My Outlet

Kenneth Cole is one smart man.
And I am one lucky lady to have such amazing sisters.  Of course we fought growing up, but they are honestly now my best friends.  They are, and always will be, my outlet.  The people I will go to when I need something, or even when I don't.  My go-to girls when I need a good laugh, or someone to listen while I cry.  Lucky for everyone, my one and only brother married someone who just naturally fits into our family.  Carrie is perfect in every way, and we are so lucky to have her.
I feel so incredibly blessed to call these girls my own, my blood, my sisters.

Sisters Trip 2012

 We flew into California on Tuesday, April 10.  I spent the 11th all day with my sister Melissa, then Jess flew in that night and we headed to San Francisco with Lukie for some dinner.  On the 12th, Jess and I left my Mom's house, drove down to pick up Melissa, drove to pick up Rachel, had lunch with Carrie and Baby Ty, went to go visit Andrew at Apple, and then headed down to Beverly Hills for the start of our sisters trip! 

 

Rrrrrrrrrrrroad Trip!

We were all raised loving a good deal, so the first stop: the Outlets, of course.  

 

 After shopping and then driving, we finally pulled into Sara's place in Beverly Hills at about 1 am.  Sara and Ben had a last minute opportunity to go to Thailand for  two weeks, and then extend it to one month (luckies), and we missed her so much on the trip.  She would have been so disappointed in our lack of cooking and dancing that occurred.
Friday morning at Grand Luxe Cafe. 

More shopping!!!

 

We spent all day Friday shopping.  We hoped to go to the beach, but it was pouring rain, so it was not meant to be.  Carrie was able to fly down early Saturday morning (Andrew had to work on Friday), so we picked her up, got donuts, and then started our workout. Good thing we had sugar overload so we could hike the Hollywood sign.  Rachel wanted to ride the horses. :)
 

 

Sitting in the same spot as we did 3 years ago.  My how things have changed.  

 

Since we couldn't go to the beach on Friday, we did it on Saturday instead.  It was so windy that we all got free exfoliation.
 

And then spent the rest of the day shopping.  There was a common theme amongst our shopping, coral and stripes.  Every thing we bought was either one or the other.  And I'm pretty sure we all have twinner clothes. 

That night we stayed in, ordered a pizza and made the decorations for Rachel's shower.  

Jess wanted to feel Rachel's twins move, so she put her hand on Rach's belly, and one of the babes gave quite a kick and it scared Jess so much that she feel off her chair.  And then I about feel off my chair laughing.  

 Sunday we went back to the mall, got our free Sprinkles cupcakes, took Jess to the airport, got our Cafe Rio fix, and then headed home. 

 

 

 

Melissa and I don't know how to drive a stick, so the poor pregnant lady, and the pumping lady had to do all the driving.
Helpless.
 

My sweet mom watched our kids while I was with my sisters, and Dave was with his Dad, driving the truck (I got the better end of that deal).  Austin is obsessed with my Mom.  After four days of not seeing me, he still wanted nothing to do with me.  Only my Mom.

Nope.  Nothing.  

After not seeing Dave for almost a week...

My Mom still won.  Every time.  

Thank you Dad and Mom for watching the kids, and thank you sisters for a weekend to remember.  Coral and stripes!!

California Bound

 

 

Unfortunately, almost as soon as we moved to Colorado, we found out that due to circumstances way beyond our control, the job was not going to work out.  Fortunately, we found a new job that Dave is thrilled about.  He finished work on April 5th, and the kids and I flew to CA on April 11 for three weeks of family fun.  Dave and his amazing Dad supervised the packing of the truck, drove it to our new home and then met us in California.  Flying with the three kids by myself was an adventure, but they did really well.  I swore I would never let my kids play on the ground of an airplane.  Never say never.  I loved this carrier my inlaws bought me, and Austin feel asleep in it the second we got OFF the plane.  I booked the flight during nap time, hoping he would sleep, but that was not the case.  He made friends with a flight attendant and she loved parading him around.  We had so much fun spending so much time in California!

