Oleson Family

WTH?

2010-08-22T18:16:00.002-06:00

WHAT. THE. HECK.

Although, to be perfectly honest, I wasn't really thinking heck when I first caught eye on my darling daughter's new do.

Pictures can say a thousand words, but unfortunately, although a picture has been taken, the USB cord is not working correctly and I can't download them to the computer. Erg. Lucky for you, I am a master of words. *Ha, ha, ha, cough, cough, blech* (Sorry, I started choking in my sarcastic laughter). I will however, attempt to describe the beauty that currently is sitting on our "throne".

(Lest you think we are royalty--as I'm sure that was your first thought--we're potty training.)

(The potty-training is endless.)

(But I digress. Back to our regularly-scheduled post.)

Think of pretty little Megs, with her light blond hair, cute bangs and scraggly hair that's been determinedly pulled out of whatever pony/pig/animal tail that I attempted this morning and is now streaming behind her as she runs around my house wrecking havoc whenever her attention is caught. Check out the pics in the side column or previous posts if needed.

NOW, imagine that same impish face. Imagine those bangs cut to about 1/4 of an inch on the right side of her face, to about 3/4 of an inch on the left. With big gouges of jaggedy steps in between. THEN, imagine nice chunks of hair cut in random around her noggin. Thankfully, no bald spots. Luckily I was planning on taking her to get her hair cut into a bob anyways...

...we're just going to make that appointment for tomorrow.

Poops & Peeters

2010-08-14T11:50:00.009-06:00

(I know. I figured if I was gonna come back with a post after months of nothing, I'd better have a good title. Made you look, didn't it?)

Do any of you watch PBS, with or without your kids? There are some good shows. We love Curious George, Arthur, and Cyberchase. Meg could watch Word World pretty much all day with Super Why! a close second in her book.

But the show that all four of my kids watch, even Bryson, is Dinosaur Train. They love learning about dinosaurs and they LOVE all the songs. But there is one song....that quite frankly disturbs me as much as it amuses me.

Every Dinosaur Poops.

I tried to embed the video but that just didn't work. Take a second and go to the link to watch it. If your children love Dinosaur Train, well then I'm sure you've already been exposed to the joys of pooping dinosaurs. Whenever this episode airs, I have Megs & Garrett singing this song for days. DAYS!

But that is not the worst song my children sing. Ohhhh no. Another song that my children love (thanks Grandpa Felkins) is one that they learned while camping this summer. I'm sure you've heard it but tried to block it out if you are a woman. And if you are a man? Well, then I'm sure you'll be glad Grandpa decided to impart his wisdom on my kids. And please teach the same to your kids, cuz I don't want to have the only inappropriate children out there, K?

Oh, the song. You pry want to know (and by want, I mean cringing in fear) what song I'm even talking about. Here goes. "There's a skeeter on my peeter."

Yup.

WILDLY inappropriate.

And yet, strangely hilarious when you hear your children and their cousins singing it at the top of their lungs in the middle of the mountains. If you do not know the words, ask your hubby. OR, I'll just tell you. Cuz hey, if my kids can be inappropriate, so can I.

Ahem.

"There's a skeeter on my peeter, flick it off....
There's a skeeter on my peeter flick it off...
There's a skeeter on my peeter, there's a skeeter on my peeter,
There's a skeeter on my peeter, flick it off!"

Simplistic really, and yet it will provide you with miles of laughter and humiliation. Especially when your kids start singing it in the camp section of Walmart two weeks later.

You're welcome.

Seriously?

2010-06-23T19:22:00.003-06:00

Just thought I'd freak all of you out by actually putting in a teensy tiny little post with our latest happenings.

We're alive.

Megan Gets Religious

2010-01-07T21:45:00.003-07:00

The Sunday after Christmas our ward did another Christmas-like program (they did one the prior week as well) with lots of music and short talks. I LOVE Christmas programs. They are interesting, they move along, and with all the music it just helps the Spirit out.

A Brother visiting our ward gets up for his talk. He is tall, probably in his 40's, has dark longish hair, and a beard. We are sitting in the front row on the side because the chapel was packed with people. Megan sees our next speaker, stands up on my lap, and yells, "MOM! It's JESUS!"

The Brother (I cannot for the life of me remember his name) looks over at us and says, "Well, not quite little lady, but thanks," and proceeds on with his talk. The whole chapel is cracking up. I am shushing Megs and trying to get her to settle down but she just keeps stage-whispering, "Jesus, Mommy. JESUS. It's JESUS!" Finally I had to take her out into the foyer so everyone could listen to the speaker instead of my daughter.

While I am very happy that she is aware of Jesus, perhaps we should focus a tad more on the stories in the Bible rather than pictures, so she doesn't think every man with a beard is Jesus, don't ya think?

Good times.

Pictures!

2010-01-07T21:20:00.002-07:00

Can you believe it? For the first time in, oh about four years, we actually got family pictures taken! Yay!! My friend Emily Bailey took them (check out her blog www.emilybaileyphotography.blogspot.com) and did a fantastic job of catching my kids' personalities.

And yes, I am well aware that I have been a bad, bad blogger. So sue me. I needed a break for a bit...and yes, I still hit Facebook everyday (cuz it's fast, fun, and I'm addicted, ok??) but one of my New Year's resolutions is to blog more consistently-ish. At least monthly and hopefully more than that.

Also, we took tons of pics at Christmas and Halloween and all that jazz, but our camera won't download them to the computer. So here's a sum-up. We had Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was fun. We played a lot, spent a lot, and ate a lot. Best holidays of 2009, maybe even 2005-2008 as well because no one was sick. If my camera stops throwing a hissy fit we'll download some pictures. Otherwise, use your imagination, cuz I got nothin'.

Wait!!

Wait...I do have a story. I know you all looove my stories. And if not, well, it'd just be rude to stop reading now. So, Christmas Eve. Beautiful, freezing cold, nothing in particular to do during the day other than prepare for Christmas, so my hubby gets spontaneous (which is rather rare so be proud of him) and we decide to take the kids to go see "Chipmunks: the Squeakquel" or however you spell it. I don't want to go check, so if you want to go check the spelling, lemmeno and I'll change it if it's wrong. (sarcasm is my friend today in case you weren't aware).

Anyway. Grabbed the kiddles and off we went. As we are pulling into the parking lot we decide that after the movie we are going to stop at Costco to get some cheap gas (cuz it's right across the street) so we're all set for the next day of driving around visiting all the fam. Do you sense the foreshadowing here? Get inside the movie theater where we spend a fortune on tickets and snacks, cuz hey, it's Christmas, and the kids LOVED the movie. Imagine an amazing movie that could possibly win an Oscar because of the specatular effects, acting and musical score. That would be the complete opposite of this movie. (It was kinda funny, there was more music than the first movie, but the dancing? Good grief. Once was pry good enough for me.)

After the movie we go out to the van and lo, and behold, the van doesn't start. Errggg....after an hour of trying to get gas, jumping the car, having everybody who walks by us offer to help (which was so incredible it makes me believe that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well), we finally called to get some family to come help us out. Needless to say, I'm filling up the van with gas every week regardless of how many miles have been driven. :)

Really not my best story but it's all I've got today. Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cub Scouts (aka I have NO idea what I'm doing)

2009-11-10T19:07:00.003-07:00

WOW.

I've been called as the Wolf den leader for Cub Scouts. I am excited to learn more about the scouting program, but honestly, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. Bryson has been in Scouts for almost a year, but with moving and this new ward not keeping on top of weekly activities and badges (and us as parents not keeping up on it either), I still feel like I have no clue as to what it all entails. However, they have put in all new leaders and a new cubmaster who is very gung-ho and excited to be involved and get the boys on their way, so I think it's going to be great. Needless to say, I will be learning alot and plan on picking everybody's brain who has had anything to do with it (i.e. my dad, my brother, Mary Ann--you're still a den leader, right?, and anybody else who can help me out). Feel free to give me lots of advice and ideas. LOTS.

Evil

2009-10-08T00:01:00.003-06:00

I was hiding from my son today. In the kitchen. And not hiding exactly, just not answering when he was calling for me while I was clearing the table after dinner, which is really more like pretending to be invisible and not hiding at all. Anyway, Bryson comes around the corner and says, "There you are! Why didn't you answer when I called for you?" I smirked, and just as I was about to respond...

Abby says, "Cuz she's evil."

You better believe it.

Mwa ha ha ha!

Mating

2009-10-01T00:10:00.003-06:00

Yup. Read that title again cuz that's what we are talking about tonight people, MATING.

Apparently, my dear sweet husband informed Bryson that he could always watch the Discovery Channel. Educational, thought-provoking, science-oriented. And while yes, I could see how this thought process might work--if it was Discovery KIDS Channel--I am a tad disturbed that this wasn't discussed with me prior to the following conversation. At leat then I would have been prepared. Sigh. Can you see what is coming?? Can you feel the dread that still sinks into my chest even while typing this? Ayiyiyi...

Bryson: Mom. Did you know that tree frogs mate?

Me: Yep (keep it short, sweet and hopefully he'll leave....)

Bryson: Do you know what mating is?

Me: Yep (go away...go away)

Bryson: That's how they get babies, huh.

Me: (cornered in the hall by my 8 year old child) That's right. Where did you learn this?

Bryson: The Discovery Channel. Dad said I can watch it.

Me: Great.

Bryson: Do people mate?

Me: ummm...yep

Bryson: To get babies?

Me: Uh huh.

Bryson: Hmm...do people mate the same way that tree frogs do?

Me: (What the heck?! How am I supposed to answer this? Think...no, RUN! RUN AWAY!)
Well... (don't say it..walk away, walk away)
How do tree frogs mate? (IDIOT)

Bryson: On top of each other.

Me: (choking) Hmm. Well. Uh, Bryson this is one of those adult things that you don't need to learn about quite yet.

Bryson: But I want to know.

Me: Yeah, but you can't because you are only eight. Remember how Megan wants to read books but she can't read them yet cuz she doesn't know her letters and stuff? She has to wait until she gets bigger and learns other things first. When you get bigger then you can learn this other kind of stuff too. (What a nice motherly moment for me, I feel like that swelling music from TV should start playing...)

Bryson: Ok. I'll just ask Dad later.

Me: Great.

New York Cousins

2009-09-30T15:12:00.003-06:00

My newest nephew, Luke. He started smiling while I was out there, of course, because he loves his favorite Aunt Jen. :) SO cute. I just wanted to hold him the whole trip. Which I did.

The very energetic and hilarious Tyler. He is two, just a couple of months older than Megan, but is much taller. He didn't know what to think of me at first, but he warmed up and we had lots of fun. His giggle is very infectious, loves to watch movies on the computer and drink "choc'late milk."

Ben (7) and Kenzie (almost 5 in these pics). I had lots of fun talking about books with Ben--he is a HUGE reader--and Kenzie would crack me up with all of her songs and poses, both of which she does all. the. time. She sings everything which drives Ben crazy. And when I say everything, I do mean EVERYTHING from what she is picking up off the floor, to what the kids are doing, to just random noise. It was hilarious to listen to.

At the Children's Museum in Syracuse. Gross (which is what he was going for I think) but very funny.

New York Palmyra Pictures

2009-09-30T14:42:00.005-06:00

Entertaining ourselves in the backseat on our way to the Hill Cumorah pageant.

(McKenzie, Ben & me)

At Hill Cumorah. They have a huge stage (all the stone steps) that is set up on the hill and looks like it's been there forever even though they put it up and tear it down each summer. It was amazing the number of people who come--regardless of religion--and from how far. Before the pageant starts, all the actors and a zillion missionaries walk around handing out Books of Mormon and pass along cards and talking to the audience.

With it being so dark and my dinky little camera, it was difficult to get any good pictures of the actual Pageant. Besides the fact that my flash going off irritated all those around me. Oops!

But this is a scene of Lehi's dream with the Tree of Life. The special effects they use are amazing, there's water, fire, besides just lighting. And everytime Jesus was part of it, my cute little nephew Tyler would yell out "JESUS!" and "ooohhhh" and "ahhhh". Very entertaining.

Later that week we went back to Hill Cumorah and Palymra to check things out in the daylight.

Monument at Hill Cumorah

Palmyra Temple seen from Joseph Smith's farmhouse.

Palmyra Temple up close.

Pathway from Smith home to Sacred Grove.

Smith's farmhouse (where Joseph Smith grew up)

Probably my favorite picture of the entire trip (and I actually took it with my dinky point and shoot camera). I absolutely love the lighting and the trees.

