Did we survive the summer?

Umm, just barely. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

But I'll back up a bit. Allison brought Jeremiah and Eliza at the end of July for some much needed family visiting.

We had fun reading silly books . . .

more fun at the sprinkler park . . .

fun eating eating popsicles . . .

and even more fun playing dress-ups.

We love having family come visit! Thanks for making the treck on your own Allison -- soggy car seat and all!

We managed to squeeze Brandon's birthday in for a bit more fun before packing up.

This, by the way, was a fabulous Reeses Peanutbutter Cup cheese cake. Oh yeah. It was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. But, ah, I didn't realize we were down to one candle. At least he didn't have to blow out a match.


The rest of the month was a blur of packing, only to be interupted with Tanner coming down with croup 3 days before the move. I spent the night before loading up the truck with Tanner in the hospital (next door to the crazy man yelling about his "sever pain" and his "need" for morphine) so he could get a breathing treatment. Hailey came down with it the next day, but didn't get nearly as sick. But needless to say, all the babysitting I had arranged for the last couple days had to be canceled. I only survived with the help of the Relief Society; a.k.a. my really good friends.

The morning of the move Hailey disappeared for a while. We found her in her room for one last snuggle there with her blanky. It was pretty bitter-sweet. It's been hard to leave our home and ward there.

We broke up our drive out to Utah by going up to Navoo (but our car decided to take a break in Missouri so we could meet a nice mechanic who gave us some gospel cd's). Brandon and I traded off so we could both go to a temple session while we were there. It was a nice break.

Then back on the road . . .

I brought some sliced cheese for Tanner to eat on the trip. The cooler was right next to him and apparently I hadn't put it away very well one time. I turned around to see him chowin' down on about 5 slices of cheese. He was pretty pleased with himself and I couldn't stop laughing!

We made it to Denver to see Grammie Sherri and take a much need break from being in the car.

I don't know, do you think he was a little worn out? I know I was.

But here we are in Utah at last! The weather has been great and the leaves are changing. We went up to "walk on the Utah mountains," as Hailey puts it, this past week. It was just gorgeous! I didn't realize just how much I missed this kind of nature. Wow!

So we are done with the "school" portion of optometry school in Memphis. Brandon is here for 2 externships, equaling 8 months until graduation. We're staying with my parents in Bluffdale, who just moved back to Utah also. It's great to be so close to family and see extended family that we haven't seen in years; some since our wedding. Which reminds me, we just celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary last month.

And to top it all off, BYU is having a great season and we can watch it all on my partents wide screen, HDtv. What more could we ask for? (Well, I guess a decent job opportunity for Brandon would be nice too.)

Fun in the Sun!

Just like last year, we decided to go to the sprinkler park on the 4th of July. It's fun to go in the morning because we practically have the place to ourselves! And there's enough heat in these Memphis summers that starting early is quite nice. Tanner thought that the sprinkler park was great! He was fearless!

Hailey loved to bask in the puddles -- how refreshing.

Tanner would scream for joy at just seeing the water splash.

Tanner is getting good with the two-way communication. He can answer "jesh" (though sometimes he shakes his head back and forth when he says it; we think he thinks he's nodding). He is now taking to the baby signing really well. It's so great. He loves to bang, clap, throw and he loves to dance! He spins in a circle, bounces up and down, and claps when he hears music playing. Hailey loves to jump right in with him. Sometimes she wants him to dance with her like a prince, but he's not into that kind of dancing. Sorry Hailey. Hailey's bed is low enough that Tanner has figured out how to climb on all by himself. Bouncing on the bed together is a new favorite game of theirs. It's not one of my favorites.

Yesterday Hailey told me, "Mom, when I'm kind, I'm walking in the light!" Wow -- she's getting it! That's a good feeling.

Walkin'

Tanner is walking! He's almost to the point of doing it all the time, but crawling is still more effective. It's the catch 22 of parenting: excited to see him progress and accomplish something that he has been working so hard at, but apprehensive knowing all the trouble that is on the way!

Tag

Looks like I’ve been tagged by Brooke, so here’s a little glimpse into my life:

20 years ago:

I would have been five and getting ready for kindergarten. I looked back in my photo album and saw pictures of me sleeping with a “My Little Pony.” How I loved “My Little Ponies” . . . and “Rainbow Bright” . . . and “Shera.” I played with Kim Clark a lot those days. One day we were playing “Shera” and I was lucky enough play the part of Shera because I had the right color hair, while Kim got to be my horse. (Yes, I was blond then.) We were outside on a warm day and decided to get a drink from the hose. Being Shera, I announced what I was doing the way any Shera would; with the hose in hand I sang out clear and strong, “Shera – getting a drink!” Little did I know, that one of my older siblings was watching me and I was teased about it for years to come.

