The Three of Us

To be continued.

2010-06-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

Our life will be continued at The Hildoer Family Colorado Adventure.

Anthony and I will be getting married next Friday, June 11th!! No invitations have been sent out since we're not sure where were getting married and also we wanted to keep it extremely small. We will be sending out wedding announcements after we get married that will include our new address in Colorado.

A parade.

2010-02-25T20:03:00.000-08:00

This picture is from January 2009 from last years Children's Gasparilla parade. I thought it would be the perfect activity especially since it was at the height of Jackson's pirate fascination. It is nice because it is alcohol free, unlike THE Gasparilla Parade that his held a week later. The kids loved it. They loved all the pirates, the beads, and the ride in the wagon. I disliked it because of the massive crowds, the exuberant parking prices, the 3 mile walk to the actual parade site from parking, and finally getting there and not being able to see much of anything because the crowd is ten people thick. The kids had a great time and that is the most important thing and it made it all worth it. However, I was sure I would never go again. And then this year's parade came around. I knew it, and I knew I wasn't going. Then 2 hours before the parade, I get a call from one of my favorite people. She has four passes to the children's parade that she can't use. As flashes of last years event explode in my mind, I can't pass up a chance to give another reason why I'm the greatest mom (lol) for FREE. Free bleacher seats, that is. Free bleacher seats that are on the opposite side of the massive, pushy crowd. So I take the kids inside, pack up their pirate gear, and take off. We get the tickets, get a friend to come, too, and make our way to parking...ugh. We get there and after a few amazing miraculous events, we score free (not illegal) parking! And its less than a half a mile to the parade! We got to our seats right before it started and the kids were able to have an unobstructed view the whole parade and score a neck full of beads and a smashing boa. Now that's how to do it right! Thank you (times a million) to the Pack family and John for the redemption of the Children's Gasparilla Parade... I may plan on doing it next year.

Dinosaur World

2010-02-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

I've seen the sign. I've always been curious.

On Gasparilla Saturday, while everyone poured in to Tampa for the "Mardi Gras"-esque event, we headed out to that I4 exit and time traveled back 65 million years. We were pleasantly surprised.
Two main reasons why we went: Jackson loves dinosaurs and it beats all the other amusement parks in the area by half.
We started out just walking around the park. It has at least one hundred large life like dinosaur statues. Don't worry it's just a statue. Okay, so maybe they were life like but they were large like. Jackson pointed out that a lot of herbivores had sharp carnivore teeth - very unrealistic.

We found Lilly's dinosaur. They had a fossil dig, where the kids were able to dig in a pit for fifteen minutes and were able to keep 3 real, teensy, fossils. There was also a larger sand pit with a dinosaur skeleton underneath that we worked at uncovering for about a half hour. The last area we visited was the playground, and even though it was old, it was very large and the kids could've stayed and played another hour but then the rain came. Overall, we were there for a couple hours and had our moneys worth of fun. I highly recommend it if you have a child who is into dinosaurs and if you don't you should go there when your very bored, need to get out of the house and don't want to spend a lot of money.

Photog's

2010-02-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

I LOVE looking at pictures, particularly of people. It doesn't matter whether or not that I know them. If there is a photo album or scrapbook in my sight, I will ask to look through it.

I just recently found a photographer that I love. Her name is Rachel Thurston. Check out her website. I absolutely love Lisa and Rodney's wedding which was featured in Real Simple Weddings magazine. I actually found her by google-ing my friends trying to find their blog that I simple can't remember the name of. I never found their blog (Lisa if you read this, please email me your link) but I did find this talented photog.

So who's your favorite photographer? Or maybe you shouldn't tell me. I need to go to bed earlier.

A letter to me

2010-01-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

To Myself 4 Years Ago,

I know you think you may never want a girl because you love your little boy so much. And you don't know how you'll do her hair because you have and never will be good at doing your own hair. And you know how wonderful life was with older sisters which forces you to think- can a little girl really grow up normal without older sisters? I know you think having a second baby might not be the best idea right now when your stressed with so many other things that are happening in your life. But you will love her and love doing her hair and nails and you will see that an older brother can be patient (maybe not as patient) as a sister and this little girl will bring you and Jackson unbelievable happiness even during the toughest parts of your life.

Love,

Your Future Self

I have a blog?

2010-01-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

Let's see if I can start this back up again.

Check out this rockin' tower Jackson built at his preschool last week. Anthony says it displays "significant design strength" and I could hear Jackson saying the same thing. I stand by my "rockin tower".

Soccer

2009-06-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Jackson just finished up his first soccer season with his team the Cheetahs (yes, they were that fast). He had a great (meaning very patient) coach. I'm so impressed with these guys who spend their Saturdays coaching three and four year olds!
Jackson is a great soccer player! He hardly ever asked for break and stayed with the ball the whole game. He was a great defensive and offensive player and scored on average about one goal per game. I think I had just as much fun watching him play as he did playing. Jackson's favorite parts of soccer: putting his uniform on every week (especially his shin guards), scoring goals, and he LOVED getting a trophy at the end of the season.