Ragsy

My family has a tradition of naming our cars. Growing up we road around in Bubba, our suburban. My first car, Kirby, provided lots of fun memories. Sara and I were able to take Kirby to college to "share". I was able to borrow my Grandpa's car occasionally in college, and Cheerio got Jayme and I into, and out of, all sorts of fiascos. When Dave and I were first hanging out back in 2000, we drove from Provo to California for a road trip with Arianne, Mindy and Craig. We took Kirby. We stayed at my parents house. We were outside washing Kirby (my Mom has a thing for clean cars. Many memories of washing cars growing up). Anyhow, she said, "Will someone go get some rags inside?" Dave paused and said, "Rags. That is what I am going to name my car. And someday I will go from Rags to riches." Little did Dave know that he would end up marrying me, or that he would get his MBA, only to go on and do 7.5 more years of school, and it would be 12 years later until that dream was realized. We retired good old "Ragsy" as the kids called him (gender: boy, Francy-our swagger wagon: girl), in April. I love this car.

 It was car Dave picked me up in for our first date. We brought all three babies home from the hospital in this car.

This car fixed itself. When there was something wrong with it, it would seriously just fix itself. Except for our two year wedding anniversary. Rags decided he wanted some TLC and needed a new transmission. So our gift to each other was a $2,000 new transmission. But other than that, and a little tune up now and again, Rags was awesome.

 I have so many memories of driving around Provo in our dating days. Of Dave taking me back to my apartment late and night in the freezing cold, and Rags was so good at heating up quickly and blasting the hot air. Our newlywed days, of driving to hang out with Ryan & Heidi, or over for Sunday dinner at Anika's with Chris and Megan. Our San Francisco days, and how Rags needed 2.5 squares of sidewalk to fit into a parallel parking space. Driving to Addi's, the Marina Safeway, and all over the city for Audrey's modeling jobs.

Once we had Joshua, we got Francy, so when I think of Rags, I remember being a mom to only one sweet little girl, and my little sidekick and I went everywhere together. In Texas, Dave took Rags to school everyday. He was such a good commuter car. Until the air conditioner went out in the middle of the summer. Money was verrrry tight, so we tried to not fix it, but after Dave would come home dripping in sweat, I put my foot down and we fixed the AC. But it wasn't as bad as we thought. Good old Ragsy just needed a little charge and he was good to go.

Audrey full on shed some tears when Dave drove away with Ragsy for the last time. When we would sing the "Happy Family" song ("I love _____, and he loves me...), Joshua would make us include Rags and Francy into our song. We take these cars and they become pseudo family members. We love you Rags!

Worst picture of me in the entire universe, but this is up loading up baby Audrey in Rags and coming home from the hospital in San Francisco.  2005.

Coming home from swimming from someone's aunt's cousin's best friend's home.  Finding a swimming pool was hard to do in San Francisco.  

On the way to a modeling job.

Playing in the courtyard at our apartment complex.  AKA, the backyard.  

Baker Beach. 

 

Coming home from Pleasanton where we bought these sunglasses at the Nordstrom half yearly for probably $7. Aunt Mimi watched Audrey for us in hopes that it would put her into labor with baby Savy.  It totally worked.  2007.

 

On our way to Monterey to visit SuEllen and her kids.  I was 9 months pregnant and had major contractions and was convinced I was going to have to deliver Joshua all by myself of the long, windy drive home.  No cell service.  That wasn't very smart of me.  

Then we got Francy and Rags officially became Dave's car again, which explains why there are no pictures of him until the last day we had him. 

Our last day with Ragsy.  April 7, 2012

The summer that Dave and I met (2000), I was asked to go back to Girls Camp to be an adult leader from my home stake.  I went, and they did a really cool "Tree of Life" lesson.  This was my little piece of fruit from the tree at camp.  I hung it on Rags that summer, and it has stayed there ever since.  

217, 335.5 miles.  Impressive Ragsy, impressive. 

RIP Rags.  Thank you for all the fun memories! 

Randoms

Random pictures taken by my trusty phone.
Conference Sunday park outing.

Some school work by Audrey. 

My favorite part is when she calls me "wonderful". Best pay day ever. 

A self portrait by Audrey. 1st grade.

This rocking chair was given to me by my friend Shannon in San Francisco when I was pregnant with Audrey.  I had looked everywhere for a good chair, and finally found one (so I thought) at Costco.  After borrowing a friends big car and driving down and picking it up, I told Shannon about my find.  She told me she was getting rid of her chair and asked if I wanted it.  I used to babysit her kids and I rocked Noah in that chair.  I loved Noah, and I loved that chair.  The Costco chair went right back, and this was the chair that I rocked baby Audrey, Joshua, and Austin in.  When we moved, it had to go.  We were tight on space and this thing is a beast. I was so sad to see it leave.  Thank you chair, for so many memories. And for putting up with so much spit up and poop. 

