Week 11: 71-77

This is what made me happy/grateful this week:

71.  I've loved Harry Potter for years and I saw the last movie this past week with a couple of girlfriends.

It was fabulous!

Probably surpassed most of my expectations.  

I thought it was an excellent composite of all the elements from the other books/movies and was 

moving and exciting and everything it should have been!

72.  Hiked Mt. Timpanogos with the kids.

This was a challenge but such a great thing to do together.

The kids were troopers... it was harder that I thought it would be.

Joey & I took turns with the backpack... I love baby W zonked out.  That's how I felt! 

 73. So it freaked me out a little to see baby on the tricylce like this but big sister is usually really careful with him and he just loved it!

74.  Went and visited daddy at work.  

Doesn't he look so creepy yet brilliant & capable back there mixing up IV's?! ;)

75.  Missions & Marriages:

Said goodbye to my 2 nephews who will be leaving on missions this week 

(San Diego & Dominican Republic)

Congratulated my niece Katie on her recent engagement & talked about hers & her sister Kallie's weddings.  So excited!

76.  My hubby had 2 whole days off this past week... that NEVER happens!

77.  My sister & brother got back from 3 week trip to Europe with Utah Ambassadors of Music.

Had fun seeing all their pictures & hearing the stories.

Alison brought me back a piece of Royal Wedding Mania!  My own tea service tray!

Tea Party at my house next week :)

Week 10: 64-70

What made me happy/thankful this week:

 64. We got Walker this new chair that hooks to the bar.  

He loves sitting in between his sisters & being up with all the action!

 65. I think it's so cute that my girls like to "dress up" their stuffed animals.  

Love the ears and the bat ring on his leg.

This dog was Savannah's favorite toy when she was 3 and his name is Bugga Boy.  

66.  Little boys eating dirt! 

67.  Got a cute plant and pot for my mantel. 

 I love having real plants. 

68.  My sweet dad brought me flowers from his yard in this tiny vase

(a syrup bottle from Cracker Barrel).

(This is actually not the flower he brought me. I didn't get a picture taken quick enough & the girls took the flowers from Grandpa and put them on the "grave" for their frog.  This is one from our yard--but I love my cute dad for bringing me the flowers!)

69.  My awesome mom came and helped me do a few things to finish up Walker's room. 

He now has the most complete room of the house and he cares the least. 

But it makes me feel good to have a room done!

She also helped me last summer make the adorable bumper pad in his bed.

She's so talented!

70.  My latest summer read.  

I'm usually not into books like this (I like murder mysteries)

but I am really enjoying this so far.  

My Ridiculous Day So Far (it's only 11am)

Get ready for a long, stupid story:

Woke up and our last of 3 frogs died.  Girls decided they want to have a funeral and invite the neighbor boys over.  They want the funeral complete with refreshments (sandwiches, chips, drinks, and cupcakes).  I think this is sort of cute & sweet so agree to go along with it.  We have nothing else much to do today.  We are short a few items on the menu so against my better judgement I decide a quick run to the grocery store with 3 children is in order.  We'll just pop in and out real fast.  No need for anyone to get ready so we head over with bedheads, no makeup... basically looking a bit scroungy.  

We call this store "little carts" because they have child-size shopping carts that my girls love.  I rather hate it because they bump into things... displays, walls, me.  But we'll just be quick so for some reason I carry my baby in my arms (I have NEVER done this but decide to today) and let the kids each push a cart.  They argue over each item who gets to have it in their cart and fight over not wanting the recyclable bags in their cart... then after I tell them they HAVE to have the bags in their cart cause I'm not carrying them... they fight over who gets the green one and who gets the red. :)