My legs are gross

2009-05-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

I've tried a couple of new outdoor activities these past couple of months. New sport #1: Skim boarding. The point is to slide across the shore on a very thin wooden board. My Result: Never achieving any balance, falling off, and sliding over a layer of broken shells.

New sport #2: Mountain Biking...who says there are no hills in Florida?! A mountain bikercist (thats what they SHOULD be called) friend took me out near Brandon to a Bike Trail where we biked about 4 hours on crazy hills and ridges. I only fell about five times. My legs were pretty bruised up and I was left with this nice scratch...

Did I tell you?...

2009-04-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

Lilly turned 2...3 months ago.

Lilly is a talker just like her brother was/is. She loves pink and insists all girls love pink and boys love blue. She loves to take care of her baby dolls and at least once a day I catch her in the sink washing her hands. She also loves to swing on the big kid swings and go "super high". She loves to be spun around, thrown up to the sky and to be tickled. Lilly adores her big brother and will do anything to get his attention and will try to do anything and everything he does. Happy Birthday to our "Lilly Badilly", or as Papa likes to call her, "our little dikeeny (sp?) baby"!

Where have I been?

2009-04-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

It's been over 3 months since I last posted. Lame. I've been going to school and other time monopolizing things.

"Ya Know Why I'm Shivering?"

2008-12-30T05:34:00.001-08:00

My favorite part of December

2008-12-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

The first half of December

2008-12-29T10:31:00.000-08:00

I think it's all over. I'm hoping I never have to live through another month like it. Here's the first update:

Jackson had his school Christmas program. I was so proud of my "star". I love that he goes to a Christian based school and so they actually call it their Christmas program, not Winter or Holiday program. Looking back it was my favorite event of December.

We went to Utah for two reasons - 1) Kenny's wedding in Rexburg, ID and 2) The kids hadn't seen Jason in 7 months.
So we spent a weekend in Idaho for Kenny's wedding which was accompanied with mucho snow, actually blizzard conditions. I was able to go inside the temple for the sealing while Jason watched the kids. I was surprised by the temple's size - it was HUGE! I would love to go back there but it would have to be in the middle of summer.
The rest of the week the kids were able to bond with Jason. We went to the Dinosaur Museum, Jump On It, Temple Square, Ice Skating, Sledding ...the kids had a blast! We also got to spend an evening with our friends the White's. And oddly enough, while in Temple Square I ran into my friend, Ashli, who I knew from Florida and she's now living in Wisconsin but she was visiting family. And at the same time I ran into my best friend, Jami's, family. CRAZY!
Of course, there are many friends I wish I had more time to see but I'm sure we'll visit Utah again next year and this time I will definitely rent a car.

Prayers are answered

2008-12-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

I no longer have to push Jackson on the swing. This just happened days after his 4th birthday.

Scripture Time

2008-12-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

At night for scripture reading, I will read a few verses to the kids. Then I have Jackson read a verse by repeating what I say. Then Lilly gets a turn.

11/21 = Very Fun, Very Long Day

2008-11-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

Friday, aka Jackson's birthday, aka L and B's sealing, aka release of Twilight. I didn't think I could do it but it has been done. Starting at 7 am with this ...

Then we went to the "jumpy" place (i.e. big indoor inflatable moonwalk type apparatus's place) with cousins Tate and Tanner.

Lilly dominated at air hockey.Then headed to fancy McDonald's for lunch and a few presents.

From there I went to Orlando for L & B's wedding (sorry no pictures, yet). Drove home, wished Jackson another Happy Birthday, and put him to bed. Then off with friends to see Twilight, which was the worst movie I have ever seen...loved the books, not the movie. I went to bed around 2 am. Surprisingly, I wasn't too tired. It WAS long but it was very fun and even though it was 2 am I was extremely happy and felt amazingly good ... and then came Saturday. To be continued...

Happy 4th Birthday, Jackson!

2008-11-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

Friday is the day! Some of Jackson's favorite things to do: Build with Legos, draw/color pictures of his family, swing, take walks on nature trails and he loves to open letters. He is my little man! We love you, Jackson!

School Pictures

2008-11-04T17:55:00.001-08:00

I LOVE school pictures. This is Jackson's preschool picture from last year.
I really do love this picture of Jackson. There are somethings I find a little humorous...a) they didn't give us a choice on the background and I have know idea who came up with the idea that this is a scene all parents want to see their children in. B) I'm not sure who the center of this picture is, Jackson or the friendly little chipmunk and his woodland gang. C) I'm curious to what they said to get Jackson to pose like this. Maybe something along the lines of "Okay now imagine your riding a motorcycle by this pond.."?? It wasn't the school picture I had in mind but I love that Jackson's cute in it and that it makes me laugh.
Moving along to this years school pictures. Note: I didn't buy this years pictures so you just get the proof.
Again, Jackson is perfect but what is going on with his arms? Who are posing these kids? And just like last year, I didn't get to see what the background was going to be till I got these proofs. Paint splatters with a ladder ... paint splatters with a ladder ... why did that feel so 1990s to me and so familiar?... Oh yeah ...
Apparently "paint splatters with a ladder" is timeless.

