10 Things I'd Never Admit...unless I'm tagged!

Posted by: Mom

10. I secretly watch "Big People Little World" on TLC. When my husband catches me, I pretend the DVR made a mistake. I just love those little guys.

9. I drive a mini-van and love it. Jeremy told me I can get a new car next year and I'm highly considering another mini-van.

8. I love celebrity trash.

7. I'm addicted to Target

6. I cry every time I watch "Extreme Home Makeover".

5. I hate cats.

4. I sing the "Kidz Bop" CD in the car with my kids. I sing it even louder when I'm alone.

3. I wear sweats most days, but get dressed before Jeremy gets home so he
doesn't think I'm one of those housewives.

2. I let my baby eat off the floor.

1. I just bought the book "Vegetable Gardening for Dummies", and I still can't figure it out.




I tag: Erica, Kelli and Nicole....have fun girls!

Reality TV

Posted By: Mom

We've had a hard time with Livi's naps recently. I would set her down and it would be quiet for an hour and then she'd start crying. Of course at that time, I would get her out of her crib. Then, within a few minutes she would be crying and yawning. I kept thinking, "If you are so tired, why don't you sleep longer than an hour?".

Finally after about 2 weeks of this, I decided to buy a video monitor for her room. Turns out she just really enjoys her alone time. After I put her down for a nap, she quietly plays for an hour. She hides under her blanket, throws her bottle, spins around, and all sorts of crazy stuff. It's only really amusing to Jeremy and I, but the point is- I figured it out. She starts crying after an hour because she is tired and ready to sleep. Before, I would assume she just woke up and get her out of bed. Now I can see when she actually falls asleep (I love watching her sleep) and I get an added bonus of an hour of entertainment. I can't believe I didn't get one of these sooner...

Why I Love My Girls

Posted by: Mom

When I was pregnant with Livi, Jeremy and I secretly hoped for a little boy (mention this to her and I will deny it, I swear). We both really enjoyed raising Landon and had a much more difficult time with Emma as a baby. There is no doubt that girls have a more emotional disposition (trying so hard to find the right words). We thought having a newborn was hard enough, let alone if another girl is brought into the picture. Obviously, we were happily blessed with a little girl who came out ready and willing to prove our theory; we were right.

After getting all three kids through the 'baby' stages, I've found traits in each of them that I find absolutely fascinating. Regardless of their gender, they each have unique personalities, likes & dislikes. However, I have found there is one thing that starts at a very young age, that is in fact, a very gender specific trait. Tonight, I obtained proof. These were actual events happening at the exact same moment:

click to enlarge photo

Look carefully at the right hand corner on the floor...Enough said.

Why I Love My Boys

Posted by: Mom

With spring in the air, I've had the organizing itch. I've been working on cleaning out the garage, storage room and organizing the office. Well, meanwhile, the day-to-day stuff hasn't really been happening. So...today I am doing laundry...I estimate about 12 loads. Yeah, I know.

While doing the load of jeans, I checked everyone's pockets, as I usually do. Nothing in the pockets of the girls, but the boys had a pretty good stash. After looking at their piles, I noticed they spend their days in pretty much the same way...computers and candy. Gotta love boys!

Jeremy's Stash

Landon's Stash

We Are Adding to Our Family!!!

Posted by: Mom

While we were in Vegas, we decided to add new cubs to our family...

Okay, I know I'm lame...but I got your attention, didn't I?
As soon as I get unpacked and settled I will post some pics of the trip, it was a lot of fun...I know you are waiting with bated breath ;)

Admittance is the First Step

Posted By: Mom

For those of you that don't know Jeremy very well, you may not be aware that he suffers from a disorder called O.C.G.P.D. This is a disorder common to his line of work, and at first, was quite difficult to understand and accept. It stands for Obsessive Compulsive Gadget Purchasing Disorder.

Last year, he bought me a video camera with a hard drive. Six months later, he bought me one with a DVD drive....said it would be easier. I just barely sold the first video camera when tonight, he came home with another one. He said he wanted it for our Vegas trip and went on about how easy it is and that it's so small it will fit in my pocket. He even got it in pink. I just don't fight it anymore. This disease is too powerful and over the last 8 years, it's only gotten stronger. So instead of saying a word, I just rolled my eyes and took Landon to the Doctor.

Two hours later (gotta love InstaCare), I came home and Jeremy was playing with the camera and told me how much I was going to love it. After I put the kids to bed, I took a better look at the camera and saw that he recorded a couple of videos. I really could give or take the camera, but I do love what he recorded. I guess sometimes the end does justify the means.

Red-Neck Moments

Posted By: Mom

Tonight the kids and I had a great time watching deer near our backyard. There were about 10 of them and it was fun sneaking up on them seeing how close we can get without them hearing us. Wild life is a common occurrence where we live, which is one of the reasons we chose this particular lot when we built the home.

