Marcus' Legos

Marcus has been building a lot lately and when he asked for a photo yesterday I had to oblige. His creations are more and more interesting to me. It's wonderful to see what he'll come up with next.

My Birthday

This year for my birthday the kids and Steve took down the painting of Marcus in the family room. They took it to be framed but didn't tell me. So I was cleaning the floor on Friday morning and I looked up and it was gone. I thought at first it had fallen off the wall or that Marcus had taken it to his room, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I couldn't imagine someone would break in and steal just that but I called Steve anyway. He confirmed my suspicions but I still had a really fun weekend lamenting the fact that we had been "robbed" and hearing the kids all snicker.
I got some really fun things this year, what a wonderful birthday and I just feel so grateful!!!!!! On my birthday I did a fun birthday singing time and then I made a peach pie in the afternoon. Marcus was disappointed because you can't frost a pie, but luckily that's when the Jones' showed up with a chocolate cake and the day was saved. We had dinner at Steve's sisters and that was really nice too. I still can't believe i'm halfway to 70.

Pack Meeting

The boys were asked to bring something they collect this month. Neil said right away that he wanted to bring his coin collection. I knew that he collected quarters, but I thought that was because Grandma collected them for him. Then he started pulling out penny books and nickel books and a jar of coins that he had that were really special to him. I had no idea that he REALLY collected coins.
So, being brave, I ventured down to Las Vegas to a coin shop right by the airport and Sunset park and picked up cardboard coin holders and sheet protectors so he could organize all his loose coins. I set them all out on his desk to surprise him when he came home from school.
He was so excited. He set right to work putting the coins in, stapling the holder shut and organizing them in the binder. Sometimes I wish that I paid more attention. We could have done this a long time ago.

No Sense of Self Preservation

Steve says she has a real strong sense of self preservation and that she's smart enough to stay safe. I disagree. I think she loves the thrill, has no sense of danger and has no idea about the consequences of gravity.
These photos were taken overlooking the Bingham Canyon Mine (Kennecott Copper) the worlds largest open pit mine, and we're about 3/4 of a mile up.

Dahlia loves Sammy

We have watched Sammy on and off throughout the summer. Dahlia absolutely loves having him here and Carpe likes him too. She was so glad every time he came to visit and she spent a lot of time hugging him and following him around the house. She misses him so much!

Steve's Birthday

This year for Steve's birthday:
Marcus picked: Skittles, pens, screwdrivers, and Diet Mountain Dew
Neil Picked: paper clips, pens, post it tabs and erasers that are shaped like keyboard keys
Dahlia picked: a stuffed shark, and a stuffed bear to go with the white one she got Dad for Fathers Day

These are the cards they picked - 50 cents each!!! So of course they could choose what they like. Dahlia's is the best (in my opinion) but they are all really good selections.

Marcus taped his gifts into a bag and he is writing the card.

Dahlia wrapping her gifts and Neil wrapping his.

As a tradition, on our birthday's, we take the children to the dollar store. They can choose whatever they wish and I don't have to say no, or tell them Dad doesn't need it or it's too expensive. It doesn't matter what they pick, it can be anything and Dad knows he'll love it because it was inexpensive. I usually let them pick two or three things. Then they come home and wrap them up. I think this year the kids outdid themselves picking things for Steve's birthday. The card that Dahlia selected for him is priceless. I can't wait for Steve to open them.

After the gifts were wrapped the boys made clues for a treasure hunt and taped them around the house. Steve has to go on the hunt to find his gifts. I can't wait!!!!!

This Is My Daughter

As a little girl, maybe not so little, whenever I was upset about something I would go to my room and get out my big soft black blanket. I would put on my grandmothers old high heeled shoes, they were clear vinyl with rhinestones, cover myself with the blanket, and crawl out to wherever the family was. This way they would all be sure to know that I was upset, or needed attention.

Without ever telling my kids about these times all three of them have put blankets over their heads and paraded around the house.

Yesterday Steve's sister's family came over and Dahlia came marching into the living room covered in her blanket. She giggled and laughed and had all the attention in the room. She is definately my daughter.

Marcus' Birthday Party

Why do the pictures always load backwards. It drives me nuts, so scroll down and start at the bottom, then work your way up.

The main part of the volcano base.

I made a Volcano Base from Lego Agents Mission 8. I borrowed some of Marcus' pieces and put them in, that was fun. I made both sections of the cake, but I didn't even attempt the helicopter.

Marcus and Jarrod.

Pizza and Rootbeer.

All the kids and their racers.

The card from the Brinkerhoff's. It had pop out Lego men. Marcus loved it.