The Sacred Grove

Niagara Falls (pics, pics oh and wait..more pics)

2009-09-30T14:01:00.005-06:00

Niagara (pronounced NI-ah-guh-ruh as we were told many times throughout the tours) from the view tower:

Our beautiful scraggly selves, in beautiful blue trash bag ponchos, after the Maid of the Mist tour where you ride in a ferry around the bottom of the Falls. Pretty cool.

These next two were taken while on the ferry ride. All the mist coming off the Falls could be seen miles away--from the freeway it looks like smoke billowing up from a gigantic fire.

Rainbow Bridge that crosses over to Canada. Sooooo close to going international.

Absolutely soaking wet after doing the tour where you walk at the bottom of the Falls on a deck and can actually touch them. Very cool--amazing power from the Falls. They waves crashing onto the deck would push me and my sis Melissa across the deck a bit. It was awesome.

Those crazy people in yellow? That's the Tour at the bottom of the falls. Freakin' awesome.

Me in front of Canada. :)

Melissa in front of Canada.

The amazing and kind of awful truck/limo we saw coming home.

Summer Confusion

2009-06-24T17:06:00.003-06:00

The weather lately has been difficult for my children. I LOVE the rain. I could live in Seattle (oooo, or FORKS...hello Edward...) cuz rain is fun for me. However, with the first two weeks of summer vacation for my kids being doused in rain, times have not been perfectly enjoyable over here, because they have been trapped inside our house for the most part. This week however, it has been beautiful!! The sun is shining, we started swimming lessons, played at the park, had picnics, ride bikes, all things summer.

So this afternoon as I'm listening to my children run all over the house, screeching like banshees, I tell them to go play outside (where their screeching doesn't make me want to eat a whole bottle of ibuprofen and wash it down with a bottle of something stronger than Pepsi). Do my children dash outside to play in the sun ready to jump and frolic? No. I have a mutiny. They don't want to go outside, they don't want to play.

Whatever, I think and I send them outside. Surely they will get out there and start messing around and have some fun so I can make dinner.

They sit on the stairs, with their arms folded, bottom lips sticking out, anger lurking in their eyes. What?!? So I give them a choice. They can play outside, in the sunshine, ride their bikes, play in the yard, whatever! OR, they can come in and clean their rooms.

The results:
Their rooms have never looked so clean.

Abby's New 'Do

2009-06-08T19:33:00.002-06:00

Abby's hair has been growing uncontrollably, and since the poor girl was bald until she was two, we've had a difficult time wanting to cut it. Actually, Bryson has shown no such restraint as he cut it twice when she was two, thus delaying hair growth even longer! Obviously you can understand our hesitancy in cutting our dear Abby-girl's hair. Unfortunately, the hair had overtaken the girl and I finally convinced her to get it cut for summer. We love being able to do fun things with her hair, but the tangles and heat, not to mention the crying when we tried to comb her long hair, well, it was time.

BEFORE

Abby was very willing to tell the hair stylist EXACTLY what she wanted, which was very cute, and expressed her interest in having bangs. I think the stylist was a little suprised I was willing to cut off a good 6-8 inches of hair on the whim of an almost six year old, but she was willing, especially when Abby said she wanted bangs just like the stylist's cuz they were so pretty. :) My charmer--turns those big brown eyes on people and you just can't help but succumb.

AFTER

Needless to say, we love her hair!! So much easier to do in the morning, plus it just suits her sweet personality. And of course we had to put the whole picture thing on the blog because, as Abby informed me, people just want to KNOW. Now you're in the know. Your welcome.

Graduating Kindergarten

2009-06-01T20:03:00.004-06:00

I've just been on a blogging roll the last few days! This will be my 3rd post in as many days, and I'm pretty sure a blogging medal should be handed over. I'm all over patting myself on the back. My house may not be perfectly clean but Facebook status and blogging is up to date!!

ANYWAY. Like many of you with kindergarteners, we had a graduation program to go to. My firstborn didn't have one when he was in kindergarten. I feel slightly gyped. Ok not really. But Abby's class had a short one along with a singing program which was just cute and hilarious.

Here's Abby realizing I've pulled the camera out to take pictures.

Completely enthralled by their sweet teacher, Miss Tensmeyer.

For every song the class sang, between 3-5 of the children would get up and act out the song. Abby got to act as a rosebush (perfect for my pretty and shy girl) for a song about a puppy that sniffs a rose and gets stung by a bee on his nose. Very cute.

Again, realizing that I'm taking a picture. :)

After the singing portion, Miss Tensmeyer, that is her on the right handside in the white dress, passed out the graduation certificates. She is very petite and makes all the kindergarteners look huge. I'm not exactly a tall person by any stretch of the imagination, but she is a good five or six inches shorter than I am. She comes to just past my shoulder. I really need to hang around her more--not only is she an incredible teacher, but one of the few people on this earth older than 12 that I am taller than. FABULOUS.

So, Abby got her certificate and didn't even look at the camera. She looks like she's stalking away, but really, it was more like a graceful glide. She gets that from me, as I am amazingly graceful (just ask my family). *smirk* :) Abby also won the citizenship certificate for the top girl in her class that befriends and is kind to any and all. Yay for Abby-girl!

I can't hardly believe she's out of kindergarten and my kids are home for the summer. I love them being home--hopefully we won't all be driving each other crazy by next week. :) Next stop, FIRST GRADE!

Underwears

2009-06-01T00:18:00.002-06:00

I'm sitting at the computer, playing on Facebook (because for the life of me, I just can't keep myself away when I'm bored), when Meg walks in wearing:

Yup. Garrett's new soccer underwear. She found a pair downstairs in his drawer and managed to get them on, over her capris, backwards, all by her smart little self.

She refused to take them off. Ever. In fact, she is still wearing them. Just kidding, cuz that would be seriously gross as this was last Tuesday. But let me tell you, it took the bribe of a bubble bath AND a treat that night in order for her to willingly take them off and exchange them for pj's. However, what particularly cracked me up was that she kept hitching up her red shirt in order to show me "Raret's" underwear. She was incredibly proud, and aren't we all? Look, my baby is dressing herself. Perhaps not her own clothing, and backwards, and ok, wrong gender really, and to be perfectly picky not in the correct order and all, but she's dressing herself. She's a genius.

I'm totally taking this as a sign that potty training is going to be a breeze. Not that I plan on doing that any time soon, but underwear? Before two? Come on people, that's just brilliance waiting to be bragged upon.

Our First Pinewood Derby

2009-05-31T15:16:00.006-06:00

I'm a little late with this one as it happend a month ago, but we couldn't leave this out as it is a fun part of scouts. Bryson and Travis built their first pinewood derby car this year and had lots of fun racing and trying to beat the other boys.

Bryson is a tad bit obsessed with killer whales (he plans to work in Sea World when he gets older, and in case you are thinking this is a passing fancy, this has been his plan since kindergarten) so that's the colors they chose for their awesome car. :)

I had never been to a Pinewood derby before, somehow missed my brother's when he was in scouts by prolly working at good old Shopko or something, but it just cracked me up to watch the boys. I don't think they really cared who won, but they loved to trashtalk about it. As did the dads which was just as funny. They just had fun racing them down, over and over and over. And my younger kids LOVED to watch.

A more correct Ode

2009-05-20T19:45:00.002-06:00

Fine. One of you readers, and I will not name names, but her initials are Laura Kay Beesley Ferguson, called me out on my Ode. She is correct, it wasn't really an ode, more a rambling of my current fetish with our central air. In retaliation, I have indeed written a more correct ode (I was an English major after all, might as well get some use out of it). It amused me while I sat in front of a fabulously cold air vent and killed some time while the kids watched "The Bee Movie". Here are the results of my boredom (because why would I use said quiet time for cleaning? That would be ridiculous and more to the point, less annoying to all of you, my public). If you do not appreciate my poetry, well, tough. You should know by now that I am a firm believer in writing the random.

Ode to Central Air
Do not let it be said,
that I can not write a rhyme
I am not ill-read
was just pressed for time.
However it seems that I must confess
My ode to central air was not,
Merely some prose I used to brag.
But now is the time I truly am blessed
For my rhyming skills aren't shot
My ode is in the bag.

Oh beautiful Air
cold, crisp and soothing
the way it flutters my hair
just simply by moving.
I will not deny I hate being overheated
so this central air invention
is my one true summer delight.
My hair, which right now, is not being treated,
and all of my summer intentions
freeze in the air, which is quite alright.

I love you, I love you
It's true, not a line
Central Air BTU's
Give me shivers up my spine.
The heat you diminish
No sweat pouring down to my seat
No swollen doors, no musty reek.
And now I can finish
with my Ode now complete
No longer a slacker, but seriously, a geek.

MORE than kissing

2009-05-19T00:37:00.003-06:00

Kids.

So I'm driving the kids over to Travis' work to switch off so I can go work for my dad on Friday and I'm listening to my kiddles chat in the back of the van. Their conversations generally amuse me because they seem so random. Here's one fun conversation.

Abby: I don't like kissing.

Bryson: Kissing is gross.

Garrett: Kissing is for girls.

Abby: Kissing is only if you get married. I don't want to get married cuz then I'll have to kiss a BOY.

Bryson: You can kiss your girlfriends and boyfriends too. Right mom?

Mom: Yes, when you are much much older, almost as old as me, then you can kiss your girlfriend or boyfriend.

Abby: Mom, I'm going to have a boyfriend when I'm six.

Mom: Well, you're not kissing your boyfriend when you're six or I'm talking to your boyfriend's mother.

Bryson: Married people like to kiss, huh mom.

Mom: Yes, married people usually like to kiss.

Abby: Why? That's so gross. Like when dad kisses you it make me want to throw up.

Garrett: Frowing up is gross! I don't like to frow up. Makes gagging noises.

Abby: Kissing is really gross.

Bryson: You have to kiss when you get married.

Garrett continuing to make gagging noises to sound like he's "frowing up".

Abby: Why?

Bryson: You have to kiss. And sometimes married people do more than kiss.

Mom (after narrowly missing a pedestrian walking on his own yard): What do you mean they do "more"?

Bryson: You know, they do more. They kiss...and then...

Mom (panicking): Yes??

Complete silence in the car--the first time that has happened in about a year--while they all listen.

Bryson: And then they have babies.

Mom: YUP. That's exactly what happens when you're married. What sounds good for dinner??

Ode to Central Air

2009-05-18T23:27:00.002-06:00

I don't think I'm living in the correct region for my temperature needs. I LOVE autumn. In fact, in my perfect world, it is autumn for about six months of the year. I LOVE spring (unless it's snowing, cuz that really isn't spring, that's just annoying winter trying to nose its way back). I LOVE snow for about a six weeks from Thanksgiving to New Years. And I love summer...wait a second. I don't really love summer. I love the things you can do in the summer, such as watching the kids swim, camping, county fairs, rodeos, vacation from school, eat scrumptious food like corn on the cob, melons of all sorts, apples, BBQ, etc. The hot temperatures of Utah in July and August? Can everybody say three digits? Not really a fan, no. Why do I live in Utah? Ohh yeah, that crazy little thing called family. Actually, I love Utah, I just find its weather a little too extreme for me. (although it does give me something to whine about on a fairly regular basis, so there is that)

But guess what.

This year, we will experience, for the first time in our married lives, right in our very own home, and it works and everything cuz I've been using it today until I have frozen everybody else, ahhh...central air.

What a miraculous thing! I get cold air...in my house! Not just my refrigerator! Yes, yes, it could cost me a pretty penny if I get a little overzealous with it which will prolly happen cuz I love being cold when it's hot outside. Kind of like winter, when I love being warm in my bed while the air around me is cold. I'm a girl of contradictions. Strange, but true. And I am obviously going on way too many tangents today which is so not like my regular self *cough cough*.

Ahem. Moving on, er, well, back.

I can sit on my couch in the livingroom and not make a puddle wherever my body is touching said couch. I realize that sounds incredibly gross, but if you have swamp coolers then you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's not gross, it's life. And life, my friends, tends to be gross. (Another pillow ready to be stitched with that little gem of truth..I'm taking orders...only $19.95 plus shipping and handling by cool air conditioned hands.)

Needless to say, I love our central air. I believe I may be bragging about it throughout the summer unless it breaks. And then I'll cry and whine about that. Either way, more posts. :)

Pic Pile

2009-04-19T14:58:00.006-06:00

Easter 2009

My kids cheesin' it for the camera. Huh, just noticed the fantastic lamp stand of boxes. May be time to move those suckers. :)

Showing off their cute Easter clothes. I love the fact that Abby is holding onto Megan's shoulders--about 1/2 second after this picture was taken Megan was booking it down the hallway.

Randomness

Meg posing for the camera with yet again, another messy face. I thought about lying and saying it's all her dad's fault, but really, I'm just to lazy to wash her face 10 billion times a day. So messy it is!

