, when that didn't work after about 10 minutes he started screaming for Sydney! So, we have signed up for the entire week and I'm hoping tomorrow goes better. Kudos to his teacher, she was calm and sweet to him even though he was screaming in her ear for 20 minutes straight!

My Pop is having a birthday!

My Dad's birthday is Tuesday, but he's going to be out of town, so we partied on Saturday. My Mom got brave and contacted McKenzie's mom to see if she could come to our family party! We were so excited that she actually came! The girl cousins had such a great time together! Their favorite thing to do is play in Papa's motorhome. We were also excited that when it was time for McKenzie to go, she voluntarily gave us all hugs! It was so great and I hope that we get more contact with her now that she lives in SL. Anyway, back to the party. We all pitched in and gave my Dad a GPS for his car. He was really excited! Of course, the party is not complete without the Gib's rowdy rendition of Happy Birthday. It's a classic, believe me. Fun times with our families this weekend!

The birthday kids! Dad, Aidan and McKenzie during Happy Birthday!
Sydney, McKenzie and Amanda with blue faces from the flowers on the cake...silly girls!

Lagoon on Friday night with the Arvys!

Brandon likes the boats! He's with Emily and this is the best picture I could get. Sydney and Brandon waiting in line. I loved how Sydney took care of Brandon by holding both hands. Good big sis!
Riding the helicopters with KelseySydney and Brandon on the Butterfly swings. Amanda was doing big kid rides. She and the cousins did the Tidal Wave and big Swings over and over for about an hour! I was getting sick just watching them!

Friday night we went to Lagoon with the Arvy's. We had a good time and afterward Scott & Kellie's kids came home with us so that S&K could celebrate their wedding anniversary. The kids had a blast! But, I'll tell you the one reason I hate sleepovers....it takes our kids 2 days to get caught back up on sleep and they are cranky until that happens. Poor Amanda tonight was just so emotional and tired! I put them all to bed early and she went right out. Ok, I'm tired tonight because I'm not making much sense! So, just look at the pretty pictures our crazy camera gives us and enjoy!

The sleep over kids showing us their best sides!

Amanda sings and dances and opens the show!

Can you see her above the cell phone?

Tonight was Amanda's 2nd grade program. She was the first speaker and welcomed us all to the show! She did a great job and out of three 2nd grade classes, they only had 6 speakers, so way to go, Amanda! They sang great songs and did some sign language and actions. Amanda clearly was enjoying herself. She was rockin' out! Grandma Arveseth came up for the show. We we excited to see that Amanda liked to perform and didn't have the blank stare that many of the kids did. The scariest part of the evening was that I was in the slide show! Yikes! The kids in Amanda's class were so excited to tell me. I volunteered quite a bit in her class and someone took a picture of me in action. Amanda loved having me volunteer. It meant a lot to her. It wasn't always easy to get there and I had to bring Brandon most times, but it was worth it. Amanda also liked when Sydney, Brandon and I would come to school and have lunch with her. It was fun to see her in the middle of the day and then watch her interact with her friends at recess as we weren't allowed (by Amanda) to leave until the bell rang to go back to class. It's been a fun year and I can't believe how much she's grown up this year. We are still working on a few projects and I will be volunteering 2 more times next week, but this school year is in the bag! Congratulations, Amanda! Dad and I are so proud of you and all that you have done and how much you have grown and matured this year! You are beautiful, Manda Panda!

Amanda doing her part at the microphone. I'm tired of our camera giving us fuzzy pictures!
Amanda and Mrs. Barton

After the program, we went to Jake's for shakes! Thanks for coming up, Grandma! It was fun to have you there and we are glad you and Grandpa are home from your travels!

It's so beautiful!

(Ugh! If anyone knows how I save the picture once I rotate it, let me know! I thought I had it this time and I didn't! I even changed the name and saved it in a separate file..right side up! So, sorry if you get a crick in your neck from trying to catch the vision of this beautiful piece of paved paradise!)