Daniel's car.

Sylas with his finished car.

Maddie and Rebecca working on Maddie's car - The Thunder Racer.

We started by having a treasure hunt to find the racers, then the building commenced.

Agents Robo Attack Birthday

Do you think he knows what it is? All he has to do is shake the box - it has the tell tale sound of a box that comes from Denmark.

Marcus is 7. He is so excited. He opened his gift from Grandma and Grandpa and was super happy. He sat and built it all through the afternoon. He is also sitting with his m&m's that he got from the Bishop for his birthday. He now has it posing in his Agents display on top of his dresser. He wants a volcano base cake for his birthday too....so more photos later.

Dahlia, the scissor lady

It doesn't seem to matter how many times we tell Dahlia that only Veronica and aunt Erin can cut hair. She still finds a way. She was snipping up parts of her bathing suit today and I took away the scissors. She found another pair and disappeared into the bathroom with Jacob while I was helping the boys with their homework. I noticed how quiet it was and went to investigate. The bathroom door was locked. Bad sign. Nobody answered when I knocked, then I knew there was trouble. I even counted to three before unlocking the door. Jacob sat curled up with his hands over his face in the corner and Dahlia was hiding in the tub. There was hair everywhere and an obvious attempt to clean up the hair with a bunch of very wet towels. Jacob looked terrible, but he proudly showed off his Dahlia haircut. Mary said it was okay, but I still feel bad. Poor Jacob will need to be buzzed to the scalp.

Dahlia, the nail artist.

Dahlia loves to paint her nails. I laid out a towel in the bathroom and let her go at it. After all how will she learn if I don't let her try. Rebecca walked in to see how she was doing, and she got roped into letting Dahlia do her nails. Aren't they fabulous. Dahlia was so proud. Aren't they gorgeous girls!

Vomit, Vomit, Vomit (Of Course there's no picture!)

Why is it all my vacations have vomit in them somewhere. Take this last week. Grandpa took us to dinner at Hires in Salt Lake, Marcus throws up. Neil throws up on the drive back home and then again at home. (blue on the carpet, why is vomit never clear?)
When we went to Disneyland last year, Marcus threw up his $15.00 lunch as soon as we left the restaurant. Of course, not to be outdone Neil threw up the first time we went to Disneyland.
I can't even count the number of times we've had to turn around 10 minutes into our trip because someone threw up in the car. They don't throw up when we go shopping, or to Costco, but somehow thier little bodies know that it's not just a trip to the store, it's a road trip so there must be vomit. I wonder if they draw straws to see who should do it. Whatever happens, we never travel without an empty bucket, towels, handy changes of clothes and now paper towels too. Vomit, Vomit, Vomit!

Marcus takes some pictures

This is Marcus with his new Bionicle. He had to have a picture but then he wouldn't smile. It took 10 shots to get a decent picture.

I went to upload pictures yesterday and discovered that the camera had been "borrowed" by Marcus. I know it was him because of the subject matter of the photographs, Neil would have photographed his own stuff. Marcus took pictures of all kinds of things in his room. It's interresting to see the kinds of things he treasures, based on the pictures he took.

Pee Wars

Yesterday Steve's BNI group held a picnic for families. I made cupcakes and we all went and had lunch on the lawn of an office complex. It was nice and shady, and the temperature was perfect. The kids filled up on soda and by the time we left they had to go really bad. There was of course no bathroom. Neil found a private bush and excused himself and the next thing we knew he was screaming his head off. "Marcus peed on me!" he screamed. Marcus came running back saying he didn't pee on Neil, he was trying to have a pee war. Apparently, this is when your pee tries to battle someone elses pee. Neil kept moving away and Marcus kept moving toward him as they were peeing. Neil got a little pee on his leg and was so upset. Marcus felt very misunderstood. Neil was wiping hand sanitizer all over himself. Marcus just wanted to have a pee stream battle. Needless to say, Pee Wars have been officially banned.

California Part 1

We drove down to California to visit Rob's family. Dahlia asked for the dress-ups right away. Thankfully Rebecca got them out and Dahlia started dressing up. Marcus got in the act too, and thought it was hilarious.

We went to see Trevor's soccer game and on the way home Dahlia fell asleep. She's wrapped up in Rebecca's jacket.

We walked up the hill at Rob's house to go for a walk. Dahlia loved the horses, and she tried to feed one her cheese.

Out on the ridgeline, we had a great time overlooking the valley. You can even see the ocean in the background.

Steve let Dahlia ride on her back. She loved being up high. She also liked looking at the spider webs. Oooh fun.