St. George Dance Competition

Dance competition season is well under way! April 4th we had our first competition in St. George. We made it into a mini-vacation for our family. We went down Thursday night and got there late. (Oh yeah, Brevin threw-up before we ever reached I-15 . . . I was a little worried our trip wasn't going to be much fun). Friday morning after we all got ready we went to this little restaurant in St. George call the Bear Claw, the have delicious breakfasts!

John, Brevin and Dilyn . . . trying to decide what to eat.

Caitlyn and Haidyn . . . enjoying some yummy grub!

Mommie, Dilyn and Brevin.

After breakfast, we did a little shopping and met most of the Christenson family to see the movie Monsters and Aliens. Very FUNNY. I laughed the whole way through! I highly recommend it!

After the movie, we went back to the hotel and John took the kids swimming and I decided to take a nap (yes, I know, I am not much fun). After swimming we went to eat dinner and then went to the high school where the dance competition was being held to support a couple of our girls who were competing in the Solo portion. And I feel really bad, but I really don't know how the solos placed . . . Tiffany, want to help me out here?

Saturday was the big day. The girls had there first comptition! I hope I am not too much of a dance mom! We have so much fun and I just really want my girls to enjoy themselves! I can honestly say they bring me to tears!

Caitlyn's lyrical . . . The Way I Am. Won First Place!

Caitlyn's Hip Hop (This is her first year in Hip Hop, I'm pretty sure she likes it) MC Hammer's Can't Touch This. I'm lovin the parachute pants! They won first place and Grand Champions in their age group! WOO HOO!

Haidyn's Stray Cat Strut. She is not a fan of the "hat" portion of her costume . . . It's really hot, Mom! They took second!

Caitlyn . . . Hey Big Spender. Very cute dance! They took Second!

Caitlyn's Rock the Casbah. I love this dance they perform it so well! It took first place. Madison twisted her ankle during this performance and landed hard on her bum, but she kept going and was a real trooper!

Haidyn's ballet, Music Box. This is Haidyn's first year in ballet. She is really loving it! They took second.

I didn't post any pictures from the production number, which is Indiana Jones. It is amazing! We were sitting on the wrong side for pictures of our girls . . . so I will post some of them later. All of the girls from TDC did such a good job! My favorite comment/quote that I heard thus far this year was from Tiffany . . . after the awards were all given and because all of Tiffany's Hip Hop dances won first place she said "Not too bad for a couple of white girls!"

Saturday night we went to visit one of my cousins that lives in Hurricane. I hadn't seen her since Haidyn was a little baby. The kids all had much fun playing with their cousins and Jenn and I had lots of fun reminescing back to days gone by!

Sunday morning we got up and did some more swimming and were on the road by noon. We had so much fun! We have been told that next year we might skip St. George and perform in Disneyland . . . We will see what happens!

We'll weight and see . . .

No, I didn't spell weight incorrectly. John and I are having another weight-loss contest. We had one about a year and a half ago before we went on our cruise. I, of course, won. I lost 15 pounds than and have kept most of it off (I think I put 5 back on). John, of course, lost nothing! So, we have decided that it is time to improve our health and lose a few more pounds. John set the stakes this time. If I win, I get to go skydiving and if John wins he gets to do the Nascar experience. We both are wanting to lose around 25 pounds. We started last week and we have until the end of June. So, the race is on . . . We will keep you posted! I can't "weight" to see who wins!

In Memory of Bob

For Valentine's Day we bought a little fish tank and each of our kids picked out a little goldfish. We had our first casualty yesterday. On Monday, Bob, Caitlyn's fish, somehow got caught behind the filter . . . well, he didn't make it. It appeared to be a slow, painful death. He attempted to swim around for a day or slow, but when Caitlyn got home from school yesterday, he had passed (You can see him just above the plant, he is slightly upside down.). Bob was a good fish. He loved to swim and play with his roommates. He never gave us a moments trouble. We would like to thank him for the love he brought to our home . . . we hope his replacement will be as cold and fishy as he was. We love you Bob! Just keep swimming!

It is time!

