how do dinosaurs...

This is definitely a favorite at our house. I think I have this one memorized as well. Truly, I love all the "How Do Dinosaurs..." books but this is at the top. Very cute and creative. Only if it were so easy to tuck kids in bed!

snl weekly

This is a commercial parody from SNL but it is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!! Who says moms can't look good after having kids?

the germans are coming

I love playing games. When I was a kid, my brother and I could stay up for hours playing Monopoly. Most of the time, when we didn't finish the game, we would leave it out and the game would last a couple of days. Then came along Phase 10, which turned into a family reunion tradition (I have no doubt that other families share that tradition as well) and Skip-Bo. My mom LOVED playing Skip-Bo because she could pretty much rake me over the coals with that game. BUT the world of gaming has done a 180 since we were introduced to German board games. Right after we were married, way back in 2001 (yeah, truly...we are old!), we were introduced to The Settlers of Catan:For those of you who have not yet been introduced to this trading and building board game, beware! I have heard it referred to as The Settlers of Satan. This game has the power to turn old friends into new enemies, and from sisters to your worst nightmare. I won't even get started on how many additions there are to this game. A new leaf has been turned and Zug-Um-Zug is now the "it" German board game or better known as Ticket to Ride:There are a few different versions of this game as well. There is the Europe one, America, Germany and also a Switzerland addition. This is a game of taking over the board, from one city to another, with your little colored train pieces. One has to pick a route and try to achieve it without being cut off by another or running out of pieces. Has anyone else been sucked in by the Germans? They put an addictive chemical in these games so you crave it fort-nightly. ;)

apple blossoms

Now I'm just having too much fun with my new camera. These are some pics of the apple blossoms on our tree. I love the contrast between the delicate pink and the vibrant green of the leaves. Too. Much. Fun.

lilacs

One of the reasons why I love this time of year are the lilacs. They are in full bloom right now and I am loving it! They just smell so, so good. Here are a few pictures of the ones in our yard:

Can you smell it? So fragrant!!

phil and ted's

I had previously posted about the new stroller I got. But I have failed to post pics of the kids riding in it. Here is Naomi getting strapped in.

Both kids ready to go.
I'm really glad I bought this cover. It keeps the sun and wind out of their faces. This stroller has to be the best purchase I have made this year! The front swivel wheel is a must and instead of being a double-wide, it is a double-long. Essential especially when passing other pedestrians on the sidewalk or when wheeling around the clothes rack at the mall.

horror of pop culture

Today I had the chance to view the new Indiana Jones movie. It is definitely enjoyable; full of the same old tricks, one-liners and Indy moments. No one else could've filled Harrison Ford's shoes in this role that he carved out for himself.

BUT I couldn't help notice all the kids in attendance as well. This movie is rated PG-13 and there were definitely kids younger than 13 there. I am not one of those parents who jumps on a soapbox and rants and raves about how to BE a good parent. I just want to point out how many kids were there and how many were crying and therefore, had to be taken out. You know Indiana Jones movies are not for the faint-of-heart. Think back to Raiders of the Lost Ark (if you can think back that far). At the end, everyone who looked at the open ark melted, for heaven's sake! In The Temple of Doom a man's heart gets ripped out with another's bare hands. Don't you think that this movie would be even more intense? I am one who had nightmares after seeing Gremlins and Thriller (Michael Jackson is pretty scary)!!

It brought to mind an article Stephen King wrote back in 2004 when The Passion of the Christ was released. He had gone to see the movie and couldn't help notice the children in the audience; more specifically a little girl. He makes a good point regarding the violence seen in the movie through an adult's eyes compared to a child's. I know Indiana Jones and The Passion of the Christ are very different types of movies. But he does make a good point. I would love to know your thoughts.

thank heavens for fertile ovaries

shot hoops

Mason loves shooting hoops or "shot hoops", as he calls it. Here are some pictures of him doing his favorite thing with pop Gary.

Mason is actually really good at playing basketball. The other day he was in the kitchen dribbling and we had never taught him that. He's our little athlete.

snl weekly

If you love The Office, you will love this SNL clip for the week. Ricky Gervais shares where he got his inspiration for creating The Office. So perfect and right on.

all is right with the world

Finally! A regular sized girl won the title of America's Next Top Model (ANTM). I got a little nervous there at the end because Anya was a fierce competitor. But I was elated when Whitney was given the crown. Way to go, girl! This definitely proves that even though you are not a size 2, 6 or an 8, doesn't mean you are not intelligent, gorgeous and ambitious. Thank you for finally seeing the light! Can't wait for the next season. :)

new toy

On Friday Dan came home from work with this:

It is a Razor scooter that is battery operated. Talk about lazy, people! Dan won it at work. We have had so much fun riding it around our neighborhood. Here is a picture of my dad testing it out:

He was zooming pretty fast down the street.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? To be honest, I was pretty surprised he hopped right on and went for a spin. My dad is awesome.

Now, if I can just convince Dan to ride it to work, we can save loads on gas money!! ;)

one step ahead

I love this website! It has some of the most creative inventions for babies and kids. I flip through the website and magazine in awe. I find myself saying over and over, "Why didn't I think of that?" These puzzles were given to us when Mason was born.
This cute personalized step stool was also given to Mason after he was born.


