THIS TIME LAST YEAR........

.........................Last year at this exact time, we surprised my dad for his 60th birthday. My mom bought us and our spouses tickets for a week long cruise to the Western Caribbean. It came right at the end of Todd's 4 years in dental school and a day after I found out I was pregnant (because this was another "accident" baby, I waited until the end of the cruise to spring it on Todd, for fear of being thrown overboard). We layed on the beaches of Haiti, climbed a waterfall in Jamaica, went on a private sailboat in Cayman Island to swim with the stingrays and went parasailing over the ocean in Cozumel. Not to mention the endless hours watching eachother surf and get badly injured on the surf machine at the back of the boat. Or, the karaoke bar where we saw some great entertainment from my brother, husband and brother in laws. THE best vacation EVER!!!

A BIG STEP TOWARDS MANHOOD

Two days ago, I noticed Tyson's tooth was loose. (yes, I was the one to notice, not him). He honestly had no clue, even though it flapped around when he would talk. I told him how fun it would be to pull it out. It was going to be a hard sell. But, we finally convinced, or threatened him - depending on how you loook at it, to let his dad pull it. "All the big boys are doin it", we told him. He gave in after about 20 minutes. His choices were staying up late and eating ice cream with dad - without a tooth. Or going to bed without dessert- but with his tooth. Obviously, he took the bait and couldn't wait to call Grandma and Grandpa when it was out. The best part was Todd just asked to feel it with the napkin and before Tyson could back out, it was gone. For some reason he thought the tooth fairy was going to leave him $2 and was quite disappointed and confused when there was only $1. Considering I only got a couple of quarters back in my day, I would say he was pretty lucky!

PARK CITY.............HOW I WILL MISS THEE

We took advantage of the beautiful weather here in Salt Lake for Memorial Day and took the kids to McDonalds for breakfast. The weather actually had nothing to do with Mcdonalds itself, but it was what would happen inside. Cinnamon rolls.....mcgriddles....diet coke. Yes, we had to get some energy for the day I had planned. Because it was such nice weather, I decided that we would take the kids and go up to Park City for some shopping and walking around. Obviously you can't spend hours with 3 kids in the car and strollers trying to scout out all the good deals (and believe me we scored) without some grease in your belly. So, first we had to load up at Mcdonalds and let the kids get some energy out on the playground. We headed to Park City after breakfast, where I planned on finding some tiny earrings for Shawni. I thought I had a handle on things until Jaisa decided to grab about 12 pairs of earrings off the turn table. She left a nice trail throughout the store and even hid some on the shelves and in the school bags. I quickley paid for my purchase and we bolted out of there. Jaisacontinued to scream that she wanted the spider earrings and Hannah Montana lip gloss. Walking ensued. We headed to the adidas store, where Todd found some shoes. Unfortunately, Tyson and Jaisa found packages of underwear with a guy in his underwear on the front. All the sudden there was shouting from my children. They made a scene by shouting "naked, ha ha ha that guy is naked", over and over again until we left that store. No shoes for Todd. More walking. We had almost reached Gap, when a lady came out of a children's store, pulling a rack behind her, full of kids' shirts that were marked down to $2.30 each! They were actually cute too. 9 shirts and $23.00 later (not bad eh?), we finally made it to the playground. The kids played while Todd went back and got his shoes. Why hadn't we thought of this sooner? As we were driving home, Todd looked over at me and *with a serious look on his face and shaking his head in disbelief* said "Wow, we pulled it off." "What do you mean", I said. " We went shopping with all 3 kids." Wait a second - I do that all the time! That is my life. He was sooo proud of himself for keeping it together the whole time up there. If they only knew-right?

Tyson...ahem, I mean secret Tyson is at it once again. He showed up standing in front of me the other morning wearing this little outfit (the one on the left). I didn't think anything of it until he lifted up his shirt and said "bam, look at this mom". The explaination of each "weapon" was the best part. In his words : The 'looker' - it looks at stuff to show you what it is. Like if you want to see something up close The 'bomb' - explodes when it goes to one. Like start from 10...9...8... and go all the way to 1 and it will explode all over stuff. The 'attacker' - I put it on my dad and when I push the button, it roars and wakes up my dad and scares him.

