the gush

For some reason it's easier for me to complain in my blog than to ever say anything too sincere. I'm always skeptical of spouses who publicly gush about each other, but tonight I feel like gushing. I just got home from Eric's fantasy football draft. He's been the commissioner for his Timpanogos Fantasy Football League for 20 years! He wore a tux and put together an amazing slide show of pictures from the last 20 years. It was so dang cool! Eric makes everything so much fun and he has friends that he's stayed close to for so many years. It's fun to watch him in action.
Lately I've been blown away at how well I married. I love to just sit back and watch him in his element as a dad. He takes the kids and all their friends on scooter and 4 wheeler rides all over the neighborhood. I've even had kids come over to the house to see if Eric can come out and play. The most amazing part is that he really enjoys it. I'll be honest, there are a lot of times when I have to pretend to enjoy hanging out with the kids and their friends.
Even on Eric's most stressful days, he never stops singing at the top of his lungs. While most of the time I find it irritating, in my heart I am flattered beyond words that he is mine and he is so thrilled with life that he can't stop singing. How lucky am I?

rambling complaints

Get comfy. I'm pretty sure I've completely worn out my normal arsenal of friends that I complain to, so I'm resorting to complaining to my blog.
I have a strict policy in our house. We don't negotiate with terrorists. The good news is that the little terrorists are headed to Guantanamo next week; otherwise known as Grovecrest Elementary School. I'm not sure who's meaner, me or them. I think we're driving each other NUTS! Everything is an argument with them. I can't take it anymore.
They walk into the house at dinner time, "What's that smell?"
Me: "I'm making dinner."
Them: "Gross! I don't like dinner!"
Me: "You don't even know what I'm making! It could be cupcakes and root beer... it's not, but it could be."
It's just not worth it to cook at my house.
Then today Cameron informed her new teacher that her favorite song is an Eminem song about domestic violence. Well, she didn't actually know the name Eminem, but did sing a portion of the song for the teacher. I wanted to hide in a corner.
Every single night when I inform the kids that it's time for bed, Luke screams bloody murder like it's some new torture ritual that I've just invented for the first time.
Don't even get me started on all the shoes those dang boys have lost this summer or the number of times I've had to climb under the neighbor's trampoline to retrieve Crocks.
We'll also just skim over the fact that my 6 year old boys are STILL potty training. Don't tell their first grade teacher. And any of you mothers of twins who call me for parenting advice, don't ask me about toilet training, however I can refer you to a good plumber.
I just had to get all this rambling off my chest. And wish those teachers/prison guards the best of luck with those little terrorists.

cruising with the girls

My baby sister graduated from high school! I must be getting old. For her graduation my mom took Gracee, Lacey and I on a cruise to the Western Caribbean. It was an amazing girls trip even if we didn't have all the sisters together. Emily has a brand new baby and Lyndsey is newly pregnant with baby #3! But the four of us had the best time!

I'm getting lazy. I finally got all these pictures uploaded but I'm having a hard time getting them into any kind of order. I admit that I am a stress case in general, but being on the open water sent me into overdrive! With every loud noise I was ready to jump ship. One morning the staff on the ship were having an emergency drill and Gracee and I went scrambling to get on a lifeboat. So here I am making sure that I know how to use my floatation device and whistle. Personally I would rather drown than be stuck in a life jacket whistling.

Gracee made out with a dolphin named Marte in Cozumel, Mexico.

Gracee and I got matching henna tattoos from a vendor on a pier. It seemed like a festive thing to do while in Mexico, but now that I'm home I just look like I lost a fight with a Sharpie.

Gracee and I taking in a magic show on board the ship.

After some really nerve-racking wind and a rocking ship, we were treated to this amazing sunset over Miami. Look closely and you'll see buildings.

In Grand Cayman we took a boat to Sting Ray City and swam with sting rays.

Lacey

Gracee and me

Mom and Lacey GraceeGracee's future home...

In Jamaica we went zip lining through the jungle. Here's Gracee.

Gracee

Mom and Lacey

Gracee, Mom, Lacey and me getting our gear on

Mom, Lacey and me

Gracee getting hooked up

If Lara Croft and Diego ever had children, I imagine this is what they'd look like.Mom

Mom in her new Ray Bans

Jamaican church

Jamaica

I have no idea what we're doing in this one, but we're all looking at the camera and smiling.

The mothership

In Haiti we went para sailing

Lacey and me

I loved spending so much quality time with my mom and sisters. My mom is the strongest, smartest woman I know. Being around her reminds me of my own potential. She is the kind of person I want to emulate. Love you Muzz! Lacey is the one who keeps us on track. Without her, our bags would never have made it home and our waitstaff would never have been tipped. I thought that nobody ever watched those information channels on the TV, but she was up to speed on everything! Love you Lace!

GRACE!!! She 'keeps me young'. She is very clever and has the quirkiest sense of humor of anyone I know. I love that she 'gets' me.

Thanks so much Muzz for the amazing trip!

the gruesome twosome is growing up

I tried to get these pictures in some kind of order, but I'm lacking the patience at the moment. My boys will have their 6th birthday while I'm away on a cruise with my mom and sisters. So we celebrated today with a Super Mario Super Party! We had all their friends over and played games, ate cake ran around and had a great time.
I really have to give a shout out to Eric. He knows that kids' birthday parties stress me out and he happily took all the games and entertaining the kids over for me. What guy does that? I am typically suspicious of public blogging PDA, but I don't know what I'd do without Eric. He just makes life so much fun for our family!

more 5th of July celebrations

The celebrations continued at Nana's house. My mom makes the best food of anyone I know but for some reason everyone's favorite is the pasta salad and the patato salad and the homemade ice cream. NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE MY MOM'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM!!!

Pretty sure Sophia ended up with more bubbles in her mouth than in the air....

Tyler at his finest moment. Cute little guy!
Adam was also enjoying the homemade ice cream.

Jeff plays 'The Monster Game" with all the kids tirelessly. He is such a fun uncle!

Thanks Nana for everything! Love you!

5th of July celebrations...

July is the best month of the whole year. There's no snow and lots of parties and fun to be had. The partying continued all day on the 5th this year. Eric (bless his heart) got the kids up at 5:00 am and took them to the hot air balloon festival in Provo. They had the best time!

It's all fun and games till Cameron realizes just how tired she really is....

Then we made the annual trek to Grandpa and Grandpa's house for our post-parade picnic. Be patient, we're still trying to get the hang of this new camera. Hopefully soon we'll actually have the kids trained to look and smile at at the perfect photo op.

I know I've said it a million times, but I am so glad to live so close to Eric's brother's family. Tyler is the big brother to my kids. They torture him and bug him to chase them constantly. We love the family unity that they have brought into our lives.

And we must mention Wabby the rabbit. Molly thinks they're buds, but Wabby will likely tell a different story. But cute anyhow.