Halloween

2008-10-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

These were all taken at our branch's "Trunk Or Treat". The weather was a little chili but atleast we weren't sweating like usual.As for my costume, I had already been a Nun to a party this year but I didn't think that would really fly at a church party so I decided to be Thomas the Train ... who doesn't love Thomas. The kids got a large amount of candy and the youth had a lot of fun booths including face painting. If it were up to me I'd be fine if that was their Halloween experience but we did go Trick-Or-Treating tonight and got another 10 lbs of candy. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all this candy! I wish there was something like a Coinstar machine where you put candy in it and it spits out money.

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-27T18:53:00.001-07:00

It's that time of the year when everyone is posting pumpkin carving, patches, festivals, etc. And soon every blog will have pictures of their children and pets in costumes. I will not be any different. Here is our Pumpkin Carving night. (Jackson is pretending he's a robot).
And the final outcome...Note: Cute Halloween costume pictures to be posted in a few days.

October = Noah's Ark Parade

2008-10-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

Instead of doing a Fall Festival or Halloween Party at Jackson's school they do a Noah's Ark Parade and Lunch. Maybe they think the flood happened during the month of October. In any case, it was cute. It was something my three, almost four, year old did very well - walk up to the stage, pose, sing one song and walk off. Jackson did much better at being a bear than he did doing the primary program (don't ask). I was very proud.

I've been tagged!

2008-10-13T19:24:00.001-07:00

My friend, Brie, tagged me. This is how it goes: I tell 7 weird/interesting things about myself and then tell 7 other people to do it and leave them a comment about it.

7 weird/interesting things about me:

1. I had my two front teeth knocked out when I was 13 but I still have my real teeth.

2. I've given Derek Jeter MY autograph. (that's totally weird, i know)
3. I wanted to be an optometrist when I was in high school.

4. I've never been out of the continental US but I have my passport and dream of going somewhere foreign even if its just Canada.

5. I'm in love with Target ... I love to go here especially at night without my kids.

6. I would like to be on the show, Survivor.7. I daydream about being in the Olympics, not going, but actually being an athlete in the Olympics. And I'm not that sweet at any sport which really makes that weird.

I tag Ali, Laura (H.), Carrie, Jenny, Anne, Karen, Lisa.

Beach Day

2008-10-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

2008-10-11T11:04:00.001-07:00

2008-10-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

Stylin'

2008-10-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Janine (older sis), for sending some much needed clothes for Lilly. I'm still in denial about how big she is, so its been hard to buy any clothes over size 12m and she's now going into 24m. Here is just one of the MANY adorable outfits we got from my sister.
Jackson has a ton of very "cool" clothes, but since he gets to pick out his clothes on non-school days this is a taste of what he usually pulls together.
I'm not sure where he gets his sense of style.

Football game

2008-10-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

Last week, my friend, Tiffany, invited us out to the USF game. Surprise, surprise, they lost. They were sweet seats, though, and the guy next to us was HILARIOUS and bought us some drinks (waters) and peanuts ... I would've totally gone out with him except that he was 60. Worst part of the night: Some 18 year old threw up in her seat some2-3 rows down, so when the wind blew the right way (and it was a pretty windy night) we got to smell it ...delicious. I am 0-2 for sporting events now.

Signage

2008-10-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

An sign you would see in the 1980-1990s: A sign I saw today...

The Scoville's

2008-09-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

I miss my friend, Jami. She and her family have moved like everyone eventually does here. We met while we were both pregnant with our boys - it was her second baby, my first. We were VT companions. Since then we've been best friends. Many, many families have come and gone while we've been friends.
It has been two weeks and I still don't feel comfortable with the idea that I can't drop by her house. Or I can't have them over when I feel like not going anywhere but my kids are bored of me. I miss her great advice. I miss being able to talk to her about nothing but her being genuinely interested. I miss going to the beach, the zoo, the park with them. I miss seeing them at church. I miss all her fabulous cooking - especially her homemade tomato soup and her cookies. I know I'm going to miss her when my birthday comes around because she always made it a big deal. I just miss them. Jami, Shane, Isabel, Brigham, and Nolan have been our family for the past couple of years. It should have been a lot harder then it was without my family not being here. They made it easy. Everyone should be as lucky to have such wonderful friends. If anyone else moves, though, I think I'm going to flip out.

Writing on the wall

2008-09-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Jackson has been drawing a ton of pictures. Then he gets the tape and tapes the ones he really likes on the wall next to his bed. This is his bed but Lilly likes to get on it when he's at school.

That's me.