10 years ago:

‘98 was my last year in middle school. I loved theatre and played the most fun female role in the school play. I was “Trixy Luchito” with big hair, big nails, big heels, lots of leopard print and a thick New York accent. Not only was the role lots of fun to play, but I was amazed by how entertaining I actually was to everyone else! After three years of “middle school abuse,” being in the play and getting all the feed back I did, was a huge boost for self-confidence. It was a good note to end on and head on into high school. 15 was my last year of braces, my last year without a driver’s license, and my last year before dating. There was a lot to look forward to.

5 years ago:

Brandon and I were almost engaged. He proposed five years ago this month just before moving to Denver for the rest of the summer while I stayed in Rexburg for the second summer semester. When we weren’t in class or studying together in the library, (which was typically unproductive) then we were enjoying the warm summer evenings outside. After enduring two months of separation, going through a ridiculous amount of cell phone minutes and calling cards, and one short visit together halfway through, we were finally married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 6, 2003. And married-life has never been better!

3 years ago:

Hailey had just turned one. We were eagerly anticipating our move to Memphis for Brandon to attend optometry school. We were buying our first home that I am sad to be leaving in a few short months.

1 year ago:

Tanner was one month old and we were all adjusting to life with two kids. Hailey has been a remarkably good big sister. I’m grateful every day to have her as my little helper and to have Tanner around making us laugh!

Today:

I mopped. Hailey spilled yogurt on the clean floor followed by Tanner throwing cheese and rice on the clean floor. We did sidewalk chalk on the back patio. Brandon was home by 6:10 and we’re all so glad when Daddy comes home!

Tomorrow:

We might go to the church in the morning to do Pilates with other women from the ward while all the kids play. I have a Medicaid appointment in the afternoon. Love the help, hate the process of getting it. Thank heavens that one day we will be paying back into the system rather than needing it. And thank heavens for good friends to watch my kids while I go to that part of town!

This year:

I’m sad to be leaving the friends we’ve made here, and our little home that we’ve watched Hailey and Tanner grow big in. But, I have no problem leaving the city of Memphis. We’re looking forward to finishing Brandon’s final year school by fulfilling his externships in Utah close to family. Finding a place to practice and put down roots less than a year from now is really scary and exciting. Lots of changes. Lots of uncertainty. Should be a good one. I’m nervous.

**I tag Natalie and Carrie**

Super Birthday!

Hailey had a "Super Why" birthday party this year. For those of you who are not familiar with "Super Why" and the Super Readers, here they are:They are kid super-heros that go on reading adventures to save the day. As you can see they were very clever with their marketing strategy and covered the spectrum of kid's intrests. But our Super party was hosted by Princess Presto (far right), Hailey's favorite. Everyone came wearing capes, we made masks, and the girls even pulled out Hailey's dress-ups so they all could be Princess Presto. The boys loved the capes and masks! One of the boy's mom called me at 8:30 that night to tell me that he wore his mask and cape all day and would only respond to "Super Jake" or "Super Why." I know that the party was a hit for at lease one kid!

It is difficult being Princess Presto with all the extra paraphernalia: dress, vail, crown, mask, cape. It's amazing it lasted as long as it did.

Hailey requested a pink cake with the Super Readers on top. So that's what she got. Not the most amazing cake out there, but she was happy. It was even her idea to print the pictures of the Super Reader for the top of the cake; after finally convincing her that there are no "Super Why" toys anywhere that we could buy.

(Side note: Notice the pink line running across her forhead? Yeah, that's from the mask -- sorry parents.)

But THEN, after Brandon came home, Hailey got to open her family presents and this was the highlight of the day. We found this Cinderella doll on clearance at the Disney store for about $5. The only sad thing about it was she had had her eye on the Sleeping Beauty doll the day before the sale, but when we went back for it all the Sleeping Beauty dolls were gone. I was so disappointed! Hailey was thrilled when she opened Cinderella for her birthday and then turned to me and sweetly said, "But you feel bad that it's not Sleeping Beauty instead, huh. Because she's my favorite."

She has still enjoyed Cinderella thoroughly though! She dances with her, and sleeps with her and brings her in the car and everywhere she can. I think I'm mostly over not getting Sleeping Beauty. I'm sure I'll recover soon.

