Thank You Lifetouch...

Trace is in kindergarten...

Now can you guess what grade I'm in?

Try not to be envious, but...

I get a free set of these amazing pictures every year. They're really starting to pile up because I'm not quite sure what to do with one 8x10, two 5x7s, four 2x3s, and multiple wallets. I think it's collage time. And, Tyler will inevitably be the lucky recipient. Yes that will be nice.



Anyhow, here's what Mr. Mom has been up to on Thursdays....


Tyler is a great Mr. Mom, but not a great hairstylist. Sorry Syd.

Superhero Trio

Here are the obligatory pictures of the kids' Halloween costumes...

They're pretty cute if I do say so myself.
Happy Halloween!

Corn officially ended on Labor Day, and we've been making the most of Tyler's freedom.

Therefore, I'd like to entitle this post, FALL FUN. Very creative, yes?

To begin the Fall Fun, we went to Lake Powell. Tyler's cousin Rachelle & Brandon invited us to go. We had a great time! It was my first time ever. The weather was perfect, the houseboat was amazing, and we had the best tour guide around (thanks Brandon). There was never a dull moment. Thanks for the invite!



The cliff jumping was really fun...we even forced Tyler to participate!



How can I call this post "Fall Fun" if and not include football? Tyler and I got BYU football season tickets this year, and thanks to some magical strings Celeste pulled, we got phenomenal seats. We are literally on the first row. Not only do we have a great view of the defensive line (is that the correct football lingo?)

but we also get to watch the band walk by for their solid half time performances,


AND we get to make fun of the seriously lame security guards.


Trace got to come to one of the games too.


Now onto St. George...
No pictures to prove anything amazing happened, but trust me, we had an eventful Rhino trip to Sand Hollow State Park. Let's just say that at the end of the day, Tyler was keeping the kids entertained by playing a lively version of Duck, Duck Goose, properly renamed, "Rhino, Rhino, IMPOUND!"

Anywho...
Before our St. George trip, we took a leisurely trip up Hobble Creek Canyon with Chris and Erin...it ended a little prematurely when the Rhino's battery died. We just weren't meant to Rhino.



And, finally, Tyler and I just got back from a great trip to Virginia Beach for my brother Jon's wedding. We had a great time, and THOROUGHLY enjoyed the "no kids" part.

We had one full free day there and made the most of it. After some encouragement from Ben, we decided to rent bikes on the boardwalk.

We had no idea Neptune was going to be
there. I felt so inferior, and so overdressed.

Next, Jon invited us for an intense game of frisbee golf. Check out my form. It's all in the flick of the wrist. Nice.
(I'm pretty sure I won...the high score)

And, finally we went to see "A Law Abiding Citizen." Great movie, BTW.


Then, it was onto wedding fun...I wish my pictures were a little smaller, but this is the best I can do for now. I had to steal them from the Sam's Club website and apparently they only sell them to midgets.

Hopefully, I can get normal size ones when the lovely couple gets back from the honeymoon...YAY for Puerto Vallarta...

"Just promise me you won't go bungee jumping in Mexico, they just don't have the regulations" (that quote is for you, Jon! Please use your best lisp).


A HUGE THANK YOU to Chris, Erin, and Megan for keeping the kids for us!

And, Stefano, you're welcome for the free birth control.

Someone's Six!

Happy Birthday Trace!

For Trace's birthday, we took him to the best people watching event of the year:
The Utah State Fair.
He loved every minute of it! He rode lots of rides and saw lots of stinky animals.

Here are 6 things that describe Trace at age 6:

1. Trace is simply a happy kid. He is rarely in a bad mood (if ever) and seems to just enjoy life! He's also loving kindergarten and learning how to read.
   
2. Trace is a good worker/helper. He likes to go do corn with Tyler in the summer and usually has jobs he can do. He's also a good helper around the house.
   
3. Trace generally wants to please others and wants to do what is right.
   
4. Trace is a good singer and likes to sing along to showtunes in the car.
5. Trace is a healthy eater. I finally starting getting him the alternative to french fries at the fast food joints because he prefers fruit to fries. What?!
   