2008-09-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I've never water skied? I've tubed, knee boarded, been on wave runners galore but have never put on skis. It always has looked a little too tricky for me and there never seems to be enough time when I've gone out on a boat. So this Saturday a few friends invited me out to a small gathering and I got the chance to water ski. With some good advice, cheer leading and patience, I was able to stay up on my skis, after a few pathetic attempts. It was sooo fun! I also went tubing and went on the wave runner with my dare devil friend, Brie. I loved every minute of the day! Thanks to friends Brie and Adam for inviting me to join them and thanks to John for being a great host and driving us around in his boat at his house. AND a big thanks to my sister, Laura, and BIL, Ryan, for watching my kids for 4 hours.

Swimming

2008-09-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

New playground

2008-09-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Due to a recent move of the most wonderful and amazing family we acquired this. The family who moved gave their playground set to a family and that family gave their playground to us. There's a sandbox and a picnic table underneath and we all LOVE it. Especially since the pool is just starting to getting a little colder.

Go Rays!

2008-09-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

So I've always been a fan of the Devil Rays, now known as the Rays. I usually go to a game or two during the season but I hadn't been able to go for the past couple years which has been a little disappointing. But yesterday I got a phone call that would change that. My friends had an extra ticket to the Rays v. Red Sox game that same evening and wanted to know if I could go. Needless to say it was awesome. Our seats were maybe 8 rows behind the Rays dugout, I got to eat delicious baseball food, and I got to see some very interesting people. First there were these annoying "cheerleaders" but they didn't do any cool stunts so they were more like a pep squad. It was my first Rays experience with the squad and I found them to be very distracting and I found myself NOT wanting to cheer just because I didn't want to encourage "Team Ray". There was this guy on the cheer team, and I'm all for guy cheerleaders but it wasn't like he was holding up anyone he was just dancing and smiling ... I was embarrassed for him. I was scared they had replaced Raymond with these girls and guy, but no need to fear Raymond showed up. That thing is hilarious. Elvis was there sitting a few rows in front of us. Next time I go to a game I'm going to dress up like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, just for fun. The Rays weren't so hot, it was like seeing my good ol' Devil Rays again. But it didn't matterI had a blast. Thanks to the "T" family for a very needed entertaining night. This family always cracks me up! Even though the Rays totally blew it we were laughing and havin fun the whole time. That was my 2008 baseball season experience. In the mean time, I'll be praying for the Rays to make it to the playoffs.

Sunset

2008-09-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

We went to the beach last week for a sunset. I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be than on a beach watching the sunset. I even have a free round trip ticket somewhere but the best vacation would involve sitting on a Gulf Coast beach watching the sunset.

Jackson and Lilly with their cousins.

Jackson was even able to see some Jellyfish (which I've only seen one in my whole life). I guess it must have been a school of them but as soon as the tide went out they were gone, or seemed to be. Jackson has had this obsession or fascination with jellyfish this summer ... we get books at the library on them and he is constantly drawing them or pretending to be one ... so funny. I guess it was a good "end of summer" event to finally see one, well, actually five.
Overall, it was a perfect evening. It really is the reason I want to live where I am forever.

Lilly Jumping

2008-09-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

We got this Johnny Jumper out for my sisters 9 month old but discovered that a very-light-weight-almost-two year old loves it too. Its now her favorite toy.

August Fast Cap

2008-08-31T15:15:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the month of August. My parents got home from Portugal, so my normal routine has been a little out of whack but things feel like their getting settled. Jackson started his 2nd year of preschool.

We went to Disney On Ice Saturday. Jackson loved the part with the Cars characters and Lilly loved Minnie and Mickey but for the other hour and a half they were a little restless. I really liked it though. I felt like I was watching the ice skating at the Winter Olympics, kind of.

My Breaking Dawn Post

2008-08-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

I went and picked "the book" up on Saturday afternoon and some of us went out to Mimi's Cafe - which has the best muffin's by the way. After a crazy weekend I think I'm actually going to get to start reading it tonight.

Lilly Tidbit

2008-07-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

Lilly loves to get her nails painted, loves to hold baby dolls, hold purses, push strollers but due to the fact she has an older brother just 2 years older than her she also loves to pretend she's a superhero.

Busch Gardens

2008-07-31T17:38:00.001-07:00

We went to BG with my friend Karen and her kids since they're only here a few more days. I actually had and used my camera! It was pretty overcast and rainy today but we still were able to stay for a long time and do almost everything we like to do (i.e. everything in Dragon Land, see the tigers, and see the bats). It started pouring when we got over to the motorcycles and airplanes which dissappointed a couple little boys but they got over it fast since they were pretty tired themselves.

Jackson and Arden

Lilly cruising, or not. She's gotta learn to keep her eye on the road.

Lilly, again.

Jackson.

Maya(aka "Mayita") and Karen's body (sorry Karen!) and in the background Jackson trying to get away from a crazy little boy who sat squirting little kids, and got the biggest kick out of it, for the whole 20 minutes we were there.

