apple pickin'

This was from way back in September, but I though it was fun to compare McKay at age two with McKay at age seven in front of the apple tree at the state fair.  Kind of crazy that this kids is getting so old and tall!  Also, kind of fun to compare two year old Layla to two year old McKay.  And Elle is thrown in because she's cute.  

                                       2007                                                                       2012

smokey and sparkles

These two family members are getting bigger and smellier by the day.  Brian and I are completely regretting our decision regarding these little things, but the kids claim to be attached.  Meaning, when we threaten to get rid of them, they suddenly fall desperately in love with the guinea pigs and tears drip down their faces.

It was not a great decision, I'm the first to admit (especially since it was Brian's idea and fault).  If they weren't so scared of us and of being held then I might feel differently, but they run for cover whenever we walk by- well, at least Sparkles does.  I do find myself thinking about them as I cook and saving scraps for them like the pet store lady said to.  I just wish these kids actually played with them, but then can I blame them?  No, it's not that fun to play with a guinea pig.

thoughts on a sunday

• Elle lost a tooth this week!  She had loosened it, she says, by biting down on an orange seed last week.  We were all pretty surprised that it was already loose, but I thought it would be awhile before it came out.  McKay's teeth would sometimes be loose for months before they fell out.  So a few days ago when we sent her in to brush her teeth and heard a blood currdling scream coming from the bathroom, I did not think it was from her tooth.  Even when I saw that blood dripping out of her mouth and the panic in her great big eyes I didn't know what had happened.  Then I saw it.  A little, tiny, white thing in the sink.  Her tooth.  She had biten the cap of the toothpaste open, like she always does, and out came her tooth and in came the blood!  We were all surprised, but no one more than Ellery.  She cried for several minutes just from the shock of it all, before calming down.  Knowing that the tooth fairy would be coming helped.  

• The tooth fairy did come.  It was funny, in the morning Ellery brought in her tic tacs and dollar and the little tissue that her tooth had been wrapped up in!  I was worried that the tooth fairy had forgotten to take her tooth, but Ellery reported that she took the tooth and left the tissue.  Then I vacuumed the floor, you know, just because.

• Ellery has been doing this thing where she loves to sneak around and hide.  I'll be getting ready in my room and she will zoom in and dive behind the bed, hoping that I didn't see her.  Usually I pretend not to, and she continues to zoom and dive to different locations around me.  Then I'll look at her and scream like she's surprised me and she thinks she's so sneaky.  Almost a daily thing, this little routine.

• If you know us at all, you know that our kids are notorious for not playing well on their own.  This week we had some major improvements in this area.  Farm was a big hit one afternoon, as well as a Where the Red Fern Grows inspired homemade horse-drawn carriage.  This makes me so happy.

• I got a new calling.  The bishop asked to come over to our house and since we had both just gotten callings in the last month, we had no idea why he was coming.  Well, turns out they didn't want me in primary after all.  I am now the beehive advisor.  I'm excited, but there are so many of them!  Like twenty I think.  There are three teachers, so I don't teach every week, which is nice.  

• The other day I was grocery shopping with Layla.  She's funny, she kind of gets in her own world as far as volume goes, and she gets lost in her own voice.  This particular shopping trip was such a time for her.  She got stuck on Do You Know the Muffin Man and was singing it. . .no. . .yelling it at the top of her lungs all throughout Walmart.  People were staring, laughing, smiling.  Heads were turning down every aisle.  She just gets lost in the music and lets loose!  It's cutely embarrassing.  

• During this trip she also started playing echo with another baby shopper.  She would make a noise, then he would copy, then she would make a different noise, then he would copy, and so on...

• Layla discovered that she could fit into this little doll crib.  I think maybe she spent an hour in there being a baby.  She even found a souci and was so proud of herself for turing into a baby.

• McKay got his first spelling words last week.  At and the.  I don't know why I think that is so fantastic, but I do.  He got 100% on his spelling test!

• I don't know if you knew that you were reading the blog of a famous family, but you surely are.  Today in Stake Conference, McKay and Ellery were mentioned for all of Utah county to hear.  Adele works out with Sister Reynolds, who spoke in conference today, and had told her this little story- when McKay and Elle put their hands on their hearts when we were passing the temple.  I can't believe that I chose that moment to take a restless Layla out to get a drink, but I missed it!  Brian said that after she told the story, McKay leaned over to him and said, "Is she talking about me???"  I wanted to get up after her talk and tell everyone in the stake center that she was talking about my kids- we were right there, sitting among them!- but I decided not to.  

