How many times can I say, "I love you."

I can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged. Matt and I rented Julie and Julia the other night and I really liked it. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's about Julie blogging about her Julia Child's recipes and just her experiences with these on a daily basis. I can see how therapeutic this can be.

For some reason, I feel like I have to have something really exciting happen to me in order to write it down. Really, everyone's daily lives is just interesting to learn about. So here is one of my regular, normal day experiences:

Yesterday, I swear, Aidan must have told me he loved me a dozen times, literally. I remember he would catch me off guard all day because it was just random. One time I was just washing the morning dishes and Aidan was playing with his cars in the family room when all of a sudden, "Mommy, I LOVE you!" That was it. Again, I was in the shower and he ran to the bathroom and said, "Mommy, (pause) I love you." (just stating it matter of fact(ly). I couldn't believe how much he surprised me and how titillated I was.

When I got home from teaching a class last night, he was the first thing I saw and greeted me with, "Mommy. I LOVE you!" Again. After the kids were in bed, Matt told me that he was reading to the kids in the family room or doing something with them, I don't remember what exactly when the garage door opened (you can hear it) and Aidan got up and ran to the door. Matt said that he (Matt) said, "Aidan, we're not done yet." Aidan replied, "But I HAVE to tell Mommy I love her!."

Christmas Photos - Pick your favorite

I wasn't about to pay for a photographer this year (I didn't last year either) for Christmas photos. I have a tripod. I have a timer. Why not do it myself? And I did.

Please let me know which is you like best. I actually took a lot more but narrowed it down to these three. I have already made my choice but I was curious to get yours.

A.


B.


C.


Ella and Aidan were so cute in these next two, I just had to capture the moment.







Aidan was pretty beat and acting whiny and silly by this time so I decided to have some fun with Ella. I thought they came out pretty nice.

Yay! After one year . . . Habit broken!

The past year at our house has been a bit stressful, to say the least, for most of us due to Aidan's hard habit of constantly having his nails/fingers in his mouth. We have had a number of infections to deal with, literally blood, sweat and tears, trips to the doctor's office, antiobiotics, etc.


After trying just about everything (gloves, nail polish, "Bite Free," other nail biting remedies, Tabasco sauce - truly, other ointments and sprays including pet deterrents, bandaids, and even giving up for a while there, my visiting "teachee" recommended this product - Mavala Stop.


After 3 days, Aidan is no longer biting his nails or fingers. His nails are finally starting to show above his cuticles. Yay.

Toys, Toys, Toys!

Does anybody else have this problem or a good cure? We recently finished our basement and now have toys in 3 1/2 rooms including the basement and a bedroom in the basement.

I like to think I am organized and have toys in plastic bins, etc but they are leaking out into other rooms and I'm so exhausted from picking them up all the time.

I know some people only allow their children to play in a certain room but I enjoy witnessing what they play so let's say it's somewhat controlled toy chaos?

If anybody has a good system or ideas on what to do besides give them away, let me know.

I also take some and store them - kind of like recycling.

I welcome any comments and/or suggestions.

A Little Funny

Aidan was a little restless tonight for family home evening and I was wondering how we could possibly get him to get anything from Ella's lesson. Well during a discussion on Jesus' resurrection, Aidan (who was sitting on my lap) whispered, "Mommy, I wish Heavenly Father and Jesus could do Halloween with us. I asked, "Why?" Aidan answered, "Because I really like them." I guess he got - something?

(Aside) I have to share this Mrs. Potato Head representation of me because this stage of drawing persons is too short -lived and too darling not to.


Me and Aidan

Weekend Gettaway

It was Matt's birthday on Monday and we have been planning to go "away" together. As the weekend got closer, we started coming up with all kinds of excuses not to go: cost, leaving the kids, projects around the house, cleaning the house, etc. I called Matt at work Friday and said, "Honey, we just need to do this." It was me initially who had all the excues so he was, of course, all for it. It was rejuvenating for each of us individually and as a couple; no meals to prepare, no household chores or resposibilities, and as much as I love my children, no "kid" noises. It was so worth it. We walked hand in had through the shops and art galleries on Main St. in Park City, where we stayed. We sat and talked over dinner without interruptions! And, I broke my 13 week sugar-free regimen by indulging in a Rocky Mountain Chocolate caramel apple. Okay, Matt and I shared it but it was pretty delicious.

Just a beautiful shot right aroundt sunset on Main St.

Me and the "birdman." He trains birds and yes, he trained the hawks for Lady Hawk, those of you who are old enough to remember this movie.

Most of my blogs don't have photos of me because I am usually the one behind the camera and besides, I hate pictures of myself but Matt took control of the camera this weekend. so here I am. I remember my mom never wanting her picture taken as well.

My all timie favorite gallery at Park City is Scanlan Windows to the World. It was here several years ago that I cemented my dream to visit Italy. I fell in love with this place called Civita de Bagnoregio and promised myself I would go there someday. I am planning on being there in 2013!!

Here's a photo of it:

The city is over 2500 years old and only has now 15 residents. I think it's enchanting, classic and obviously historic.

Our last day in Park City was what is called Park Silly. A bunch of vendors, artists, etc, line up the sidewalks with interesting works of art and other interesting "artifacts." I loved watching this pupeteer. He was so good and you really don't see these much anymore. I wished my children could have been there to see this fading art.

We also just enjoyed taking out these cruiser bikes our inn had for the guests

If it's been a while that you and your spouse have been alone together, get away! t is so important and again, so worth it.

It's Official - Aidan's a model

A talented home designer by the name of Annette Tatum in Southern California chose Aidan's photo for her children's bedding line. It's kind of funny but we gave our permission.