Meg, posing AGAIN for the camera, this time with some sexy moon boots she borrowed from Heidi's son Tyler. Sorry, they are not sexy moon boots, they are studly man snow boots. My mistake.

Meg & Tanner (aka the Tan-man) and their daily sungazing out the front window during the two and a half weeks Sarah was in New York. They seriously did this every morning for about 10-15 minutes. They are so goofy.

Up close & personal with the Tan-man.

Once upon a time...eleven years ago...

2009-03-31T23:43:00.007-06:00

That's right! Travis and I hit our eleven years married (together, in case there was any confusion) last week on the 19th. I would love to put up some of our wedding pictures, cuz we look like little kids and *sigh* I wish I could look that skinny again, but alas, I do not have a scanner. I may have to come over and raid Heidi's or my sista's. We'll see what we can do. So, instead of pics, you guys get reminiscing! Was that cheers I heard? EXCELLENT. Read on.

Once upon a time...eleven years ago...before my children were even a twinkle in my eye let alone an extra 30 pounds on my belly that never fully went away...I got married. Actually, let's rewind a little further. Nine months (seriously ironic, huh?) earlier I saw this guy at work in the lunchroom and thought to myself, huh...he's cute. See? Nothing earth-shattering here folks, just a casual observation that women routinely make about men.

Well, that's not entirely true. I vowed to be honest to you today (I crack myself up) so let's keep it REAL kids. Usually our observations tend to run more like this in our heads: Girrrrllll...he is checking you out. He think's you are HOT as well he should because dang, you have on your nice shirt today that actually makes it look like you might have a chest even though really, we all know that you are sadly lacking in that area, but you do have a nice tush, so maybe he'll check it out. Yup. He is totally checking out your butt. And hey, he has a nice butt too. Oooo....cute eyes, and is that a dimple?! *sigh*

Well...maybe that's just me.

And yes, when I am conversing with myself, it is always in the third person.

Ok so back to the story. I see cute guy, find out from the mail guy that new cute guy is training in the mailroom as well. And he's deaf. Well, crap. Ah well, at least I don't have to worry about sounding like a total moron. A gal that I worked with, Annette, she knew a family member that was deaf so she knew some sign language and invited new cute guy to eat lunch with a group of like 6-8 women. Poor guy. Poor recently returned missionary guy, surrounded by women. I'm sure he was devastated.

Since Annette is the only one who can sign, the rest of us look like idiots, we whip out the paper and pens and start conversing via paper. Very old school. None of this texting stuff, which SO would have been helpful. I thought he was very cute, and was strangely interested in him, which at the time, seriously bugged me. I didn't want to be interested but I was. And it had to be noticeable because I'm telling you, I blushed every time I saw him. It was humiliating. Luckily it was summer, so he thought I just got out in the sun alot. whew!

TWO FREAKING MONTHS later, he finally asked me out. I didn't think it was ever going to happen, and had pretty much given up any hopes when he finally did. Our first date we went miniature golfing, to dinner, then to a movie cuz we didn't want to go home, and then picked up ice cream. On the way home, with our ice cream. We stopped at a park and he asked me if he could kiss me. Never had a guy ask me that before...felt seriously awkward, but hey, you go with the flow, right? The next day he apologizes for kissing me. WHAT? (So then I have a complex on being a terrible kisser. The drama!) But then a week later kissed me again (drama averted).

I left a month later to go to Utah State for school. I figured we would still date, but honestly? He had already said I love you and while I knew I had really strong feelings I was feeling the slippery tingles of panic. It seemed way too fast, and like I said, I was not wanting to be falling in love. One weekend without him was more than enough to realize that not only did I love this guy, but it might really, really be in love with him. Mary Ann and I had a lovely "homesick for our men pity party" that first weekend and from then on, almost every weekend I was either back home visiting or he was up visiting me.

By my birthday we were talking marriage in the future...by Thanksgiving we were looking at rings. CRAZY! Then on the first day of Christmas break he proposed in front of the Christmas tree. I, being the crybaby that I am, cried and hugged and cried some more.

We got married March 19th, three months later, in the Bountiful temple. And now, eleven years later, I still can't imagine being without him. We have our four beautiful kids and each other. Life IS beautiful. :)

WHY??!?

2009-03-18T23:33:00.003-06:00

Anybody watch American Idol tonight?

Perhaps I am the only one here who is practically obsessed with that show. I don't understand how you are all not glued to your tv to watch it, but it's cool, it's cool.

In case you missed it, ALEXIS (girl with the short flippy blonde/pink hair) is out. I have only one thing to say to this: :#)(&#%P&E _%&##? P#(%*??? How is this possible?? I didn't think she'd win exactly, but be closer and at least on the tour, and it just doesn't seem fair that she is leaving so soon. I'm also not really a fan of this taunting new judge rule telling them they might be saved "so sing it one more time....eh, just kidding, you sucked and you wouldn't win anyway, therefore, you are not saved." Let's just kick the contestants in the teeth, on live television no less, after being told by millions of Americans they the least favorite. Nice call.

I should refuse to watch but I just can't help myself. I'm addicted. They really need an AIA.

Casper the Friendly Ghost

2009-03-10T22:34:00.004-06:00

So....we have a ghost. And he likes to mess with the lights in our house. And I'm trying not to let it freak me out, and so I keep calling him Casper. Because Casper is a friendly ghost. Even though he's messing with our lights. And freaking me out. It's a vicious cycle.

Not so basically, this is what is happening (I already 'splained, but of course you want more details and so I shall provide them because that is what a good blog-writer does...rambles on to her public). We have one of those three-way touch lamps in our bedroom. The other night, at 1am, while we are sleeping, the light turns on. I, of course, punch Travis in the arm for "faking" his sleeping while turning on the light to irritate me, and then I turn out the light and lay back down. About 30 seconds later it happens again. He is cracking up and says it's not him. I'm trying to decide whether to beat him or laugh or just go back to sleep, when....the light that neither of us is touching...turns itself off. Then back on. Then off again. So we unplug it. And no, it didn't come back on after that (thank heavens or then I'd have to move).

Then tonight, I'm sitting here watching tv episodes on Hulu--little sidenote here cuz not only do I love sidenotes, but have you seen those Hulu commercials? they totally crack me up--and the light next to the computer keeps going brighter, then dim, then brighter, then dim. Then hangs out at it's normal wattage then starts messing around again. This lamp is not a three-way lamp. Or not supposed to be anyway. And now it is being normal because he can see that I'm writing about him (Casper, not the lamp, cuz people, this ain't the castle from Beauty & the Beast where all the inanimate objects are animate). Fun freaky times at the Oleson house!

So. Like I said. Casper. Is. Visiting. My. House. And he really should have waited to be invited, but whatever.

25, er 26 Simple Pleasures

2009-03-09T00:55:00.003-06:00

Alright Jaimee & Mary Ann. I'm following in your blogging footsteps and here are my 26 simple pleasures because I just couldn't leave any of them out. Feel free to join in if you want!

1. Making cookies when it's raining outside
2. Holding hands with my kids when we are walking somewhere
3. Watching the wheels turn in Meg's head as she's trying to figure out how to climb the refrigerator (if you think I'm kidding, see previous climbing posts)
4. Hugs
5. Teaching my kids to say big words, "Mom is Awesome", and to come running when I ask for someone to scratch my back (I'm all about the randomness)
6. Waking up and not feeling like I could sleep for two more days
7. Seeing the grass or early flowers turning green before it's really spring
8. A new book
9. Laughing at friends' blogs
10. Having my hair brushed or played with
11. Kisses on the neck
12. Music (it's on almost all the time at my house)
13. Watching a movie and cuddling on the couch with the kids or Travis
14. Popcorn & chocolate
15. Holding a new baby
16. Listening to my kids giggle
17. Laughing until I cry or have to make a break for the bathroom
18. Christmas snow
19. Waking up without morning breath
20. Bubble baths
21. Not killing my houseplants (unfortunately this is a rare occurence. I reguarly commit planticide)
22. Spooning :)
23. Autumn
24. Abby painting my fingernails & toenails
25. Reading all day and sometimes into the night
26. Cake wrecks at www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com

The Magic Words

2009-03-09T00:50:00.002-06:00

Do you ever ask your child/ren to say the magic words? I know that for many of you, that would be "Please" or "Thank you". But at our house, I believe in teaching my children strange, off the wall things in order to crack myself up. (As many of you know I teach my kids big words when they are little...I LOVE it) Oh, I'm a big believer in being polite, especially the please thing, cuz that drives me crazy when they just demand. However, when it comes for the magic words, this is what I've gotten my kids to say:

MOM IS AWESOME!

And then they get whatever it is they are asking for. See? Esteem booster for me, snack/activity for them. Happy smiles all around. :)

Sunk

2009-02-27T16:45:00.003-07:00

This afternoon I am coming up the stairs when I hear Megan yelling. I call for her, and start looking because it sounds like she's got herself stuck or something (she does this frequently...behind the couch, under a chair, on the table, the stool, in the tub etc). I glance in the kitchen as I walk by, nothing. Check the livingroom, nothing. Bedroom? Nope. Finally, I open the bathroom door and THIS is what I see:

We have reached new heights of creativity by my youngest. Literally. Ü Apparently hooking her arms in the sink and checking herself out in the mirror was not enough. And, in case you didn't notice, those are our toothbrushes in front of her, and I now get to go boil them in water, because the girl sucked on them all. We love to share at our house.

KIDNAPPED!

2009-02-26T23:53:00.005-07:00

REWARD: Eternal Happiness and Possible Brain Mushing

Remote believed to have been kidnapped by the notorious thief, the Megalegs (aka Megan), famous for her amazing hiding skills in which objects are never found again. She has previously kidnapped car keys, cellphones, toys, books, flashlights and watches. Unfortunately, not all have been recovered. Please assist us in apprehending the thief as well as finding our dear Remote.

If you, or someone you know, find the one and only remote to our beloved television, please contact us immediately. Reward is dependent upon location and status of kidnapped Remote.

Potty Posing

2009-02-25T00:20:00.002-07:00

I'm sure the title of this post disturbed all of you on so many levels that you may not want to read this. But really, I was just having fun with the alliteration. In fact, it's just Megs who likes to stand on the toilet seat and pose as we walk by. Normally she hooks her arms over onto the sink so she doesn't slip, and then makes faces at herself in the mirror. But here she just kept smiling, waving, and yelling at us as we walked by. She's such a goofball.

Child Labor

2009-02-25T00:07:00.003-07:00

So last Tuesday and Wednesday it snowed. And snowed. And snowed a little more. And I must point out that I'm considerably closer to the mountains now in our little fifteen minute move east, so we are now on "THE BENCH" (of the mountains, people) which sounds kind of sportsy but really, it means that the snow here is deeper. And I have to shovel more. And I would like to say that I have fantastic arm muscles after all the shoveling of almost 18 inches of snow that we got in 24 hours...but that would be a lie. I am a firm believer in honesty. So instead, I will exaggerate and say that I made Garrett shovel all the snow. Cuz his little three year old arms can totally handle it.

And then, when he was finished, I allowed him to make a "snowman" all by himself as a reward for working so hard. Here's Frosty (the tiny pile of snow on the right):

And today, seven measly little days later, I'm happy to report that it is 55 fabulous degrees (which still sounds kinda cold if you are one of those lucky people who do not live in extreme weather climates, and while we are on the subject can I move in??) and feels springish. Until this weekend when it's supposed to snow some more. Would all y'all please pray for rain? Rain I can handle. Rain means spring is coming. Snow means...at this point, snow means that I'm hunting down that dang groundhog and roasting him for supper. Save Phil.

Hooligans and such

2009-02-13T23:19:00.002-07:00

My kids have been saying some funny things to me lately. For instance, Bryson has been particularly honest in his prayers lately (as noted from the previous post). He has so far prayed that they would not be "hooligans" the following day, that mom would decide to take them to rent a movie because "she loves us as much as Jesus does", and that Garrett will stop pinching him under the table while he's praying. All of these are said, in complete seriousness, during the blessing of food at dinnertime, although on different days. It's becoming quite entertaining, although we are planning on having a little FHE moment on the proper way to pray--apparently this lesson is coming a tad bit late.

Megan finally seems to be catching up on talking a bit. Up until now she was more apt to point and grunt in order to get something. This ALWAYS works with her older siblings, but not so with the mama and dad which is very frustrating for her cuz we have no idea what she wants, and very frustrating for us because she resorts to having a hissy fit. If you aren't sure what a hissy fit is, just imagine this: your child looks like she has become completely possessed by some alien pod creature as she throws herself to the ground, kicking and screaming, all the while rolling around on the floor and her face going bright red. You look around for your just recently adorable child and wonder who zapped this obvious imposter onto your livingroom floor. THIS is a hissy fit.