• McKay stayed up until midnight last night to watch the BYU/Utah game with Brian at the Bott's.  We decided not to get cable in our new house, for many reasons, and I am totally happy with the choice.  Brian has been too. . .except for lately.  It's hard to not have cable when you're a football fan.  But it's only hard in the Fall.  He'll soon forget and be happy again.  

• It was mix match day at Ellery's preschool on Friday.  I have never seen a child more excited about something so small before.  It was so cute.  I am really happy that she is in preschool.  It is SO great for her.  My sister and I were talking the other day about how great preschool is.  A lot of people don't think it's necessary, and it's not I guess, but I absolutely love how much fun it is for my kids and I think there are a lot of important things gained from preschool- social skills, preparation, routine, independence, confidence.  Besides that, its pure fun.  There is no pressure to learn to read or write or add.  It's just friends and play and fun-learning!  I am a fan of preschool and so happy for my preschool-girl! I think it will be a great year for her.  

• We went to the school carnival on Friday.  Basically, the kids ate pizza, spent all their tickets on face-painting and colored hair spraying, and a few trips on the bouncy house thingys.  They loved it.  

• After that they got to have a sleep over at Grandma's- just because she wanted to.  They of course loved that.  Brian and I loved it to.  We got to go out to eat and to a movie- which is rare around here.  It was a nice break, and nice to miss them.  Sometimes I want so bad to have some time in my house alone to get things done and just have some time to myself, but when they were really gone, I found  myself missing them.  

• McKay started piano lessons this week.  He was so excited to be super busy like aunt Marilyn.  I stayed for his first lesson and it was cute to watch.  He got a million skittles, so he thought it was pretty great.  

• We hate our Guinea pigs.  Do you want them?  Actually, I don't hate them, it's just that I hate having Guinea pigs.  As predicted, our kids have lost interest, except when we threaten to get rid of them.  They are getting bigger, and Sparkles is so scared of us that she runs and hides when we just walk by the room.  Also, she is much bigger than Smokey, so I think that she is being a bully and hogging the food- and let me tell you, they eat a TON of food.  So I'm annoyed as Sparkles, and annoyed at Guinea pigs in general.  That's all.

Happy Sunday!

visitors

It was hard to say goodbye to Oregon.  There are times when I still miss it.  Every time it rains or is cloudy my mind goes back there.  I wonder if that will always happen.  What is great about moving to Utah, is that most people in our ward back in Oregon come to Utah every summer.  So that means we get to see them!  

There was a two week period where I saw four of my good friends from Oregon.  It was the best!

The Thompsons came to visit and actually stayed at our house for a couple days.  Our twin family (except Starr is pregnant- so not for long)  

We went on a little hike, ate at Costa Vida and had shaved ice, plus did all the festive things on the Fourth of July. The kids had so much fun together and it made me sad that they all just can't play anytime they want like they used to.  

I sure miss them and was so glad they came to visit.  Starr is one of my very best friends and I hope to be the one visiting next time!

Right after Starr left, we got to hang out with the Hendrickson girls for a little bit at Thanksgiving Point.  

Katie is such an amazing person and we talked about how we both wish we had had more time living by each other because it just wasn't long enough!  She is such a sweetheart and such a good mom.

The kids of course were in heaven playing with Taylor, Halle, Kenzie and Evelyn.  I love that they have four girls- it reminds me of my family.  The kids just went right back to being friends like no time had passed at all.  I love friends like that.

Not long after that the McRae's came by for an afternoon.  I was so glad that Deanna made time in her trip to see us.  She is just one of my favorite Oregon friends and David and McKay were glad to be reunited for a bit too.  What a great family!

Even though they aren't from Oregon, I was also thrilled to see these girls the next day!

Katie was here from Newfoundland and Molly came down from Kayesville.  We had lunch at my house and the kids ran around playing in the pools and slip n' slide.  It was so great to be able to chat for awhile with these friends that I've had forever (missed you Kris!).  I love them.

  

Halle and Ellery, the only girls, got slayed by this big group of boys.  My dramatic girl was all over this game.  