No, we are not getting him into modeling. She requested permission to use this photo from our photographer. It's actually one of my favorites.

Here it is. What do you think?

Here's her website: http://www.houseinc.com/ He isn't on there yet but will be as well as her packaging.

My Garden

My backyard is pretty small so I wanted to make it as pretty as possible while still leaving room for the kids to play and a big lab to to do his business.

Since Ella has been in kindergarten, Aidan and I have had some one on one time which has been so good for him. Yesterday we pulled weeds in the garden, dug for worms, slugs, and roly polies and picked from our garden. Okay, Aidan was mostly enthralled with the dirt and worms and I pulled the weeds but he was good company.

I love this little bench in a corner of our back yard. The kids love to sit here and play "house." Here's Aidan with his new find.

Here's a closer look. It's so funny to hear he and Ella talk about worms when they find them, "Aw, isn't he just darling." (Ella) "Look, Mommy, my wormy squirmy is so cute." (Aidan) Funny how I have gotten into worms lately - really funny.

Nicholas made this bird house for me in 7th grade. I will always treasure it.

I got this water fountain for Matt for our anniversay in April. It was so perfect with the little boy and girl (Ella and Aidan)

Here's another view. I just love it.

I have learned a lot about flowers in planning my garden. This is one of my favorites. It took forever to bloom - late summer but well worth it! It's a phlox - David phlox to be exact.

Just about every morning Ella and Aidan run here to pick black berries. It's so funny. Ella will have 5 or 6 and say we can make a pie now. I think I'll make one and buy most of the berries and use a few from our garden. She so wants blackberry pie and so do I!

Our apples are pretty delicious. Unfortunately, a lot of our cherries already got eaten by birds so we only enjoyed them for a short time.


One of my favorite treats, seriously, ever since I was a little girl is fresh tomato from the vine with salt. Mmmmm.

Matt made this delicious salsa with almost everything from our garden! I can have tomatoes like this also.

First Day of Kindergarten - Ella

First Day of Kindergarten Pics

My kids are way too used to pictures.

I'm so excited Ella has four neighborhood/church friends in her class.

When I picked up Ella from her first day of school she was actually sad and said, "I don't want to go home." I guess that's a good thing!

My "Little Man"

Ever since Aidan was a baby I have called him Little Man. He has since acquired silly nick names like "honey boy, sweet cheeks, baby cakes, etc. I know - cheesy but he's my last one. This entry is dedicated to Aidan as we celebrated his 4th birthday last month. Yes, my baby is 4!

There is something so tender between a son and his mother. My relationship with both Nicholas and Aidan is quite different from my relationship with my daughter - Ella; not better or worse but just different. Let's say it is . . . romantic. We have this relationship that whenever I come home and the kids are home, Aidan will run to me and shout, "Mommy!" and give me the biggest hug. He is always telling me how much he loves me and wants to make sure I know he loves more than anyone in the whole wide world - as much as Heavely Father loves us all he ssays. Nicholas is 17 and he still seeks me out when he comes home and will often just lay with me in my bed just to talk or not. He holds my hand when we go for walks and will give me a hug when he knows I need one.

Anyway, back to Aidan. Here are a few things Aidan has set in the recent weeks I have found quite amusing.

1. "Daddy loves skin milk but I don't think I will like it." I haven't corrected him. I think it's too funny.

2. On our way home from San Diego, we insisted Aidan take a nap. After finally falling asleep and after a couple hours he said (without us knowing he had woken up), "Can I wake up now?"

3. "Mommy, can I have those shoe nuts?" Me - "shoe nuts?" Aidan, "Yes, those SHOE nuts!" I finally figured it out - cashews.

4. Aidan was getting frustrated when he was trying to get Ella to count to "while."
Aidan - Ella, count to while.
Ella - What?
Aidan - Count to WHILE!
Ella - I don't understand you.
Aidan - You know. When mommy says in a while . . . "

Oh my, I guess I put off my kids way too much.

5. We were talking about King Benjamin today and living with Heavenly Father if we are righteous.
Aidan - Is heaven as far as San Diego?
Me - Oh, much farther
Aidan - Oh, no.

We started the party with musical chairs. These little ones are too cute!


Of course we had to play pin the tail on the donkey.

Samuel and Aidan loved getting wet. Oh look, my garden. I love how it turned out! But it was a lot of back breaking work.

Aidan wanted a pirate party so he and Matt built this wooden ship and we put it on the cake - ta da! It's all about simple!

Darling - Darling!

I love you, Aidan!

Sea World

I guess it's taking me longer between posts!

Yay for Sea Word! We got there early at opening and stayed till 8 but still didn't get to do everything. Crazy. I was especially sad we missed feeding the dolphins. By the time we got to it, it was closed :(.

Here are a few pics:


Ella posing outside the penguin exhibit. They are seroiusly much smaller than they apprear in Batman! So cute!

Yes! This Shamu show was so worth it! We got there a half hour early to make sure and get front and center seats in the SPASH zone. We were drenched and it felt soooo good. Amazing creatures, truly.

Nicholas and Aidan in Abby's Sea Star Spin. I can't believe Aidan remembered the name (just now).

Okay, so these flamingos were so interesting. Here is Ella (brave) while these flamingos go up and down the row of girls mostly sitting and "grooming" their hair! They do this with each othe as a bonding gesture. I felt really bonded when they did it to me!

This tortoise is only 9 years old and will live to be at least 75. It was having a feast with this grass here.

You can't see here but these are toucans.

If I could have a few wishes, one would be to swim with these beautiful animals.

I love this photo of Aidan with the beluga whale. They are so innocent looking and the white is so eye catching.

Not quite the same as Dumbo - Elmo's Flying Fish - but fun living it through our kids' eyes.

We will have to get back there soon!