Kaci biffs it!

I feel like that I am always posting things about Kaci but right now that is who I am with all of the time.  Jackson and his friend Trevor were playing with Kaci in the stroller.  The wheel turned funny and Kaci's face hit the pavement --  hard.  (Luckily, she was buckled in.  The stroller took the brunt of the fall.) The boys felt so bad.  The sad thing is that Kaci was having so much fun playing with them until it happened.  She looks much better now but keeps picking at the scab under her nose saying "Stuck, Stuck mommy."  

I may be losing it

One thing I am not good at is remembering names. I actually can remember faces but putting names with it is not a strength of mine. I know you thought I was perfect but SURPRISE I am not. Case in Point. Today at swim lessons this lady, whose face I did recognize, comes up to me and says "You got a new car." My mind starts racing to figure out where I know her from- (school, church, soccer, neighbor, baseball, relative, piano etc.) I have no clue who this lady is or how I know her. So out come the feeler questions. How are your kids? How did you hear about this swim school? (That got it narrowed down to the neighborhood.) I still don't know who this lady is and how I know her and now I have to go every week to swim and some how figure it out. I hate that feeling, especially when they remember your name. I do this all the time. I think I am losing it, although my kids and Jason would say that that has been happening for a long time. People will introduce themselves to me and 2 minutes later I have forgotten their name. So I guess next week I will keep asking the feeler questions until I can figure out exactly who this lady is. (Or maybe I will go and ask my neighbor Heather who knows everybody in the neighborhood and see if she can figure it out for me!)

Swim Lessons

Kaci and Chase began swim lessons getting ready for the upcoming swim season.  This swim school that they go to is pretty good and does one on one lessons.  They want to start kids as young as 6 months but to me that is way too young.  So I started Kaci last week.  I mainly want her to not panic in the water and they also teach the young kids to spin onto their backs if they fall in. Chase learned to swim in 2 lessons last year so I was very impressed with this school last summer.  One problem, Kaci cries from the moment she sees her swimsuit until we leave the building.  The first video is of her in the dressing room after crying all the way over in the car.  

This is Chase in the dressing room during her lesson.  They have me leave the room so that Kaci doesn't see me.  He thinks it is hilarious that she cries the whole time.  

This is the very end.  She is still crying for me.  Luckily, the lessons are only 10 minutes.  We'll keep trying for a couple of more weeks but if the crying doesn't stop we may wait until next year.  The teacher did say that she does stop crying when she goes under water.  That's good, I guess.  So am I a mean mom for making her do it?  You be the judge.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON!!!

               Today is Jason's birthday.   He is officially closer to 40 than 30.

     Thanks for being a great dad  and a loving husband!  We all love you tonz!  
Sunday birthdays aren't much fun with meetings and church but we tried to make it special.  I took brownies to Priest Quorum and made his requested Chicken Cordan Bleu for dinner. Hope you had a great day!   Enjoy the 30s because it won't be long until the 40s creep up.  

Kaci being Kaci

Yesterday, I was upstairs putting clothes away and getting ready for Chase's soccer game.  This is what I came down too.  Kaci had pulled out the strawberries from the fridge, pulled the green tops off and smushed them all over the table.  She ate as many as she could before I caught her.

I had to grab the camera before I cleaned her up.  I may have to put a lock on the fridge now that she has figured out where the food is.  

For Scott

Scott emailed me this picture to post on my blog.  He says that this is how dogs clean up after themselves in lindon.  You know Scott, you could just create your own blog!!  We would love to see pictures of McKenna and hear about all the things that those BYU students do in your class.

Another Pet Peeve!