So grateful for such good, sweet friends in my life.  What a great couple weeks we had!

favorites from the fair

We hit the Utah State Fair with the Allreds and Roylances this year and it was a blast!  We enjoyed a picnic dinner, a high dive show, the lemurs, the smelly animals, the kid farm, a bit of the rodeo, fried green jello and of course the big yellow slide.  In fact, looking at the pictures of us at the bottom of the big yellow slide makes me smile because of the huge smiles on all our faces.  It was a great year at the fair and we're glad to be back to enjoy one of our Utah favorites!

my preschooler

This four year old started preschool!

She is super excited to be going to school.

Miss Melva is her teacher.

She wasn't afraid to go at all- just pure excited.

Making friends already, although she can't remember any of their names.

So excited for this girl- I think it's going to be a great year for her!

thoughts on a sunday

• Brian's parents are building a cabin at Thunder Mountain (aka: the land) and my boys have been up there helping for the last several Saturdays.  We all went up yesterday and it was amazing to see the progress they've made.  Last time I was up there it was a big hole in the ground, now it's like a real cabin.  It's exciting.  I am happy that Brian and McKay (and even us girls too) have the opportunity to help.  I want them to be a part of it because I know it is and will be very meaningful to them.  Brian was saying at dinner how McKay will be able to tell his kids that he helped build the cabin when he was seven years old.  I think that's pretty cool.  

• Ellery, McKay, Sharp and Silas spent most of yesterday playing outside.  They have a pretty awesome fort, and are always collecting weapons to carry around and really do nothing with.  But they keep collecting them!  Ellery and Silas were so cute- burying treasures they found, playing house (Layla got to be the clubhouse baby) and Ellery had about three secret hideouts, which just happened to be in plain sight.  It was fun watching them play and just have so much room to imagine.  

the mini cabin the kids and I built

• It was really muddy up there- we all had about an inch or two of mud on our shoes most of the the day.  We huddled in the cabin during an afternoon thunderstorm (there WAS lightening in the meadow) and the kids kept busy by organizing all the construction stuff on the top floor.  Layla napped in scamp, which she calls the little house.  I was happy for her nap because the whole first part of the day she literally could not be close enough to me.  She was like climbing up my body, maybe wanting to sit on my head?  I don't know.  The nap was nice.

• On the way home dropped Sharp and Silas off and we got to stop and see sweet little Afton.  Even though we were so dirty, Jenn let all of us hold her.  I really loved snuggling that little one. She's really cute.  

• We have another cute baby in the family this week.  Missy and Ken had Iris on Thursday.  I don't know when we'll get to meet her, but the pictures I've seen so far are adorable.  (move back!)

• Okay, I got sidetracked by cute babies.  So when the kids and I finally got home there was a major hail storm.  It was so noisy and even though I wanted to give the kids a quick bath and put them to bed, I decided that since a hail storm is somewhat unique, we'd explore a little bit.  McKay, Elle and I dared each other to stand out in the extreme hail and the kids had fun collecting it to show Brian later.  We were shocked to see marble-sized hail!  I have never seen it that big before.  One of my primary girls said that the windshield in their car got cracked from it.  Crazy!

• Ellery has had a bit of a rough week in terms of being a good big sister.  TThis week there were a lot of moments where Layla was screaming because Ellery was trying to manipulate it in some weird way, or hitting her or stepping on her.  She is usually pretty sweet to her baby sis, but she is going through something right now.  

• Ellery is funny when she gets in trouble.  Today she was in a time out (for not doing her part of cleaning up the toys) and she yelled through the door, "Dad!  You should open this door because I'm going to punch you in the face when you do!"  It's horrible. . .but still funny.  Elle's got a definite weakness when it comes to cleaning.  Threats are a strong point.  

• The girls got a haircut this week from Rylee.  Hard to believe we took almost four inches off of Elle's hair (I believe there is such a thing as too long- we could have cut even more) and Layla got another cute a-line.  Brian, of course is not happy that I cut it short again, but we didn't let that sway us.  I know it's cute.

• McKay had another good week at school.  I went to his back-to-school night and met with his teacher.  She seems really great and was glad to get to know her better and get a clear picture of her teaching style and what the year will be like for McKay.  She told me he is completely happy at his table of girls and hasn't said a word about it.  

• I have some mixed feelings about him in school, I've said that before.  This first grade year just seems like such a big deal.  A big change.  I drop my boy off at school and he just walks away and is gone for six hours.  What is he doing all that time?  What conversations is he having?  Are people being nice?  Is he being nice?  Is he making friends?  Is he even eating anything for lunch?  I don't really know the answers to any of these questions and that is hard.  It's hard to go from being involved in practically everything that happens to him, to practically nothing.  It's hard to turn your first baby over to school.  