Look at it! How beautiful! We have honestly be trying to get someone to pour concrete on the side of our house for 8 months! Finally, we got someone to do it and after waiting 3 weeks, they came today! I was giddy! I'm so glad to have this finished and to get rid of the mud. I will also be glad to have our gate put back on so the dog can run free in the backyard and also so it will contain Brandon in the backyard! So, happy day!

We had the kids put their handprints in the concrete. Brandon didn't quite get it, but the girls really liked it!

Now, if anyone would like to walk into our backyard from the north side without getting your shoes dirty, come on in!!!!

Lunch with my bro

Thanks, D, for meeting Brandon, Syd and I for lunch. It was kind of crazy meeting up (because I don't get out much) and waiting for a dumb orange julius, but it was fun for us! And, you didn't have to sit alone in the food court (reference back to your blog). Have fun working....I mean golfing!

Now, I also have to say that I can't believe how busy The Gateway is during the day! We have usually gone there at night, weekends or holidays and I don't remember it being half this busy. There were people everywhere and hardly a free table at the food court. If you can get past all the construction, it really is a fun shopping/eating area and I think D is lucky to be able to work in the midst of it all. When I worked at Triad it was always fun to be in downtown with all the happening stuff. The Arts Festival used to be on the street right next to the Triad and it was great to run there during lunch. Anyway, next time we are hitting The Dodo and Mike and Roger (or anyone else for that matter), you guys are invited!

50 Fun Things About Us that are MORE fun than D&K's

Just kidding! I just read D&K's list of fun things and their title is 'These Facts are more fun than yours!" So, in keeping in the competitive spirit.....here are my 'mostest funnest things'.

1. Our girls know the Utah fight song word for word and we are teaching Brandon. We learned it in a FHE!
2. We have the most beautiful kids in the world!
3. Mike and I are both Cottonwood Colts
4. Mike was a Rocker in h.s. and I was a waver. If you are too young to know what those mean, then DON'T ASK ME! You'll make me feel old.
5. I am a Mom and a piano teacher
6. Mike is a CFO
7. We only have brothers
8. Our favorite treat is Sushi. We go get take-out so much that the girl knows me!
9. We love to travel
10. We love to go to St. George
11. Mike has done a triathalon and wants to do more
12. Mike wants Jill to do a tri.....hmmmmm
13. We love to go boating
14. Mike drives an old man car and it's our FAVORITE!
15. Jill is a chocoholic
16. We have been married 15 years
17. We love to watch Amazing Race
18. When we see a Jeep we miss Steven's old Jeep. Oh wait...our old Jeep!
19. We are both U of U grads
20. Both Jill's parents are U of U grads...as well as 2 brothers
21. Mike's Dad is a U of U grad-as well as all of his brothers
22. Our little Brandon has already broken a bone and had stitches
23. Brandon has a U of U room (now who is the bigger fan bros?)
24. The girls share a purple fairy room
25. Our new school is called Snow Horse...true.
26. Mike is the Activites Chairman and perma substitute in church
27. Jill is RS Sec & Activities Chairman
28. Mike & Steven like to tease each other about a certain issue constantly
29. Mike's grandma is 91 years old
30. Jill is on the PTA Board (scary thought)
31. Our girls are overscheduled: ballet, soccer, tumbling, singing & piano
32. We love to go out to eat
33. Jill hates to see any cupboard open
34. Mike once came home at lunch (when Jill wasn't home) and opened all the cupboards and gave Jill a heart-attack
35. Mike has only had one cavity
36. Jill has cavities in all my teeth
37. Jill hates ironing
38. Jill hates cleaning bathrooms
39. Jill likes to mow the lawn
40. The girls love 'High School Musical', Hannah Montana, and Zack & Cody
41. Amanda can swim like a fish
42. Amanda once got stitches from knee boarding
43. Mike likes yard work
44. Sydney likes to throw parties for her friends
45. Sydney is excited to start school in the fall
46. We love spending time with our families
47. We love spending time with our kids
48. We love spending time together
49. We love fireworks
50. We know we are very blessed!

