What a week!

For some reason things seem to happen in large bunches at times. That was our experience the week of Halloween. It was all wonderful stuff though! It started out with a piano recital for Kylie and Maddie on Monday. Costumes needed to be done for that- check. They played well and looked cute! On wednesday Tanner was awarded his Eagle Scout. It was a nice night. We tried to keep it simple and focused on the boys and I think it was perfect. We are proud of his accomplishment and now I can say good bye to the scout store and sewing on patches. (which I found out I had done wrong as you can see in the picture-oh well) Friday was all the school celebrations for Halloween. I love that costume parade, the kids are so dang cute! Saturday was Maddie's baptism. It wasn't till the afternoon so after that it was pretty much eat dinner and say good bye to everyone so we can all go trick or treating. The baptism was wonderful and Maddie was so excited. She looked beautiful in her white dress- so grown up! We hit our neighborhood and came home with plenty of sugar to last for the next year. Unfortunately it will be gone in a week or two. Tanner was too old to trick or treat this year (sigh) but Maddie and Kenzie were full of energy the whole night and Kylie still went with her friends. I was just ready to collapse that night!

Three generations of Eagles

Cruisin' with the Fam

We got a fun treat for our Fall Break this year. We went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera with my mom's side of the family. There were 15 of us all together and it was a blast! The ship was beautiful, we had gorgeous weather when we were in ports, and spending time with everyone was the best. When we got home I asked the kids their favorite part and they had a hard time picking one thing. One fun thing was that we were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite with a living room and balcony. We felt like we were living the life and every night they would bring in chocolate covered strawberries. Wow so spoiled!!

Our first port was Puerto Vallarta and I had arranged a jungle zip line tour. What an amazing ride! We were so glad we did that. Kenzie could not come with us because she was too little but was happy to stay on the ship with Grandma. At the end of the tour they had a little petting zoo and you could get in the cage with monkeys! Maddie was a little freaked out but we survived.

Next we were in Mazatlan. We were unprepared for the barrage of people trying to sell you something CONSTANTLY. It was amazing. Even Kenzie got good at saying "no thank you" every 10 seconds. We went to a resort and hung out at their beach and hotel. Very nice and relaxing (except for the salesmen). The ocean was the absolute perfect temperature so we spent some time in the waves.

Our final stop was Cabo San Lucas and it was our favorite. It is beautiful. Paul, Tanner, and I did parasailing and it was awesome! After that we met up with everyone else at a gorgeous resort on the beach. Lots less people bugging us there, but the girls did get their hair braided. We did not want to leave our perfect spot but the ship was sailing so off we went back to LA. After spending one more night at Rod and Rona's it was back to reality. We were just glad to find all was well at our house after being gone for so long. I think Simba missed us.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I went out and bought this book the day it came out and finished it the next day. I never do this kind of thing but I really could not wait to read this sequel and it did not disappoint! It is an exciting ride, though also quite violent. But it's hard not to be when the whole premise of these books is a society that puts kids in a match to the death. But there is really so much more to these books. There is the main character growing and learning about herself, her mixed feelings for the 2 guys in her life, a rebellion in it's infancy, and it is all interesting. I like that Katniss is a strong, smart girl but also acts like a teenager at times. Although you can't blame her for having grown up a lot quicker, with everything she has gone through in her life so far. A good read!

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Recap

Well obviously I haven't been too good at blogging during the summer. Everything seems to change during the summer and my resolve at actually getting anything done was quickly quelled with the demands of having 4 kids in the house every day. We had a great summer that went by so fast it's hard to believe the kids are back in school. So here's a quick recap of the happenings of our summer....

Swim team- Maddie and Kylie both spent lots of time in the pool. Kenzie also took lessons for all of July and was swimming all by herself by the end of the summer.

Family Reunion- Paul's side of the family had a reunion in Idaho and we saw the sights of Yellowstone. Good times and no major injuries so it was a raging success.


Paul's races- We pulled an all-nighter for the Wasatch Back Relay. I tagged along as a van driver so got the experience first hand (without the sore muscles). We also trekked back up to Idaho in July for the Spudman triathlon.


Tanner's sports- Tanner had a busy summer keeping up with his teams. As a freshman the high school teams kick it up a notch so he had basketball workouts and camp, football weight training and two-a-days, and basseball practices and games. He also decided to learn golf with his friends in the morning. Guess who was the taxi? This is the trophy from the State tournament.


