Old Friends

If I were to write a list of the things that I missed most about our old life in our old town, at the very top of the list would be our old house! Man, I miss that house.

And then tied for second would be our golf course walking trail, Costco, and the Coveys. We really miss the Coveys.

Oh, and Beth. I miss my friend Beth a lot too.

Today the Coveys surprised us and came over to play. It was a good day. Just like old times.

And although it will never be as convenient or consistent as it was when we were neighbors I'm hoping the summer allows for a few more days spent with the Coveys.

At our house:

Hey Spence,

Kyle and Alyssa are over so the house is screaming with fun. Always.

But the boys are in the front room telling “ghost stories”. I’m sitting at the dining room table pretending to read the newspaper/blog just so I can eavesdrop.

Little boy ghost stories ROCK. And apparently ... ghosts fart a lot. Who knew? It seems to be every single ghost’s stories comic relief.

You are missing out. Majorly.

Hurry Home. And don’t forget to pick up the Santa Hats.

Oh and also, the girls just performed a talent show for me. It was titled quote/unquote Go Crazy. Hot dang. It was indeed, crazy.

Thank goodness it’s Friday. XOXO

December's Album

The neighbor boy told his mom that he dreamt about Marlee the other night. He’s three.  His mom asked him over the breakfast table what he dreamt about the night before. He shrugged his shoulders and answered “Oh, just Marlee!” His mom tells me it’s his response per usual. Every morning over breakfast she asks him what he dreamt about and nearly every morning he shrugs his shoulders with the same answer “Oh, just Marlee!” Cute little thing.

Speaking of my baby girl, she says Mama like a rockstar. Every time she says it Jace hollers to me, “Mooooom, Marlee needs to tell you something. Probably that she loves you.” Makes me smile.

Anyway, December in a single blog post:

In December we:

::Went to the Festival of Trees.

::Brynlee and I went to our second Princess Tea Party.

::Visited Santa at the movie theater for Spencer’s work Christmas party.

::Watched our cousin Brynn sing a solo for a Christmas Production at the Mall.

::Went to the Jump Zone with The Francis Family.

::Decorated gingerbread cookies, our gingerbread house and loads and loads of sugar cookies.

::Took swimming lessons.

::Marlee and I spent a few days at University of Utah/Primary Children’s with Jake, Kate and sweet baby Maycie.

::Welcome beautiful baby Maycie to earth, if only but a short time.

::Realized that Maycie’s parents are truly amazing. And felt so lucky to have gotten to take part in Maycie’s short life.

::Watched a production of The Miracle on 34^th Street with my bff, Kali Jo.

::Shoveled, sled and played in the snow.

::Decorated cookies for Santa + sprinkled the lawn with reindeer food for his helpers.

::Had a Christmas Eve Birthday dinner for Jesus. Complete with candles, the birthday song and sparkling cider.

::Celebrated Christmas.

::Went to Jessica’s for Christmas Day dinner.

::Got snowed in for a few days: went swimming at Granpda B’s, played starburst poker, watched numerous performances by our cute kids, and enjoyed our time together.

…and that was December.

The Post-it Notes: Sari’s Birthday Party

****

Next Up: Post-it Note [2 of 7]

What I Meant to Say – Back in October

The other day while I was in the shower Jace asked me where I had put the baby. 

“What baby?” I asked. 

“The baby in your tummy.” he answered. 

“Ummm. . .it’s still right here in my tummy.  How come?” 

He looked at me confused, thought for a little bit then said “because mom and dad’s take showers, babies take baths.”

Right. 

Anyway, I’m rewinding to October.  And I’m keeping it short.

·    Remember how someone broke into our bank account back in May and stole all of our money.  In October it happened again.  Totally awesome, take two.

·    Brynlee started writing her first, middle AND last name on every.single.one of her school papers.  Dang overachiever. 

·    Kali Jo and I went on a hot date to the Mystic Theater.  Prime rib, cheesecake and Jekyll and Hyde.  And although I was in the first stages of ummmm, this pregnancy may very well be the death of me we had a great time.  Fabulous time, even.  And since Kali is such a great friend she didn’t even complain when I requested that we go outside during intermission so I could spit without qualm.  Why yes, I am that classy.

·    Side note: A good portion of my pregnancy doom and gloom comes from the sheer amount of spit that I produce while creating a baby.  My saliva glands go into overdrive.  It’s disgusting.  I can fill an entire water bottle. . . too much information?  Yeah, I think so too.  Moving on. 

·    Spence introduced Jace to He-Man {circa 1983}.  Jace was smitten at episode one and every now and again convinces Brynlee to be Battle Cat so he can ride on her back in his quest to conquer the universe.

·    We brought home my newest love, my LG Steam washer and dryer.  Doing laundry has never felt so hip.

·    My sisters and I successfully threw a baby shower for Jaelynn.  Jessica brought Taco Soup.  I decided that Taco Soup was the BEST THING EVER and ate it for a week straight. 

·    FYI: And then Taco Soup joined a quickly growing list of foods that I shall never, ever partake of again.

·    Brynlee sang a solo in the primary program at church.  I Love to See the Temple.  Everything about it was perfection, says her totally unbiased mother.

·    Jace and I continue to love our one on one time while Brynlee is at school.  That kid, I can't get enough of him.

·    We found a huge beehive in our maple tree and had a good time dissecting it.

·    And of course Halloween festivities: painting pumpkins, volunteering at Brynlee’s school Halloween party, pumpkin patch and Halloween.



Brynlee and her VSP doll.

Kali and I after our night out.

My superhero.

Brynlee and her friend, Alyssa, after self decorating with the Halloween stickers.

A beehive from our maple tree.

Halloween party at Brynlee's school.

Kate and Jake filled the kids Halloween bags to the brim.  My kids sorta love those two.

And that’s October in a nutshell.

Photo Album: The party was at my house.

A few weeks ago Mandy’s husband, Nate, contacted me about hosting a 30^th Birthday party for Miranda.  On Saturday we toasted Mandy’s 30^th year in my backyard with hot chocolate, homemade doughnuts, caramel apples and a candle-lit game of trivia.  Here’s my photo album from the night:

Me + Miranda + Jen + Kali Jo
Old 717 Roomies
Jaime, so sad you left before we got a picture together.  :(

Also,

:: The kids had their very first {parent free} sleepover at Kate & Jake’s while we hosted the party.  They had a ball and have asked almost daily when they get to do it again.

:: Kali Jo and I will always and forever be BFF’s.  Always and forever.  And forever.  Amen.  Thanks Kali for helping me haul tables and chairs around and for helping me set up.  You da'best.

:: My husband’s rad.

:: In case you’re wondering. . . a party that takes an entire day to set up for can be completely dismantled and put away 22 minutes after the last guest leaves.  Again, my husband is rad!

:: Someday, when Brynlee grows up, the two of us are going to open a party planning business together.  She is my perfect little partner in crime.

And also, we are sick at my house.  And majorly cranky.  Fingers crossed that tomorrow runs smoother than today.

Oh and one more thing, yesterday Brynlee called me a hot babe{hot dang}! And earlier this week Jace stood on the kitchen counter swinging a fly swatter like a sword and announcing to anybody that would listen that he was the quote, unquote King of Awesome.  Oh how I adore those little monkeys.  Even when I’ve had it up to here with all the crankiness.  And believe me, today I had had it up to here.