And so are you because you are done reading this list! ttfn

Flat Miley does CT/NYC

I'm just laughing at Mike's brother, Steve. Amanda has a school project based on the book, Flat Stanley, only she calls hers Flat Miley because she likes Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana. For those who may not know who Miley is, she's a Disney channel star and also the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus and his 'Achy Breaky Heart'. Anyway, Flat Miley gets mailed to a place far from home and has an adventure.

Amanda's teacher asked us to give them the name of a friend or relative to send the 'Flats' to, who would do this project and send it back. Amanda chose Steve & Hillary. We are getting bits and pieces back today and I'm just laughing at how serious Steve took this 2nd grade assignment. Actually, I knew that he and Hillary would be so cute with this and really make it great for Amanda. She was so excited to see Flat Miley in Grand Central Station! She hasn't seen the latest pictures, but I know she will love them!

Steve writes about Miley's adventure: She rode the train in from CT to NYC and walked to work through Grand Central Station.
Oh my! Steve & Miley get held up in security at the General Motors Bldg because Flat Miley isn't on the list! Everything gets cleared and Flat Miley gets her own badge. Click on the 2nd picture down to enlarge the tag text!
Miley gets bored doing accountant stuff and wants to leave. Here she is riding in Steve's briefcase.

So, they go to FAO Schwartz where she makes friends with the toy soldier out front! She's lucky to find a friend there that will share the ride home with her.
Flat Miley getting all packed up with her lion friend (Amanda LOVES stuffed animals!) See you soon!

Flat Miley is being overnighted to us today and we'll welcome her back with open arms. Thanks so much to Steve & Hillary for helping us out with this! You guys have so much going on with two beautiful girls, visitors, work, etc. and we are grateful you would take time to make this memory for Amanda! Love you guys!

A little inspiration

As I was 'lurking' on another blog today, I saw this and really liked it. Just a reminder of what is really important.

"You women, be good women, be good mothers. Be kind and gracious and generous. Strengthen your children with your faith and your testimony. Lift them up. Help them to walk through the troubled ways of the world as they grow in this very difficult age. Support, sustain, uphold, and bless your husbands with your love and your encouragement; and the Lord will bless you.”
President Hinckley

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Mikey! As I sit here doing this blog, I am overwhelmed at how grateful I am that you are the father of my children! You are playing hide and go seek with them in the house and have been playing for a long time. Way past the time that I would have. You are so loving and fun and our kids love you so much! I'm always amazed that when I'm at my breaking point, how you take over and say just the right thing to get the kids to respond. They adore you and you are their hero and you are mine! I love you so much!

And to the other fathers in my life. Dad, I'm so honored to have you as my Dad. There was a time in my life that I was upset about something and I remember you turning to the scriptures to help me and giving me the scripture about a 'time for every purpose under Heaven' and how it calmed my soul. I often reflect on that time in my life and am grateful for a Dad that cares about me so much. I'm also grateful for the sense of humor and love of life that you passed on to me. Not that I'm always funny, but I have learned to look at life not so seriously and learn to enjoy. Thank you for instilling in me a sense of loyalty to family and for giving me 4 fun brothers to grow up with and I continue to love spending time with them. I see how you love spending time with your kids and with our kids and we are lucky to have you for our Dad and Papa.

And Jim, I have to thank you for raising such a wonderful young man that would take me to the temple and honor his Priesthood. You are a shining example to us of integrity and we know that you will always, always do the right thing. I really appreciate how you keep our family together doing fun things, making memories and helping us to keep perspective on the important things. Thank you for being a fun grandpa and playing fun games, like 1-2-3 SWING, with our kids. And most importantly, handing down the legacy of being a Utah man!