California- Because of the state win, we had an impromptu trip to So Cal for the regional tournament. The team didn't play so hot against the heavy hitters from CA but we made it into a fun family trip and went to visit my family. The kids were a little distraught that we stayed about 10 minutes from Disney and didn't make it there but the beach was a good alternative.

Camps- Kylie got to go to Girl's camp for the first time with all her friends and Tanner had a week with the boys too at High Adventure.


Birthdays- Kenzie turned 5 and had a princess party with a bouncy house in our backyard and lots of cute little girls. Kylie turned the big 12 while we were in CA and we took a trip to the mall to get her ears pierced. She also got a party with her friends this year and we took them to Jump on it, a big trampoline place.

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have a hard time reviewing this book or even deciding how many stars to give it. At the beginning I was frustrated but kept reading hoping for more, and by the end I was really drawn in. What frustrated me was the switching back and forth between time periods and points in his life. I had to read a whole page in to a chapter before I could say for sure is he a child, teenager, grown man. His writing is also so descriptive and a little too sappy at points I was thinking- get on with it already!

The story is a sentimental kind of Nicholas Sparks genre about a man hiding from his past and how a little girl who needs a new heart brings him back to himself. The characters really grew on me and I did care about them in the end. I also liked how, though not a religious book, he was not afraid to talk about the faith and hope that the characters held. I think anyone that is in such a situation would have to find something to believe in and hang on to that.


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Don't call him Super or crazy

Paul somehow decided that it would be a good idea to sign up for a 50 mile trail run/race. As the day of the race grew closer he was questioning his sanity but was commited. It turned out to be a great day for it- not too hot or cold and most of the snow had melted off the trails. He started at 5 am and ran/hiked for 11 and 1/2 hours. To most of us this does sound crazy but for the 250 people that do this race (many of them for years) they love it and come in at the finish line looking surprisingly happy. We missed Paul coming in because he finished in less time then he thought. I should have known he would overestimate but being the first time doing this race it was hard to know. Dang I was bummed we missed him though. By the time we got there he was recovering nicely and eating popsicles! He looked good and was walking well. The next day he said he actually felt better then he does after marathons. I don't understand it but I'm not a runner so I just say "Go Paul", just please don't think you need to do 100 miles.

With the Lamoreauxs. They have done it 4 years now! Good job guys!

Crawling out of bed and wondering if I should have stayed

Our summer has started out with a bang! The kids got out of school and I promptly got knock down slammed in bed with some kind of yuckiness. I have not been that sick for quite awhile. Tanner kept saying I had swine flu but I'm doubtful. Whatever it was, it was no fun. Paul and kids really stepped it up and kept things running. You know it's bad when after 2 days I am actually excited to be able to stand up and do dishes! So as I'm getting me feet back under me, Kylie gets tripped up and breaks 2 toes on her left foot. So it's off to the hospital with her for x-rays and I am actually noticing the face mask signs, contemplating if I need to wear one. (I decided my cough was not warranting the embarrasment of a mask) Also Kenzie is feverish and whiny. Geesh!
Then my head starts spinning with all the sports schedules that Tanner starts throwing at me. Now that he is a freshmen every sport at the high school decides they need to train during the summer. So there is basketball in the mornings, football in the afternoons, and then the practices/games of the 2 baseball teams he is playing on (which is the actual season we are in). He has also decided to try golf with his friends at the local course a few mornings a week. I'm trying to remember what week he is doing football tournaments, basketball camps and baseball tournaments. My calendar is my best friend! Maybe that bed is looking more and more appealing.

It must be May

Kylie and her cute teacher

Preschool Graduate

May is usually a crazy month and as it winds up it seems to accelerate. With the end of the school year comes lots of programs, assemblies, and parties to add to the regular schedule of games and activities. Lots of fun! One week at the end of May we had a talent show, 2 graduations, and 8 baseball/softball games. Kenzie graduated from preschool and Kylie graduated from 6th grade into junior high. A couple of milestones reached.

Are you Lost?

Paul and I watched the finale of Lost last night and if you haven't been watching that show- I'm sorry but you are missing out! It is so good! It is one of the only shows that we always record and have watched every season. There was a major cliff hanger to end the season and it won't start again till next January- painful! You never really know where they are going with it but it is always exciting. Next year is the end of the whole thing and it will be so interesting to see how they wrap it up. A good one to rent the seasons on DVD and catch up. You have until January...