I have the strong desire to put this off . . . I don't want to do it . . . it is my least favorite thing in the world . . . but I really have to do it. POTTY TRAINING! Brevin will be three in July and starting Preschool in the Fall. It has to be done by then, but needs to start now. I don't have great luck with it. I would rather give birth several days in a row. I really think he is ready, which doesn't make me happy. He will tell me right after he has wet his diaper and lay down to be changed. That is a good sign . . . right? I will sit on the potty and even ask to go potty, but he has yet to put anything in to the potty except a lot of toilet paper. I need HELP! I need some great, wonderful, fabulous ideas! Please, I am begging you, my friend! Please tell me what has/did work for you. My hope is to start next weekend, it will take me a week to work/talk myself into it! Thank you in advance! I will update you as we go aong, unless for some unknown reason I get hit by a car or train . . . accidently of course! ;)

Excitement and Apprehension!

The excitement is more for Caitlyn and the Apprehension is for me! Tonight I took the night off work and took my "baby" to her Middle School Orientation! Can you say freak-out!? I am excited for Cait to go to Middle School, but I just can't believe she is actually "ready"! It doesn't seem that long ago that I held that sweet, albeit, large baby in my arms (you know she weighed 10.3 when she was born, right?). I have been asking her if she is excited, to which she responds "No.". I asked her what she was thinking/feeling about it. She of course responds to me "Nothing.". After the orientation and we walked around the school, she finally admitted that she was excited, she was of course very serious when she said it. Love you Caitlyn! I am very excited for you! Just promise me you will always be my sweet little baby!

Vegas, Baby!

Every year for the last six years John has traveled to Las Vegas to attend the NASCAR race. Before that time, John and I would watch the race on occasion, but not necessarily fans. After John went and we both learned more about it, well, we became diehard fans! It has become an annual event. We have even converted a few friends who thought that it is boring! Don't knock it until you try it!

Do you like my white trash look? I especially like the dirt on my face. We sit on row 12. Amazingly the debris from the track ends up on my face!

This year we bought Neon Garage Passes for Friday. That is the day they qualify and practice, so they work on the cars. John has a nice view of the infield behind him.

I was mesmorized watching the crews work on the cars! By the rear tire you can see the blue fan, they had one one each tire, where I assumed they kept the tires warm? Leaning in the window is Matt's crew chief Drew Blickenderfer otherwise known as "the Blick".

Matt Kenseth is standing next to the tool box with the "Blick" next to him. And looking in at the engine is the car owner Jack Rousch, aka the Cat inthe Hat.

This is for Craig Shipley! We know you love Ryan Newman! He is in the car you know, heading out for practice. Hello, NNNewman.

Dale Jr., the crowd favorite. I actually like the guy . . . unless that is, if a Jr. fan is nearby!

The DeWalt trailer, Matt is in there . . .

That is Matt there on the left . . . the Daytona 500 winner of 2009! He is won two of the three races thus far in the season.

Me watching practice. We stood right next to the cars as they filed out on to the track . . . they are so loud and rumble so much I could seriously feel my ovaries shake as they went past.

This place is so big! This is the cars filing out on to the track.

Jeff Gordon driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet. Not necessarily a fan, but good driver none the less.


Kurt Busch, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge. Probably one of the least liked driver, along with his brother Kyle, who actually won the race. He is a good driver, with a titch of attitude.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway! There are 142,000 seats, which were sold out. On top of that number add all those working the race from the concession stands to the safety personnel and the crews for each car . . . not to mention all those that are in the infield in their RV's. Whole lotta peoples!

I am amazed by the pit crews! See if you can change 4 tires in 13 seconds!

The race off of Pit Road. Try doing that without going over 45 MPH. And when you go over, penalty!

The start or restart of the race, amazingly loud! Awesome!

Dave and Jen Park. They had never been to a race, didn't know a lot about it, but wanted to check it out.

My white trash sugar, John, and Dave and Jen

After the Race . . . what do you think . . . do you think they liked it? Of course they did! Even though our driver, Matt Kenseth, had his engine blow before lap ten, we had so much fun! Thanks Dave and Jen for joining us! Next year? Same time, same place?

Family Fun!

We met up with some friends from our ward in Magna today out in Tooele. They were penning cattle. The kids had fun watching the action and our friends let us ride a horse around outside. The kids thought that was lots of fun! Thanks Tuttles for the fun afternoon!

Caitlyn looks mighty comfortable and relaxed up top. Don't you think?

