Friday, August 31, 2007

Let it Dangle

Well, we've lived here in Reno, Nevada, for one year now and I have to admit I've had to adjust to a few things. Making new friends was just one of them! One of the friends that I made shortly after we moved here is a fabulous gal named Jill. I just love this girl! She is totally cute and has a great sense of style. You really should see her house. I've "hired" her to be my interior decorator since we've been here a year and still have white walls, no furniture, and minimal decor. I'm planning on paying her in babysitting hours.

Jill's the type of person that can do it all. Not only is she extremely talented and has a great personality, but she has FOUR LITTLE BOYS...ages FOUR and UNDER. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed by my three, I think of her with her four and keep on going. She inspires me. Here she is with her classy self.
Isn't she just the cutest? I know you're all wishing she was your friend too. Sorry! But I will share a tidbit of wisdom that she gave to me. It's all about the DANGLY EARRINGS. Check these things out!

I'm not much of an accessories or jewelry person, so I was sceptical of this at first. But Jill told me that by wearing dangly earrings you can feel beautiful no matter what. You can be wearing your grubbiest mom clothes with spit up down the front and still feel cute when you feel those earrings sway a bit. I can attest that a simple set of earrings that dangle can work wonders. Give it a try...your husband might even notice!

Now remember, just because a pair of earrings may be big and dangly does not mean they belong in your lobes. Please use good judgment. There is a fine line between cute and gaudy. I personally wear a small dangling pearl pair almost every day and they really add the little something I need. Word of caution, wear dangly earrings at your own risk, especially with young children around. Jill and I will not be held liable for any injuries that may occur.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Good Start

Jacob woke up this morning while I was getting ready for the day. He came in really excited and said, "Mom, look what I made for you!" Not quite sure I wanted to turn around and see, I mustered up the courage to look. He was trying his best to hold down his middle and ring fingers...saying "I Love You" in sign language. I was touched by such a sweet gesture and relieved it wasn't something messy. What a great way to start the day!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Hooray for Play Day!

On Wednesdays we go to play group. Today we played at the park for an hour and then read books at the library for an hour. There were seven moms that showed up today, (Shelley, Jill, Angie, Janna, Maria, Stephanie, and me) giving us 13 kids. What a success! Sometimes it's only me...

I would have taken a picture but every time I tried to turn on the camera it would display "E18" What the heck does that mean? I mean really, if they can make a camera display numbers and letters, why can't the display tell you what is wrong in plain English? It's working okay now though. I guess it has a mind of its own.

And yes, my friend from Craig's List was one of the girls that came. It was nice to finally meet her. She seemed really nice and her little boy was really cute. Man, I love Craig's List. I even get my friends from there!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Mr. Squishy Face

I was taking pictures of Nathan up on my knees today....and he kept sliding down my legs. Lower and lower he slipped until we ended up with this!



Isn't it funny how squishy and mushy his face is? CHEESE!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Oh The Games We Play

Today was a game-filled day. First we played Hi Ho Cherry-O, which has become the boys' favorite. It's funny how competitive they are and we've really had to practice good sportsmanship. No matter who wins you have to give the winner a high-five and say "Congratulations!" It doesn't always go over well, but we're trying.


Next we played a game that all the boys could enjoy called "Roll the Ball to Nathan." Creative, I know, but all three of them had a blast, so what the hay.



Then for FHE we played yet another of Jacob's games. (He's really into making up games lately.) This game that he made up was a combination of Don't Eat Pete and a matching game. He told us that first one person had to hide "beneath" the piano. I told him there was no way I could fit beneath the piano so he changed the rules to "beside" the piano. Then the rest of the family would call the hiding person into the family room and the person that was hiding had to find a match on the gameboard that he drew...which were pairs of lightsabers.

I thought I had this game in the bag but when it was my turn to find a match (hello, they're drawn in pairs of two...how hard can this be?) I chose the purple pair and said, "Mace Windu and Mace Windu." He got a real sympathetic look on his face and said, "Sorry Mom, but that isn't Mace Windu. That's Darth Sidious and Darth Sidious." We died laughing! I'll have to try harder next time!

We're So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Willie made it back safe and sound from Alaska, and boy are we happy! Even Baby Nathan is happy. (No surprise there!) Pua and her family were sealed in the Anchorage temple on Saturday and thanks to Duke and Kathryn's airline points, Will was able to go and be with them. It was the first time in a long time that ALL seven siblings were together and I can tell he had a great time.




The boys were thrilled when he came in the door, especially because he had a suitcase of gifts for them from all the family. We're talking clothes, toys, candy treats, and even COOL Star Wars blankets (which they're sleeping with at this very moment). Thanks everybody!



I'm glad he's home too and not just because he takes out the trash. I am so thankful for a good husband and having him gone refreshed my memory of how great it is to have someone on your side working towards the same goals. Welcome home Willie!


Here's how glad Nathan is that his Dad is home!

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sunday Painting

You know it's been a good day at church if you see the paint! The boys' favorite Sunday activity is painting, so the paints come out only on Sundays and only if they have been excellent at church.

It wasn't an easy day at church today with Willie being gone but I did it (we were even on time) and the boys really were good.




Here is a showcase of the masterpieces created today.

First up we have Jacob working hard to produce pictures in his favorite theme...can you guess?

Star Wars!! Notice the strokes used to create such life-like lightsabers!


Next up is painter Joshua. (He was crying because I wouldn't let him sleep.) His work brings out deep emotion and color and he prefers to work in a different genre of painting than his older brother....


ABSTRACT ART! Move over, Picasso, Josh has a style all of his own.


These two brothers, working side by side, have created reams of paper worth of pure art! I only wish I had a refrigerator big enough to display it all!




Whatever will we do when we have another artist to add in the mix? For now I'm glad that Nathan's content to play on the floor while his brothers paint without him! But take a look at that face...I have a feeling fingerpainting is in the near future!

If you would like one of these special works of art, let us know and we will mail one your way!

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Here We Are


Here are my three darling little boys. Jacob is 4, Joshua is 3, and Nathan is almost 5 months! (This is an old picture...I'll work on getting a more recent one.)
I've decided there is nothing funnier than a little boy, so I do my share of laughing!