He looked something like this.

If you know who he is can you please tell his parents that he's in the water area of Jungala.

I'm a slacker

2008-07-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

I know, I know I've been slacking at blogging. The problem: I haven't taken any pictures. And I didn't want to post without any pictures. But here are some amazing pictures my amazing friend (can I say amazing enough?) Amy took on Fourth of July (which, by the way, was the most fabulous and fun filled day). And, yes, I know my kids aren't extremely clean in these pictures but thats what happens when they have a ridiculous amount of fun. FYI, Dirty Kids = Entertained and "Go to Bed Easy" Kids. And for those of you who care this is what I did last week minus pictures: We went to Busch Gardens. We went to the beach. I ran my third 5k this summer. My friend Karen and her two kids came up and visited. We went to the beach, again. I had a great Sunday, which is a miracle because all my Sundays for the past month have been emotional and physical CRAZINESS! This week: I'm planning a lesson for RS - which I totally stress about, everytime I have to do one. I'm getting ready for Laura, my sis, and her fam to move down here on Thursday and they will stay with me for a week before they move into their new house - 15 minutes away (YAY!). Looking forward to Breaking Dawn coming out on Saturday where me and some gals will be celebrating by going out to lunch. And of course, I will be going to the beach.

Attention friends of Jason

2008-07-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

Jason checked himself into this facility a week or two ago. Feel free to write letters of encouragement , support, or just to say hello. The address is located at the website. I'm sure he would appreciate anything since he'll be there for the next 40-50 days.

Goodbye, TV!

2008-07-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

I've put down the remote at night and picking up books, instead. This might just be a summer thing since there is absolutely no good TV on (except for Project Runway, that is). But while I'm on this kick I'm on Goodreads.com. Please join it and add me as your friend. So far I only have one friend, Lisa, who was the one who told me about it. It's really fun because you can see what we're both reading and what we want to read and our reviews on everything we read. I love it!

New Neighbors

2008-07-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

A week ago these guys showed up on our block. I thought they were just passing through but they have been out every day since they showed up and I think they're going to be here a while. Especially since our whole block takes turns feeding them throughout one day. I have been taking the kids out after dinner and they love it. After our bread is gone, Jackson likes to chase all the ducks away but one, usually the smallest, and asks if we can keep it, and then he cries when it runs to catch up with the rest of the group. This is him trying to coax the duck back. But they're long gone and Jackson knows he can try again tommorrow and convince the "baby" duck he wants to live with us. So as we're walking back in the house we then have to watch our step so we don't step in this....

or this....

I know's its gruesome I just wanted to paint the whole picture.

It's a fun little ritual we have going on - I'm curious to how long they will be here, if they're just "summer birds" or what. Speaking of ducks, how cute is this one?

Walmart boycott!

2008-07-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Location: WalMart
Time: 9:30 PM
Event: My sister and I were trying to find a pair of sunglasses for me in the sunglass area of the store. We had tried on a few but didn't like any of them so we set one of the pair we didn't like down at the bottom of the tray/shelving part. Approximately 30 seconds later, I hear someone jingling their keys close by. I look up and there is this Walmart employee with her hands on her hips just two feet away, jingling her keys and glaring at us.

Me: I'm sorry, do you need to lock up these sunglasses?
Walmart lady: No, I'm just waiting so I clean clean up the mess ya'll just made.

Sister: We only put down one.

Walmart lady: I'm still gonna have to clean it up.

Me (while picking up the sunglasses we put down plus some more): Don't worry, I'll get it. What was you name?

Walmart lady: Charisma.

Charisma turns away and walks back over to her boyfriend.

What I really wanted to do was slide my hand down the sunglasses letting them fall to the floor and walk away but hindsight is always 20/20. Instead I put down all the stuff I was about to buy, went straight to Customer Service where Bette Jo told us the best course of action was to fill out a comment card. So thats just what we did. We really stuck it to them. I wrote something like "I wish I had gone to Target, instead" (yeah, I know, what a burn). So I'm going to boycott Walmart, atleast for little bit, they do have amazing low prices.

I'm done with my books, so...

2008-07-03T18:04:00.001-07:00

Last week I went to upstate NY for my oldest brother's engagement party. His fiance's family lives up there and they had a big soiree for everyone up there who might not be able to attend the wedding down here. And while I'm on the subject, his fiancee is so amazing. I'm so excited for them and the day when she is officially part of our family. This is the pair of them with her parents, who are also, of course, amazing people.
So, I caught a 10 am flight on Saturday and was back at home the next day at 7 pm, Sunday. Just enough time to meet up with my sisters, who drove all the way from SC and VA, go to the party, sleep and then catch my returning flight home. A lot of great things happened on the trip, though. I got this fabulous pictures of my and my siblings, minus my younger brother who lives too far away :(. I was able to spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews. Aaron took me and the older kids on a tour of the woods behind Claud's house where there was an Indian burial ground ... so cool, but too creepy to take any pictures of the actual graves - isn't that off limits?. AND, on the returning flight they bumped me to a later flight (I was supposed to get home at 3 pm) and gave me a free round trip ticket and I got to sit in first class on the way home AND it gave me just enough time to complete my book. Overall a fantastic trip. I missed my kids and wished they were there but I also enjoyed the longest time I'd ever been away from them. The biggest thanks to Laura, Debbie, Anna, and Brandon for keeping my kids alive - you guys are the best! So anyone have any ideas where I should go for a REAL getaway!?