I believe that is the medical term. You can look it up.

Regardless, she has decided to step it up with the talking. Her favorite saying today has been "There it is" which actually sounds more like "Der'd is!" She says this anytime she picks up anything; books, dolls, pillows, paper, whatever. Or, she covers her eyes and peeks out and says "Der'd is!" meaning herself I guess. She's a crack up. Or maybe I'm the only one who thinks she's funny. Nah, she's so durn cute, I know I'm not biased.

We took the kids to dinner the other day at Dennys, for a kid-friendly meal that would not result in other people looking at me like I was INSANE for bringing my four children to a restaurant. Cuz it is...but they gotta learn somewhere and Dennys is a tad more kidproof than say, Olive Garden, or a local steak place or something. So the waitress takes our orders and says she'll be back in a minute. Garrett says, "In a minute? Like, approximately how long will that take?"

Approximately?

My 3 year old is a genius just like the rest of my kids. It's awesome and I take full credit. It's no reciting of the 12 apostles like my cousin's daughter (see Wally & Lindsey's blog over there on the side to view it in "real life"), but it's pretty stinking genius in its own right.

Then I have Abby, who says that all the girls at her new school like her and all the boys want to kiss her. She is a tad bit too willing for this, so we've had to have some chats about no kissing until she's older. To which she replied, "I KNOW mom. No kissing until I'm at least six." I'm in sooooo much trouble when she's a teenager.

But that's not for a good eight years so we'll just pretend it's not going to happen at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm putting in my order for my children to not be teenagers for a good 15 years so I can fully prepare myself. Or hide.

Alright. It's late, I'm tired. You're tired. You yahoos should really be going to bed. Hmmmm, this isn't working. Is it just me or does the ending of a post always feel like...weird? Ok, I'm just going to end it.

'Nuff said (for now, cuz we all know I can keep this going all night).

The end and so on.

There's Something in the Air (aka it's Phil's Fault)

2009-02-13T23:06:00.004-07:00

'Ello people.

I don't know if you guys have noticed but there is something in the air, and I don't mean an inversion (for those of you in Utah). I'm talking about something that is making my children act like hooligans, my husband to pace across the floor, and me to just feel antsy. Not to mention, runny noses, night coughing (but not in the day, peculiarly enough), and dry skin. I'm telling ya, there's something. I'd like to say it's spring, but apparently, PHIL the lame groundhog, decided there's six more weeks of winter so that's obviously out of the picture.

Speaking of good old winter-loving Phil, who decided that seeing your shadow is a sign of more winter? I've been thinking about this, which is a scary enough concept I know, and I'm perplexed. If the groundhog sees his shadow...doesn't that mean there must be some sun going on in order to cast the shadow? And if there's sun, then why doesn't that mean spring is coming? Is he just pysching us out? And why IS Phil scared of his shadow? Sounds to me like he's just a wuss, in which case, why are we listening to Phil? If Phil tells us it's spring, then we just believe him? If Phil tells us to jump off a bridge then are we all going to dash for the nearest one?

This is what I mean about something being in the air.

Grouchy Mom

2009-01-29T21:55:00.003-07:00

So we sit down to dinner tonight and Bryson offers to bless the food. Here's the middle portion of his prayer:

"Thank you for the food and please bless it so will nourish and strengthen our bodies. And please bless Mom so she feels better and so that tomorrow she isn't so grouchy."

Well. Apparently I was a little more grouchy than I realized today. Here's hoping we all get some sleep and are happy tomorrow!

In a nutshell

2009-01-25T22:52:00.005-07:00

January has been...well, insane really. It's amazing the number of things that have happened in three short weeks, but ya gotta run with life or get run over, right? (I'm so awesomely philosophical. I think I'll stitch that on a pillow. Moving on.)

So, in a nutshell this has been our life lately:

** Bryson got BAPTIZED!! Yay!! We are so incredibly proud of him and his desire to become a member of the Church. He is a wonderful son and has a dynamic (and smart alecky--I wonder where he gets that) personality. Bryson does incredibly well in school, loves to learn new things, particularly science stuff, and is constantly making and inventing creations for us. It's exciting to watch him grow older and we are just so happy he is in our family.

**We all got sick again. Just kidding! Only Megs did. Gotta love those double-ear infections. Not that this is really newsworthy, just pointing out all the stuff going on. I was going to comment on the fact that her new favorite pastime is to stick her finger up her nose and then your nose and then back to her mouth, but that seemed a little TMI, even for my blog. :)

**My grandma, Evelyn Flagler, passed away after a long battle with liver cancer. She was 75 years old, and was my dad's mom. We've known for a while that it was coming, but it's hard to see anyone have to suffer through that kind of disease and we are glad that she is no longer in pain. The funeral was exceptionally nice and all of the ward members that attended were so sincere and sweet. I had to give the Lifesketch at the funeral (something I've never done before) and it was interesting to talk to her kids and sister about the different things she did when she was younger. My grandma was in a POSSE! Doesn't that sound cool? It was for parades and rodeos and stuff, not quite the round 'em up cowboys you might first think of, but still...awesome nonetheless.

**We have MOVED. Yup. Picked up our family and moved--not too far, but far enough we had to change schools for the kids. We are getting settled in and the kids start their new school tomorrow. I am unpacking a bazillion boxes and if anyone needs some boxes for their own move or friends or whatever, give me a buzz cuz I don't know what to do with all of these suckers. We hadn't moved in seven years and I gotta say: Moving, with four young kids, in ten days, while attending a funeral, and psyching up your hubby for surgery (that's the next ** you'll come to), is just a tad overwhelming and sucks. But we're liking the place and once I can move around without tripping over these aforementioned bazillion boxes, all y'all should come over for a visit. :)

**Travis had hernia surgery. I'm sure there's a more medically correct way of saying that, just as I'm sure that he's not going to be terribly impressed that I posted it on the blog (hee hee...that's what he gets for going to bed early), but that's what it was. Tried to be macho at work and lift heavy stuff and then had to get himself "fixed" as the kids keep saying--which totally cracks me up and has my hubby thinking "fixed" in a different way might be a nice way to end the discussion on more children. But again, too much information. Hey, you all know me, I'm a talker and a planner (I don't always follow through with said plans but I plan) and pretty much share more information than most people want to hear. Lucky you guys.

That's pretty much our January. Crazy, busy, a tad stressful, but overall a done deal. Let's see if we can get through this last week without anything else major happening and move on to February!!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-08T22:33:00.003-07:00

Yay for Christmas!

Christmas was lots of fun (mostly) at the Oleson house. On Christmas Eve we relaxed most of the day, being the lazy bunch we are, watched some Christmas movies that night and opened up our new pj's to sleep in. Then, while the kiddles were "sleeping," Travis and I wrapped presents like crazy people because we hadn't wrapped one darn thing beforehand. Yup, I know. No need to explain how I could do it ahead of time. If you know me at all, you know that I am the Queen of Procrastination so don't even bother, you'll just be wasting your breath. I can't help myself...it's a sickness.

Anyway.

Christmas morning was a bit of a blur to me because I got sick during the night before with a fabulous influenza-type thing which made me want to crawl into a hole and die. That being said, the morning was still fun. :) The kids loved opening up all their presents and Santa did an excellent job this year. One of their favorites was the Wii (Santa did good, but he did get upstaged by Grandpa & Grandma with this one) which has been played every day. Trav took the kids over to his parents for their 2nd annual Christmas morning breakfast and to open more presents! They got the CUTEST church clothes (see pic on the side), as well as fleece blankets, books, and games. So by the time all the present were opened and home, it totally looked like Toys 'R Us threw up in our living room just like it does every year. The kids had a ball!

Due to our sickliness (because once I was down, the evil virus started making the rounds by the afternoon) we missed out on my 2nd favorite meal of the year with the Felkins' infamous ham....sigh. Ah well. I'll see if I can convince my parents to make it again for us one of these Sundays. (Hint hint). Hope all of your Christmas' were merry and significantly healthier than ours!! And remember, only 351 more shopping days until next year. :D

Christmas Pics

2009-01-08T22:31:00.002-07:00

Beds Clad in Underwear

2008-12-22T22:30:00.003-07:00

Me: Hop into bed Garrett and I'll tuck you in.

Garrett: But my bed's naked.

Bryson: No Garrett, it's not naked, it just has underwear on.

Garrett: My bed doesn't wear underwear!

Bryson: No, sheets are your bed's underwear.

Garrett: Oh.
(long pause as I cover him up with his blankets)
I'm glad my bed's not naked. Just wearing "shits" for underwear.

Me: (laughing all the way up the stairs)

We're ALIVE!

2008-12-22T00:24:00.002-07:00

Halleluiah! We are all living and breathing and not SICK. Mostly not sick. Well, kind of not sick. All right, we still have colds and half of the family hacks their lungs out every morning (which is just sooo gross to a gagger like me); but we aren't running for the bathroom every 10 minutes, and no fevers, and with the younger half on antibiotics I have high hopes that by Christmas we will be fab-u-lous. Pretty sure that if I can't get out of this house by Thursday I am going to go crazy, so we're going to make it work or lie to everybody and say we are better just to get out. :) If I plan on seeing you on Christmas, then just pretend I never said that. We really are doing much better, and no longer contagious. Am I backtracking far enough here? Ah, screw it. Everybody's sick and we are too so whatever.

On to more happier thoughts! I feel like all I've done is play catch up on the blog lately which is not really my favorite way to go about this. Luckily, or unluckily for you, not a whole heck of alot has happened so not much to report. We are alive. We are getting ready for Christmas. I had hoped to be ready by now but with all the sickness and general laziness going on over here, I'm just not quite finished. Almost, but not quite. It would help if I had a really good idea for Travis, but I don't. Any brilliant ideas? Anything? Feel free to post thoughts on something my hubby would enjoy for Christmas. A few rules though. 1. Must be something he can open in front of the children on Christmas morning, i.e. nix the wrap yourself in a red bow idea. While he would enjoy it, and it would be considerably cheaper than just about anything but a candy cane, I do not feel the need to scar my children for life, at least until they are teenagers. 2. Must cost under $50, that's what's left of my budget for him. 3. Must be something I can buy in the next two days so no ordering something from Hong Kong or other place that won't possibly be here by Christmas unless I spend a thousand dollars in shipping. Seriously, any ideas, because I am VERY open to suggestions at this point.

I'm sure I'll think of more to write later, but for now, that's all you get. :)

Ugh

2008-12-14T20:12:00.002-07:00

Sorry I haven't been keeping updated on my blog, you bazillions of readers (you know who you are, don't deny it). We've been a bunch of sickies this last week with the flu, and quite frankly, I just don't have the energy. Hopefully later this week I'll feel amazing and have scads of time to post pics, brag about my kids, chat about Christmas shopping (cuz I have some stories to tell), and basically just bore you with our daily lives. Until then, have a fabulous day. :)

Bryson, Bryson, Birthday Boy

2008-12-03T21:39:00.006-07:00

Holy cow my baby turned EIGHT today! Well, I guess I can't call Bryson a baby any more, but sometimes it feels like he just was one. sigh. He will be getting baptized the beginning of January, but we are already so proud of him. Bryson is a good student who truly enjoys school and learning. He can be incredibly helpful around the house (especially with Megan who adores him), and loves to be "in charge" (although sometimes too much). We love him and are so thankful to have him in our family.

Here is Bryson blowing out his candles after making his "special secret wish" which he wouldn't tell us about cuz then it won't come true. Abby says he wished for a barbie, which totally made him gag all over the cake (and we truly appreciate that), but we're guessing that he wished for a Wii. Too bad!

Bryson really enjoyed opening his presents. Among them he got a telescope/microscope combo from his Papa & Memaw (Trav's parents) which he loves cuz he is a science guy. We got him his first set of scriptures, since he's eight, with his name on them and a scripture carrier. He didn't seem quite as impressed with those as he was with the toys, but I know he'll enjoy them more in the long run. :)

This is the cake that Bryson requested. He wanted a killer whale cake (someday he plans to be working at Sea World training Shamu), and I'm the one who got to make it. I must say I'm pretty dang proud of myself. It turned out WAY better than I thought it would, and poor Shamu was the first part of the cake to be eaten. Killer whale is yummy....mmmmmmm.

Kid Pics

2008-12-03T21:28:00.005-07:00

These pics are just cuz they are cute. :) What can I say?

Here's Megan chatting it up with Papa (Travis' dad) on Bryson's Birthday. She's jabbering at him a bit and trying to get some candy. It worked.