As I took this picture, I basked in the peaceful nature of these creatures and had a moment of serenity...

...that is until I zoomed in on the sign where the deer are.

I'm Going Out For Nasonex

Posted by: Mom


Tonight, like most nights, our little Olivia threw a huge fit over nothing. Each time she does this, Jeremy sarcastically says, “thanks again”, referring to the fact that having another baby was all my idea. As soon as I put her to bed, Jeremy took a literal sigh of relief and said, “I’m going out for Nasonex honey.”

That was at 45 minutes ago and our pharmacy is only 2 miles away. As I sit here waiting, I am reminded of the tv shows when the husband said he was “going out for smokes” and they never heard from him again…

I Got Bangs!

Posted By: Emma

I got tired of my hair always getting in my eyes during tumbling. My mom got tired of always putting it up in hair clips. So...I got bangs! I love them. I like to comb them straight down and put a lot of hairspray on them.



Mom's insert:
I didn't think they'd cut them so short. I wanted them a little longer so I could comb them to the side a little. Don't tell Emma, but Dad and I are looking forward them growing a few inches longer. When Emma can read, this message will self-destruct.

She Likes it, She Really, Really Likes it!

Posted by: Mom


Anyone remember Mikey from Life cereal? He didn't like anything they gave him and finally, they tried Life cereal, and he liked it, he really, really liked it....anyone? Wow, I'm old.

I mention this because Olivia is our own 2008 version of Mikey. She is SO picky about food. It would be easier if she just hated apples. Then I would no longer feed her apples. However, she likes apples on Tuesday, and then hates them on Sunday. So each day, I just put a crap-load of food on her tray and hope she eats something on it. Most of the time, it's only bread-related foods that she finally eats. But, alas, a modern-day miracle....peas, she ate peas. Finally....a vegetable! I will take my mother of the year award now. Thanks.

More Landon "isms"

Posted by: Mom
The thing that makes Landon so funny is that he isn't trying to be funny. He really is sincere when he says these things and has no idea that they are great little quips.

In school, the teacher was trying to emphasize how girls can do the same thing boys can do. They can be Presidents, Doctors, anything they want. There is nothing a girl can't do that a boy can. Landon then raised his hand and said, "Actually, that's not true; girls can't go in the boy's bathroom".

Then, tonight, as Jeremy was leaving for the airport, he turned to Landon and said, "Landon, you are the man of the house while I am gone, do you know what that means?" Landon quickly replied, "I get to drink coffee!"

Landon's First Earthquake

Posted by: Mom

This morning, at 7:15, my alarm went off. I quickly pressed the snooze button. At 7:20, my alarm went off again and at that exact moment, the windows rumbled and my bed shook. Landon then came running in my room and said, "Mom, how'd you do that?"

Superbowl Snow

Posted by: Mom

It started out a lovely Sunday morning. I love fresh snow in the mornings, especially when I don't have to commute. I opened up my front door to see the lovely sight, and this is what I saw...(click on images to view larger).




My entire steps and porch were covered with snow up to four feet in some areas. So then I opened up the garage door...



My parents stayed the night and they were going to leave this morning, but couldn't get their Jeep out. Needless to say, they spent an extra night here.

So I got out my trusty snowblower and started the process of clearing the snow. As I plowed through, a neighbor came out to help.


Pretty soon, it became a neighborhood event. I'm so lucky to live in such a gracious community. The bishop had canceled church services and so he was out digging with everyone else. This is us digging out our porch and steps.




This is the rest of the crew helping out on the driveway. Landon even got into the action until he was nailed in the nose with someone's shovel. Then he was inside nursing a bloody nose for a while. The lesson learned is don't get in the way of an eight-man shoveling machine.






Even though it was a lot of work and certainly not what we expected to wake up to; it was actually a lot of fun. Now Landon and I can make a big igloo!

My Conversation With Mom

Posted by Emma:

My mom thought this conversation in the car was funny so she captured it pretty much word-for-word. I don't see what is so funny...

Emma: Mom, when I grow up, I don't want to be an inventor. There are too many things already invented.
Mom: You can be whatever you want.
Emma: I want to own a restaurant
Mom: What would you serve?
Emma: Breakfast food.
Mom: What is the name of your restaurant?
Emma: Emma's Restaurant
Mom: Can I eat there for free?
Emma: Yea, but you'll have to tell me your name because I won't recognize you because you will be a grandma.
Mom: Oh, are you going to get married?
Emma: Yes. Probably to Kaleb.
Mom: Kaleb Barney or Kaleb from your school?
Emma: Kaleb from my school, except he's kind of a slob. He always has food on his face.
Mom: Don't worry honey, that's how most boys are. You'll learn to love them anyway.
Emma: Yea, plus you can wipe their faces when you are married to them. Maybe I will marry Kaleb Barney instead. Then I will change my name to Emma James Palmer.

