Missing Persons Throwback

So, for this week's throwback... I had to post a picture from Ricks. This picture was taken the first Sunday of my sophmore year. My room-mate Melissa (on the left) invited us to dinner at her cousin's dorm. Hollie (in the middle) was such a sweetheart, and we only got to have her for one semester because she was engaged to be married that December. She and Brandon went to BYU-Hawaii, and then back to Idaho and then Montana (where she was when I got married). I have completely lost contact with her, and it makes me sad because I really, really had a good relationship with Hollie. So here is a shout-out to Hollie and anyone who may know her where-abouts. And, another shout-out to my Ricks girls! I love ya!

Take that!

Since my dad spilled the secrets to Mark, Colette, Raquel, and Joleen, I guess I can show you some of our delicious "practice rounds" in our effort to find the PERFECT burger! I am just making sure all you wanna-be winners and beef-buffs to know that we are serious about our burgers! Oh, and by the way, don't thing you're getting an edge on us because you see these two different practice patties. The element of surprise has already been taken in these two varieties, but don't you worry... we've got more where they came from. Not only that, but we have a super top-secret weapon! Don't worry, we'll be humble about our victory! Teeheehee!

IRON CHEF: Battle of the BURGERS!

So, to Nickole's smack... I just have to say (on behalf of my mom):



...right back at you. My mom worked there for THREE summers and therefore, I must say that you don't have anything up your sleeve that she doesn't already know!

HA!

BRING IT ON!

My baby, six years later...

Kimball is six years old today. How time flies. I can remember when he was a baby and a friend in our ward had a six-year-old. I couldn't even imagine how it would be. My life seemed so consumed with a tiny little newborn and I almost didn't want it to ever change. But it has, and now I have two more sweet little boys added to the mix. 

Kimball is full of life and energy and really is a good boy. I love his smile and his laugh, and his use of the English language. One of these days I am going to have to post his definitions for various words. Here's a little taste for you, though:

The other day he told me he didn't want to liver. I was so confused, I kept asking him what he meant and he kept trying to explain. Finally he said, "You know, when you eat a candy and then you have the paper. You don't want to throw it on the ground because that means you liver." 

HA! He meant litter! Oh so funny. 

He is really smart and has the persistence to figure things out. He just finished his last day of preschool and will start Kindergarten next year. Cue the water-works. He is so excited. I kept him back for one more year, just because he is a boy and I would rather that he be older and not the youngest in his class. 

He is also getting ready to lose teeth. His top two teeth are loose and he has been worried about having them fall out before he turned six, because he was afraid his big teeth wouldn't come in. Heehee. 

He loves to sing, play on the piano, on his guitar, and his little violin. He is always telling me little things that are so sweet (like, "you smell good" and "your hair is soft") and tries so hard to help his brothers. Even now, as I am typing he is telling McKay that he will share his birthday with him. 

He LOVES Transformers, super-heros, riding bikes, camping, fishing, swimming, climbing trees, reading books, writing words, reading/discussing scripture stories, having "family eatings", and playing with his friends (he says his "bestest fravorite" friends are his "brudders"). 

Just like any other mom, I get a lump in my throat thinking about the day he was born and the entire experience of bringing him into our family. He is such a strong, sensitive and sweet boy. I am truly blessed to be able to be entrusted with him. 

Weekend at LC Ranch

Over Mother's Day weekend, we had a family reunion with Josh's family. We stayed at LC Ranch and let the kids play with bugs, climb on rocks, ride bikes... on and on. We all had a lot of fun, even though we were a little sleep deprived and the boys let me know about it on the way home from Altamont! They cried the entire hour-long drive back to Vernal. Poor boys. Anyway, here are a few pics of the cabin and the boys playing with their cousins Maggie and Sarah Jane.

Oh the joy!

I know it's Friday, and Mother's Day was on Sunday, but I have actually been pretty busy and haven't really had a chance to post. I know I have posted about my worries and frustrations that come along with being a mom, and those experiences have really helped me to appreciate and love my mom and Josh's mom. Lately, however, when I have gotten frustrated about something it seems like my boys say or do something that melts my heart and makes me realize how much I really do love being a mom. For example:

A few weeks ago, I asked the boys to lie down and have a rest before we went to Kindergarten testing for Kimball. Benson needs a nap, and I don't expect the other two to actually sleep, but it seems to help if they can lie down and be still for a while. Anyway, I could hear the boys laughing and playing on their beds. I started to get annoyed after a few minutes and called up to them. I asked why I could hear them playing. It was quiet for a moment and then Kimball answered, "Because you have ears!"

It's a good look for me, right?

Teeheehee. I am not even really sure why I have this picture of myself and why it isn't at my mom's, but I just have to laugh because that is still what my hair looks like in the morning. And, that, is why I posted this picture for my throwback.
Ahh the lovely rats nest. What to do with it? I have never really like my hair long because it is so fine, and I think it looks flat and well, just scraggely. (Is that a word?) Anyway, I have had my hair all different lengths and when it was the shortest (a few years ago) it was my favorite because it was easy to do and better for my hair's lack of volume. But, Josh doesn't like it so short. I've had it bobbed, layered, a-lined, (yes, even permed) to try to give it some body.
It is long now because Josh wanted me to grow it out. I am not opposed to keeping it long if anyone has any suggestions for making it look better. It most definately needs a REALLY good trim, and I talked my friend into cutting it for me. (Even though she isn't working anymore).
Anyway, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share your suggestions. Plenty of you have seen my hair through all its phases, including the pittiful pull-back that is my most frequent style of late. Let me know what works best or what you think might work best for my particular head of hair. (Refer to top picture to remember how desperately I need suggestions! Hehe)