FRIDAY NIGHT DATE

THIS IS WHAT WE DO ON OUR FRIDAY NIGHTS!

KISS KEELI

TICKLE KEELI

HUG KEELI

HANG OUT WITH KEELI

WE LOVE SHARING OUR DATE NIGHT WITH KEELI!

MOMMY AND ME

The boys enjoyed spring break this past weekend. They packed up the dirt bikes and headed to five mile pass for a day of boy time. Trish called up and said she was taking the girls to the movie "Horton Hears a Who." On Mondays they have a special showing where infants and toddlers are free. That sounded like fun, taking Keeli out for a mother daughter date. I waited years for a daughter to take to the mall, to go see chick flicks and to get pretty manicures. My years of waiting are over! Keeli and I are going out for our first mother daughter date!

I picked Trish,Luke and the girls up and we headed out for a day at the movies. We walked into the dark theatre with our hands full of babies, drinks and treats. The theatre was jam packed full of infants and toddlers. It then hit me, of course the theatre is full of kids. They are free! There were no seats. We had to separate and find what few seats were left. I sat down with Keeli on my lap excited to enjoy a fun movie. I somehow forgot that Keeli is only ten months old. She wanted nothing to do with a movie. I frantically started giving her baby cheeto's. She would eat one and throw one. I tried giving her teddy grahams. She wanted to feed teddy grahams to the boy next to her. She then threw her binky. I was feeling around on the dark floor and couldn't find it anywhere. I was wrestling Keeli in a small confined seat with total strangers sitting on each side of me. My mother/daughter date was turning into a nightmare. It gets worse. An awful smell begins to permeate around me. "Please tell me it is not Keeli," I pleaded. Yes, Keeli decided a movie would be a perfect place to do her business. I was done.

We left the movie after an excruciating forty minutes. We waited in the car for Trish and her gang. I guess I was a bit too anxious for our mother/daughter date. We now spend our bonding time together watching the "Wiggles" and "Captain Feathersword" on the television.

Easter Sunday

We started our morning taking Easter Sunday Pictures. That was not a good idea. Keeli was not interested and down right mad that we were pestering her to pose and smile for the camera. We tried taking her to different rooms hoping that a new environment would help the photo shoot. No such luck. My vision of Keeli posing in her beautiful Easter dress was a fantasy. Family pictures were a flop. We were late for church and everyone was frustrated. Here are the disastrous photos. enjoy!

EASTER EGG HUNT FUN!

Today was a busy day with Easter Egg Hunts!! The boys are on Draper Youth Council so they had to wake up bright and early to help set up for the big Draper Park Easter Egg Hunt. They are great kids. I know that they would rather be playing paintball, or wrestling. However, they did not complain and they helped out at the park all morning. Thanks boys. We are so proud of you!!!

We went over to the Hansen's today for their Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Randy had the camcorder in one hand and the camera in the other. We were not going to miss one second of Keeli's first hunt. Yes, we definetly looked like first time parents. We are having a great time starting all these fun traditions all over again.

OFFICE THURSDAYS

What is this void I am feeling? I used to love Thursday evenings. Now, it is just another night. Sure I can watch The Apprentice and Survivor. But nothing can replace MY OFFICE. I am sure you are wondering why I call it My Office. Well, deep down I fantasize about working at Dunder Mifflin. I feel a connection to my friends at The Office. Yes, Michael, Dwight, Jim and Pam bring happiness to my Thursdays.

I miss calling my fellow Office watchers on Friday morning to re-cap our favorite Office quotes. Thursday evenings have not been the same since Michael and his crew left. No Booze Cruises, No Run For Rabies, and especially no more Diversity Days. The Office brings laughter, happiness and sometimes just plain shock!!!! I know that it is so wrong to do a whole post about a T.V. show. I am just anxiously awaiting the return of Office Thursdays. For all of you fellow Office Watchers mark you calenders for April 10th.

THINK GREEN!!!!!!

I am not Irish. I have no clue why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. However, I am always searching for that lucky four leaf clover, or even better the pot of gold.