6. Trace is adventurous...he likes roller coasters, water slides, carnie rides, and playing in the ocean. He's also a great swimmer.
   

The Blanket Diet

I decided a few days ago after coming across this book at work that it was time to face my fears, practice what I preach, and tackle Sydney's thumb sucking habit.

Ugh.

The only time Sydney sucks her thumb is when she has her blanket.

That means, she sucks her thumb ALL THE TIME.

Well, being the genius that I am, I immediately realize this: Less blanket time=less thumb sucking.

And thus the blanket diet was born.

Like everything I do around here, I began the diet because we were forced into it. While taking my parents to the airport yesterday, I realized I forgot Syd's blanket (Gasp!). Usually, she would notice the blanket's absence IMMEDIATELY, but on this particular day, she didn't say anything until about an hour into our journey.

This is when I decided the moment was right to lay it on her.

"Sydney", I said calmly, "I've decided that you do not need your blanket during the day anymore. You can have it at night, and that's it."

As I looked in my rear-view mirror all I could see was the look on Sydney's face. This look might be comparable to the look you'd see on a portly person's face if he were just told, "Today is the last day you will ever eat a piece of cake my friend."

Utter disgust.

They grow up too fast.

Well, the day has finally arrived.
Trace started kindergarten!!!


He looks like he might get to ride the short bus to school in this picture, but alas, it is not his fault. I am a horrible photographer. Sorry, buddy!
(Check out the retro high tops Trace picked out. Nice.)

I cried the whole morning...


No I didn't, you fools!

Don't get me wrong, I love Trace and enjoy having him around the house; however, he is going to be SIX in a few weeks and we were both MORE THAN READY for this new chapter in his life to begin. Yipee! Free school!

Plus, kindergarten in Utah is only half of a half day (2.5 hrs). Sydney's preschool is longer than kindergarten! So, I feel it is merely an extension of preschool, thus no need for tears. Maybe I'll cry when he starts 1st grade and is gone all day. But, maybe I won't.

Tyler wanted to start a tradition with the kids and take them back to school shopping, himself. I knew I didn't want to drag 3 little kids into the stores with all the other moms and screaming kids, so I happily agreed that Tyler could begin this tradition. They had a fun day of male bonding and Trace was thrilled with his new clothes and shoes.

Trace also started soccer and had his first game last night. Tyler was able to get the night off, and joined us. The first half of the game, Tyler was quite concerned about his eldest son's athletic abilities. He eluded to the fact that at least he has two other possibilities coming down the line. Sydney probably being the most likely to have the aggressive instinct and athletic genes (since she is Tyler's clone).

So, after watching Trace clumsily kick the ball for awhile, he finally broke away from the midget pack emerging with the ball. He kicked it towards the goal leaving the other kids in the dust (he's quite fast--maybe track will be his thing). He was about 15 feet away from the goal when all of a sudden, eeeert! He stops and turns around.

Tyler's facial expression clearly said, "What the ______?!" (you can fill in the blank).

In Trace's defense, his cleat had come off. And, it wasn't until half time that Tyler noticed neither one of his too-big cleats were tied!

Ah ha!

Being the good parents we are, we tied his shoes and sent him back onto the field. He mentioned to Tyler a few minutes later, "Dad, I can play so much better with my shoes tied!" And, truly, he could.

Turns out he's not that clumsy and non-athletic after all.

Tyler was VERY relieved.

Squints

Trace has a new nickname

Now--name that movie referenced in the title! It's one of my all time favorites :)

A very exciting update...I know you can't wait...hurry and push the link...hurry

Whew.

You have arrived to a very exciting post.

Brace yourself.

I cannot be held responsible if you cannot sleep after this post has been read.

Seriously.

My summers are off-the-charts fun.

Okay, but really seriously, I'm sorry in advance for the lameness of this post. But, I must document my awesome life, starting (and ending) with our recent trip to the doctor. This is probably the most interesting it's going to get from me for awhile.

