Birthdays and Baptism and Snowfall...Oh My!

We only do "friend" birthday parties every other year with our kids, and try to plan a fun trip or outing as the birthday celebration the year in between...In fact, in past years, Madelyn and Joshua have always shared their birthday from opening presents (by their own choice) to taking turns blowing out candles on the cake. They were young enough that this was fine by them, and was easy on us! HOWEVER...Times, they are a'changin'!

Due to some unforeseen circumstances a couple months ago, our plans for March changed dramatically. We were preparing for Parrish's mom and my parents to come for Madelyn's baptism, but ended up hopping the flight ourselves!!! On March 17 we left Alabama and flew to SLC. We arrived late at night, and enjoyed a few precious hours of sleep in the cleanest Motel 6 EVER! (We had previously determined that we wouldn't pay more than $50 for the few hours we would be in a hotel that night.)

The next morning, Josh's birthday, we drove to Sandy and met my brother's wife for breakfast! It was so fun to meet Amy and Ellie...who happened to be visiting from Arizona for the week. (Next time we will plan ahead and might even get to see Craig!) From there it was on to Idaho Falls where we spent Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday at Nana's. The kids enjoyed homemade birthday cake (well, due to the late hour on his birthday, Josh picked out some lovely cupcakes at Albertson's), playing in Nana's basement (wishing all along that we had one [ME TOO!]), and were properly spoiled during the duration of our stay!

On Saturday morning we woke early and made the 2 hour trek to Burley. We arrived earlier than expected and were thus instructed to drive around until Mom was done at the grocery store...so the kids got the big Declo tour past the elementary school, junior high, high school, etc. which took all of three minutes. We drove up to Farahlyn's old house, and I shared a few precious stories from growing up. At which point, we couldn't drive around any longer...we had just spent too much time traveling...so we went to my parents' house. There we were surprised to find that Matt and Alicia had made the drive from California to be there with us! Thank you so much guys! We know what a sacrifice that was! So with Alicia making the trip, I saw all but three of my siblings over the course of our trip!

Madelyn's baptism took place at the Declo Stake Center and was perfect! Lots of family and friends were there (even Farahlyn came up from Logan just for the day)!! It was perfect!

The rest of the day was spent at Mom & Dad's celebrating all of the March/April birthdays, and just plain having fun! The grandkids got to drive Grandpa's tractor...Grandma had a pinata...and they all had a blast playing on "the playground." It was such a fun day, and we were so happy to get to be a part of it this time!

The next day, being Sunday, meant church...which was made more difficult for anxious children by the arrival of a good amount of snow that morning. We finally got them dressed and ready for church with the promise of playing in it afterwards. Mom even let me drive her brand new suburban to church!!!

Within minutes of arriving home, the kids were changed into multiple layers to compensate for their lack of snow clothes, and out we went to make snow angels, build snowmen, and have a snowball fight! I don't have pictures of the sledding, but the kids went sledding, and when the snow was worn away, they continued to sled in the mud! It was a fun day, and my kids were happy as clams even as they watched their snowmen melt over the next couple of days!

We spent Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in Burley, and on Tuesday evening left for Logan. We had dinner that evening with my sister Tammy and most of her kids...it was lots of fun! And from there, we headed to Farahlyn's to spend the night. I love it when our kids get together because they get along famously, and even as I repeatedly tell them to go to sleep, I am secretly thrilled that they are enjoying each other so much that they are still awake late into the night! Not that Farahlyn and I were very good examples...we finally went to bed around 2am, having spent that last few hours trying to catch up on everything we could think of!

On Wednesday morning, we left early to meet Maegan and Mindy for breakfast, (our departure was again hindered by the arrival of a wonderful blanket of the white stuff which the kids would have stayed and played in for hours if we had let them), but we perservered and were off again for an afternoon spent at Temple square. As always, everything was beautiful there! Joshua enjoyed reading the plaques at the statues, the new presentation on the family was enjoyed by us all (except for Dallin who chose to leave early on account of ...well, he doesn't really have to have a reason). Anyway, it was a fun afternoon, and just long enough for two parents, three youngish children, and weakened cold thresholds on the part of all involved.

That evening, we left the kids in Layton to be babysat by the older kids of one of Parrish's good friends while we all went to dinner. It was so much fun to meet most of the guys that Parrish went through Young Men's with, and to hear them swap stories about scout trips gone wrong and even some gone right! We laughed and laughed, and practically had to tear ourselves away when we knew that school-night bedtime was upon us (for everyone but us that is...)!

Following dinner, we followed another of Parrish's friends to his home in Sandy where we stayed our last night before flying back to Alabama on Thursday. It was a whirlwind trip, but we felt so blessed to have been able to see so many family and friends who mean so much to us! Thanks to everyone who helped make our trip so wonderful!