And here are the older three getting a "ride" from dad. Can you see how boisterous dad is? Clearly he is full of energy and enjoying himself. (snicker) Actually, this is picture is after about 15 minutes of Travis giving them rides and he was too pooped to do any more. :)
Ah, notice the kitchen chair in the background. Normally there are two back there covering the buttons to the TV that Megan can not seem to leave alone for more than two minutes. Just our special way of baby-proofing that kinda, sorta, sometimes works. We do what we can.

Megan on the Move aka Houdini or Evel Knievel

2008-12-03T21:16:00.005-07:00

This is how it starts at our house. Megan finds the stepstool...

Then she climbs onto the chair (actually, nowadays she skips the stool part and goes straight for the chair)...

Then she is proud as can be as she sits on my table and yells for me to come. Normally when I come in at this point (because it always happens about 2 seconds after I leave the room), she sits up, grins and waves at me while saying "HI!"

She also highly enjoys standing up in her highchair. This is after she undid the child restraints that are supposedly supposed to keep her in. This girl is tenacious and somehow slightly magical as she gets out of just about anything except for her carseat (THANK HEAVENS). It drives us crazy, but we usually can't help but laugh because she is just so darn proud of herself!

My Hubby Tag

2008-12-01T00:35:00.003-07:00

I got this off of Kelly & Jaimee's blog and since I try to tag them all the time I feel turn about is fair play. :) Now it's all y'alls turn.

What's your husband's name? Travis H. Oleson (just an intial, no middle name)
How long have you been married? 10 years, 8 months, 12 days
How long did you date? We dated about 4 1/2 months before getting engaged, then 3 more months until we got married
Who said I love you first? He did--totally scared the crap out of me until I realized that I loved him too.
Who asked who out first? Technically? Sigh...it was probably me. I invited him to come with me and some friends to watch fireworks up at the college. But then he asked me out on a date about a week later so officially it was him.
Who kissed who first? He kissed me on the first date. Shame shame shame
How old is he? 35
Who eats the sweets? That would very obviously be me. He likes sweets, but I usually eat it all before he gets very much. I try to convince myself that he prefers it that way.
Who sings best? Hopefully me. Love him to pieces, but let's be honest here. He can't carry a tune or a beat to save his life even though he likes to try and embarass his children while he's doing it.
Who's smarter? when it comes to book stuff, it's probably me, but with general common sense and hands-on stuff it's totally him
Who cooks dinner and does laundry? I usually cook dinner cuz he hates to cook, but he will if I'm not home or if I've had an awful day. And we both do laundry--s0 long as I sort it first.
Who mows the lawn? we fight over who gets to mow the lawn. This summer it was mostly me cuz he was in school, but normally he wins.
Who pays the bills? Usually me, although I try to have most everything automatically taken out so I don't forget.
Who drives? He does, but we are both backseat drivers though and make each other crazy.
Who wears the pants? Bryson thinks it's him, I pretend it's me sometimes, but it's definitely Travis. :)
Our favorite couple thing to do. Watch movies, play with our kids, and try to annoy/embarass each other. And make fun of strangers. I know, we're warped.
His favorite pastimes. Watching TV, playing on the computer, organizing his bazillion tools, and learning new things (which is why he loves school).
What I love most about him. I absolutely love his laugh, he is a wonderful dad, makes me laugh and always cares about what I think. He keeps me sane and helps me not to worry so much, and always kills the bugs even though he rolls his eyes. He is always willing to do anything I ask, and often kicks me out the door so I can get some "Jen time" for a couple of hours. Plus he's cute and has some sexy arm muscles--thought I'd throw that in here to embarass him when he reads this. I can't imagine him not being in my life and I love him.

UPDATES and stuff

2008-12-01T00:19:00.002-07:00

I feel very comment-deprived since I haven't updated my blog so here is what's been happening with us. Not near as exciting as my last post, but much less expensive.

OUR VAN
Our van is fixed. YAY!! No, I did not leave the door hanging there as I drove home. Can you imagine me trying to explain that to some cop after it fell off in the middle of the street or while going over the railroad tracks? "Uh...sorry officer...I realize I have three children sitting back here with no seatbelts on and the door hanging off, but I was pretty sure we'd be good until I had to swerve to miss hitting that kid playing on the sidewalk...dang kids...I didn't mean for the door to start a fire and then make the train explode when it flew off my van..." I don't think so. Actually, I'm seriously OCD about the seatbelt thing so that would never happen, but I digress. So my dad came and saved me at the elementary school by jamming the van door back onto the van and then I drove home and we got the van door fixed. Fabulous. It mostly works and that's what we're happy about. Plus, my kids think I am super strong and that is always a bonus when the bickering starts.

THANKSGIVING
We ate. A lot.
We had dinner over at Travis' parents this year with his sister's family as well and had lots of fun joking around, eating as much as we could cram into our pieholes, and watching the kids act like hooligans as they ran all over the house until we kicked them outside. My favorite part was actually watching Megan chase their little dog, Pugsley, around and around the house saying "c'mere!" and then she would try to give him kisses as she tackled him from behind. He wasn't very appreciative but it was funny to us.

We left our camera at their house, didn't even realize it until today when Jan (his mom) emailed me, but when we get it back we actually have some pics to share. :) Hope all of you had a fantastic and filling Thanksgiving!

Van-flippin-tastic

2008-11-14T21:31:00.003-07:00

You will never guess what happened to me. Not in a million years. Why? Because normally this sort of thing only happens to people in the movies, cheesey movies, but guess what--I was the lucky winner today. I went to pick up the kids from school after their half-day Friday. There's a long line, which I normally try to avoid by going early but I was late so you know, had to wait and everything. I pull up in front of the school, the kids see me, and run over to the van.

They pile in.

David, who we carpool with, can't get the door closed. I tell him to go ahead and sit down and get his seatbelt on, I'll close it. I take off my seatbelt. I reach behind the passenger seat...ok well I'm too short-armed for that, so I half get out of the driver seat and reach behind the passenger seat to pull the sliding door closed. It's kind of stuck. I get all the way out of my seat and pull a little harder when I hear a snap and then...

The door falls off.

Yup, go ahead and read that last line again because I have almost the entire elementary school as witnesses. The sliding door of my van FALLS OFF. The back bearing popped out, and my door is hanging there, barely, by the little bearing/hinge thing at the top of the door. I'm so stunned I start to laugh. What the He...er, eck? Only to me people. This stuff only happens to me.

I'll keep you posted, and hopefully, take a picture because in this case it really is worth 1000 words.

Trick 'n' Treat, Voting, and other Important Stuff

2008-11-03T23:02:00.006-07:00

Yay! We had a very happy Halloween over here. Unfortunately, our camera decided to eat our pictures (we don't know what happened...apparently it's on strike), and my kids were so disappointed that we couldn't "blog their pictures" that we found pics of what they were supposed to be. :) Bryson was batman, Abby a pirate, Garrett a muscled Spiderman, and Megan was a clown. I'll have you know, that there were many disturbing clown pictures when I tried to look and finally went for the least threatening one. Kinda made me wish Megan had been anything but a clown. Anyway. Hopefully we can recover our pictures later, but I'm not holding my breath.

We had dinner at Meemaw & Papa's (Travis' parents), and then they went racing around like hooligans to trick-or-treat before we left. We made a quick stop at my parents' to show off their cute costumes and pick up a treat--they give out full-size candy bars, yummm--then home to trick or treat a couple more times. Needless to say, we have enough candy to last us at least through the week. Garrett would crack us up cuz he would say "Trick 'n' Treat" and then Megan, who thinks she can talk but really can't, would say "Chee chee chee" in the same singsong voice. So we, the parental units of the darling children, got candy too. Wahoo! I love free candy day..I mean, Halloween.

In other news, I have been seriously pondering my decision with this whole election thing. Normally I have a pretty good idea of who I like but this year I find it more difficult. So I was very happy to see tonight's Presidential special to give it some defining moments and what have you. Yup, I'm talking about SNL's Presidential Bash. Tina Fey cracks me up. In fact, I think I'll just vote her in as president. Even if she sucked, at least it would be funny, right? Hmm..perhaps not. Regardless, I caught most of it, laughed, and then headed to Google to find out more info on the candidates so I could make a more educated vote tomorrow. Remember to VOTE!

Also, a question for my bazillion readers (note the sarcasm). I've been reading a lot in magazines and online about co-ops. I'm finding myself intrigued and thinking about joining one through Salt Lake, but since I am the pinnacle of indecision, I'm asking your thoughts. Are any of you involved in one? Do you like it? Is it worth the money? With times how they are, I'm constantly looking for ways to save money, build our food storage, and do things from home. For example, I'm making some of our Christmas gifts this year. I'd tell you what they are, and even post pics, but I have nosey children who like to read this blog (BRYSON & ABBY) so I can't until later. Or maybe start another blog. Hmm....maybe.... Anyway, I was interested in this whole co-op idea and so I'm tossing it out to you guys. Give me info. I need it. I'm a Libra and I can't make decisions without full disclosure, and even then it can be a toss-up. Help me!

Finally, as I read back through my blogs I notice that I use a lot of punctuation. And I truly suck at editing. And I go back and forth from ginormous sentences to tiny annoying sentences. Hello, what is wrong with this picture? I graduated with an English degree with an emphasis on technical writing/editing. Yup. Totally use it on my blog as it is well apparent. I also use terrible grammar. And lots of sarcasm. And I dangle participles with total disregard to said participles. In fact, I can't hardly remember what a participle is and have no idea if I'm even spelling them right let alone dangling the poor suckers. Please forgive my English blunders. I write like I talk, I guess (which totally sucks for those of you who have to listen to me), with lots of commas, parenthesis, dashes, and drama? Perhaps now would be a good time to shut up. :)

Deep Thought...by Garrett

2008-11-03T18:56:00.002-07:00

Garrett: Mom, when I was in your tummy, I was brown.
Me: Why were you brown?
Garrett: Cuz you like chocolate.

Ah, from the mouths of babes.

Post-its, please?

2008-10-28T23:10:00.002-06:00

Is it just me or do all moms wish that an instruction manual came with our kids? I would very happily give birth to a book for crying out loud if said book would tell me what to do with these little wonders! Yeah, yeah, labor and delivery is an amazing thing, you get a beautiful miracle at the end that makes it all worth it. Yup. Fell for that hook, line and sinker. And I believe it, honestly I do! My kids are more than worth all the pain (which I really didn't have with the middle kids cuz of those FABULOUS things called epidurals, but I digress...). I totally would have pushed an extra hour or so to get the instruction manual along with the baby. "What to Expect Your First Year" is only so helpful.

Today, for no reason other than maybe a brain fart or something, Bryson hits Garrett. Garrett wasn't bothering him, there was no altercation going. Just leans over a whacks him on the arm. I saw it. Then, Garrett starts getting upset and has the I'm-going-to-start-screaming-to-get-mom's-sympathy-and-get-Bryson-in-trouble look, when Abby (who had been playing on the computer) marches over to Bryson and bops him on the head. With her doll. Naturally Bryson is not going to take this so he starts to yell at Abby and pinches her arm. Garrett has stopped crying but apparently wants to join the fray a little more actively and yells at Abby as well and then pushes her. Bryson then turns and pushes Garrett. Abby starts bossing the boys around and they, almost like it was planned, both grab her shirt and pull her down. Megan is watching the entire thing and yells throughout. Suddenly there's a brawl in the middle of my livingroom. For no reason. Er, excuse me? Did the planets just align for the first time in a decade and children suddenly go berserk?

Obviously there is no rational explanation for this. This is when the instruction manual would be incredibly helpful. You know, something like...

Bryson. Chapter 117: When Bryson is 7 years and 10 3/4 months old, he will, without provocation, physically lash out at a younger sibling. This by no means is your fault as a mother and does in fact mean that he is low on Vitamin K. Please feed him some vegetables at dinner this evening. Punishment of any kind will not really help the situation, but it will make you feel better as a parent so go ahead and send him to his room until dinner.
Megan. Chapter 12: Megan is going to have several colds this summer that will not result in ear infections no matter what the symptoms look like, or how similar those symptoms are to to your older children who have had bazillions of ear infections. Do not take her in to the doctors and pay for their new SUV's and vacations with your copays. Just keep her home, give her plenty of love, and douse her with ibuprofen so she'll sleep at night.
Abby. Chapter 942: Teenagers suck. Moms are awesome. Get some chocolate, a book, and your 17 year old Abby will be home by 1am. If you ground her for a month she'll regret her decision and once again become your best friend.
Garrett. Chapter 63: While potty training your son he is going to ask you lots of embarrassing questions. Prepare yourself.