Actually, this is our four leaf clover and our pot of gold combined.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

THANKS FOR THE TAG!!!

I guess when you become a newbie blogger you get tagged pretty quick. Here are six things you may not know, or want to know about me.



1. At the age of fourteen I thought I knew how to drive. Apparently, I was wrong!!! I took my friends car for a spin around the block. I don't understand why they have to put houses on the road!!!! Yes, I ran the car into a house. A new sprinkler system was needed. A ticket from the friendly police officer and a good grounding later I survived. Thanks mom and dad for being so patient,kind,loving and understanding. Teenagers. uggggghhhhhh!!!!!



2. Way long ago, back in high school I was a cheerleader. We were performing a dance at half-time for a basketball game. We totally messed up the dance and I started laughing. When I get nervous I laugh!!!! I started laughing so hard that I totally wet my pants. SOOOOOO embarrassing. Luckily, we were all clumped together so noone could tell who it was. We ran into the locker room. I made everyone promise not to tell who did it. They even had to bring a mop out to clean up. It is one of those stories I can laugh about now. I was humiliated. Don't make me laugh!!!!!!


3. Do not take me out in a boat on rough water!!!! On numerous occasions I have lost my cookies due to the rough seas. Randy, took me on an anniversary surprise over to Victoria Island. We were on the Victoria Clipper in the middle of Puget Sound. I was ready to jump into the ocean I was so sick. Another time, we were scuba diving in the Carribean. Oh, I mean Randy was scuba diving. I was on the boat vomitting in front of complete strangers. YUCK!!!!!! I prefer a nice sandy beach, a magazine and a cold Diet Coke.


4. I am a reality T.V. junkie. I love Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, The Apprentice, Survivor, Biggest Loser and I am ashamed to admit The Bachelor. Do I need counseling?



5. I have an addiction to little girl clothes!!!! Randy is a little concerned. I acutally heard two words the other day that made me shake, A BUDGET! Yes, I agree it is time for my over indulgence to end. It is so hard. I waited so long for Princess Keeli. She looks so pretty in her little dresses, with huge bows. I know she does not need a different dress every day. I am vowing to stop. Wish me Luck! I am not posting a picture of her closet because I am to embarrased!



6. I want to run ten miles without stopping!!!!! I am bound and determined to accomplish this awful task. I have a mental block that tells me that I am way to tired and it is time to stop. I hope to overcome my mental issues and run like Forest!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!!!!

You truly are a wonderful brother!!!!!!

WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!!!

GRATITUDE: The first secret to happiness.

I have found that it is easy to be grateful when life is good-when the money is in the bank, the romance is good and every one is healthy. But,when the waters start getting rough and the waves just seem to keep crashing down that is when it is my toughest time to show gratitude. "Thank You" usually isn't the phrase that immediately comes to my mind.

I actually have to work at being happy. I just assumed that happiness is a feeling that comes as a result of good things that just happen to us, things over which we have little or no control. On the contrary, happiness takes work and it is not a feeling to be awaited.

So today, I am thankful for all the little things. I am grateful to God for my wonderful life!!! I am blessed with three wonderful, fantastic, perfect children. I am blessed with a loving husband who is my best friend. I am grateful that I have a husband who has made it possible for me to stay home and raise our boys. Words cannot express the gratitude in my heart for the blessing of our beautiful daughter Keeli.I have a wonderful family that I truly love.

I am grateful that I live in this wonderful valley. I love being able to live so close to my parents. (Who left on a mission) and brothers and sisters. There is no greater joy than spending my days with the people I love the most. So I will not complain today. I am going to savor this peaceful, happy, feeling of joy in my heart.

JUST WONDERING

WHY IS IT? WHEN I AM HAPPY, EXCITED AND JOYFUL

I WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY IS IT? WHEN I AM SAD,MOODY AND DEPRESSED

I WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPRING FEVER!!!!!!!