We finally get everything we need and head to the register.  Only 2 lanes open and about 10 carts.  So it takes forever but it's okay.  Girls are good helpers and load everything on the belt.  I go to pay... no wallet!!!!  I then remember that I took it out yesterday (again something I NEVER do) and put it in my church bag because we were going to my nephew's farewell and I didn't want to carry my church bag and purse but I had to drive (Joey was at work).  Obviously I forgot to put it back.  Crap...what do I do now?  I remember I have a checkbook in my car.... saved.  (Remember there are 4 people with carts behind me).  I apologize, I tell girls to stay off to the side,then I run with babe-in-arms to the parking lot.  Get checkbook.  Come back thinking they're all waiting for me.  He had suspended my order and started on the next one.  That's okay.  But I wait. And wait.  Finally he gets me back in there.  I give him my check and then he has to call someone for approval because they are my old checks with my old address scratched out and my new one written in.  Manager comes over and doesn't like that either.  Ask me to write check again and just leave old address there.  Fine... whatever.  I do that.  Manager leaves.  Then, checker asks me if he can see my ID.  No... it's in my stupid wallet!  Oh... I have to call manager back.  (mind you... still annoyed people behind me... I remember what a motley looking crew we are.. and the check is only for $31).  Manager walks super slow back.  We are about to cancel order and I'll just come  back later (or preferable never) but she says to come to customer service and she'll help me.  She was super nice and eventually got it all worked out after a long embarassing time.  

So I can't get out of there fast enough.  Customer service on opposite side of parking lot from where we parked so we have to walk long ways to our car.  Kids have to push little carts because I'm carrying Walker (oh yeah, try filling out check with grabby baby in your arms and no where to set him... that part was fun too and added to the stupidity of the situation).  I'm trying to keep kids out of way of on coming cars... we make it to our car finally.  Load up.. kids need to take carts back to cart stands.  As soon as they head off every car around us decides to leave or every incoming car decides they need to park in the empty spots right by us (we're at super Smith's Marketplace... there are a million spots in the huge lot).  I yell at kids to stay where they are but of course they dart in front of a car.  She was sort of aware of them but was ticked I could tell.  So was I.  

Anyway, last time I go to kids with store (I wish) and last time I take my wallet out of my purse.  

If there is an upside to the story... my favorite popcorn was on sale so I stocked up (pop secret homestyle--yum)!  Better go eat some now to calm my nerves ;)

Week 9: 57-63

Its tough this week (no pictures), but this is what made me happy/grateful this week:

57. Independence Day! Grateful for servicemen & 

and women past & present who have made my life here in America possible.

58. Corn on the cob--slathered in butter & salt!

One of my favorite summer delights.

59. Fireworks!

Enjoyed watching them at Thanksgiving point with the kids

then setting them off in the street with good neighbors.

60. A/C--its been a hot week and I'm glad to have central air.

This may sound silly, but 4 of the places we have lived in our married life have not had central a/c.

61. Visiting with my cousin Danielle whom I haven't seen in a while.

62. Bike rides, runs, and swims... having fun with girlfriends training for our next triathalon.

63. Amazon.com--where I can order anything I want 

(can't wait for my next shipment to come it... I'll let you know next time what I get :)

Week 8: 50-56

This is what made me happy or grateful this week:

 50. Happy 50th Anniversary to my in-laws Kent & Jean!

We had a party this week to help them celebrate. 

Kent loved it and Jean smiled a lot and seemed to enjoy herself 

(she has alzheimers and doesn't really talk but she seemed happy)

I'm grateful for their example of marriage!

 51. My kids are so weird.  We bought these bunk beds and they don't sleep on them.

They spent several months sharing the bottom bunk then S decided she wanted to sleep under the bed.

So I told them I want to sell the bunk beds & get them a real bed but they cry and say no.

Whatever! :)

52. My little baby sprouted his first 2 teeth this week.  

Despite having a horrible week of sleep thanks to painful teething,

there is something so sweet about those 2 little pearly whites poking out.

53. Swimming lessons.. my little fish are becoming great swimmers.  

I LOVE that we can walk everyday to the pool.  

54.  Triathalon training with some girlfriend on my street. 

Went swimming, biking, and running this week. I'm really enjoying it!

55. Watermelon!

My favorite summer treat and we eat it almost everyday.

 56. All my kids have had the messy spaghetti face! 

Can you tell which baby is which?