Prioritizing 101...

I have always prided myself on being a "go with the flow" person. Nothing ever caught me off-guard. I could drop whatever I was doing and be the most spontaneous person in the world. I love that person...and I miss her...and I wish I had taught her just a bit more about prioritizing and planning, list making, etc. You get the picture...

I obviously haven't blogged since Halloween! Not that our lives aren't filled with blogworthy happenings, but rather I just can't seem to find time to blog them! There are a billion other things that seem to take precedence...so sorry.

In the name of catching up, Thanksgiving was spent at a farm with friends that come from a family with 13 children...gorgeous weather, tons of people, games late into the evening, needless to say...we loved it!

I got an early Christmas present in the form of being rear-ended by a good 'ole boy in a jacked up pick-up truck...oh wait...that wasn't a gift...I got a new back door on my car and still have no A/C! Sorry, I got confused!

Christmas was as busy as everyone else's. I played the shelf elf in Madelyn's classroom, created the North Pole scene for Santa's visit to the church Christmas Party, made homemade gifts and treats for anyone and everyone local, and somewhere in the midst of all of this, we cleaned house and got ready for Nana's annual visit...which was once again, wonderful and as always too short...so she extended her trip by two days, and we reveled in having her around a bit longer.

We rang in the new year quietly, but it seems that that was just a mask for the craziness that has ensued ever since. We are doing well, getting ready for Madelyn's baptism next month, and prepping for the flight out west for that very event. I flew to Virginia with Parrish for a few days in January, leaving all three kids at home with friends who stayed here at the house...it was a much-needed get away, and we got to visit Michigan friends and even my sister Cheryl and her husband Gavin in DC for a quick dinner one night! February has brought Valentine parties, T-ball sign-ups, Dave Ramsey classes, and the usual YW craziness...I really have got to start making lists...I cannot continue to "fly by the seat of my pants" because they keep catching fire! Here are a few pics to play catch up...some day I really will...or maybe I won't...who knows!?

All Hallows Eve...

Okay, so I know I'm late getting this post up, but with all the computer issues we have had (are having) I'm doing well to post at all. It seems to take forever to get one up! Anyway, costume construction started early this year, and I wasn't too terribly stressed until various/several YW events interrupted the time when I was supposed to have started Madelyn's dress. Started it late, but got it finished quickly and with only a few minor snags that resolved rather quickly.

We had friends over to do a little trick-or-treating with us, (we had to wake Josh up when it was time to go...yes, he's in the hallway), and as has become the tradition, our across-the-street-neighbors waited patiently for our kids, promptly loaded their buckets to overflowing, and slipped inside and turned off their lights. They love our kids!

The kids were so proud of their facepaints that I couldn't get away without posting them...yes, I did them freehand.

Pictures on Halloween night didn't turn out very well, so I made the kids put costumes back on on Saturday so I could get some pictures in the daylight. Enjoy!

Proverbial Pumpkin Patch- Southern Style

Well, contrary to popular belief, we actually donned hats and mittens on our family trip to the one and only local pumpkin patch this fall! It was kind of exciting because it made us feel like it really was fall instead of like a family of frauds trying to convince ourselves that it was autumn despite summer temperatures. Anyway, it was chilly (translation somewhere between 50-60 degrees). We enjoyed the crisp weather and took our time choosing just the right pumpkins in just the right sizes for each of the kids!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Our baby is one!

Dallin's birthday was two weeks ago, and it was twice as nice because we celebrated once on his actually birthday as a family, and again the next night with a few friends for a little cake and ice cream.

I was glad to get a second chance at his cake...which turned out measurably better on the second round!

After having his cake, and eating it too, Dallin opened a few gifts

and turned his focus to Halloween preparations, as well as learning to walk! Happy Birthday Dallin! We are so thankful to have you in our family!

Technical difficulties...

Please stand by. We cannot get any pictures out of our My Pictures folder!!! We can't open it from Explorer, can't upload to email, can't upload to Blogger...upon attempting any of this, every open application shuts down and all is lost! It is driving me crazy!!! I discovered this hic-cup when I was drafting our Rain Tag post, and decided tonight to go ahead and post it sans pictures since we can't seem to fix the issue. So, until further notice, you will simply have to imagine all the wonderful things I tell you are happening here in Alabama! LOL!

Rain Tag!!