And if I can't get the instruction manual, occasional post-its, floating down from heaven, would also be greatly appreciated. If any of you pairs of eyes that are reading this have an "in" with the guy upstairs who sends these beloved children, I'd also love to be a couple of inches taller and thinner. Thanks.

Tagged...again

2008-10-22T22:28:00.002-06:00

More tags. Two of them in fact. I try to escape, but I'm OCD about these things and have to do them. I feel jinxed if I don't. So here's to my longest post with no pics. Sorry. Our camera is currently ignoring us anyway, so we'll post some when he stops throwing a fit.

Tag #1
Heidi Tag:
10 Years Ago
1. I was newly married.
2. Lived in a small 70's decorated apartment in the "ghetto" of Logan.
3. Worked at Practice Management (billing for Doctor's)
4. Became LEGAL at 21. Oh yeah!
5. Wondered how long it would take for me to finish school so we could have kids.

5 Things on Today's "To Do" List
1. Ignore the mess in my kitchen.
2. Babysit Kierra (this is a new thing, I've been part-time babysitting a cute little 6 month old girl)
3. Work for my dad at HAFB
4. Start the laundry (which didn't happen)
5. Ignore my "To Do" list and hang out with Heidi!

5 Snacks I Adore:
1. Chocolate
2. Popcorn, either airpopped at home or at the theater with LOTS of butter.
3. Apple Pie
4. Chips & dip
5. Cheese & crackers

5 Things I'd do with a million dollars:
1. Sell our house and move
2. Renovate our new house (cuz I like older homes so we'd pry have to at least update or modernize)
3. Buy a new vehicle that is less than two years old instead of living with the piece that we have
4. Savings
5. Travel to visit all my family and friends who live farther away than I like (Melissa & Hailey in particular since they aren't within driving distance)

5 Jobs I've had in life:
1. ShopKo, Layton (I know...I'm awesome)
2. SPS Payment Systems, Layton
3. Cal-Ranch (once again, seriously cool)--this was only for a month but I feel cool putting it on here, makes me feel hick
4. Cache Valley ENT
5. Davis Hospital

5 People to Tag:
For once, I'm not tagging people. I just tagged everybody like two weeks ago so you are all off scott free unless you feel the need to join in!

Tag #2
Sarah's Tag of Eight:
8 Shows I love to watch
1. Heroes
2. House
3. CSI
4. Ace of Cakes
5. Jon & Kate Plus Eight
6. Biggest Loser
7. Gilmore Girls
8. American Idol

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Ruby Tuesday
2. Ruby River
3. Chilli's
4. Olive Garden
5. Star Cafe (for breakfast)
6. Flags West truck stop--homemade fries...yummmm
7. Cracker Barrel
8. Old Grist Mill (up in Cache Valley)

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. Did not attempt murder
2. Did not rob a bank
3. Did not win a million dollars
4. Thought about murder when I took Megan to the doctor and he was an idiot (see previous post)
5. Wanted to rob a bank because our van is being stupid. Again.
6. Wished winning a million dollars or perhaps inheriting from some long lost relative we've never heard of was actually feasible so we could ditch the stupid van and get a newer one.
7. Thought about doing laundry.
8. Laughed until I almost peed my pants listening to my boys.

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. My kids getting out early on Friday so we can play
2. The weekend
3. All the upcoming holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years
4. Christmas shopping (I love it!)
5. Taking a bath while the kids are asleep so I don't see their fingers under the door and listening to them yell "Mom! What are you doing? Are you almost done? You're taking FOREVER."
6. Reading a new book
7. Sleep
8. Taking a vacation

8 Things I love about Fall:
1. The cooling weather
2. The leaves changing colors
3. pumpkins
4. Halloween & Thanksgiving
5. Actually wanting to do yard work since it isn't 100 degrees
6. Baking
7. Getting ready for Christmas
8. Birthday cake for ME

8 Things on my wish list:
1. More kids.... for my siblings & friends (hee hee...almost had you fooled there didn't I)
2. a trampoline for the kids
3. a new vehicle that isn't quite so moody
4. moving--I've got the bug
5. my husband to finish school so he can find a job he likes
6. a vacation
7. money saved in the bank
8. if I can't move, then I want to redecorate. :)

The NERVE

2008-10-21T19:41:00.002-06:00

It's been one of those days. You know the kind I'm talking about. The type where you hang around in your pj's all day cuz you just don't feel like doing anything. Walking aimlessly from room to room, knowing you need to get in gear and clean up this hazard-waste place you call home, but not quite finding the motivation to do it. Having Garrett hanging on me being whiny, and having a very needy Megan because she has an ear infection. Not the fabulous beginnings for a weekday. And then I realize that Megan is COVERED in hives. Great. I call the doctor, explaining she has broken out in hives and I thinks it an allergic reaction to the amoxicillan she's on (same thing happened to me a couple of years ago). They say to bring her in right away...in three hours. And oh, don't give her anything cuz the doctor will want to see exactly what's happening. Nice.

So we eat and take an exhausted Meg in to the doctor. The pediatrician checks her out, saying things like "hmmm...yeah...looks like an allergy..." Ya think? Then he looks in her ears and tells me she doesn't have an ear infection and that the four days of antibiotics have done the trick. I explain, calmly, rationally, that she's only been on them for two days, and should we put her on something else to make sure it doesn't come back. He looks at me and says her infection is gone and her ears are just red so no need, and if they start bothering her I can come back in a few days and have them looked at again. Again, I calmly ask, "If I notice her ears bugging her again, can I just call in and have the new prescription called into Walgreens? We've already been here twice in three days." Mr. Macho Doctor then looks at me and says, "Well, I DO have a medical degree."

At this point all rational thought has left my mind. I'm tired, my kid's sick, and I'm just asking for pete's sake. The NERVE. I give him my "Feel free to take the fastest train straight to hell and while you're on it tell Satan I'd like him to kick your butt up around your freaking medical degree" look and start getting Megan dressed again. I'm so furious that I'm just shaking (and if you know me, you know that normally what comes next are tears but you'll be proud to note that I held back) and so thoroughly livid I just want to scream. Then, he pats me on the shoulder and says "Have a good afternoon" and walks out. What??!@#?@#$?

Needless to say, the only thing that saved this pediatrician's life was that his incredibly sweet nurse came in and said she was faxing my chart to our regular doctor who moved to their clinic in Roy and that I can just call in for a prescription if I need. But seriously, how dare he try to patronize me? Obviously this post is to blow of some steam...but come on. I'm a MOM. I don't need no stinkin' medical degree.

Boys

2008-10-21T19:36:00.003-06:00

Bryson: Hey Mom
Me (typing on the computer): Yup?
Bryson: Sometimes, do you ever get like a bubble between your buttcheeks?
Me (stop typing): What?
Bryson: Yeah, like a bubble that is between your buttcheeks and then it pops, like pooff?
Me (laughing): WHAT? You mean like you're farting or something?
Bryson: Yup. Like the silent but deadly kind.
Me: unable to speak because I have convulsed into hysterical laughter
Garrett: Bryson?
Bryson: Do you do that Garrett?
Garrett: Nope. But my pee thing is bigger than yours.
Me: Running to the bathroom because I'm about to pee my pants.

thirty one

2008-10-13T23:05:00.005-06:00

So I just wanted to give you a little heads up about being thirty-one for those of you who are not here yet. It doesn't sound that much older than the fabulous thirty I was already at--but beware. Suddenly forty looms so much closer. Wrinkles could magically show up and you know gray hair is soon to follow. I realize that I act about sixteen, and secretly I feel about twenty, but things are starting to sneak up on me that I don't really appreciate. Pregnancy pounds that won't go away are suddenly taking on more importance than before. Acne is suddenly realized as the most annoying thing ever since previously I thought it would magically disappear the day I was officially an adult...obviously this is not a correct assumption as I now have been married for ten years, have four children and a mortgage...pretty dang sure adulthood has been hanging around for a bit.

I'm getting laugh-lines around my eyes and those weird parenthesis around my mouth when I smile. The thought that I could very well be past the having babies stage fills me with elation...and a tiny itty bit of sorrow. (Mostly elation, but still, a little bit of sadness sneaks in.) I don't want to wax poetic here and drive everyone bonkers, but seriously, it just makes you think. Luckily, I have a husband that is a solid four years older than me (35!!) and that sounds waaayyyyy older than me. To be honest, I don't feel old at all...unless I have heartburn. Or migraines. Or my asthma is kicking in. Seriously. I'm young. Right?

You may think this won't happen to you...if that helps you sleep at night, then I wish you well. But just wait. That nasty little monster is going to sneak up on you sooner than later. One day, you wee little ones in your 20's, you too will find yourself on the cusp of old.

The evil laughter you hear in the distance? That's me...welcoming you to the club!

Creepy, crawly Spider

2008-10-06T18:00:00.003-06:00

Ewww.....I brought the kids home from school today, and found a lovely black widow spider making a web near our doorway. You can't see the red marks from the picture--maybe I'm being dillusional (it happens) and it was a regular old spider--but I don't think so. Bryson agreed, it totally looked like a black widow. I tried to kill it with a shoe, but then it jumped (??) to the other side so fast it totally freaked me and the kids right out. Abandoning the idea for a minute, I called Heidi for moral support cuz I'm a chicken. Let's be honest here, I don't deal well with spiders. Better than my high school chum Rachelle (that girl would be in the next county before you could blink if she saw a spider), but they still completely creep me out. Of course I couldn't concentrate on anything else until the spider was gone....I kept imagining it crawling into my house while we were sleeping. Shudder.

Abby and I decided I should wear my boots (cuz they're tougher to bite through in case the spider decided to get vicious), and arm myself with the broom and bugspray (that is actually for wasps not spiders, but at least it might stun it was our thinking). The boys thought it'd be cool if I took a picture. SO, I went outside, armed, took a picture from about 5 feet away and used the fabulous zoom in feature to take a quick photo. I think she even smiled after the kids yelled "CHEESE" from the doorway (they thought it was cool but didn't want to be within striking range). Then I smashed her with a broom onto the step and smashed it with my shoe before she could escape.

Seriously....ewwww.

Tag, You're IT!

2008-10-03T23:44:00.002-06:00

It's who I am.

I Am....Jen.

I Want...my bills to be magically paid by themselves.

I Have...a wonderful family.

I Wish....money really did grow on trees.

I Hate...people who think they know how to drive but really don't.

I Fear...something bad happening to my kids.

I Hear...the Food Network show "Unwrapped".

I Search...for new books to read.

I Always...go barefoot in my house.

I Usually...take a shower. (just making sure you're really reading this)

I Am Not...very tall or very patient.

I Miss...my sister Melissa, and my friends Mary Ann & Hailey. They all live too far away.

I Love...my hubby Travis & our fabulous little rugrats.

I Never...pick my nose and eat it, cuz that'd be gross.

I Rarely...take out the trash (Travis almost always does).

I Cry...any time my emotions are extreme: happy, sad, or angry.

I am Not Always...the best mom I could be but I try every day.

I Lose...my shoes all the time.

I'm Confused...early in the morning when I haven't had enough sleep.

I Need...a hug whenever I can get them.

I Should...go to bed but my brain won't shut up!

I Dream...almost every night and usually remember them.

I would like to Tag: Pretty much everybody, but specifically Mani, Heidi, Nicole, Holly, Penny and Kelly & Jaimee. You know you want to!! Remember, I am your regular blogger stalker so just do it or you'll start to get annoying messages from me (and we all know that is not an idle threat).

Embarassing Moments

2008-09-24T14:06:00.005-06:00

Have you ever had one of those moments when you just want to crawl into a hole and die? Jump in front of train? Sleep for 40 years until no one remembers what happened? I don't have too many of these (thank heavens) but the ones I do have, are all thanks to my oldest child Bryson. It's been long enough now that they don't embarass me too much now, I mostly just think they are funny. And, in order to embarass my child, I thought it'd be fun to share. Feel free to share on your own blog or in comments your own fun and embarrasing moments.

#1: While pregnant with Abby, Travis and I were remodeling our bedroom. We went to Home Depot to pick up supplies and were standing there looking at crown molding when I noticed another couple come down the aisle. The husband was heavier-set, and two-year-old Bryson took one look at him, walked over, patted this complete stranger (who was quite gruff looking) on the belly and questions, "Baby??" Needless to say, the wife started to convulse into giggles while Travis, Bryson and I quickly left.

#2: Standing in line at Walmart can feel like hours but this time I was entertained. This gentleman in front of me was only buying a jar of pickles (I think...), when the jar slipped and crashed to the floor. He swore under his breath as he bent over to start picking things up. Bryson walks over to him, sticks out his hand and says, "You said a bad word. You owe me a quarter." Luckily he was a nice guy who didn't take offense and instead laughed and told Bryson he didn't know that was the rule and would make sure to bring a quarter next time. Whew!