I'm in love.

2008-07-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Everbody has been recommending this Twilight book of the LDS author Stephanie Meyer. It didn't sound that amazing to me but after so many random people mentioning it to me I decided to read it on my 24 hour trip to NY. That was on Saturday and today, Tuesday, I'm in the middle of the third book. So any free time I want spend reading so I will do a post about my trip when I'm done obsessing. I have never read anything that has been so entertaining to read. So thats MY recomendation now ...read these books!

Happy Fathers Day!

2008-06-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

To the World's Greatest Dad!

My dad has always been a a great teacher, and has been the best example of how to be a great parent and missionary. Not to mention he's the funniest guy alive. I love him so much and I'm excited for him and my mom to get back from Portugal in just a couple of months. Love you, Dad!

Rabbits are nice

2008-06-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Our amazing and incredible Carrie moved to TX a couple of weeks ago and life has been so boring since she's been gone. We miss her and still pretend she's going to be back. She was such a big help. She would watch the kids and not just watch them but played and had fun with them.(Jackson is so bugged that I'm interupting his time with Carrie.)

She likes all the best TV shows and would come over and watch all the best, and sometimes scary, shows with me even when she had to go back home to her empty scary house and wake up and go to work at 5. She was the best houseguest when she stayed for a week - helped cook and clean, and helped, again, watch the kids. So I knew I would never be able to replace her but we needed something to get us out of the funk of her leaving. So we got a bunny. Its no Carrie but it helps that there something at our house that's entertaining. The kids LOVE Pepper... and for now its a good distraction while everybody seems to be moving away.

We won!

2008-06-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

My friend and I entered a 5K race last week (my first one). Okay, so we didn't get first place but we won because we did it and that make us winners. We're doing a bunch of races during the summer and hopefully we'll improve by the end of the summer and become Olympic track stars. I finished 8 minutes after my friend, Laura, who really is a track star. I'm sure most of you have heard of her because of her mad skills. I was just happy that I was able to run the whole thing and not die or, even worse, puke.

A Quick Trip

2008-06-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

I know people usually create travel blogs of super amazing trips to exotic places but I thought you might want to read about my mini excursion to Bluffton, SC, which is the mainland city of Hilton Head Island. It was my oldest sister's and her daughter's (my niece's) birthdays this week. So Tuesday I decided I'd pack up the kids and drive the 5 1/2 hour drive to see her on Thursday. It was spur of the moment, yes, but I had no time to psych myself out of it. We just went. I'm so glad we did we had a blast! The day we got there, again, which was Thursday, we went to this brand new indoor play center, which is just what my kids needed after being in the car the WHOLE time (I never got them out - we just drove and drove). Then we met up with my brother in law and went out to dinner. We hardly ever go out to eat, not that I don't love too, because I do ... just because me by myself taking two kids under 4 out to dinner alone just isn't that fun. So going out to eat is really fun and my kids loved it. Lilly especially LOVED dessert. Then we came home and sang Happy Birthday, and ate cake, and crashed. On Friday morning, we went to their community pool for a couple hours came home to eat lunch then spent the rest of the day out at a beach on Hilton Head. It was a perfect day, and I had never seen my kids so entertained. Everywhere we went there were kids to play with and usually there was another Jackson, which I'm determined is the most popular name for boys in Hilton Head, SC). I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures on this day but we did come home and eat this "Monster Pizza" which motivated me to whip out the cam. Saturday we woke up and headed home. And by the time I got home I never wanted to get in the car again but I'm fine today. I'd have to say I'm really glad we went and I'm really glad my sister lives in such a fun place. Here is a picture of my sisters girls and my kids right before we left.

Party Time

2008-06-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Jackson "graduated" from his YMCA preschool class last Thursday. They had a water park party for all the preschoolers and ate pizza, too. We will miss Ms. Brenda. I was so impressed with all the crafts they did each day. I highly recomend the Y's preschool program. Most of his class members are staying at the preschool for one more year (that's as high as it goes) but we were able to get Jackson in at a different school where he can go for the next two years till he goes to kindergarden.

I will miss having 2-3 hours every Tuesday and Thursday to do all my miscellaneous shopping but at this point Jackson's so much easier to take to the store than Lilly is, he actually helps set a good example.