Brevin was SO excited to be near the horses, but a little timid of their size! He loved sitting up there and was not interested in getting down!

Haidyn and Dilyn had lots of fun too . . . until the horse decided he had an itch and started shaking. Haidyn was fine, but it scared Dilyn a lot! She wanted down and would not go near the horse again!

Yeah, we couldn't get him out of the tractor either!

John even managed to get on top of this poor animal. I was repeatedly asked to ride. I love horses and would not have minded, but I didn't want to at the risk of looking like a little kid at a pony ride . . .

Need I say more?

No appreciation . . .

And no, this isn't about my family. It is about all my blogging friends. No one appreciates my love of Nascar and my posting on Matt Kenseth winning the Daytona 500. How sad it is! Can I get a comment on happiness for Matt? It makes my poor little heart so sad. I feel no love, no support from my friends. Give me some love!

DAYTONA 500

Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500! WOO HOO!! Does it get any better than that . . . Nope, sure doesn't! Congratulations Matt!!

Happy Valentines Day Mom!

So as some of you may know. I was a butt head and did nothing for my wife on her birthday. I guess I thought that we do not have the money to do anything fun, but that is no excuse for not doing at least something. Not only did I do nothing but I wasn’t even the first one to tell her happy birthday, my dad was of all people. I didn’t even remind my own children of it, although that night when we went out with friends I asked the kids to try to make her cards. Yet again I did nothing, no card, no happy birthday, nothing. I tried later that night and even the next day, but it just did not work out for me. It wasn’t until my sweet bride said something to me a few days after the fact. But then at that point it is too late. Nothing would make up for my doing nothing, its just out of guilt now. I must say that to this day I feel so bad, and I know that this will not make up for it, and that you, Tiffany, will not let me live it down for the entire year. I’ll I can say is that I deserve it. So here it goes. I have to share some of the things that I love about my wife on this Valentines Day.

1. I love that you get up each day, get ready, and look beautiful before I get home from work.
2. You are one amazing cook, we eat so go. (Just look at me I love to eat)
3. You love to watch NASCAR with me, and go to the race. (Vegas baby)
4. I love that you scrapbook, it’s so fun to look back on the memories.
5. I love that when ever you call me or I call you, you ask if I am naked.
6. You have put up with me for all of these years, I don’t know why, but I love you for it…
7. I love that you enjoy to work, and teach our children the importance of school and work.
8. You make me laugh.
9. I love the way that you have been doing your hair.
10. I love the way you cut my hair.

This is just some of the reasons that I love you Tiffany. I love all that you do for me; I truly hope that I can make it up to you this year. You make me so happy...

I asked each of my children to give me a list of at least 10 things that they love about mom. We will start with Cait, who at first e-mailed me some things that I should do.
1. Buy her almond joys. 2. Make her cards. 3. Make Valentines. 4. Make a list of "10 Ways I Love you". 5. Take her to dinner. 6. Take her to a movie.
All of which are great things. I then asked her again to tell me what she loves about mom, and again this is what I got. “Why not do something nice”, yes I total agree. In fact one of the items on the chore list for our children is to do something nice for one of there siblings without them knowing. I need to do that also… So yet again I asked Cait for that list and this is what I got.

1. Her cooking.
2. She is loving.
3. Going shopping.
4. She is nice.
5. Doing my hair.
6. Helping with homework.
7. She is happy.
8. Taking me to lunch.
9. Taking care of me when I am sick.
10. Getting me a soda. “like you should be drinking it or me for that matter”

I asked Haidyn the same thing; this is what she e-mailed to me.

1. I love the presents.

2. The clothes that she wears.

3. The food she makes.

4. She is my favorite mom.

5. The games that me and her play.

6. The puzzles we do.

7. The stuff she buys me.

8. The name she gave me.

9. The things she does for me.

10. The things that she gets for me.

I love it. Both of them came up with some great things and I am sure that they could each come up with more.

So Dilyn’s turn to give me a list. (with Haidyn’s help as the scribe)

1. The presents she gives me.
2. The toys she buys me.
3. I love WOC (I could not figure this one out.)
4. I like that she takes me to fun places
5. I like that she takes me out to eat. (To the star) that’s Carl’s Jr.
6. She lets me go to my friend’s house.
7. She buys me books.
8. She takes me to preschool.
9. She helps me.
10. She takes care of me.
11. She picked my name. (I believe dad picked her name)

Now this one is kinda fun and hard to do, but let’s see what Brevin says. So I asked him what he likes about mommy.