I'm so blessed to have all these fathers in my life and wish you the best Father's Day ever and know that Amanda, Sydney, Brandon and I love you very much!

Camp Out

Our campsite! So, we did our token tent camping trip this weekend! Roger planned a trip up to Aspen Grove by Strawberry Res., and it sounded fun, so we packed up the car and headed east. My parents brought the motorhome which I believe is the only way to camp (unless you can get a nice condo somewhere...hotel?) and Rog and Coze have a nice tent trailer. Since we are not so much the campers, we have stuck with the good old tent! It's a nice tent and when Mike and I got it set up, it was the perfect play place for Brandon. He was in Heaven! In fact, he enjoyed the camping to the fullest. The dirt, the bugs, the sticks, the chipmunks, the food. The only thing that could have made it better for him was to be close to the water...which we were grateful we weren't!

The girls loved hanging out with Kate and were very bummed when it was time to go home (we left around lunch because Mike & I were going out with friends that night). The dog was also bummed when we got home because he enjoyed hanging with the family instead of being banished to the backyard (yes, he is still peeing inside the house).

Now, here's the reason we only camp overnight. The kids didn't go to sleep until well past 11pm. We had to hold Brandon down because he was so excited to be sleeping in the tent with the whole family that you would have thought we poured straight sugar down his throat! Then, Mike always has to make a potty break in the middle of the night and only about 3 hours after that, the kids were up! It was 7am and we were dressed, done with breakfast and ready to play! Now, remember how the rest of my family camps...I went into my parents motorhome and hunted around for napkins, opened all the cupboards and no one made a move! My other bro, Dan brought up his 2 little boys and they didn't even wiggle while I was in the motorhome! It was so nice and warm and cozy that I was really tempted to give them a good morning wake-up call! But, I didn't because of the children! Ha, ha!

We enjoyed a nice campfire and s'mores. The girls were really good at getting the marshmellows just right. And the company was awesome! We had a good time and thanks Roger for getting things together. Now, I'm going to take a nap!

The campfire party. Mike, my Mom (who won't like this pix because she had her hair appt cancelled, but she still looks cute!), Isaac, and cute pregger, Coze.

Rog Dog, Dan, Papa Gib on the back row. Amanda, Kate, Syd & Elyse waiting for us to break out the marshmellows!
Brando and Aidan and Mater. Brandon and Aidan we good at hanging out and finding cool dirt slides.

Dada's Hat

Our handsome two year old is having a hard time today. Very cranky! He was in the closet looking at his Dad's hats and wanted to wear one. So, I pulled a few down and he picked the black Y.E.S. hat (our friend's company) and now won't take it off! He wore it all morning and even to the grocery store. He was so proud to wear his Dada's hat!

Two Dancing Princesses

Dance, dance, dance!

The girls before the dance. Sydney kept wanting to run and climb on the planter boxes and I just knew she was going to fall and ruin the dress and scrape up a knee! Luckily, we kept her low and slow!

The girls had their ballet recital last night. They only have one performance per year, but it is done to the max. It's held at Weber State and they even dance to a live orchestra! It really is nicely done. Clytie Adams who is the owner is quite a character. She has no problem telling people off about the 'rules' and the girls kept saying she's rude! But, I try to tell them she's just a disciplined person and expects her students to be and that's what will make you a great dancer....even though I agree that she is borderline rude! Ha, ha!

Anyway, we were so proud of our girls! This was Sydney's first recital and she really knew her dance perfectly. She has a great sense of musicality (a term I learned on 'Dancing with the Stars'!), and looked so cute! The first thing she said to me when I picked her up after the show was, 'Where's my flowers?" I told her to go outside and find Daddy and after she gives him a kiss, she can have her flowers! Oh, the life of a five year old!

Amanda looked beautiful and I was very impressed at how gracefully she moved across the stage. A magician comes to entertain the girls while they wait to perform and Amanda was chosen to help and even up getting a cute tissue paper hat! She was so proud! Grandma & Papa Gib came up and we went to get ice cream after. We appreciate them coming up to share these special times!

