Time Presses forward

August was a whirlwind of life. Life always seems like a whirlwind lately. 

I am not sure if it is a product of me keeping up with six humans *SIX?!?*

or if it's just that I'm getting old and less able to use my mental abilities for anything productive.

I have been reminded recently that I'm old enough to run for president-

But my kids would NOT vote for me because then they'd never have privacy again.

So there's that....

School started again. We are mostly fans of this modified year round set up, 

and this August the 4th brought a happy 7th grader, a perky 4th grader, 

Summer Situation

We're remembering more of the summer today. 

Things like a monkey helping make the pizza for dinner. 

(10 seconds after this photo she dropped a jar of pizza sauce onto the granite and shattered it 

into a kabillion pieces. She was not hurt, but very surprised and saucy. )

Then June Happened

Walk with me, down short term memory lane.
Just a summer ago....

We really WERE busy! We traveled and visited and celebrated!!
First- a wedding dinner then wedding for Uncle Lon and his sweetheart, Liz!!

Grandpa Dee and some of the gang.

MISSING in action

We've been missing on this blog-- We've been busy.
Doing things-- I'm sure there were things....
Lets check the photo evidence:


We visited Utah- Our Aunt Kelsey went to the temple to receive her endowment- It was so great to see so many extended family members and be there with Kels for such a special day.
AND we ate at a Brazillian Grill/Buffet in honor of our dad (he served his mission in Brazil, so it made us feel like he was there with us) Plus it was a DELIGHT to get some more family time together! (New Aunties, anyone?!?!)

Picture Perfect... or something like unto it

Grapes has been on an Oddysey Of The Mind team again this year. 

She and I got to travel to Flagstaff for the Regional competitons.

They got first place and we got to eat at Cafe Rio. It was pretty much the best trip.

My kids have been so good at being wonderful lately. (not 100% of the time, let's be real-- but so much more than I feel like I can expect... you know?)

Helping each other:

The room IS the view!

What do you get for a guy who wants nothing?
A new bedroom, of course.

Our Christmas gift to one another was to re-do our bedroom-- and it took a few months to get it done.
So with no further ado--
Merry Christmas!


Before-- Dark walls and no trim. (No curtains or blinds, either. This made the overnight stretches less than fun. We had an elaborate system of pinning up blankets to achieve a dark bedroom)

Our goal was to lighten the room up, so it felt open and airy. We wanted a peaceful retreat.

Just in case you were wondering

"How are you?" People always ask. (thank you, polite people!)

My standard answer lately is that "I'm not dead yet" 

Which #1- reminds me of my dad. 

and #2- sounds flippant (and probably is) but at the same time I'm go Go GOING, 

so it's actually a true answer, too.

What's keeping me busy? (again, thanks for asking!)

My job, of course!

Full-time momming is no joke, people.

Serious fort making.

Sunday Dance Party

A Tribute to Michael Jackson

I have previously posted family dance party videos.
Here and Most recently, here!

But this week after church, we took some time to recollect our fondness for the original wearer of black pants with white socks and black shoes. (My boys' Sabbath wardrobe tradition)


Sock's favorite song is BAD, but Pencil likes  Billy Jean and Thriller too.

I'm dancing too, in this first one.
Sorry if it makes you a little "see sick" from seeing too much movement.

Science Museum

Because we're awesome science nerds like that!

We went to 'the valley' to take in a Hockey Game (Feta and I took in a hotel room...) but a good time was had by all! Sockie even made it onto the jumbo screen at the game with the  Go Coyotes sign Grapes made! Sadly, those Detroit Red Wings won in overtime. Better luck next time, Coyotes!

The next day we visited (again! last year here) the science museum. I took more videos than photos- so settle in with your lemon water and enjoy!

Water fun!

Lately with Feta

January.... we're still slogging through.
Doing nothing really, but maybe that's what's so hard about it?


Pencil has joined the ranks of all-day kindergarten. He's enjoying himself.  It's a happy thing.
I keep telling myself.
I'm really not sure that I'm handling it well.
My third kid is staying another 3.5 hours each day at school..... I don't know why this time is harder.
I'm not sitting at home, lonely. There's still a VERY busy monkey keeping me occupied.

She and I are buds!
We get stuff done-- like Walmart.

Parenting win?

When my kids spontaneously quote the Beastie Boys, I get simultaneously proud and embarrassed.

Either that's how parenting is done...

or I'm part of a team of 'those' parents.

I'll let you be the judge.

Christmas trip

We had the privilege to travel to Utah and visit lots of family over the Christmas break.
In all honesty- the more times we do this, the more I struggle with the visiting. We only get to see these awesome people a few times each year, so when we get together we try to cram as much as possible in, logically. I love seeing them and spending time together.
Sadly, with children, trying to spend long hours in cars for days on end, and spending time with people doing lots of crazy fun things quickly turns into a nightmare of grumpy kids, little to no sleep (thus resulting in a grumpy mom) horrible eating habits (that mom gets to take care of/clean up after) and ridiculous expectations for when we get home again.  (ie: "Why can't I eat more chocolate orange for breakfast? I don't want to to CHORES! I'm not getting up for school." to name a few direct quotes from the last few days)

I'm very glad we went. Don't get me wrong. We made some brilliant memories and loved on some dear, dear people. I just need a vacation to recover from my vacation.
(My work trip, lets be real. I was working on this trip)


Things we want to remember:

Before this trip our darling aunt Amanda came to AZ to visit us. We loved every minute of it- we just didn't take any photos. Boo. It was a delight to have her here, and we'll hopefully take better pictures next time! While she was here there was some crazy weather and my kids ended up having some school cancelled for snow days. We also had church cancelled- so there was lots of hanging out in Jams and being together.

Amanda flew from Phoenix to Utah with us- and our adventure began!

We got together with the Doctor's father's extended family for a Christmas dinner- I didn't take great photos there either. BUT-- I caught Feta hamming it up with our sweet Cousie E and Aunt Amanda and Grandma Jen.