So, I took the kiddos to the doc a few weeks ago, and felt like I got my money's worth for a change (we have a high deduct).
Nash had his 16 month check-up and shots...ummm guess he was more like 17 months, but whatever......Trace got the rest of his kindergarten shots and while I was there, I decided to surprise Sydney with shots so I wouldn't have to bring her in twice before kindergarten next year. I thought she would be fine getting her shots, if you recall this post. But, no such luck. Trace went first and the crying began for everyone. I'm so glad it's over!

Nash's check-up went well, he is 25.5 lbs (60%ile), and 34" long (99%ile). So, it's looking like lanky Trace will be the basketballer and chunky Nash the footballer. Tyler is well pleased.

I also decided to take away the pacifier from Nash last week. I knew it was time but was dreading it. It actually went pretty well! No bink, no bottle, now if I could add no diaper to that list. I guess I could, it would just be pretty disgusting.

Nash has added a few new words to his repitoire; his favorites being the first two:
nuhooo (with lots of voice inflection, he's truly southern)=no
deidoo=thank you
iuhmo= I want more
wawa=water, or anything liquid for that matter

And, to add a little more excitement to this horribly boring post, I though I'd add these fab pics taken by the cutest photographer in the world...thanks again, haley, you amaze me!




If you've managed to make it to the end of this post, I applaud you. Good night.

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Four things that would best describe Sydney at age 4:

1) Sydney is a momma's girl. Syd loves to cuddle with me. She also lets me know that she missed me if she's been gone for awhile. And, whenever I get Sydney something she really likes such as ice cream or a movie, she always remembers to follow it up with an "I love you, Mom."

2) Sydney is relentless. For example, she loves to watch tv. The other day she asked if she could watch a show. I tried to hold her off with a firm, "maybe in a little while." She waited about 6.7 seconds and said, "how about now?"

3) Sydney loves treats (and will do just about anything for one). When we were at the lake, Sydney refused to go tubing. After many, many attempts to get her on the tube, I offered her a cupcake. Tubing--DONE.

4) Sydney still gives out the best stink-eye in town. I challenge you to find anyone who is better at it. I'd love to have a stink eye-off.

Eye Carumba!

Last week, Trace had a fight with Nash's suspenders.
Score after only one round:
Trace--0
Suspenders--1

Picture this:
I'm busily cleaning house (no laughing, please) when all of a sudden, I hear Trace start to cry, and cry, and cry. I figured he was jumping on his bed again, and hurt himself, again. No rushing upstairs necessary. After about 2-3 minutes of wailing, I decided to offer some support.

Here's a taste of the dialogue that occurred:
Trace: My eye, my eye!
Me: What's wrong with your eye? What happened?
Trace: I don't know, it just started hurting!
Me: Did you hit it?
Trace: No! NO!! I don't know what happened.
Me: Why is it hurting?
Trace: I don't know, it just started hurting. Really bad.

There was no apparent wound on his eye initially, and since they're so Asian-like (no offense CamErin), I had to pull his eye down to further examine. I then got a nice visual of a long blister-looking thing that was bluish/redish on the white part of his eye.

Since Trace was claiming that it spontaneously started hurting, my optimistic mind begins to go there:

eye tumor = cancer of the eye = surgery = lots of debt = blindness = everything else horrible I could think of.

So, within minutes we're in the car and Tyler's getting an appointment for me at the eye doc's. As all the wonderful thoughts are going through my mind in the car, I notice that Trace's crying has weakened.

Me: Trace, is your eye starting to feel better?
Trace: A little bit.
Me: Do you know what could have happened to it?
Trace: I think I might have hit it with a belt-thing-y.
Me: What?! This information would have been helpful 20 minutes ago!!!
Trace: (Silent)





















The story ends like this: Eye doctor verifies that he does in fact have a very nasty wound on his eye that will self-heal, but the bigger concern was his very, very poor vision. (This did not result from the fight, just so you know). Stay tuned for pictures of Trace and his new specs, coming in August.