The infirmary

We have had an adventure this week. Kenzie got her tonsils out last Friday and has been recovering ever since. I think she is finally about done being miserable. The first couple days she was really doing great so we thought it was going to be a cakewalk, but I guess she had a delayed reaction to the pain. She probably would have been ok but she wouldn't take any pain meds and it started hurting her. She also wasn't eating much of anything so she also had zero energy. She has been a real trooper though. She's definitely eaten her share of ice cream this week. I just love her squeeky little voice. The doctor called it a Mickey Mouse voice. I think it is only temporary but it is cute.
The Before shot. Getting ready to go back. She was not scared at all. Made my life easier to send her off without any drama.


The After shot. She was afraid of throwing up (she never did) so she fell asleep with her face in the puke bowl. When she woke up she wasn't complaining about her throat but the IV. The nurse was nice and took it out fast. They let her keep her "Fluffy" thru the whole surgery so she had some comfort.


Going home. She was excited about the wheel chair ride. The nurses were so nice. We were at the hospital about 6 hours, and she slept most of it. It will be intersesting to see what memories she has of this when she gets older.

Where's that bunny?

Just some cute pics of the little girls in their Easter finery and the cousins after our yummy dinner. My two oldest no longer want to hunt for eggs- what?!

Spring Break (or was it winter?)

We went on a tour of southern Utah for spring break and had so much fun! We took the kids to see some sites that we haven't done in a long time and it was amazing. The weather was not exactly spring-like, but we made the best of it. We were glad to be in a hotel and not camping. (I am always happy for that!). It even snowed on us during one of our hikes but we were prepared with coats, hats, and gloves! We were lucky to get in all but one of the hikes that we were planning on doing. There are some wonderful things to see and do in this part of the country. We were just continuously amazed by the variety and beauty as were driving to all these different places.

Our first stop was this crazy hot spring pool in the middle of nowhere on the way to southern Utah. It is literally down a dirt road, in some farmers cow pasture and he lets people come and swim. It is the perfect temperature and you can dive down (probably 20 feet) and explore- we loved it. Paul's parents were with us and Dad thought it was the greatest!

So after our little dip we continued on to Bryce Canyon and went right on a hike down into the canyon. It was the Queens/Navajo loop and was about 3 miles in around and back out of the canyon. Wow! Bryce is amazing. The next morning we also got in another hike before the weather turned snowy in the afternoon, than it was swim time in the Ruby's Inn pool!

After Bryce we headed on to Torrey which is right by Capitol Reef national park. The drive between those parks was spectacular but we were glad to be in the car. That day was FREEZING! Luckily the next day was better and we were fine to explore around Capitol Reef. We hiked to a natural bridge, and along a wash with steep cliffs on each side. Beautiful! We also saw Indian petroglyphs, the tiny schoolhouse which Paul's grandma attended, and had yummy homemade pie and ice cream at an old homestead.

Our next stop was Goblin Valley. This was just a quick stop on the way to Moab where we got out and climbed around on some of the "goblins" for an hour. I had heard of Goblin Valley before but we had never been. It is definitely an experience! It is probably the weirdest place I have ever been. You honestly feel like you are on another planet. It's hard to describe- but it is this huge valley of sand with lots of freaky rock shapes unlike anything I have seen before.

Our final stop was Moab and Arches national park. We have been here lots but at the last minute decided to go once more. We were actually hoping it was going to be warmer but then the storm stuck around another day. It wasn't too bad and we didn't get rained on. The kids (and Paul) were just happy to go to our favorite pizza place- Zax. It's all about the food, baby! We went on the hike to Delicate Arch which we realized we hadn't done since I was pregnant with Maddie. It was about time and it was as great as I remember!
All in all it was a great trip with some great memories. We figured we probably hiked almost 15 miles and Kenzie did the majority of it so we were proud of her. Amazingly not too much complaining even! Now on to 6 more weeks of school till summer!

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this book in two late night marathon reads-I couldn't put it down even though the clock was saying,"you will regret this tomorrow"! This is a teen book based on a Norwegian fairy tale which I had never heard. If you don't like the idea of a talking bear and trolls than this is not the book for you. If, like me, getting lost in a fantasy land is a lot of fun, than I would fully recommend it. I can't wait for my 11 yr old to read it. She read this authors other dragon books and loved them. I'm getting those next!