1. Cakes. I am not sure where that came from. Maybe because we have some frosting that mom made for the sugar cookies. I come into the kitchen this morning to find him with the tub on the floor, open, and him eating the frosting…
2. Snowman. He was looking out the window at that time.
3. Drinks. He was looking at my drink on the counter.
4. Piggies. I am not sure on that one. Mom loves to collect pigs.
5. Pizza, pizza, pizza. We had pancakes for breakfast, not sure on that one ether.

But in all, it was fun to find out from each one of them how they felt about mom.

Tiffany, mom, you are the one that keeps our house going, we love you and need to show our appreciation towards you more often. Thanks for all that you do.

Scary Moment . . .

This morning was just like any other morning, John left for work, Caitlyn was up getting ready for school, nothing unusual. I was doing Caitlyn's hair for her, she wanted it a little fancy for her Valentine's Day class party. Anyway, she said she was dizzy . . . I look at her face and she is that lovely pale green and going even more pale. Then her eyes rolled back into her head and she went limp. Luckily I was right there with her. I was trying to remain calm, but was panicking ever so slightly . . . I kept saying her name over and over. I laid her down on my bathroom floor and said her name again at which point she jerked a little. I was worried she might be having a seizure, but she only jerked the one time. She was only out for a few seconds, but it seemed like forever. Here I am kneeling over my baby and she is unresponsive! What do you do!? Her eyes suddenly flew open and she is staring at me with these huge questioning eyes. "What happened?!" she asks me. Half-way between a sob and a laugh (my laugh was only due to my relief, not because I thought this was funny!) I tell her she passed out. She immediately starts to cry. I asked her if she had eaten yet, she hadn't. I helped her up to sit for a few minutes, then got her into the kitchen to eat. I called John at this point, because I was a little freaked, and needed him to calm me down. When I told him Cait had passed out, he asked me if she was still out? I was calm after that. No, she is still passed out on the floor I just thought I would call and tell you where she was, unconscious on the floor. And he wonders why I think he questions my ability as a mother?! Anyway, she ate and said she still wanted to go to school. I told her what to do if she ever feels like that again. Poor girl! I hope she not still freaked out about it! Love you Cait! Thanks for the exciting morning!

Two Reasons . . .

Despite the fact that I have had 2, count them, 2 sick children, I have 2 reasons that I am excited and happy today! First, I got a job offered to me that is close to home . . . just down in Riverton at the Riverton Transitional Rehabilitation Center. No drive to Murray anymore. Very good! Second, and most importantly, Nascar was on over the weekend! Oh how I have missed it! I know there are a few people out there that do not understand my white-trash-love-affair with Nascar, but I do love it! I truly do! I know most people that don't like it just see it as a bunch of cars driving around in a circle, but I love it! I love the drivers, who I lovingly refer to as My Nascar Boys. John and I are going to Vegas in a few weeks to attend the wonderful race the hold there annually! I love it! I am so excited! I can't wait! LOVE IT! Go Matt!

Week In Review . . .

Caitlyn:

This past week Caitlyn had her History Fair Project due. Last year she had done it on Brown vs Board of Education with her friend Jaici and the took first place at her school for 5th grade and then won first place at the district level,but in 5th grade that is as far as you can go. No state level for 5th grade. We were excited but disappointed that they couldn't go any further. This year they have teamed up again and did their report on Elvis. They got a first place for the school and have moved on to the district level. We are so proud of her! (Although no form of pride is good . . .)

Caitlyn has horrible seasonal allergies, as well as to dust, and animals. So, after taking her to an allergist we decided to get her allergy shots. There is no guarantee it will "cure" her of her allergies, but should lessen the effects of them. We have been doing the shots for several months and the serum is getting stronger and it is really starting to cause some swelling in her arm, so I thought I would take some picture to document all the pain and suffering she goes through. We try to get in a couple times a week, because you have to get around 60 shots. I know it sounds like a lot, but it is less expensive than medication!