Now, I realize that I have issues but I had to vent.  Today I took the kids to the park before Chase had school.  The kids are playing and having a great time. It is beautiful today -- high 70s.  A lady brings her dog to the playground -- no kids.  Totally fine.  Then she proceeds to talk to the dog saying that it is play time.  The dog goes down the slide and runs around, which my kids found very funny.  Then, the lady picks up her dog and puts it in the swing to give him a ride.  To quote Enchanted, a popular movie in our house right now, "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!" Hello, that is a dog not a kid.  The dog does not have to swing.  The dog does not need to go down the slide.  The dogs butt, that has not been cleaned or wiped after he has done his duty in someone's yard, does not need to be in the swing where my daughter is going to sit in next or the slide that she goes down.  Animals are great and I realize that they become part of the family.  But ANIMALS ARE NOT KIDS.  They don't need playtime at the park.  They just need some exercise, lots of love and a stick to chase after.  BUT PLEASE, keep your dogs butts off of the SWINGS!!!  

THE WIGGLES!!

Okay. So you knew this post was coming. Yesterday was the Wiggles concert. I don't think Kaci quite knew what was going on. She picked out a Henry the Octopus and Dorothy the Dinosaur stuffed animal. (Yes, I am a pushover. A cheap pushover. But, a pushover. She wanted all five stuffed animals that they offered but I only let her pick two. You should have seen some of these parents drop 100-200 dollars on tshirts, videos, toys etc.)


When the Wiggles came out she was so shocked. Her eyes were wide open and her hands were over her mouth. I don't think she understood that the Wiggles were real people.
What a fun time we had at the concert.
If anyone cares, here is a video of the Wiggles. The beginning is dark because I was trying to get Kaci's expression as the Wiggles first came out on stage. If you look carefully, you can see her big eyes and the surprise as she realized what she was watching.
(Also, if you did watch the video you realize that I really stink at the job but Kaci had fun even if the video is a little shaky.)


Just a side note. I can mark off the Wiggles as a concert I have seen. A very mellow concert for little kids. I can also mark off Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers. A lot of young girls screaming at the top of their lungs. Now what concerts would I like to see. I would love to see Reba again, even though I have seen her 5 times. I would love to see Daughtry or Carrie Underwood. (They both came to Denver recently but Carrie's(with Keith Urban) concert was on a Sunday and Daughtry (with Bon Jovi) was sold out by time they announced that the opening act would be Daughtry.) I am hoping that the American Idol tour comes here this year because I think that this years group is FANTASTIC. I am pretty boring when it comes to concerts. I would have loved to see Celine in Vegas but chose not to get tickets when she comes to Denver because I had no idea what I would be doing ONE YEAR LATER. I can't believe that she can sell out a concert date one year in advance. CRAZY! Hopefully, Reba will go on tour again so that Jason can learn to love her music like I do. (I made him go last time she was in Denver and he absolutely LOVED IT!!)

Almost the Champion!!

My plan today was to post a picture of Chase holding a MEMPHIS WINS sign and claiming that he was the champion.  But Memphis can't shoot free throws so Chase lost.  Congrats to Tami and Laura who share the title of "The Gardner NCAA Tournament Winner!"  To Chase -- at least you beat your dad and Jackson! 

San Diego - Day 6

LAST DAY -- I PROMISE!!  I thought this picture of Kaci was funny!  She had her sunglasses on backwards and was being her usual goofball self.

         Our last day was spent at the Wild Animal Park.  
The kids liked seeing the animals in their natural habitats.  Here is Chase with the elephant.  
The kids loved the petting corral.  Jason bought food to feed the animals.  The kids loved that although the animals were so full from everyone else feeding them that you had to search for the one or two animals that would eat. 
Here is a group picture before we left he park!  The kids were worn out from a long and fun week but still had fun at the animal park!  
From there, it was off to the airport.  Our flight got in about 11:45 pm Denver time and by time we got our luggage and headed to our car and drove home it was 1:00 am before everyone was in bed.  We were worn out the next day but sure had a fun trip!! 

San Diego - Day 5

SEA WORLD!!