 

My Toothless Wonder

I knew Audrey would be loosing her two front teeth soon, officially beginning the awkward stage, so we took some pictures before that went down. March 16, 2012

 

And out comes the first one, making her snaggle tooth. April 1, 2011

10 days later, out comes the second one, thanks to the help of Uncle Ryan.  It was our first night in California, and that bad boy had to go.  Uncle Ryan helped to pull it out, and then I finished.   The tooth fairy brought a bonus since it was lost on the first night at her Grandparents house. 

Audrey was so excited and said, "Now I am your toothless wonder!" 

Today - Yesterday

I feel like I spend so much time catching up on my blog, that I miss the little, everyday moments and happenings that make up our daily life.   I had every intention of doing this last night, but the NBA Championship was on, and I got distracted. This was our day yesterday, and some little random tidbits about my three lovely littles.

First up on our agenda for the day: swim lessons  

Audrey and Joshua are in swim lessons and loving it.  Joshua does not want to wear his floatie in the water anymore, making my life at the pool full of anxiety with Joshua and Austin.  His swimming has improved immensely and he loves to throw water toys into the water and dive (read: belly flop) into the water to get it.  (Audrey is learning the strokes and can almost do the back stroke across the whole pool.)

This little boy melts his mommy's heart.  There are no words to describe how much I love him.  His big brown eyes, and his sweet, tender heart melt MY heart.  He is always saying, "Fank you". i.e., "Joshua, I love you so much." "Fank you."  "Joshua, I love your shirt." "Fank you."  My Mom and I have said to each other many times that we like to think of things to say to Joshua so he will say, "Fank you" back. 

He is always making up signs for his answers to questions.  For example, "Hey Joshua, do you like your sandwich?" Then he will say, "If I do this (thumbs up sign), that means yes, and if I do this (thumbs down sign) that means no." Or sometimes it is, "If I say this, 'caw caw caw', that means yes, and if I saw, 'ba ba ba' that means no." Every time it's a different sign.  

He made up a game that he calls, "Ball in the Middle".  We stand facing each other, and he has the ball and I stand with one hand on my hip.  If he can throw the ball between the space of my arm and body, he wins.  Then we change places.  His reward system (that he made up), was this: "Mom, if I make it, I get to watch a show".  Fine.  Then he became really good, and it was, "Mom, if I make it, I get to pick out any toy I want at the store." Nice try buddy.
He says, "coo coo" instead of the forbidden potty talk.  Cleaver. 

I just found out last week that Joshua got into the preschool here.  Since we moved here late, he was on the waiting list.  But now he is in.  I am so excited for him to go, but will miss my little side kick so much.  He started preschool in Texas for one month, but I kept him home with me when we moved to Colorado.  I loved my days with him and it makes me sad that someone else will get to spend the mornings with him.  

Yesterday we were driving and Joshua said, "When I grow up, I want to be the boss of the town, and go to outer space." When I asked him just now what he wants to be, he answered, "A Dad, because I weally want to." 

He really loves his baby brother.  Today at the gym when I went to pick up the kids, the child watch lady to me that Austin was pulling another kids hair.  And then she said, "And Joshua just stood there and watched him do it, he didn't even stop him." That sounds about right.  ANYTHING that Austin does is "so cute." Joshua would never put the kibosh down on Austin. 

The other day I went to gym for only 20 minutes.  When I picked him up from child watch he said, "You were so fast Mom! I am so proud of you!" Glad I could make you proud little man. 

Joshua and Audrey are (knock on wood) getting along remarkable well these days.  Don't get me wrong, a few weeks ago everyone was lucky to be alive when it was time for bed, but for whatever reason, they are doing much better.  Actually, I think it was the homework books that made the difference.  During Austin's nap, Audrey and Joshua just wanted to watch TV.  I told them they have to read (or color) for 45 minutes, and their rooms have to be clean and bathroom straightened before they have any TV privileges.  But I found that Audrey, who usually loves to read, was starting to not like it. Maybe it was just because it was something she had to do? Who knows.  My parents were visiting recently and we found these age appropriate "homework" books for kids to do during the summer.  Now they have to work on those for 45 minutes before they can watch TV.  Lots of days, they just start playing together and never get around to doing their "homework", but then they also don't watch any TV.  Kids playing happily together? No TV watching? I will take that over them doing their "homework" any day.

Recently he has been telling Audrey and me that we are pretty.  Makes me swoon.  Is it possible I have a crush on my little boy? Absolutely. 

Anyhow, this is Joshua's post swim lesson picture.  Not great quality, because he would not hold still, but it was the best I could do, and I love that little face and the expression he is making. 