This past week, each one of my children got to experience something new. I love watching them learn a new skill or figure something out for the first time. While spending some time at Todd's brother's home for his birthday, Jaisa discovered the trampoline. She ran right onto it, bounced up and landed on her face - but, it didn't stop her from giggling hysterically. She had so much fun and caught on quickly. She was even brave enough to jump on it with Tyson. Tyson played his first game of two-on-two. He and Todd were on one team with my nephew and his friend on the other. It was so fun to watch Tyson hold back the smiles, because he felt so cool playing with his dad and these kids that were more than twice his age and size. I must say he didn't do half bad for only being 5. Then, there is my little one. She got to sit with her dad for a good long while. She doesn't get to spend a lot of time with Todd . He is usually just really busy. *You know watching ESPN, playing around on the computer and hangin out?* He does however, spend a lot of time with Tyson and Jaisa. But, there was a breakthrough the other day. She sat in the crook of his arm while he watched basketball and the kids played around her. It was honestly a good 30 minutes- at least! Ahhhh.... what a great week of firsts for our family.

..........Today was Tyson's last day of preschool-ever! He has grown so much since starting school 2 years ago, especially this year. He has learned to read, count by 10's and is now quite the performer. He was involved in a love triangle a couple weeks ago, which was hard to watch but has gotten over it. * Honestly.... he came home crying saying that one of the girls in his class talks to his friend Spencer, but refuses to talk to him". He didn't even want to go to school the next day - girls can be so mean. Thank goodness for Todd, he told Tyson that it obviously means that this girl is really into him. Because girls don't talk to boys that they really like. After thinking about it for a couple of minutes, Tyson agreed that this might be true and that he could indeed face another day at school* I was given his end of the year packet and in it was his class photo, report card and a little note attached. I just had to share what made me tear up. I looked at the pictures from his first day of school and took one today while performing at the school 'circus'. I can't believe how much he has grown mentally and physically in just 9 short months. I had to post the note his teachers sent home. It was so cute and so nice for a mother to hear.

ODE TO MY MOM

Today is my mom's birthday! Because this is my blog, I get to brag and show her off. She is the best grandmother, mother and mother-in-law one could ask for (right Shenay?). My kids adore her, especially Jaisa who affectionately calls her Bama (yes, as in Obama). I have decided to add my mom's name as Jaisa's middle. I didn't do it at birth and I regret it. So, soon she will legally be Jaisa Ranae. If my kids will love me and respect me and want to be with me as much as I do my own mom..... all of these hard days raising these kiddos will be well worth it. And, if I could look as good and young as she does at 58..... my husband will be one lucky man - right Todd??? Mom, in the words of Tina Turner (not that I'm a fan, but for some reason I know the words to this one song) "YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST.... BETTER THAN ALL THE REST".

GOOD OL' OAKLEY

...... My mom was in town again this weekend for my cousin's wedding. The reception was held at my mom's brother's home in Oakley. His property is amazing. He went on a hunting trip to Africa about a year and a half ago and caught all of the animals seen above. Unfortunately, he passed away on Christmas morning a couple months later after being caught in an avalanche near his home. The animals just barely arrived to his home after being preserved and going through customs etc. He never got to see how amazing they look in his "barn", but let me say that they look a.m.a.z.i.n.g. My kids were absolutely blown away. Jaisa had to pet each one, and kept saying "oh...cute".

She was smitten with all 4 dogs. She instisted that they sit by her and NEVER leave. They, on the other hand were not so into her.

Todd went with my mom, aunt and the kids on a ride to the other side of the property to see their buffalos. Other than being deathly afraid of animals (what's my deal?) I decided to stay behind with Shawni. Good thing because my aunt drove the little cart right up next to them and I surely would have passed out and needed medical care had I gotten that close.

The kids were in heaven. Things got even better for them when we went up the street to my other uncle's home, where they got to feed his horses. Jaisa tried to feed them rocks, but for some reason they weren't interested. I could barely talk the kids into leaving. We had to promise them that we would go back up there before we move next month to keep the tears from flowing. Why is it always so much fun hanging out with family??? And how am I going to make it 4 years without mine?