It's a good thing that we saved that doll for the end of the day because nothing else would have been able to live up to it. We found a scooter for her second hand that we thought would be a hit, but she hardly paid attention to it that night. She got excited about it the next day though! She feels so big being 4 and riding her scooter around! She is so big! We can hardly believe it!

Here is a cute picture of Tanner! He loves being outside. It won't be long and he will be zipping right along side Hailey on a scooter of his own! As you can see by the cracker crumbs on his face and shirt, its not worth going outside for a stroll with out a snack.

Blocks and Buzz-Cuts

We spent Memorial Day weekend at home and ended up having a lot of fun! Hailey asked if she could have a puppy and sadly the answer was no.




So we made a lego puppy instead. In my opinion, it is better than the real thing. (For now, anyway.)



Then we made a to scale model of a Nephite temple . . . complete with helocopter propellers.




As you might imagine, Tanner was a great helper.

Brandon and Tanner got buzz-cuts for the summer. I didn't think I would miss Tanner's long baby hair, but I have to admit that I'm surprised to see how much he looks like a little trouble-maker now. He's getting so big and getting into everything lately, but he's so stinking cute while he's getting into trouble! It's hard not to smile at him when he's grinning at me while he knows that he's doing something wrong. Lil' stinker.

Tanner is really big into figuring out how things fit together. He loves his shape sorter box. He will grab it, crawl to find me and then hold it up and grunt, "uhg! ugh!" He loves figuring out how the mega blocks fit together and then come apart again. He's figured out the magic of taking pen lids off. He found the vasaline on the floor the other day and got the lid off; that was a fun mess. He loves putting whatever he can find in the bathtub or toilet. And Tanner doesnt' like to put things away, but he loves to slam them away! (looks like he might have a promising future as a slam dunk champion) He'll throw the blocks or toys into their container with full force, and he is so pleased with himself doing it. Brandon recently taught Tanner about high-fives and it became an instant favorite. The following day when Brandon came home from clinic, he picked Tanner up and Tanner instantly put up his hand to give his Dad a big high-five!

We have a few more soccer pics to add just because they are so cute!

This is Hyrum . . . the "fiance." : )

Hyrum loves Hailey.

And this, in a nut shell, is how Hailey feels about soccer. No really, she made up this pose on her own. Yeah, we're in for trouble.

Soccer and Mom, but not a soccer-mom.

Soccer! What a funny game for 3 and 4 year olds! We signed Hailey up to play with some friends from the ward this spring. The first practice Hailey refused to participate. But THEN, I picked up some soccer cleats and shin-pads at a consignment sale. All she needed was the right accesories because then she was all about soccer! Well . . . or just all about getting onto the field and picking flowers . . . and then chasing her little friend yelling, "Hyrum! Marry me Hyrum! Marry me!"


But on this "lovely" day none of the kids wanted to get on the field. Don't be fooled by the clear blue sky, it was about 50 degrees and blowing like crazy that day. I brought a blanket to wrap around Hailey on the side lines and by the end of the game, she and two other kids were curled up in little mounds underneath the blanket on the ground and refused to play any more.






Then she got Daddy's sweatshirt. That worked for a bit.

This was Hailey's last game. I think she kick the ball three whole times! That's a big game for Hailey. But her favorite things about soccer are: putting her hand in the team circle and shouting "Gooooo SHOCKERS!" (just like "Super Why"), running throught the tunnel that the parents make with their arms at the end of the game, and, of course, the treat and drink at the end.

A highly motivated player.

Notice all the "3"s? Can you guess what everyone's favorite number is?

We love our star player's quality warm ups, enthusiastic jumping-jacks included.


My birthday seemed to last a whole week this year. We celebrated my birthday the first weekend in May, then Brandon had that following week off of school, which finished off with Mother's Day. I got special treatment for the full week! Poor Brandon, he feels the pressure at the begining of May.

Tanner's first birthday was the day after Mother's day. Yippy! He's a mischevious little guy. Not walking yet, but getting close. He likes to get into trouble and make it a game. He loves to chase his big sister and try doing/taking whatever she is doing. Hailey loves the attention and having a playmate . . . she also loves to tattle, scold, and get Tanner into trouble when ever possible. I never expected having two little ferocious redheads to tame, but I wouldn't change them for the world!

And Tanner likes the fan.

p.s. I HATE the way blogger doesn't allow you to control the way the pictures and text actually post! Arrgh!