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.

Nasher

In honor of Nash turning 16 months old today, I thought I'd jot down some thoughts. I usually don't make a fuss about turning the big "1-6" months, but since he's changing and doing something new everyday, I though I'd better write it down for journaling purposes.

Nash is starting to become quite verbal especially within the last few weeks. Things he says:

momma
dada
bye bye
nite nite,
more
hi
thank you (he tried so hard to say it today)
boo!
huh (means yes if it's in a happy tone, no if it's grunted)
ball
bubble

8/27/09 (18 months)
New words:
Elmo
Ice cream
stinky (he's even told me a few times when he was "stinky" even if he just tooted!)
Shhhh
Share
cookie
yeah
uh oh

12/12/09 (22 months)
What Nash can say now: Nash is speaking in full-on sentences now. Here are a few things he says often

Want some more please, mommy.
More treat please mommy.
I no want it.
Thank you.

Those are the main phrases he says, but he still loves singing songs. He can sing really well! One night a few weeks ago Tyler and I were out and we had a babysitter. When we got home, the sitter said, Nash was asleep, but he's been awake for a little while and has been singing. We walked near his room and he was singing "I Am A Child of God" He just kept repeating, "Lead me guide me walk beside me, help me find the way..." It was so cute.

4/13/2010 (25 months)

Nash is a great communicator, but sometimes it can get slightly annoying...because he literally bosses me around all day! "I want milk. Where's my pink bunny? I need my backpack!" Are just a few examples.

Nash is all boy with a few exceptions:

• His favorite books are Pinkalicious and Purplicious

• His favorite show right now is Zoey's Dance Moves.
• His favorite color--you guessed it, Pink.
• He occasionally likes to put on Sydney's dress up skirts.
• He sleeps with a little baby doll. It's actually quite cute!
  

Some of his other favorite songs include, but are not limited to:
Follow the Prophet
Baptism
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
You Are My Sunshine
Once there was a Snowman





Things he likes:
Mom holding him
Balls
Water
Following Trace and Sydney around the house
Drinks (non alcoholic, as far as you know)
Corn-on-the cob
Swimming
Chicken nuggets
Playing at the beach
Sweeping
His blanket
His binky
Reading books
Baby MacDonald DVD (he's constantly saying E-I-E-I-O, which is my hint to get it in the DVD player before E-I-E-I-O turns into loud shrills)
12/12/09
Elmo
his boots
treats
carrying snacks in his bowl all around the house
jumping on the bed
4/13/2010
blankey
gum
candy
Celeste
Going to the gym with dad

Please ignore the snotty nose. Thank You.

Dislikes:
Cantaloupe (what?)
Being left alone in a room
Being stuck in his car seat for long stretches

Summertime Yummies

How Sweet? Sugar Sweet!

Tyler started running this produce business when he was in high school and 15 years later, it's still going strong! It has evolved over the years and has become a fun family business!

We have stands from Payson to SLC, so stop by and get some fresh

AND MORE!

And, for all of you wondering what to get Dad for Father's Day, we have the perfect gift pack:

• Corn griller (makes yummy grilled corn on the cob),
  
• Corn butter (butters your corn EASILY!)
• Corn de-silker (gently brushes off corn silk)
• And one dozen ears of corn
  

Comes nicely packaged and ready to gift, all for only $20!

A perfect gift for any dad!

Our website should be up and running soon for stand locations: sugarsweetcorn.com

To preorder corn or berries for freezing or jam email us at: sugarsweetcorn@gmail.com

Flag Day and another VERY special occasion...

Just wanted to wish everyone a very, very happy flag day. Oh, and, it is also someone's birthday today. Hmmmm, who could that be?

I'll give you a hint. It's someone in this picture. And it's probably not the cute baby trying to escape from his mother.

So, In case you have not called, emailed, texted or Facebooked this person yet, I will give you one more opportunity to pronounce your wishes upon him or her in the comments section.

And, if you choose not to participate because this person has forgotten your birthday (which she (or he) tends to do), then let's call it even, ok?

Family Vacation

We are back from our East Coast tour!!!

We had a blast on our vacation in May, and got to visit friends and family. Here's a recap of all the places we hit, and the events that took place.

***Important Note: Many, many, many pictures are about to be revealed...I cannot be held responsible if you sustain permanent eye damage from viewing so many amazing photos of my family. Consider yourself warned!

1. Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Mechling family picture
  
• 

• Beach time (surprise, surprise)
  

• Pool party with Jon's fiance, Anna, and her family:)

• Mingled with old friends and neighbors (no pics to prove it though)
  

• Played UNO--winner of the VB rounds goes to Kimmie, mainly for keeping her composure and her ability to cordially hang with the competitive Mechlings. She managed to win a few times too.
  

2. Williamsburg, Virginia

• Busch Gardens--I L-O-V-E this place!
  

!

My personal favorite picture trio. Poor Maddy had NO idea. Bad Daddy.

Nash spent the better half of his day naked due to my poor planning and a large poo bomb. He didn't seem to mind though.

Ben proves once again that he can sleep anywhere. Real Nice.

Tyler and friends off to kiddie land...

• Great Wolf Lodge--AWESOME!

3. Pawleys Island, South Carolina

• Visited my 92 year-old grandma, Tutta!
  
• Lots more beach time.

Sydney's hair was so curly. I loved it!

• Played UNO--Can't seem to remember who the overall winner of the SC rounds was. So sorry.
  

4. Columbia, South Carolina (Go COCKS!)

• Rogers family reunion at Saluda Park

5. Shelby, North Carolina

• Stayed at Uncle Ron and Aunt Bev's house (I propose to rename their place, Disneyworld's Extension Park, NC)

My second favorite picture trio:



The Race Track

• Played UNO--I can tell you who won the most games here...that would be me. And I even took home the best prize ever, A WOOD BOWL turned by my own Uncle Ron...Yippeeeee!!!
  

6. Spartanburg, South Carolina

• Went to see Ray and Jen's newly remodeled home. Nice work Ray and crew, it looks awesome!
  

So, there you have it! It was an exhausting trip, but many wonderful memories made. I'd like to thank everyone who made this trip possible, especially Big Ray and Weezie. Thank You! We loved every minute of it!