Not only do they have cool toys, they have everything to keep your baby safe and healthy
but also comfortable while traveling and all the feeding supplies you'll ever need! We bought our Bumbo chair and tray from this website. How cute is this baby pool??

I am actually thinking this would be more fun for me than the kids. I can just picutre it: the kids are taking their afternoon nap and I'm outside on this pool mat, eating a popsicle and catching some rays. I'm sold!

panda cake

Here is another book from my collection. I actually had this one when I was a kid. My mom didn't want to give up her copy so she found one online and gave it to me when Mason was born. I love the cute rhyming story about a panda and his baby brother who are given money to go to the store to buy ingredients for a cake. But the big brother figures if they can find the ingredients for free, then he can use the money to go to the fair instead. Of course, this choice comes with a consequence. Rosalie creates a fun story and beautifully drawn black and white pictures. I actually think I could repeat the story verbatim from memory.

cousins

Recently my family had a little reunion. Here is a picture of my siblings and I with all our cousins. These are the cousins from my dad's side of the family. We have always been really close. I often share with people that my cousins are some of my bestest friends. The response I get from that remark is one of surprise. I find that others aren't as blessed to have such a family. We did take a serious picture but that is never as much fun. :)

snl weekly

I'm going old school for the second snl clip for this week. I'm sure everyone has seen this and repeated it a thousand times ("like butta"). But it is so good and so fun to watch again. Mike Meyers, Madonna, and Roseanne had great chemistry. The surprise guest at the end is even better. Enjoy.

trix are for kids

The other night I was sitting at the computer, which is right down the hall from Mason's room. In our efforts to appease his continuous nightly requests (i.e. drink, music, one more book, snacks) we had given him some Trix cereal in a ziploc bag. This had done the trick, kisses and hugs given for the last time and his door was closed. 5 minutes later I hear little Mason's diaper crinkling with every tip-toed step down the hall. Defeatedly, I slowly start to turn my chair around, awaiting Mason's arrival, when I hear, "Mom! Yook!"



Apparently, a slightly runny nose + trix cereal = pure entertainment.

snl weekly

Sorry about missing my SNL installment for last week. I'm thinking I will just have to make up for it by posting two. Here is the first. This is when Jonah Hill was the host. He plays a six year old who is comedically on fire. Enjoy.

call your mother

My sister T posted this on our family site. I love it so much, I want to post it here as well. Hope everyone had a great mother's day! I have to say how much I appreciate my mom. She is so thoughtful and always trying to do more. She has always looked out for my happiness and always wanted me to succeed. One of my favorite things that my mom would do is put notes in the most random places. I would find notes in my drawers or in my lunch that she had made for me. I loved opening up my lunch box and finding a cute note from my mom on top. I can just imagine how much fun she had with that and hoping it would make my day that much better. Well, it did and has still made my life better just knowing how much she loves me. Thanks mom! You're the best!

addicting

My sister has been bugging me to join Facebook. This last week I had enough of the "Hey, join facebook!" and "You have so many friends on facebook." and "Guess who's on facebook and who's not?" and "Look at these new pics! What? You're not on facebook?" So I finally took the time to sit down and join. For those who are not familiar with facebook, it is a social network to meet people (if you want), look for people (if they will let you) and see what is going on. Truly, it is just another way to keep in touch with everyone. It is addicting! It is fun to search and look for others who have taken the plunge. It isn't as user friendly as the blogging world is. Who else likes facebook?

bread and jam for frances

I loved this book so much when I was a kid that all I wanted to do was eat bread and jam. And jump rope. I did try doing both at the same time with disastrous results. Well, I didn't think it was too bad but my mom wasn't sharing the same wave length. Mason isn't at the age yet where he likes to sit still long enough for me to read this to him. I guess I don't have to use him as an excuse to read it! Wouldn't it be great to have daughters with the names Frances and Fanny Agnes?

presents

I have been thinking a lot lately about all the cool gifts I have been presented throughout my life. Since I have been alive 28 years, many sweet presents have come across these hands. I have decided to share with you some of these cool gifts. Maybe it will help give you some ideas for gifts in the future (not to me...to your friends...unless you insist). I will start with this sweet leather bookmark that my sis picked up for me in Liverpool. She knew of my love for the Beatles and also for reading. What a perfect way to incorporate both! I have had this for 10 years now and I doubt Boog has any idea how much I love it. Since I read a lot, I see it a lot and think, "This is the coolest!" Another installment to come. :)

st. george

I just returned from a wonderful weekend in St. George. I left Wednesday and got home late tonight. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Apparently, all of northern Utah got lots of clouds and rain while we enjoyed 80 degree sunshine. Sigh. Unfortunately, I do not have anything to prove I went on this trip. My camera had a great vacation from me. It sat on my kitchen table the whole weekend. All I have are my words and memories. Oh. Also, the receipts from shopping at the outlets. And the tanned skin. So I guess I do have some proof. We had a blast but I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.

goodnight opus

It is time to highlight another book from my collection. Goodnight Opus is the perfect bedtime story. As his grandma is reading him a bedtime story, Opus gets lost in the text and his imagination takes flight. He visits the milky way, the tooth fairy and does a swan dive with Abraham Lincoln at the mall. The illustrations and the story are very colorful, imaginative and fun. I also love that it rhymes. You will have to check it out.