TODD WINS THIS ROUND

Todd and I have a little game we play. We are not avid watchers of Desperate Housewives, but there are occasions where we do watch(I must add on Todd's behalf that he doesn't sit down to watch, but might be in the same room on the computer). Anyways, for years when the narrators voice comes on at the end of the show, he and I try to guess what the first word will be.*Yes, we get that bored* The music begins and we both chime in with the word we think it will be in her same sing songy voice. As I sat there watching last night, Todd was reading an exciting dental book. The dramatic moment came at the end of the show and he shouted the word "there" seconds before"the voice". And what would you know? He got it right!! The first words were "There was a wedding recently....." - to be exact. I went to give him high 5, because honestly we have been trying to guess the word for years. But before I could, Todd ripped off his shirt, slammed it on the ground and sprinted across the room *like what you would see after a final touchdown in a VERY VERY intense football game). He was that excited! Now before you judge us on our silly competitions (there are many- like 'would you rather.....' and 'for a million dollars would you.....?), remember that we are a bit 'loco' right now. Living with his parents in their basement -with 3 kids. Moving across the country in less than a month and not having a plan on how we are getting there yet - just to name a few. Thank goodness for the small things that keep us happy.

STILL NO PROGRESS WITH 'RIDING' ON HER SCOOTER. IT'S EITHER SIT-AND-SCOOT OR DRAGGING IT BEHIND HER. EITHER WAY, SHE THINKS SHE IS 'BIG STUFF'.

.... Shawni had her 4 month check up and shots yesterday. Good thing the Dr. gave me the A-okay for starting this big girl on cereal, because she has been eating it for about a week now. The kids love to sit, watch and laugh at her, as she kicks and screeches trying to get me to feed her faster.

Her pediatrician said I could start weening her of her night feedings. He made a great point. He said " she will stay in the habit of waking up regularly if her favorite person - me - brings her favorite thing - her bottle - every times she squawks during the night. So, it is time to make this little girl go 8 hours between night feedings. She was doing great until about 2 weeks ago, when it seems she went through a growth spurt, and is now waking up about 2 times during her 8pm - 7am night night time. I swear there is always a 'boot camp' going on around here. The last couple of weeks, it has been trying to get Jaisa comfortable with only taking her bear in the car, instead of her bear, blanket, pillow etc. Before that, it was trying to get Tyson to eat better without him gagging on everything( he is doing much better). Before that - and still in the middle of it - is me trying to cut back on diet coke and wheat thins * my diet of choice *. Now it is little Shawni's turn. Next up, maybe I'll train Todd to make the bed or something crazy like that. But for now, my hands are full turning this babe into Sleeping Beauty.

The first bite she didn't quite know what to do.

Look who got some new 'bling' for her 4 month birthday

Who knew the song "Puff The Magic Dragon" would make me emotional?? Other than pretty much anyone that knows me because pretty much anything can move me to tears. Yes, besides the obvious like Oprah, Extreme Makeover or anything involving children being sad, I must admit that even The Hills and Entertainment Tonight have sucked me in at one point or another. (I was always the 'tender hearted one' growing up - according to my family.) But "Puff The Magic Dragon"???? Tyson had a preschool performance the other night and Todd unfortunately couldn't make it because he was on rotation out of town. So, it was just me and the baby. I think a part of me was sad that Todd has never been able to make it to any of Ty's programs. But, hearing MY sons's voice...above 23 other classmates voices...sing at the top of his lungs AND do the hand motions...all the while smiling at me. B.u.t.t.e.r. I tell you...pure butter. My goal is to make it through just one of his programs without even a thought of tearing up. I know I can do it!!

HOMEMADE DONUTS - KIND OF

I promised the kids that we would make donuts if they were good. Much Much to my surprise.... they were. The easiest thing EVER - the donuts - not the kids being good :) 2 packages of home style biscuits $. 89 for Albertsons brand, and whatever topping or coating sounds good. Take the dough out of the package and cut a hole in the center. Add to some pre heated oil (medium heat) and turn after about 1 minute. Once both sides are done, remove and place on a paper towel to cool (a couple of minutes). I had some leftover chocolate frosting that I used, but the kids actually like the ones I covered in cinnamon and sugar better. VOILA!!!