Random Pictures

So I was looking at the number of posts I've done since last August when I started blogging, and the most I've ever done in a month is 4! How pathetic is that!! It's only June 8, so I figure I'll be able to beat that record this month easy. For this post, I hope you'll indulge me while I share some fun pictures I happen to like a lot.

One of my all-time favorite pictures of Brookie.

A fabulous picture that Brooke took at Memorial Park just down the street from us.

Me drawing glasses and a mustache on Dallin as part of a game we were playing.

Chris zonked out on the couches.  He looks pretty comfy, doesn't he?

Brooke posing for Jill (click her name to see her photography business blog--she's amazing) during our family photo shoot last year.

On our way home from Tennessee in December of 2006, we stopped at a rest area and the kids had a huge snowball fight--in ARIZONA!

Jared playing hide & seek with Jill.

John found a praying mantis on a lamp post at church after a scout meeting one night.

Christmas 2007- Dallin got a new bass guitar, which he practices all the time.

John climbing the one remaining tree in our front yard--it's a favorite                                                                                               of all the kids that come to "hang out" at our house.

Me and my sweetie.

Jared and his pet guinea pig Henry.

Noah and his rat Whiskers.

Dallin looking cool--Brooke took this photo--very fun!

Me and Noah--aren't we cute?  Well, mostly Noah, actually.  I love the faces he pulls!!

Beautiful Brookie--a self-portrait!  She is very good at taking her own picture.

Noah looking cool up in a tree.  He loves climbing trees.

Jared smiling! It's not often I can get him to smile for a picture--he usually gets all serious.

Our cat Minnie--or at least her silhouette in the morning sun. She likes to sit in the window and dream about what it was like to roam about outside.  She also sits there to wait for us to come home.

Can they say "cheeeeese" or what?? Again, by our friend, Jill.

Birthday Tributes

Ok, so Dallin's birthday was May 28, and John's was June 5, and I really wanted them each to have their own separate tribute post, but oh, well.  They're used to sharing! Better late than never, right?

Anyway, Dallin is my go-to guy. Anytime I need extra help with anything, he's almost always willing to help out--without complaining! He is very reliable and likes to be on time. (When he was a baby, I could set my clock by him--he would take a nap every day at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. He still just goes to bed whenever he's tired.)  He is a great musician, following in his dad's footsteps, just with different instruments. He plays French horn in concert band, mellophone in marching band, and bass in jazz band. His favorite is probably bass- he practices any chance he gets, and takes lessons from a guy named Baba Elephante--no kidding--that's really his name. I digress. Anyway, he loves jazz, which is really fun.  Dallin also has a great sense of humor. I never know what's going to come out of his mouth, but I can almost always bet it's going to make me laugh.  He does well in school, even though he drives me crazy sometimes by not doing his homework.  He still manages to get pretty good grades because he's good at taking tests. And, lastly, I appreciate the fact that he doesn't mind too much when I hug him goodnight.

Happy 15th, Dallin!

As for John, he's brought our household teenager total to 3.  (I can't believe I'm old enough to have THREE teenagers!)  Anyway, John is somewhat of a daredevil, and loves to be outside playing frisbee or hitting tennis balls over the neighbor's fence, or at the park climbing trees. He's also got a sensitive side, which he'll probably not be happy about me sharing, but it's true.  He loves to play with babies, and try to make them laugh by making funny faces or noises at them.  Most of the time he succeeds, too.  As a matter of fact, his friend's little sister wants to come over quite often just to see him be funny--she's known him all her life, and no doubt remembers those faces he used to make at her when she was an infant. He's also a good musician, playing alto and tenor saxophone in the concert and jazz bands at school.  Even though he doesn't particularly like school, he still does pretty well most of the time.  (He and Dallin share a dislike for writing, which makes English class interesting for both of them.  They manage somehow, though.)  And, lastly, I appreciate the fact that he'll come and find me to hug me goodnight. 

 Happy 13th, John!

My Addictions

My amazing, funny, wonderful friend Teddi confessed her addictions and asked the question on her blog, "What's your addiction?" So here's my list, for all to see:

1) books- Cookbooks, children's books, self-improvement books, novels- but I don't have too many I just don't have enough bookshelves!
2) to-do lists- I often have several going at once, which isn't very effective, but I love making lists.
3) mashed potatoes- I always eat too many, because they are sooooo yummy! So, I try not to make them too often.
4) reading blogs- I check everyone's every day, more than once--I don't want to miss anything!

Ok, now it's your turn--what's your addiction?

Monday

So, it's Monday again. And early morning seminary is over for the year, which means I get to take the two oldest along with a couple of neighbors kids to school at 7:15, instead of Chris taking them at 6:20. Good for the kids--they get an extra hour of sleep--bad for me, I actually have to get dressed before 8:00. Plus, I can't seem to get myself moving today. Oh well, so much for Monday madness--more like Monday mush. I guess it's OK, as the week's going to be busy--Chris has got a production of Aladdin Jr. with the first performance tomorrow night--he's still painting scenery and getting costumes together--yikes!--homeschool group potluck at the park and missionaries coming for dinner Wednesday, John's birthday Thursday, choral banquet Friday, church BBQ on Saturday, Cub Scout committee meeting on Sunday. Kids' stuff--cub scouts, soccer sign-ups for fall, auditions for music groups for next year. Plus all the mundane stuff-- cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring, etc. I know just how Garfield feels. Wishing you all a Happy Monday!!