The girls after with their coveted flowers and their friends, Ellie (the chick) and Hanalee.

Mountain Vistas Day

Our neighborhood has some fun activities. We have an annual Easter egg hunt, Christmas donation/charity drive (which my friends and I started), and Mountain Vistas Day, which is an all day long party for our neighborhood. It started yesterday with a 5:30am bike ride in which Mike participated. I was up at 7am setting up carnival games. Then, there is a flag raising ceremony (Mike saw, I was still setting up games and the kids were asleep), followed by a fun run. Then, there is the childrens parade. The kids love this and decorate their bikes, jeeps, wagons, etc and parade through a short route in the neighborhood. That's where these pictures were taken. When they meet down at the park, they get a popsicle!

In the afternoon, there are inflatables, which Brandon LOVED so much that we had to leave because everytime his turn was over, we'd have to retrieve him from the bounce house (or others) and he'd kick and scream! There were also carnival games in which I was helping out.

Then, there is dinner in the common area for everyone (we figured it had to be about 700 people) followed by a raffle (to buy books for our new elementary school) and we won rainbow popcorn and McD's gift certificates....this was the low end prize! Ha, ha! Then, an outdoor movie. It's a long day, but a lot of fun and good to get the neighbors out and talking. I did meet some new people this year and since our neighborhood is now divided by ward boundaries, it's good to have a chance to see old friends even though they only live a couple of streets away.

But, true to how interesting our week has been, this day was not without it drama. When it was time for the outdoor movie, Mike went over with the girls and I went home to put Brandon to bed. After he was asleep, I went into the kitchen just in time to see a CAR speeding on a pathway that runs behind our house. Now this is a walking path or a bike path and little kids and families are always out there. So, I ran out front to see when they were going to exit the pathway and luckily, they headed down the street by my house. I grabbed my big and tall neighbor that was out and told him to help me stop this car because they were speeding on the pathway. Well, when this car full of teenage boys could tell we were trying to stop them, they pulled in a driveway and turned around and sped out of the neighborhood. This neighbor and I got the license plate # and called the police. So, I spent an hour giving a statement and trying to help the police figure out who these kids were. As we talked with other neighbors who saw them, we found out they had driven on the park strip, pee'd on the trees, been skateboarding on the pathway and swearing at the neighbors. The plate was out of SLC and registered to an old lady, so I don't know how far the police officer got last night. But today during church, one neighbor asked his Sunday School class if they new who belonged to this car and they knew who it was....one of the girls in the neighborhood's boyfriend. So, I guess I'll be calling the police station in the morning to give them a name. It's just so scary that they were on this pathway because of the kids that are always back there! So, I guess even in quiet Kaysville, we have big city problems! :)

One more thing: Last year our ward was given some government assisted apartments. At first, of course, everyone was leary of this and not really excited. Well, just last week, they were taken out of our ward! They have been put in a new stake and are making a branch with our people, some trailer homes and a womens shelter....and we are so sad! We were able to make some fun friends and there are some amazing people there. Of course, there were those with major issues, but we met and love Marta, who is from Argentina and invited our whole family over to feed us Sunday dinner one week. She is a little old lady and obviously didn't have the funds to feed our family of five, but had a wonderful dinner prepared for us. We love her and our kids love her and I'm so sad that we won't get to see her happy face every Sunday. She is taking the change hard and feels rejected. But, what a wonderful opportunity for these ladies to become leaders...something which may never happen if they stayed in our ward. We also met Vivianna and her daughter, Melena, also from Argentina. When I visited her with one of my R.S. counterparts, she also brought out whatever treat she had to welcome us to her home. She also tried so hard to learn English better and was teaching in the Gospel Essentials class. She has a wonderful spirit and when I saw her today (because she is babysitting for someone in our ward while the parents are on a trip), she said she was so sad and I just told her I loved her and she will do great things in her new branch and I was excited for her, but I will also miss her. There was also 2 couples the we knew well, that moved out before the change, Suelen and Craig and Geoff and Merci. Fun, young couples that we had the honor of working with. And the young mother, Giselle, who would bring her 2 little girls (3 years and 18 months) to church and had such an amazing testimony and bright smile. I feel like we were blessed to know them!