#3: This is my all-time favorite Bryson story. When Abby was only a couple of months old, we were sitting in one of the long middle benches in Sacrament meeting at church. The sacrament was being passed and Bryson was trying to show Abby pictures of a book while she was sitting in her infant carseat. Suddenly, the book slipped and fell to the ground. In a completely normal-volumed voice, Bryson says "Shit!" (Sorry to those of you with sensitive eyes...I was going to edit, but he didn't, so I'm not either...besides it was just so funny) The bench we are sitting on and the one in front of us starts to shake as people are trying not laugh out loud.
Appalled I lean over, grab the book, and whisper to Bryson, "Bryson, we don't say those kinds of words!" Again, in a normal 2 year old voice, "YOU do, Mom." By now, most of the middle section surrounding us is shaking, we have heard a few muffled snickers, and the bishopric is giving us weird looks wondering what the heavens is going on.
With my face about as red as a circus clown's nose (wasn't that a nice analogy?) I whisper again "Well, she doesn't anymore!" Thinking that the situation was under control and over, I sit back. Bryson obviously disagrees and leans over to me and says, louder this time, "We'll talk about it at home."
Two-year-olds are awesome.

Skeeter Killer

2008-09-24T13:50:00.004-06:00

With my lethal weapon in one hand, and my other hand outstretched, ready to grab in a possible escape, I sneak up on my prey. Quietly she rests on my wall...perhaps anticipating my every move. She doesn't realize that I'll never give up until I am rid of her and every one of her family that is hiding and residing in my home. Squatters. Thieves of the night. Bloodsuckers. Closer and closer I sneak, trying to move slowly so as not to startle the blood-sucking flyer, yet wanting to hurry before she lifts off again. Too many escapes have occured with later wounds resulting. Too many times have these devilish creatures been victorious while my family and I have suffered at their expense. Enough is enough! I vow to challenge and conquer this time and rid ourselves of the legions that have taken over our home. Finally, I make the split-second decision to strike. SMACK!! Ah ha! She has been terminated, crushed! But alas, while I was hunting, I was also being stalked, and have yet another...skeeter bite. CURSES!!

Kid Chats/Ego Destroyers

2008-09-23T21:07:00.004-06:00

Garrett: Is today Tuesday?
Me: Yes
Garrett: Oh, I don't have powers on Tuesday.
Me: What? What kind of powers?
Garrett: Powers powers. I don't have powers on Tuesday.
Me: Oh, well I don't have powers on Monday.
Garrett: Mom, you don't never have powers.

Me: Abby, that shirt looks cute for school.
Abby: Do you like it?
Me: Yes, you look awesome.
Abby: Oh. Maybe I'll go change my shirt.

After a crazy day last week, I decided to just make hot dogs and mac 'n cheese for dinner per the kids' request. However, the water boiled over making a big mess and then the plastic container the hot dogs were in melted in the microwave.
Bryson: Mom! What happened?
Me (very very frazzled and trying not to scream): I'm trying to make dinner! Just a second!
Bryson: Maybe you should learn how to cook.

So it begins...

2008-09-23T20:59:00.004-06:00

Here is Megan--with her spectacular hair--playing with her daddy's Sidekick phone, obviously texting her BFF, lol. Do y'all text? I text Travis cuz really, do I need to explain? But we don't do much of the cool shortcuts or whatever they're called (I'm so sounding old)...no BFF4EVR or SUIT (Shut up I'm thinking), actually, I totally just made that one up but doesn't it sound real? It pry is real and I have no idea. Well, needless to say, Meg's getting a headstart, so I guess for her 2nd birthday we'll have to buy her a cellphone to keep up with the crowd. TFA (totally freakin' awesome)

Wahoo!!

2008-09-23T20:43:00.003-06:00

WAHOOO!!!

Finally Fall is here and we can start watching some real tv! Perhaps you thought from the title something infinitely more cool was going on, but in reality, what could be more cool than not having to watch reruns?? For those of you who do not know, my husband goes to night school right after getting off work, so I generally play "single mom" during the week. TV has become my obsession, my lifesaver, the one thing that keeps me from going crazy while he's gone from 6am until 9:30pm every stinking weekday except Friday, which is when I work so I still don't see him until later. Needless to say, I have read way too many books this summer and I'm ready for some TV!

Now you all know where to find me every night: Monday--Heroes; Tuesday--House, Law & Order SVU and sometimes Biggest Loser is I want to eat lots of chocolate while watching others loose weight; Wednesday--Criminal Minds, CSI: NY; Thursday--CSI, ER, sometimes the Office; Friday--I don't get to watch tv on Friday usually so I pretend that this day doesn't exist in my personal tv guide. Feel free to call or email, but preferably during commercials. :) Unless it's to discuss the show being watched.

Let the Fall TV begin!!

Hurts

2008-09-07T20:42:00.004-06:00

My friend Carrie's dad died and had his funeral on Saturday.

The funeral was beautiful, but at the same time, it's just awful. I have been friends with Carrie since we moved across the street from her family way back when I was in 5th grade. Her mom is a very bubbly woman who is just geniunely sweet to everyone, and her dad, although more regimented, was always very kind to me. He used to just intimidate the crap out of me until I made him laugh one time by accident, just being my dorky self, and then it made it much easier to chat and laugh with him. He called me "Shadow" a lot because I'd follow Carrie around everywhere. I haven't seen him in years although I still keep in contact with Carrie of course, and the circumstances around his death are sad ones--he was battling alcoholism and I think depression as well. Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to find a way out and so took his own life.

My heart hurts.

Megan's 1st Birthday

2008-09-01T00:39:00.004-06:00

I can't believe it was Megan's 1st birthday on Saturday. Holy cow, time goes way too fast. She's been doing everything early this year--crawling at 6 months, walking at 10 months, climbing up on chairs, opening doors, basically attempting to do whatever the big kids do. Luckily her birthday was right on time or mom would have had a meltdown. :)

We took tons of pictures for her birthday, but here are just a few of my favorites.

Meg wasn't really impressed with the party hat, but we just had to get one picutre.

Megan would get one toy and was happy to just play with that one. She didn't need anymore! Luckily, as you can see with Abby in the background, the rest of the kids were more than willing to help her out by playing with her new stuff.

Just chillin' in between presents with dad.

This is the before picture--pre-eating frenzy. Notice that we are bad parents and lit the candle for her to blow out. All she wanted to do was stare at it.

The after picture--obviously, the post-eating frenzy.

Collage of Me

2008-08-31T23:42:00.009-06:00

I saw this on a friend's blog, it's late and looked entertaining so I'm trying it out on mine. :) Here's how it works: Go to google images and type in your answers to these questions. Use one of the images from the first page. Then post the images as your answers.

Favorite Vegetable:

Favorite Fruit:

Favorite Actor:

Favorite thing to do:

Favorite Car :

(note: my favorite car would be a new car, so insert pretty much anything here)

First Job:

Favorite Restaurant (today anyway):

Where I was born:

Where I live:

My favorite place:

My Favorite Animal:

My favorite food:

My favorite color:

My favorite bad habit:

My first name:

My middle name:

My Last name:

My Age:

Place I would like to visit:

First Day of School!!

2008-08-27T20:46:00.005-06:00

Monday was the first day of school! YAY!! Bryson started 2nd grade and Abby in kindergarten.

I know that many parents have a difficult time with their kids starting school in the fall, and find it to be a slightly bittersweet experience. I am not one of those moms. Wanna know the song running through my head after dropping them off at school (especially since they were so excited and no one cried, not even Abby who was incredibly nervous)--it was "Freedom" by WHAM! Yup..."Freedom....freedom..." just the chorus, not the whole song. Or the song by Tom Petty "And I'm FREE!" (again, just the one line, the entire song does not apply).

I prefer to believe that the reason I am so excited for them to go back to school is because I loved school clear up until college (after starting college, eh, then not so much). Honestly though? I can't hardly wait to only have two kids with me so I can get some stuff done! Do you know how hard it is to go shopping with four kids? Especially with the oldest one not happy to be there and constantly scaring the younger kids, hiding from me, and trying to get the others to play tag in the middle of the grocery store or Walmart? Augh. And don't get me started on running errands or just plain trying to keep my livingroom from looking like a tornado has hit 100 times in the last 30 minutes. I love my kids, and when school's out for holidays and summer, I am just as excited to have them home as I was for them to start school. But for right now? I'm totally going to just relax in the blissful semi-quiet.....until 3:25pm that is. :c)

Fall Fashion Show EXTRAVAGANZA!

2008-08-26T20:45:00.001-06:00

Abby is five. Abby is a girl. Abby LOOOOOOOOVES girly-girl stuff and constantly tries to get her brothers to do girly stuff too. It doesn't usually work on Bryson, but Garrett is a very willing kid to play house, barbies, tea party, whatever. Sunday we were going through their closets and getting things ready for school and Abby decided that a fashion show was the way to go. And not just any fashion show, a FALL fashion show EXTRAVAGANZA! Somewhere she has seen or heard a fashion show, so she made me be the "'nouncer and explain about the fabulous outfits" and have them model.

She even managed to get Bryson to participate which is not even remotely usual. (Bryson is a BOY...a boy who does boy stuff...not a boy who does girl stuff...cuz that would not be cool for a boy--direct quote from Bryson)

Bryson had no desire to model other than walk in front of the tv which had a "fall" blanket covering the screen for the background, and Garrett wanted to pose as Ben 10 monster/alien things. Needless to say, it was highly entertaining.

Here are the boys trying to be "GQ" after being prompted by dad. Garrett's picture in particular totally cracks me up--he's such a goofy guy. And finally, Abby in her fabulous model pose.

Birthday Boys

2008-08-11T13:47:00.013-06:00

July was a birthday month at our house with both Garrett turning three on July 26th and Travis' birthday on the 27th turning...35! (My hubby is getting old, time to up the life insurance. Just kidding!)

This is Garrett's super-cool Spiderman cake that I messed around with. :) He liked it so that's all that matters.

Garrett was very excited that he was the only one who got to open presents on his birthday. His favorite was the Spiderman scooter, although he enjoyed everything he got.

Travis opted for banana cream pie rather than cake for his birthday. We didn't want to light the house on fire with all thirty-five candles, so we did 3 candles on one side and 5 on the other. We're so creative. Ha!

The kids helped pick out his birthday presents, which they LOVE to do, and since we always take pictures of them holding their presents they made us take one of dad opening his.

Hmm...do you think my kids wanted to help open presents or what? All in all, it was a fun weekend with two birthdays, lots of goodies, tripping the fire alarm with all the candles that we had to keep relighting for Garrett to blow out, and tons of presents. Who could ask for more?

In the wee small hours of the morning...

2008-08-06T00:07:00.002-06:00

***Disclaimer: It's after midnight, I haven't slept much in two days, I feel whiney, tired, and strangely poetic. Anything you may read in this blog post is well, obviously the ramblings of a very tired mom and will more than likely be completely random. I can't seem to stop myself...hopefully, you can.***

Garrett tried to balance on a big rubber ball today and almost fell off. He caught himself with one hand against the couch and said, "Sweet HOME Lalabamba!" Yup, he's three. Apparently we watch to many cartoons at our house.

When the phone rings at our house, Megan will put her hand (or sometimes the remote) up to her ear and say "e'ro??" She is also walking all over, and today my friend Heidi & I found her trying to climb up on a stepstool to get onto the kitchen bench at the table. Heidi missed this later that evening, but Megan actually got up there before she fell off and bonked her head. My other three children just sat and watched.

People say bad things happen in threes...what about fours? or fives? Life at our house this past week or so has been a tad bothersome. We've had the flu, colds, a death (our van...sigh), teething, and weird sleepless nights that don't seem to have rhyme or reason to them. Not all of those are terrible, just not fun when they all happen at once. Hopefully we've reached our quota for the year. Knock on wood. On plastic. On anything that won't jinx me.

Why do people think vehicles are female? Why must vehicles have gender at all?

For my final paragraph this evening, I will present you with a poem of my very own words, brought forth out of my very own mind, my poor, tired, slightly delusional mind: Rain is wet, the sun is yellow, I'm tired of typing, and I'm getting my pillow.

I almost promise to make more sense tomorrow. Oh by the way, I lied. This is the last paragraph. Quit reading and go make me some cookies or somethin'. Seriously, cuz I'm hungry.

A funny thing happened...

2008-07-29T14:53:00.001-06:00

Oh, my children. They amuse me, they embarrass me, they drive me bananas. For some reason I've had some funny conversations with them lately and thought I'd jot a few of them down.