After swim lessons we headed to the grocery store. I am that total white trash mom that lets her kids (and herself) snack on the goldfish (or yesterday the cheese rice cakes) while doing the shopping.  Better to have snacking kids then a screaming Austin.  For shizelle. Austin gets away with a lot more than my first two ever did.  Notice the binki clipped to him? Yep, he gets it way more than my older two.  But he is also my only baby that has ever gone to a child watch center at a gym.  My friend Megan was genius and would let her baby have his binki to prevent him from sucking on the germ infested toys at the gym.  Brilliant.  So Austin gets his at the gym, and then since it's already clipped to him, he gets is at the store too.  My older two only only only got it in their bed. Nope, this little lad gets it quite a bit more.  Oh well.  I'm over it. 

Austin is our little comedian.  He loves to make us laugh.  He thinks he is so funny.  He will shake his head in his car sear super fast and hard and have the older kids laughing hysterically.  He loves to dance and moves his little body when he hears music. His is obsessed with balls.  He will say, "Ba, ba, ba" way more than he will even say, "Mama." I know my place in his mind.  He loves to play catch with Dave and Joshua.  

This baby boy of mine has such a special place in my heart.  We are pretty sure we are done having kids so he will always be my baby.  I love when he cuddles me, or when he pokes my eyes out.  He is the most resistant to any form of sign language.  When A & J were his age, they were signing "more" "eat" "please" "thank you" and "all done."  Nope, this boy has no interest.  I think it's because he has two older siblings that do all his communicating for him. Again, I'm over it.  But I do think it's funny/annoying when I ask him to sign "Please" and he basically sits on his hands, just because he doesn't want to do it. 

Blurry picture because he wouldn't sit still either, but this expression is so him.  My little cute comedian. 

After the store, home for lunch. Then naps (no homework, and therefore no TV, but they played together so I was a happy mama).  After naps we went swimming in my new friend Christina's pool, then to Sonic for dinner (don't judge) then to gymnastics, where we met Dave.  Audrey is taking a gymnastics class, and Joshua is doing 1/2 karate and 1/2 gymnastics.  They both loved it.  Then to get some frozen yogurt with Dave. Then home and scrubbied those little bods in the tub. Ahhhh, clean kids.  It was such a nice night so we went out back to eat Cheese Nips.  And then I snapped this sweet little picture of Audrey.  All three pictures are from my phone.  Thank goodness for the phone.  I rarely use my nice camera anymore.  Sad.  But not really.  

Oh Audrey.  My beautiful little Audrey.  Sometimes I look at her and I can't believe she is mine.  She is way too beautiful for her own good, but more importantly, she has such a beautiful heart.  She is very concerned with others, and their feelings.  She is such a trooper and rolled with the punches with all our moves.  We have talked a lot about how to make friends, and the difference between open ended questions, and closed ended questions.  It is much better to ask an open ended question to a new friend so the answer just doesn't end with one word.  The other day we were at the pool and I heard her talking to a little girl her age.  I heard Audrey say, "What do you like to do for fun?" Made her mama proud that she was putting herself out there and asking this girl an open ended question.  

She is a smart girl and sometimes amazes me with her memory.  She will ask me if I remember certain things, and I amazed that she can remember something from so long ago.  

She is such a great helper with her brothers.  She has a special bond with little Austie and she loves to get him out of his crib every morning, and after his nap.  She wants to carry him and push him in the stroller or grocery cart.  But she will not touch a dirty diaper.  Not even one that only has pee in it.  Nope. Not a chance.  

She is our little adventurous one and loves to do the big rides at the amusement parks or water parks.  She is an excellent swimmer and loves when we call her our little mermaid.  She wants to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up. 

She is my girly girl who loves to have her fingernails painted, get pedicures, and go shopping.  Her birthday is in August and I asked her the other day what she wants for her birthday.  She said she wants money so she could go shopping.  Nope, too young.  I want her to still want toys, and Barbies.  She needs to stop growing up. 

Audrey outside, eating Cheese Nips, which she informed me were way way way better than Cheese Its.  I disagree. 

I went to a wedding last weekend (Carrie's sister) and it was absolutely beautiful.  During the ceremony, I got all teary thinking about my kids growing up and getting married.  Such a happy occasion, but the thought of my boys loving someone more than me, and my baby girl being a bride made me emotional.  These days will pass more quickly than I would like (but honestly, sometimes it feels like it will never end!), but time does fly and I want to enjoy this journey.  

And that was our day, yesterday.