SPRING FEVER, I caught it!!!!!! I am looking outside at the gorgeous blue sky. The snow has completely melted. It is a picture perfect day to play outside. Except for one minor detail. It is FREEZING! Mr. Sun where are you? We are so ready to come out and play. I took on the task of dewinterizing closets this week. Randy thinks I am a bit pre-mature in my spring thinking. I tend to disagree. I am sick of sweaters, boots, coats and turtlenecks. The spring closets are ready. Keeli agrees with me. She loves to stand at the door and look outside. She is ready for new outside adventures. Here is a pre-view of Keeli's spring attire. Notice the beautiful hot pink flower. Courtesy of Peek-A-Bow. Spring we are ready!!!!!!

I'M NOT THAT OLD!!!!!!!! AM I????????

I find no satisfaction in writing this post. Actually, I am a little mad, sad, confused or maybe even in denial. Trish and I decided to kill a couple hours at the mall today with our two babies. It was a chore in and of itself to load up two car seats, two strollers and two diaper bags and, last but not least, two large sonic diet cokes. I know it would have been easier to just stay home. In hindsight, that is what I should have done.

We had a fun time shopping for Olivia. That is, until it was checkout time. Keeli was flirting with the checkout ladies. She was showing them how she claps, how she can raise her hands in the air when we say "so big." I was really quite proud of my beautiful little baby. Tricia was trying to feed baby Luke and pay for her purchases at the same time. I was really impressed with her multi-tasking. The sales clerk then asked Trish if these were both her babies. I look over at Trish and she totally has a smirk. I know she thinks this is funny. On the contrary, there is nothing funny about it. "Are you serious? I really don't look that old. At least I don't think I do."

Ok, wait there is more to my sad story. We ventured out to the mall last week to get some make-up. We were having an enjoyable time trying on all the new spring colors. Keeli was showing off like she always does. Luke was fast asleep in his stroller. As we are checking out Trish is asked if these are both her babies. What am I the Grandma??

So my self-esteem is not that great right now. I think I am having a mid-life crisis. Apparently I am in need of a tune-up. Maybe some lifts and tucks and a couple shots of botox. Keeli, I am so sorry that you have such an old mom. I am going to go drown my sorrows in some chocolate and diet coke. And yes, I am still training for a triathalon!!!!! Trish enjoy your youth while you still have it.

SUNDAY NAPS OF LONG AGO

Sundays are definitely a favorite nap day for our family. We get excited for our Sunday slumber. There is nothing better after a three hour church block than to indulge ourselves into a huge pot roast, sometimes turkey, and if the boys are lucky, a tasty steak dinner. Our stomachs are now stuffed to the brink of feeling sick. Our heads are bobbing back and forth and our bodies are yearning for warm blankets. It is power nap time. There has to be a Sunday alarm clock in our heads saying, "It is time for a nap. I really need a nap. I am sooooo tired. I am having a nap!!!!!"

For many many years we all would enjoy this Sunday ritual. We would all look forward to our special nap time. I am not talking a twenty minute power nap. I mean a long peaceful slumber. It's the kind of nap when you have to wipe the slobber off your pillow once it is over. It's the kind where you feel light headed for about an hour or so once your nap is over. The kind of nap when you wake up and you don't remember what day it is. Those are some good zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.

Princess Keeli joined our family and we no longer enjoy those naps of long ago. Keeli has her own time clock and her clock is the boss of everyone. Her nap time is not the same nap time as ours. Her sleepy time is church time. I can see why she would choose that time. Sometimes that is my sleepy time too. However, after church is by far my favorite.

We were all enjoying our Sunday dinner today anticipating, hoping, even praying that we would be lucky enough to catch a nap. It is not going to happen. Keeli wants to play. We play blocks, we read books, and we sing and dance to the Wiggles. My favorite wiggle song is "Wake up Jeff." I am so jealous of Jeff right now. I am wondering at this point, "Where is my nap partner, Randy." I look over at the kitchen table and there Randy is fast asleep. Who falls asleep sitting up at the table? I am laughing out loud. Wow! Our lives have changed. We love this change. Keeli has definitely rocked our world. But this change we will happily take and forever enjoy. So for now, we will just have to remember those Sunday naps of long ago.