On Saturday, we drove down to Chuck E. Cheese for my niece's birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. We had a lot of fun but EVERYTIME we go to "Chucky's" Jackson gets sick the day after. I don't know if its the food or the excitement or that there's 200 kids that never wash their hands in a 20 x 20 room but Jackson always ends up here...

It worked out since it was Sunday, we needed a day of rest.

Beach Day

2008-05-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

My friends, Becca, Valentina and I (along with our kids) went to the beach this week. It was a perfect day. Jackson, Lilly and I LOVE the beach. I love sitting in the sand playing with the kids and sitting at the shore with them looking for shells, I love that its free, I love that my kids can stay busy doing a million things like digging a hole...

and "surfing the waves",

laying out,

making "sand angels",and Lilly's favorite thing to do - climb into the beach cart.

I love beach days! I am so grateful to live in FL where I live a short drive to amazing beaches.

Garden Update

2008-05-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, but things are actually growing in our mini garden! I think I'm going to have to make it larger and transplant some of the plants so their growth isn't stunted. I can't wait till we can actually eat something produced from it . So, again, we have watermelon, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, and corn ... can you tell what is where?

Pooped

2008-05-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

Many people have witnessed it. We're having a nice dinner and then you look over at Jackson and see this...

And no he's not in mid-blink, he is out cold.

Can't they just stay this way?

2008-05-15T21:26:00.000-07:00

Jackson is such a 3 year old. Everyday at random parts of the day he has to dress up, whether its Spider-Man, or Batman, or a pirate, or a Pajama wearing Ninja/Cowboy (Yes, it will be the middle of the afternoon and he asks to wear his pajamas and proceed to add a sword or cowboy boots and a hat to the gettup!). So here are a couple samples.

Ya gotta love those socks!

Yummay!

2008-05-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

We made cookies today! Jackson loves making cookies but mostly he loves licking everything I'm done with, including a spoon with just flour on it. So we made some. They are so delicious they are called Award-Winning Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies, get the recipe here. They are my fave!

Jackson's favorite part is the batter but Lilly's is the actual cookie...

My favorite part is the clean up...

Why are bath pictures the cutest!?

How lucky am I?

2008-05-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful for mornings! Every morning when my kids wake up, I make them both a sippy cup of chocolate milk. Then we go into my bed and talk about dreams we had, and what were going to do that day, and, of course,watch cartoons for the next 1/2 hour to hour. It is my favorite part of the day - its just me and them and we're all so still.

Aquarium annoyances

2008-05-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

We visited the Florida Aquarium today. The kids had fun and I should've but I was pretty annoyed the whole day.

Annoyance #1: The last time I went to the aquarium it was a Friday (just like today) and between the two trips I have discovered that Fridays = School field trip day. So it was a "zoo"! There were kids everywhere that were loud and big and stepping in front and all over my kids. They were so loud, I found my self shouting to those who were with me to get their attention. I think I can deal better with crowds at places like the zoo or Disney World - outdoor places where you can manuever yourself around. Not at the aquarium, though. You're trapped. They start you all at the same place and herd you down a hallway through all the exhibits. You can't escape. I was soo looking forward to getting to the outside play area, which leads me to the next annoying thing.

A picture of Lilly before the crowd moved in on her.

Annoyance #2: The best part about the aquarium, the whole water play area, was closed for one week. I'll mention that the last time we went half of the water area was closed. So they played in the tiny, non-water play area.

I know I'm complaining about maybe insignificant things and they really are because Jackson and Lilly didn't notice a thing. They never realized they almost lost their lives in a stampede because they were to focused on the sea horses, sharks, trumpet fish, otters, eels and all the other amazing creatures. They were fine with the water area being closed because they got to play outside.

I know I need to be more like my children and focus on the positive, and I will. Maybe the crowd slowed us down to notice and spend more time at things we wouldn't have. Maybe my kids were saved from harmful sunburns had they played for a long time in the water (although, I did bring my sunscreen), you just never know. But you better believe the next time I go to the aquarium it will NOT be on a Friday and I will call to make sure the water area is opened.

And I will say after spending the day at the aquarium, it makes me so glad we have passes to the zoo!

To jump or not to?

2008-05-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

SO, I've been thinking about buying a trampoline, or what some may know as a "tramp". My kids have a blast everytime they get on one. I've been weighing it out:

Pro's: They cost just as much as a Power Wheels.

Will entertain for many, many years (from now to forever)

They come with the safety net, so its basically impossible to fall off.

My kids would absolutely LOVE it!

Hours of fun while staying in the comfort of our own backyard.

Con's: The possiblity of injuries - broken necks, arms, legs.

I don't know maybe I still need to wait a few years, but I feel like every year I wait will be a whole year of "trampoline fun" lost...

What do you think?

"D" Day

2008-05-07T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today I had my final hearing with my amazing attorney, Courtney. Hopefully this will be my one and only court appearance so I had to capture the moment.After leaving the courthouse I went to my friends to pick up the kids and then we all went and celebrated the best possible way ... is there anything better than a Happy Meal for a happy day?!