Haidyn:

Haidyn is off track this week. She is on D-track and Cait is on C-track (No I didn't request it but if you ask the school, it only happens if you request it). So Haidyn had a sleepover this week with Olivia. They slept in the family room and had to make a tent, which the helped stabilize with scotch tape! Those two together are hysterical! They are a mini-Thelma and Louise.












Dilyn:

Dilyn has not been feeling all that well for the past couple of weeks, I just can't seem to get her to stay healthy! So, this week she has decided to become a Cullen, she has been way too pale. When I mentioned this to Caitlyn, who just finished reading Twilight, she thought I was hysterical!

Brevin:

He is such a boy! I know I say this frequently, but for me, after three girls, well, just bear with me please! He makes us laugh constantly! Aside from the fact that he speaks constantly and I only understand about 25% of it, he is like the energizer bunny! He never stops! I find myself running after him with food because he doesn't like to stop, even for food. This week he found a new sitting place, for the rare occasion that he actually sits for a moment, and I do mean a moment . . . it took me several minutes to conveince him to sit back down so I could take the picture.

Blub! Blub!

So I am getting Brevin in the truck and he looks under the seat and grabs the two cars that are under there (I'm sure none of you have anything under your seats :). I then proceed to put him in his seat, at which point he starts to yell at me something about Elmo, or that was what I thought. I tell him he needs to stop yelling and crying and to use his words. He then says "Blub! Blub!". What the . . . I look at Caitlyn to see if she knows what he is talking about and she justs shrugs her shoulders. Then Brevin starts pointing to the floor and says "Blub! Blub!" yet again. So I look under the seat and low and behold the is a Littlest Pet Shop Fish that has the coloring of Nemo (Elmo and Nemo sound very similar from his mouth). He wanted the fish. He is silly in the fact that he calls most animals by the noise they make and apparently fish say "Blub! Blub!".

Are they painted on?

This is how I'm feeling about my children's ears today. I am seriously wondering if their ears are painted on? Perhaps they are truly deaf and are unable to hear my words. Or could it be that they just simply don't understand what I am saying. Whatever it is, it has me truly frustrated. How many times must a mom say no before that word permeates their brain and recognition occurs? I can't tell you the number of times I have heard the phrase "But, I didn't hear you!". Perhaps I am invisible and my voice can only be heard by other mothers, because I know there have been plenty of times that my sweet husband doesn't hear what I say either. I don't like being frustrated . . . it is very frustrating. :)

Happy Birthday John!

I did not get the opportunity to post this yesterday . . . John was home all day sick, then Caitlyn called from school and she was sick . . . so my day was spent taking care of sickies! John is now 38 and here are 38 things that I love about him . . .

1. I love your crooked smile.

2. I love what a good Dad you are to our children.

3. I love the way you kiss me . . . yummy lips.

4. I love that you appreciate my humor.

5. I love your strong work ethic.

6. I love how smart you are even though I don't appreciate it all the time.

7. I love your goatee.

8. I love that you are patient with my moods when necessary.

9. I love that you don't mind taking me to Cafe Rio so frequently.

10. I love how supportive you are to my wants and needs.

11. I love that you read to the kids every night.

12. I love that you do the dishes.

13. I love watching Nascar races with you.

14. I love trying to solve the worlds problems together.

15. I love your silent laugh.

16. I love your willingness to help others.

17. I love cooking for you, because you love everything I cook!

18. I love that you have grey hair and I don't. :)

19. I love that you forget something every morning and kiss me goodbye at least twice.

20. I love that you try to surprise me, but I always find out before.

21. I love you be willing to rub my hips when they bother me.

22. I love that you try to cook on occasion.

23. I love going shopping with you.

24. I love that you love shopping with me.

25. I love that you never remember the punch line of a joke.

26. I love that everyone likes you.

27. I love that you think I am amazing.

28. I love that you fold the laundry!

29. I love that you support me wanting to work.

30. I love your shoulders.

31. I love that you love it when I ramble on about nothing.

32. I love laughing with you.

33. I love your need to have a project.

34. I love that you can fix anything.

35. I love that you can laugh at yourself.

36. I love your patience with the kids.

37. I love seeing you with our children.

38. I love that you are a true friend, to me.

John, I love you very much! More than words can say!

Love, your Sweatheat! :)

(I also love that you can't spell)