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Changes

We have had a few changes lately that are making me feel old as I realize how much my kids are growing up. Kylie got contacts about a month ago and I think I am finally getting used to seeing her without glasses on her face! She is doing great with them and feels like she can see so much better. I am the same way- I can't stand wearing glasses anymore.
Tanner finished up with his braces and he's got some nice straight teeth now. They look so good! He's glad to be back eating whatever he wants now without worrying about food in the braces!

Sick of being sick!

We have had a real run of sickness in our house this winter. Usually we are all really healthy so this has been a different couple of months! I keep hoping we have had our share and are done with all this and then something else pops up. Just this morning I was up at 3 am with Kenzie throwing up (we haven't had that yet) and then Tanner just came home from church all white and clammy. What is up with that?
Kenzie has had the worst of it. I think she has pretty much had it all in the last couple of months. She had strep twice in a row and then followed it with a cough/cold/ear infection, and now stomach flu. The pediatrician sent her to an ear, nose, throat doc and now she is scheduled to have her tonsils out at the end of the month. I am both dreading it and glad about it because I know it will be bad for a little while but better in the long run. She has some huge tonsils and she snores when she sleeps so it will help that too. My baby having surgery!
I think I'll go disinfect my house now!

A day in the life

I thought for the sake of all those who think that the life of a SAHM (stay at home mom) is all free time and play dates, I would post a break down of an actual day in my life. The following is a true unembellished account:

3:30 am- awoken by cat who needs to go outside. (I could set a clock based on Simba's bladder)
5 am- wake up way too early so I can get my workout in.
6- 7 am- spend quality sweaty time with 30+ strangers in a dark room full of spin bikes
7:10- read scriptures and have family prayers
7:20- send Tanner off to school
7:45- send Kylie and Maddie off to school
8- 9:20- clean up breakfast, dress and do hair of Kenzie, take a shower, get dressed, sweep floor, find Kenzie's books and rush out the door
9:30 am- drop off Kenzie at preschool
9:45 am- answer emails and make some phone calls about Relief Society activity the next day
10:15- 11:20- work on the computer on my job (yes, I actually do bookkeeping work for Paul's office)
11:25- Mel comes over to plan PTA lunches for teacher conferences next week- Yes, that is done!
11:50- Pick up Kenzie from preschool (wow that is short!)
12- feed Kenzie and her little buddy Chloe lunch and throw myself a few bites while I'm at it. (of course this lunch is completely organic, healthy, and sugar free- Ok maybe not)
1:15- Pick up Kylie early from school to take her to the eye doctor
2 pm- Kylie has her eye appointment and gets some contacts. I try to entertain little girls with candy and coloring books- so much for the sugar free thing
3 pm- Run over to get Tanner's final eagle project signature for his project- Yes, that is done!
3:45- get home pick up Maddie and take her and Kylie to piano lesson
4:30-6- Crazy time- homework, dinner making and general chaos
6- eat dinner fast and change clothes
6:30- leave later than we should to get to the temple for ward temple night at 7
7:05- miss the 7:00 session, but hey we still got to the temple
9:30- home to kiss sleeping girls and wait for Tanner to get home from his basketball game that started @ 9pm!
10:30- pretty much collapse in bed after hearing tales of crazy late game.
So that's how life is here at our house. Unfortunately this is not an unusal day as far as busyness is concerned. It's all good though!! Some day I will be wondering what to do with myself and it will probably be sad!

Where did January go?

So here it is February and I missed all of January with not a single post to the blog. Good thing I didn't make any resolutions or they would have already been broken!
Well, to catch up... Christmas break was great and very relaxing. We stayed around here and just spent time together as a family. We had the traditional Christmas Eve program at Blaine and Jen's house and Christmas morning here and then dinner at Paul's mom & dad's house. The kids got the Wii Fit and Mario Kart so they had a lot of fun with those. They did get to play more video games than usual and probably watch more movies too. But it was cold outside!
We did all go skiing one day. Even Kenzie took her first lesson and did great. Kylie took her first snowboard lesson. She did good but is still undecided about the skiing vs. boarding debate. Tanner has landed firmly on the side of boarding. He got a pass at Sundance for Christmas and has been going quite a bit. I managed to take virtually no pictures- I seemed to have forgot my camera at most events.