What a Difference a Month Makes

Posted by: Landon

This was me just one month ago at Christmas, with a full grill of pearly whites.






One week later, I lost my bottom tooth on the way to school.

Then, on Emma's birthday, I lost my front tooth. Mom said I looked like Cletus from the Simpsons.















Then tonight I lost my other front tooth...all of this just since Chrithmas...I mean Chrith-mas. ...Hey....why can't I say Chrithmas?

I'm Five!!!

Posted by Emma:
I can't believe I'm five years old now. My birthday was great. We went to our house in St. George because it was cold here and we wanted to play outside and have fun in the sun. On Saturday, my Grandma and Grandpa (who live there) came over for cake and presents. I got Hanna Montana stuff, moon sand, card games and a digital camera. Then on my birthday, I got to choose whatever I wanted to do for the whole day. First, we went swimming, then we went to McDonald's, then played at the park. Then we went home and watched a football game...that was my dad's choice, actually. Then my dad took me on a motorcycle ride and then we went to Chili's. They sang happy birthday to me and gave me a free cake. Yum.
This is me with my new Hanna Montana wig and microphone.



Then Olivia wanted to be Hanna too...

Our Dinner Conversation

Posted By: Mom
Dinner time is one of my favorite times of day because it's the one time we all sit together and have a conversation. Actually "conversation" is a pretty loose term when we are speaking of a 7 and 5 year old. Emma has the funniest sense of humor. She doesn't speak too often and sometimes that can be misconstrued as shy, but she just speaks when she has something good to say, and I might add, with impeccable comedic timing.

Tonight we were discussing healthy food and Jeremy made mention of how he is starting his diet tomorrow. I commented back to Jeremy that this discussion seems to take place every Sunday night and seems to be a common expression. Emma, in defense of her dad (man, she adores him), said, "oh yea mom, your common expression is....kids, get dressed & eat healthy". We all laughed and asked her what Landon's common expression is. "Can I bring my DS?" she replied quickly. She made sure to make fun of herself, as any good comic would do, and said..."here is me...why won't Landon play with me?!"

This is a small glimpse into our daily lives where mom is constantly nagging the kids to get dressed, eat better and behave. The struggle to get Landon to go to school, the store, or even the bathroom without his Nintendo (DS), and the ever so dramatic cries that Emma makes when she wants to play toys with Landon and he just wants to watch TV or play video games. It really is a daily event and I just thought it was so funny that Emma captured it so well!

What's Cheating?

Posted by: Emma
I was so excited today because at school I was asked to sit on the bleachers in our classroom. When I got in the car I told my mom that I was the only one that was asked to sit there. She wondered if that meant I was being good or bad. I didn't understand what she meant. I wasn't good or bad, the teacher just asked me to sit there. She asked me what I was doing when the teacher asked me to sit there. I told her that I was looking at Sebastian's paper...I do it all the time. The teacher asked me to sit on the bleachers so I couldn't look anymore. My mom told me that was something called "cheating". I told her that it's not bad...I only look at his paper when I don't know the answer.

She hasn't stopped laughing.

Livi is Growing...Literally

Posted by: Mom

Olivia is almost 10 months old but she weighs as much as an 18 month old. It’s interesting because she’s not really eating solid food very much. She only has one tooth and can’t quite chew yet. Today I gave her some cereal to practice chewing. She tried pretty hard to get it in her mouth, but it mostly ended up in her lap…except for the one that made it on her nose...



It was the funniest thing watching her try to figure out where it went. Oh well, she’ll get better. It’s not like she needs the extra food

Hi There!

Posted By: Landon
It's been a great year. I just turned 7 and had a fun birthday party. I had 16 friends come to my party and we had a blast. I got a lot of Star Wars presents and other fun stuff too. For Halloween I am going to be Annikin Skywalker. I can't wait because Tyler is going to be Annikin too, but we will have different color hair.

I love having a new baby in the house. I like to tease her and make her laugh. It's funny to watch her fall down and get hurt. I also like to yell louder than her, just to show her that I'm the older brother.

I am reading like a rockstar now. I can read a 60 page novel in about 10 minutes. I did my first book report tonight and really hope my teacher likes it.

My best friends in 1st grade are Isaac, Emilio, Tyler and Alex. Actually Alex was in my Kindergarten class too.

We are going to our house in St. George over Thanksgiving. I will miss my Thanksgiving feast at school but that's okay because I don't like the food they give me, especially olives. My cousins Taylor and Harrison are coming to stay with us too and that will be fun because we can have a sleepover. We have bunkbeds there but I think it would be fun to sleep on the floor.

Talk to you later.