These are The Boys of McDonalds ...

It was a great, yet exhausting, day.

My First Tag

2008-05-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

10 Thing I'm Horrible At:

Staying in touch
Coming Up with Lists
Running
Dancing
Being on diets ( I just don't do it)
Giving haircuts - I've tried and they are ALWAYS horrible
Singing
Picking out fruit
Going shopping for clothes just for me
Remembering to take the garbage out to the curb

10 Things I'm Good At:

Making new & different friends
Picking out and watching really good TV shows
Making popcorn
Saying what's on my mind
Being on time
Swimming
Getting out of the house in 15 minutes
Staying up late
Waking up early
Flying kites

That was way too hard...

Easter dress

2008-04-30T21:27:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't get to see Lilly in her Easter dress...

...this wasn't ACTUALLY taken on Easter - on Easter her hair was curled, she wore a white bow and stockings but you get the picture.

Farewell, Elder Dickson!

2008-04-30T21:00:00.001-07:00

For the past year we have been regulars at the Dickson household every Monday night. It is so nice to have one night a week where I know there will be good adult conversation (not that I don't enjoy Jackson's). Its so nice to have one day a week where I don't have to worry about dinner. It has been so fun getting to know the Dickson's better and we have been so lucky to get to know Mark, who is entering in to the MTC tommorrow. We are so excited for him and the people in Colorado. They are getting a great young man. Mark will be a fantastic missionary - he is so kind and ridiculously funny. People are drawn to him and I'm sure he will have great success wherever he goes. But our Monday nights just won't be the same without him. Jackson, I think, will miss being Mark's sidekick (or Mark being his?) as they "fight plop plops" with their swords (don't ask). We always have a lot of fun when Mark is around. We wish him the best these next two years as he dedicates his life to the Lord's work. I am so grateful for young men like him and Elder Matthew Thompson (who also has left recently for his mission), as well as my parents, for being such wonderful examples to me and my kids.

How will my garden grow?

2008-04-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

Being a blogger isn't the only thing I've decided to do. I've finally planted/created a garden. So I know it doesn't look like much, it's not. And I know it's all wrong, I'm sure it is. But the kids and I our having a lot of fun attempting to grow watermelon, green beans, carrots, and corn. And I know its way too late for strawberries but thats what those two plants are in the garden. We are so excited to see what our garden will grow!

Hair cut.

2008-04-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

So after a year of letting it grow I cut my hair when I went out to Utah back in March. After the cut was made I immediately regreted the decision but "it is only hair" and I'm definetly going to grow it back out. I personally think with my round face short hair makes it look too round but you be the judge here are some before and after.

Everybody's doing it!

2008-04-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be a REAL blogger. I spend enough time "blog hopping" that I've decided to rededicate myself and spend more time on my own blog. SO here goes...

Halloween 2007

2007-11-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

Right before the Land O Lakes Rec party.

Although, he never wore Buzz Light Year to an actual party - Jackson loves wearing it everywhere else.

Lilly/Tinkerbell, and Jackson/Superman (with black hair) before Sarah's party.

Sarah's Party.

Jackson at school with teacher, Ms. Brenda.

Halloween 2007

2007-11-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

I am so over Halloween this year. One more year till next is not long enough away. Jackson dressed up and attended five Halloween functions and Lilly one less than that. We went to a community festival, our branch's trunk or treat, YMCA preschool party, Sarah's kid party, and of course, Halloween night. I am Halloween-ed out. Not to mention Halloween has been over for 2 weeks and Jackson still has to dress up in one of his many costumes (Buzz Light Year, SpiderMan, SuperMan or Batman). I have even given in and let him wear whatever costume he's in to go to the store...it's not worth a battle, as long as he's wearing shoes with it, who really cares.?. So here are some pictures of the times we got dresses up this year, this is our HALLOWEEN 2007. (I'm only missing pictures from Trunk or Treat - Lilly was a pumpkin and Jackso, of course, was Superman, again.)

2007-09-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

First day of preschool

2007-09-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

So I sent my firstborn to preschool at the young age of 2 (he'll be 3 in November). I thought it was going to be a lot harder but it was easy peasy. We all were dressed and fed and out the door by 8:40, which in itself is a miracle. I walked him into his class and he didn't even look back. He saw they were playing with Play-doh and he completely forgot about me. I said "I love you, bye!" and kissed him on the head.

So then I ran all my errands I thought would take me the whole 3 hours but after 45 minutes I was done. It's amazing all the places you can go with ease when you only have one child that you get in and out of the car, especially when that child is 16 lbs and doesn't say much.
I think I'm really going to enjoy this preschool thing. I know Lilly likes it. After I ran my errands Lilly and I went home and I gave her my full attention for awhile and she was glowing. I think part of it, too, was that noone was grabbing toys out of her hand ...but in this picture it looks like Zazsue might start giving her some trouble.

2007-03-02T19:26:00.000-08:00