Darn Mo-squee-toes!

Poor Bubba! He got a mosquito bite right by his eye when we were outside the other evening chatting with the neighbors. We hadn't planned on being out so long, so I wasn't on the ball with my bug spray. Well, looks like he slept on that side of his face and so all the mosquito gunk got pushed into his eye! When he woke up yesterday, he couldn't see! Oh, we felt terrible! This morning, it's a little better, but not back to normal. He can see better and so he is a lot happier.

On another fun parenting note, we were up with Sydney throwing up last night! I had just had my recipe group gals over and for our 'activity' we made lip gloss. I had Amanda and Sydney come help us and they just loved it! We put Sydney to bed and she complained that she didn't feel well and I thought it was just because she was up too late. A little Motrin and she was out like a light, until 2am! Oh, here's praying that Brandon doesn't get it. But, judging how our week has gone so far, I'm not holding my breath!

Rain, rain go away!

Ok, usually we are praying for rain being that we live in a desert and all, but today we are praying for it to stop! I can't even take a picture of things because it's so frustrating...maybe later. For some reason, we are the low point between our neighbor's houses and also the common area behind our house. So, today when I woke up and could tell it was raining hard, I ran downstairs to check our window wells for water. We have had multiple floods in those window wells (on the south side of the house) since the first rain storm after we moved in 2 years ago!

Well, today, the window well was just a little full of water and so I asked Mike as he was getting ready for work where the pump was so that I could drain it after I got Amanda off to school. He said he would do it and when he went over to pump the water out, he could see that our problem was much bigger! We are so flooded over there that our pump has been on since 7AM (it's now 1pm) and we have bailed water with our big bucket at least 50 times! And, no, it's not dry yet! I guess now we need professional help! We have been very lucky so far that we've stopped it from coming in the house, but the yard is a mess! Mike is still home from work, so you know how crazy it's been here today.

The common area behind our house is also flooded into our yard. It only floods behind our fence and then comes into our yard, through the garden, past the curbing and into the lawn. We have been in 'talks' with the HOA to fix the problem, but it's not going to be a quick fix. They want Symphony to fix it since they graded it wrong, and of course Symphony won't fix it. So, here we sit in the middle of the fight dealing with the water, mosquitos and mud while everyone points fingers. If you have a yard that is nicely drained...thank your lucky stars!

Annie & the birdies

The girls had their 'Annie' performance last night. This is with their little singing group that they both love. Grandma & Papa Gib fought with bad traffic to come to their big night. Daddy also got off work early to take the girls to their 4pm rehearsal, since I was working and couldn't cancel my lessons. The girls did GREAT! We are so proud of them and are so glad they are loving to sing and perform. After, we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Good food, but extremely slow and loud inside the restaurant. We didn't get home until after 10:30pm. Everyone had held it together pretty well today, but it's going to be an early to bed night!
Cute Amanda with her arm outstretched. I'm sorry it's a fuzzy picture!

Cute Sydney kneeling in front in the white apron. The outfit she has on is actually my old Halloween costume of Raggedy Ann that my Mom made for me! Grandma Gib was a lifesaver and completely helped us get our costumes together! Thanks, Grandma!

Just an update on our birds. There are now only 3. But, today I looked out at them and they are huge! We have been watching the mama bird, Henrietta feed them and she must be good at it. They are flapping their wings and I'm sure we'll see the maiden voyage pretty soon. This picture was taken through my kitchen window, so it's a bit cloudy.