This summer Bryson has wanted us to get a tramp, a pool like Grandma & Grandpas, a cool air castle thingie that our friend Heidi has, or memberships to Lagoon, Classic waterslides, etc. Apparently this summer hasn't been top of the line in his eyes. So as he yet again asked me why we couldn't do anything fun, I yet again mentioned the things we have done so far. We've gone to see "Wall-E", we did fireworks at home, we went to the parade and carnival, we've swam in Grandpa's pool, we've had birthdays, park visits, etc. Bryson, with as much 7 year old attitude as he could muster, told me very disgusted-like, "We don't do anything. When I go back to school, and everyone tells what they did this summer, I get to say NOTHING. We did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!" Drama drama drama.

We've also been potty-training Garrett who has become very interested in his...private self area. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, and if not, take a wild stab in the dark (but not too wild or you might hurt yourself). Now, everytime we go to the potty, I get a constant questions on what his privates are doing, and how can they do that? and why does it just hang there? and how come when it's cold it doesn't just hang there? And why do we have poop? How come bathrooms in the stores are gross? what happens if I never go potty again? Bryson says when I get big I can stand up and go potty, when am I big enough? Am I big enough now? How come Abby is broken and has to sit on the potty and can't stand up like Bryson? Isn't she big enough? Are you big enough? Am I big enough now? If I eat crayons will my pee and poop change colors? How come it doesn't change colors when I eat an orange or grapes? Am I big enough NOW? On and on and on...and it doesn't matter if we are home, at friend's house, church or in public restrooms at the store--the questions never stop! So, being a mom, I totally make up answers to all his questions. That is totally going to bite me in the butt someday, but I figure, then his therapist can deal with it. :)

Then there's our Abby-girl. We went on a little road trip recently to visit my friend Mary Ann in her new house in Idaho. While we were there, Abby made the comment that "Mary Ann's new house looks like her old house...except upside down." I'm sure she meant the floorplan was reversed, but it was cute. Most of her funny conversations aren't actually with me, but ones that she has with either Garrett or baby Megan. My favorite is when she explains to Megan how to play games on the computer in great detail. The amazing part is that Meg just stands there and watches, all intent, like in five minutes she's going to skooch Abby off the chair and take over on the computer. My silly girls.

I'd have something amazing about Megan right here, to totally brag on her genius-ness, which is really, above and beyond any other baby's genius, but I don't want to make the rest of you parents feel bad. Frankly, the only things she can say right now are "mamamamamamama", "dadadadadad", "ni-ni" (which means bedtime in Meg language), and sign "finished", "bye/hi" and "bed". But she says them all with such conviction, I'm just postive in her mind she's having entire conversations...

Top 10

2008-07-08T23:21:00.003-06:00

Now, before I begin, I'm just telling all of you reading this (and I know that's just scores and scores of people), HA! You've been "tagged!". Do you know what that means? I didn't and apparently you can get in trouble so you better do what I say. I'm going to write a little segment here called "Top 10 Reasons Why I Love ...." (spouse, significant other, dog, whatever). Because you have read this, you are now required to do this on your own blog. If you don't, I will contact the blogger police and you are in trouble. So do it. Now. Maybe wait a few minutes and read mine first since I am putting forth the effort here. Ok, here we go.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My Hubby--G-rated for those of you with children
10. He always matches and sometimes, even tries to match to me. (cute)
9. Even though he doesn't like to, he will cook dinner
8. He will kill all bugs, spiders, and or other creepy, crawly things without even blinking should I or the kids ask.
7. If I wake him up in the middle of the night because of some scary dream or I heard a noise, he will check it out for me even when he thinks I'm nuts.
6. He likes to clean and will even do laundry. (doesn't always do it, but he does like to...how many of you can say that about yourself let alone your hubby?)
5. He encourages me to have as much quality "me" time as I can get while he watches the kids and sometimes even kicks me out of the house for my own good.
4. He always thinks I look good, even when I look like crap, 9 months pregnant, ankles so swollen they are mistaken for my legs (commonly known as "cankles")
3. When we were dating, he offered to wait for me if I wanted to go on a mission first or finish college before we got married. I'm not the most patient of people, so of course that didn't happen; but the offer still was one of the sweetest ever.
2. He tells me he loves me every single day, at least once, and usually more.
1. He absolutely loves and adores our kids.

Now, just cuz that was so much fun, I'm going to do one more!

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Email
10. I don't have to call people if I don't want to
9. I love to read.
8. I can stay home, hanging out in my pjs and have meaningful, written conversations, or maybe just conversations without the meaningful stuff
7. I can "talk" with my mouth full
6. Emoticons :) (c: :p
5. If you're aren't sure what you really want to say, you can save your draft and finish it up later. No one has any idea, and you aren't rude cuz you just walked out of the room.
4. I can chat with my sister in New York, friends in Baltimore & Vermont, or brother in PA all in the same hour, without it costing me a stamp or a long distance phone call.
3. I can chat with those same people and not have them hear my yell at my kids "Leave me alone, I'm on the phone!"
2. I can delete messages from people I don't want to talk to and they have no idea. (I Promise, I never do this to any of you....)
1. Cuz it's cool.

4th of July

2008-07-06T22:48:00.005-06:00

The best made plans don't generally work at our house. We had planned to go to a parade that morning, but for once, we actually slept in. ahhhhhhhh....you'll hear no complaints from me there. It was hot, so we just hung around the house all day, basking in the slightly cooler breeze from our swamp cooler than the incredibly hot outside. Then, we planned to go watch the big fireworks in Clearfield or Layton, but Megan fell asleep at a fabulous 7pm instead of being my regular little nightowl (again, no complaints from me). We tried to tell our kids we would hit the Clinton Pioneer Days parade, carnival and fireworks next week, so no big deal.

Needless to say, Bryson was not very impressed and whined about "how come OUR fourth of July is going to be on the ELEVENTH of July? That's not faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair..." (for those of you who have children, insert the amazing voice here that enables all one syllable words to become five, you know what I'm talking about). We felt kinda bad, and since my hubby is a pyro, Travis went and got our own fireworks to have the kids watch out in our cul-de-sac. Abby was the only one we could get to do to the sparklers. Bryson & Garrett held theirs for about 2 seconds so I couldn't even get a picture. They were much more interested in watching rather than being actively part of it. Travis also enjoyed dancing with the fireworks, just like his dad always does. :) The kids LOVE this last picture of their Dad cuz it looks like his hands and arms are on fire like the guy from the cartoon "Ben 10".

Forehead eyes

2008-07-02T00:24:00.004-06:00

This is the last post today, I swear. While I was taking pictures this evening of my kids, I apparently kept raising one of my eyebrows. My sweet, goofy child Garrett decided to give it a whirl and this was the hilarious facial expression I got right before he said "my forehead eyes [I guess meaning eyebrows] are movin'!"

Felkins Family Fun

2008-07-02T00:07:00.008-06:00

My family is fun.

A week or so ago we had a big bbq at my parent's house while my sister Melissa was in town from New York (unbelievably didn't get any pictures of her--I suck at being a good photographer). Grandpa decided to get out the slip 'n' slide for the kids and it was so stinkin' funny. Not only did the kids have fun, but so did Grandpa and he even got Aunt Sarah to go on it too. The rest of us just checked it out from the sidelines. Check these out:

This was Bryson's first trip down the slip 'n slide. He was laughing the whole way.

Here's grandpa being a "tunnel" for the kids to slide under. He had already gone down it several times to show them how to do it. Cuz you know, slip 'n slides are tough, and you just can't get too much practice!

Aunt Sarah (my sis) can slide with the best of them! That's her daughter Gracie (she's 2) cheering her on.

Abby-girl being shy in front of the camera.

Gracie, Garrett & Grandpa checking out the pool at the end.

Megan and her wild and crazy hair trying to get her cute face in for a pic too.

Lights...Camera...Action!

2008-07-01T23:40:00.003-06:00

Yay! I finally have some pictures on my blog. I know you have all waited with bated breath...(is it really bated? What an incredibly lame word that I can't quite figure out how to spell...) Anyway.

I told my children I wanted to take pictures of them specifically to put on the blog. Those pics are the ones you see to the right of your screen. Obviously we were dealing with professional models. Those couldn't possibly be my beautiful, cheesey children! Yes! They are! They just fit right in don't they...bunch of goofballs. Never would guess that Felkins was part of their little genetic makeup would you. Hee hee... You may notice there are currently no pictures of us as a family or even one of my husband and I. There is a reason for this--I didn't want to. No deep dark secret, just plain old honesty. That's how I work baby.

Stay tuned next time for more wild and crazy Oleson's! Seriously. I think I might start getting into this, you poor souls!

All right already!

2008-06-27T22:02:00.003-06:00

Blah, blah, blah, I haven't updated my blog for over a month. So here ya go. I'm updating. Guess what? We've done absolutely nothing. Do you all feel better now? Other than potty training, which is kind of a party pooper if ya get what I'm saying, and the fact that I have all of my kids home for the summer, everything else is the same. We wake up, we eat. We watch cartoons and play on the computer, we eat. We take a nap (if I'm lucky), play outside, then eat again. Time for bed. Then I get to eat. Now you all know the boring life I lead. I hope you're happy, I now get to see my boring life in PRINT. sniff sniff....

Actually I've taken some pics just to show off my kids, and just realized my camera is still in the diaper bag which is in my sleeping Megan's room. So once again, you have to wait. HA! I'll see if I can squeeze blogging into my very busy schedule tomorrow. :)

Out of the closet...

2008-05-17T12:02:00.000-06:00

I'm out. I actually told people I had a blog. Which means, people (you know who you are!) might actually read it, so I'm going to have to make some changes. Add some pictures. Perhaps call my children by their real names instead of "2", "4", or "7". Even let my family know that I have a blog. AUGH! The pressure!

So last night, I went scrapbooking. We have a group of around six that meet together and every month we go to a different house and scrapbook. (Well, to be perfectly honest, they scrapbook and I pretend I might but really do other things like crochet or crosstitch. In fact, the last two months I completely gave up my pretense for possibly scrapbooking and just admitted that I'm not a scrapbooking person. I love the idea of it--and if it would just magically happen by those mysterious little elves that fix shoes and hide gold then I'd be a happy camper. Unfortunately, those mysterious little elves don't live near my house so I'm on my own. I have wondered about going digital....hmmmmm maybe next time.)

Ok, I completely went off on a tangent, but those of you who know me know that is a common side effect to my conversations. Back to original thought last night: scrapbooking group. HILARIOUS. You ladies know who you are and can I just publicly, on my blog, in front of the millions of people who may never read this, say that group is my monthly lifesaver? I laugh, I cry (only from laughing so hard), I actually get something done (usually), and we eat treats. What could possibly be better than that?? Ahh...out of the closet and into the scrapbook. :)

Kidlings

2008-03-11T15:07:00.000-06:00

I tend to call my kids a variety of things, sweetheart, honey, etc, and I call them animals a lot, turkey, monkeys, herd of elephants. One day while going to the store, I was being followed by my three oldest kids and I called them my little ducklings. 2 informed me they weren't ducks, but kids, so now I call them my kidlings. Silly, but true.

Mondays

2008-03-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't quite decided yet, but I'm fairly certain that Mondays, whether you are a workforce or homeplace person, ought to be banned. Regardless of my day, by the end of any given Monday, I feel ready to call it a weekend again. Wanna hear about my day? Well, of course you do or you wouldn't be reading this. I have four kids (7, 4, 2, & 6 months) and naturally there are regular accidents, spills, arguments, etc. However, in the amount of time it took me to take a fast shower since my 6 month was awake and watching her mobile in her crib, I emerged feeling clean and happy, only to find that my 2 had smeared glue stick all over the sliding glass doors, bead board, and table in my kitchen. He had also used a crayon to color on my new pictures of my 6 month, and recruited my 4 to make a waterfall on the coffee table using their sand buckets and the bathroom sink downstairs.
Mind you, I know how to take an amazingly quick shower, so counting in the ten seconds of wimpering under the hot water and wishing all my children were sleeping, and an additional 2 minutes to get dressed, I was out in under six minutes. (it ain't pretty but it is what it is...luckily I buy strong soap). My kidlings had gotten me again. Sigh. Mondays.

First Try

2008-03-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

So I'm a new blogger today. Never been a blogger before and thought I'd step into the new millenium and give it a whirl. I figure if I don't do to terrible a job, I might even let people know that it's here and let 'em read it. Not quite sure if I'm ready for that yet, so we'll see. At any rate, it's good scribling time for me and I can chat about my kids as much as I want without anyone getting bored or rolling their eyes. If they don't want to know, they can close the page or look elsewhere on the web. :) Handy.