• I don't think Ellery is a big fan of her brother being gone all day at school.  She has been in a bit of a depression the last couple weeks, in that she kind of just follows me around and doesn't really know what to do with herself.  I hope we can change that.  She starts preschool this week, as well as a little neighborhood dance class, so I hope those things will help.  I know they will be good for her.

• Layla went to nursery today.  Brian joined her for the first hour, and he snuck out for the second. I heard her multiple times down the hall, but by the time I picked her up they were blowing bubbles and she did not want to leave.  She cried and screamed about leaving, go figure.  Her nursery teachers were confused.  

• Brian said he overheard them commenting on the volume of her voice- her happy voice, not screaming voice.  She can be quite loud when she is absentmindedly talking or singing to herself.  Pretty much every day she stands on the little step by the family room and sings at the top of her lungs like no one else is watching.  

• Another cute thing she's been doing is playing girls with Ellery.  Today Sleeping Beauty was flying around the room yelling, "I can fly!  I can fly!"  I also love how Layla's girls will say, "Hello.  How are you today?  Bye bye."  Those few sentences are about all Sleeping Beauty said today.

• Jana and I went to Swiss Days on Friday.  It was really fun to be out with just her all day.  My mom and dad were sweet to watch all four of our kids.  My girls were happy with that because they've been asking when they can go to Grammy's house.  Jana and I didn't buy much (I got a couple bows and arrows for the kids for Christmas, Jana a reusable swim diaper) but we still had fun.  Definitely never going to Swiss Days with children in tow.  Never. 

Walking to church.  I kind of like all of them, a lot.

Happy Sunday!

from the cleaning lady

One of the biggest struggles I've had since moving into our new house has been keeping it clean.  Our toilets are often growing things, and most days I am disgusted by the amount that I sweep off our kitchen floor. . .that is, the days that I sweep it.

You see, this house is close to three times bigger than our last house.  It's not a huge house, we just came from a small one.  So now instead of two and a half baths to clean, I have four.  And now I have a two car garage floor to keep clear of our shoe explosion and piles of "stuff" that accumulates.  And instead of a six by ten space of tile floor to clean, I have a sprawling, shiny, show-every-speck wood floor that covers over half of the main floor.

Wait.  Before you start thinking I'm complaining about such a horrible problem as a bigger house, let me tell you why I've been struggling with it.  But first, let me just get it out in the open that I love my house.  I am so grateful for all this space.  I have dreamt of this house for many years and I am very happy to be here.  The reason why it's been so hard for me is because I feel like I have been swallowed up in keeping a house clean.  Sometimes I feel like my job- what I do for a living- is cleaning a house.

I know that isn't my job.  I know I have a far more important job to do every second of every day.  But that is not as tangible as house cleaning.  I have just felt lost in my responsibilities of making a home. . .you know, being a homemaker.  I have been struggling with this pretty much all summer.  I feel like I'm never on top of it.  No matter how hard or fast or good I clean something, it will just have to be done again.  Over and over again.  I have never been one to hate cleaning.  If I have the time for it, I enjoy it.  There is nothing I like better than living in a clean house.  But the mundane, tired, repetitious tasks that I have as the mother of this home have been bringing me down.

As I'm writing this I am feeling a little embarrassed that keeping up with housework has become such a big deal to me.  Like, I'm writing a whole post on my blog about it. . . I also realize that this whole cleaning thing could just be something to signify how I'm feeling in general.  I can't imagine I'm the only woman in the world who feels like scrubbing a bathtub, wiping a bum, and making peanut butter and jelly are not tasks that make me feel fulfilled all the time.

Anyway, I've talked with Brian about my woes.  I've prayed about them.  I've thought a lot about what is wrong with me.  And I've come to a conclusion.  It's my attitude.

It's been a long time since I've written something that's not about what we did or thoughts on my kids.  Writing feels so good to me and I haven't had much inspiration lately.  For a long time really.  But maybe that needs to change.  If it's something that gives me a voice all by myself- not as mom, or wife or cleaning lady- but as Sarah, then maybe I should be doing it more.  And maybe if I do, the inspiration will start flowing again.

Here's to hoping I can change my attitude about cleaning, and start writing- really writing- more.