I had to put a picture of Shamu for everyone.  Jackson, Chase and Nate (our neighbor) wanted to get wet so they sat in the splash zone. They got a little wet but not as wet as some people. 
       Kaylee wanted to see the Budweiser Horses.  Pretty Cool!
   Here are our wet boys.  
Our neighbor Frank had a business meeting(You know the kind -golf, pool time and a nice business dinner so you can write the trip off!)   in Palm Springs so they came a few days early to spend a couple of days in San Diego with us.  Nate is a year younger than Jackson and Soph is a little older than Chase.
Franks highlight of the trip was the water squirter at the Rattlesnake Rapids ride.  (I don't think that is what the ride is called but that is what they call it at Lagoon)  You put a quarter into a machine and then push the button and then it squirts riders as they pass through.  Jason volunteered to take Chase, Nate, Jackson and Kaylee on the ride.  Teri, my neighbor,(yes, we have the same name spelled the same way!)Frank, Sophia, Kaci and I stayed back to watch and wait for the riders.  Frank spent about $40 squirting people as they pass.  He was practicing for when everyone went through. Bullseye!! Jason took the brunt!!  Jason was soaked when he got off.  We were waiting for someone to come after Frank, especially the big black dude who took it right in the face.  But most people just laughed.  After everyone was done with the ride, we spent another half hour feeding more quarters and squirting more people.  Frank said that next time he comes there he is spending his whole day squirting people.   (A quick note for Ryan! The only downside to Sea World is that it is a Pepsi Facility.  I will have to write and complain.) The Romero's wanted to do In-N-Out burger for dinner so we were lucky enough to eat there twice during our trip!!  Another fun day!  

What a nut!!

Kaci's newest trick is to cover the buckle when you try to get her out of the carseat. She thinks she is being so funny. She just giggles and laughs while I try to get under her arms to unbuckle.  Lately, I've been tickling her to get her to move her arms.  What a silly nut!!

San Diego - Day 4

Another Lazy Day!!  What would my sports addicted family be if we didn't visit Torrey Pines!

   And Qualcomm Stadium!!
And the Sports Museum at Balboa Park!  This picture is actually made of baseball cards. Jackson only stood in front of the Red Sox picture because he knew Grandpa Esplin would like it.  He is bound and determined to find a Yankees one.  The museum also had tonz of BYU stuff because of all the Holiday Bowls they have visited.  
Back at the beach.  This wave hit right as I snapped the picture.  It soaked Jason and Kaci.  Kaci was not too happy about it, but the kids LOVED it!! 
One of my favorite pictures.  The kids were chasing Kaci around the park and climbing trees and just having a good time!!
We also went into Old Towne and did a Mexican Resteraunt, which Jason really liked.  I am not a huge authentic Mexican person and it was a Pepsi resteraunt.  What mexican resteraunt serves Pepsi. Come on!! For those of you feeling sorry for Kaylee because of all of the sports arenas, golf courses etc. that we visited.  Don't fret.  Kaylee and I hit the mall that night and had a great time.  She picked out a cute (on sale) outfit at the Gap and enjoyed all of the window shopping at Limited Too.  (That place is expensive!)  This mall even had a Naartjie which is one of my favorite places for Kaci.  Jason was a little worried about it but I actually spent ZERO.  I know you are all shocked.  I did hit See's candy and got a bunch of those YUMMY suckers!! Another fun day in California!

San Diego - Day 3

LEGOLAND!!!  We have now officially done Legoland.   We can check that off of our list.  It is pretty amazing what you can do with a bunch of Legos.  They have some pretty fun roller coasters and rides.  Kaci loved the airplane ride that I had the joy of riding on with her about 10 times.  

Jackson and Chase loved the Bionacle arms.  You get to choose the level that your want the arm to rotate, spin move etc.  Because of Chase's height, he could only go to level 1.
Jackson, however, chose the highest level --level 5.  He was whipped around, thrown from side to side and spun every which way.  He thought it was pretty cool!! 
Luckily, I have a daughter who will sleep in a stroller.  It makes for a happier two year old, and mom, when Kaci can get a nap!
The Lego R2D2 was a hit with the kids.  he even made R2D2 noises.  Darth Vadar and Chewbacca were also among the favorites.  They also had the Las Vegas Strip, New York Skyline, the Eiffel tower and many other amazing creations made with Legos. 
After the park, we hit IN-N-OUT BURGER!!  YUM!  Another fun day!!!  And yes Ryan, In-N-Out has GOOD Diet Coke!!!