The other night, (shortly following hurricane Faye) we were having a picnic in the backyard when it started to rain. Normally, we would have run for cover given that it rarely rains in Alabama without thunder and lightening to accompany said rain. However, neither were anywhere to be seen or heard so we stayed out and got soaking wet! Josh decided that we should play "rain tag" and so we did. The kids are always delighted to chase or be chased...even Dallin! In fact, he makes such a fuss if he isn't involved that Parrish has to carry him, and he even gets a turn to be "it" which they all find absolutely hilarious! Anyway, we had a great time, and even caught a great picture of Dallin's top tooth. (We think he looks a bit like Nanny McPhee.) While Dallin is getting his teeth, Madelyn is losing hers faster than the tooth fairy can remember...she lost one during our picnic that night!! And Joshua, well, anytime he gets any food caught between his teeth, he is convinced that a tooth is loose, and wants someone (anyone) to try to pull it out. He wants desperately to be five and thinks it is taking a long time. Sorry babe.

Marital Bliss...

Parrish and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on Monday, August 18. I wanted so much to post a pictoral tribute to our ten years of marital bliss on the blog, but life has not allowed the time. In fact, we had planned on spending a long weekend in Savannah, GA for our anniversary, but again, it was not in the cards (or the checking account). So, we settled for a quick dinner (I had to be to work by 8:00) at the local hibachi grill while a young couple from our ward (with their 7 month old baby) watched the kids at home! Ah, how romantic!!! Exactly what I was thinking! Maybe after the next ten years...?

Oh, well. To my hubby: I am truly blessed to have you as my partner in life and in the eternities. Thank you for ten years of excitement, adventure, laughter, love, and learning. I love you with all of my heart. Love, me

Summer "VACATION"

So, we've been absent from the blogging circuit since early June, but what have been up to instead...? PLENTY! With less than 3 weeks until school starts, here is a summary of our summer vacation since our last post...


Parrish and I took a group of youth to the Atlanta temple on June 6, which is always an all day affair (the temple is 4 hours one way). Then we celebrated Parrish's birthday complete with a carrot cake shaped like a fish (Parrish has rediscovered a love for aquariums and has two at home and one at work), ideas provided by kids, designed and created by me, eaten and enjoyed by all! Happy Birthday Honey!



On June 21, I hosted a bridal shower- thankfully, they just needed my house- they brought all the food, etc.!!!


We spent the next week finding the bed and the floor in the office/spare bedroom as we prepared for Nana's annual summer visit. Which came quickly and ended too soon.


We enjoyed the first week of July with Nana, complete with a trip to the beach, where we took NO PICTURES, and our annual 4th of July celebration (Fort Rucker for the fireworks). This year, our tradition was altered slightly when we climbed in the car as a neighbor set off a bottle rocket, and poor Joshua, who had tubes placed in his ears in April and can actually hear us now, completely lost it! He was terrified by the sound, and started shaking and sobbing and screaming uncontrollably. So, we watched the fireworks display from Washington DC courtesy of PBS, while we ate our munchies on a blanket on the living room floor! It was an enjoyable evening with no traffic, no crowds, and plenty of air conditioning!



Nana left on July 5, and on July 8, I left for Girls Camp! I came home early so that Parrish could keep his appointment to shadow at a Family Practice clinic in town. The kittens went to the vet last week so that we could do our part to help control the cat population, and last night we enjoyed our ward Pioneer day celebration, complete with dutch oven dinner!


Dallin has learned to stand up to furniture and is cruising around at an unimaginable pace. He finally has his first tooth! He appears to have a magnetic connection to the dog's dish because as soon as you turn your back, he heads straight for it, but he never seems to eat enough to pass up his next meal! This week brings doctor/dental appointments, more time spent outside in our pool, some yard work, some last minute school shopping (just odds and ends)...and maybe next week we can squeeze in a quick family camping trip! Anyway, that is how we've spent our summer vacation!Maybe next summer we'll get the CRV A/C fixed!

Cars and Kittens...

Okay, so here we are unveiling the Beemer!

We love it! We've put a decent amount into repairs, but far less than we would have spent on a previously owned, and run-into-the-ground piece of junk! Anyway, we are eternally grateful to our friends in the ward who helped us get our "first, second car."

So, about the cat acquisition...make it two cats in that tally. Madelyn didn't choose the one I wanted, so we got both. Funny enough, she has now decided that the long-haired calico, female is softer, and therefore, has given the orange striped, male tabby to Joshua. (This "softer" argument is nothing new.) Anyhow, meet the kittens (not yet named)...

A few of you have commented on the seemingly sudden change-of-heart I have experienced when it comes to animals (particularly the "in-house" variety). I want to comment on that. Sometimes, we do things for our children because we love them, and want to add to their happiness. If you could see Madelyn in particular, and even Joshua, play with these animals, and snuggle them...Well, it's just enough to make my heart melt with happiness. Madelyn has, for months, cried every time we left PetSmart, because she feels so bad for the caged animals. She is in heaven! And her heaven makes our zoo, a little piece of heaven on earth.