Cam

Camden has been so cute. He is starting to really understand things I am saying a lot more lately. Today I asked him if he wanted to watch a show. Sometimes, I turn on Baby Einstein while I am getting ready for the day. He ran over to the TV, and then handed me the remote, while standing there and grunting like a monkey. Then I asked if he wanted a drink first. He ran to the fridge and stood there until I opened it. When I did, and got him his cup with milk, he said, "Thank you" and then ran off to watch his show.

We read some books and he would see a picture of a flower, and would inhale, to pretend he was smelling it. When there was a picture of a ball, he pretended he was throwing a ball. When we went out to check the mail, he climbed down the stairs and said, "Get down." Then we came inside and he was spinning around and I said, "Are you dancing?" He started bobbing up and down, and spinning. He is so cute! It is hard to believe my little baby is turning into a little person.

Conference

On Saturday I attended Women's conference with my Mother in law and my Sisters- in law. We went to dinner first, and then to the conference. I loved it. I love spending time with them, and loved listening to the words of President Uchtdorf, especially. I know that he said he wasn't trying to give a pep talk to us, but that is what it was to me. I needed to hear the words he said, and I felt better, for having listened to them.

I so look forward to conference every spring and fall. This year, since Morgan is singing in the choir, it seems it has been on my mind a lot more. She has had so many practices. They are very particular with their hairstyles, clothes they wear, jewelry, etc. I hope she doesn't need to cough, or scratch her mosquito bites! They have all been warned. :) On Saturday, they had a dress rehearsal, (5 of them actually) this is the first at the Conference Center though. They left at 7:00 am. There are 5 kids from our ward in the choir. They were filmed, and then last night at practice, they found out why. They paused the film, to show them their movements, and what they were doing wrong. Hopefully nobody has to go to the bathroom for 3 hours- because you are just out of luck if you do! They have to be in their seats an hour ahead of time. She will be singing in the Saturday afternoon session. She is in the very back row, if you are looking at the choir, on the right. I think she is the third one from the right end, and is wearing a pink shirt. I'm not sure if she will get any camera time, or not- but she is about a head taller than the kids right next to her, so she does stand out. :)

Hodge Podge

I have been bad about blogging lately! It seems like I always say what a crazy busy week it has been, but it's true- and this one is no different.

We've had games, practices, babysitting my niece Alli, moving rooms, volunteering at school, etc.

Camden and Alli reading books together.

Camden was so cute with Alli. He kept hugging her, and giving her a bottle.



On Friday, Matt and I attended a Gala and auction for the Treehouse Museum. It was fun to go and see all of the fun things, and to get out by ourselves. We ended up winning a couple of birthday parties at the museum, and a night at Fat Cats in Ogden.





Last night for family night, we decided to go to Fat Cats. We took the Front Runner there, and the kids had a blast. We bowled, had pizza, played video games, etc. They have been begging to go there for a long time. They loved it, and are already planning their next trip back.




Morgan has been BEGGING for well over a year to move her room to the basement. She wants her own space, etc. Dillon and Logan have been sharing a room. It has worked out pretty well, up until recently. Lately they just don't go to bed when they should, because they are always complaining that, "Logan won't stop talking." and "Dillon is sniffing so loud I can't sleep." Etc, etc. etc.... We finally decided to move Morgan to the basement, so they could have their own rooms. Holy cow that has been a project and a half! Morgan has a ton of stuff in her room, and she is not very neat. :) She had bins and baskets stuffed full of junk. Not to mention all of her furniture, etc. that needed to be moved. We have two very steep sets of stairs. I think we must have gone up and down those stairs 1000 times. Now all of the kids have their own rooms, and they are clean. We are now in the decorating phase! :) Today I decided to touch up the walls in Dillon's new room. I used the paint we had left over, from when we built the house. Should not have done that. Apparently it has faded, and now there are polka dots on his wall. Grrr... I 'm not sure what to do now. Oh well!

Some of the decorations we are making for Morgan's room...still in the works. :)

What's the saying, "Dirty hands are busy hands." Yes- that would describe it!

Morgan started orchestra last week. She is playing the violin. Between piano, voice lessons, violin, and practices for the children's choir at General Conference, I think she is getting her fill of music!



Dillon is really enjoying football. He plays on a team with neighbor boys, and he loves being able to play with his friends. He is also doing great in his scouting, and is earning tons of belt loops.


Logan starts soccer tomorrow. I think he is going to like it. He has never played before, but the kid has endless amounts of energy, so I think it will be good for him. He is doing great in school. He reads like a champ- and loves it.


Camden is just busy doing all sorts of new things. He is always on the table now. I think I have baby proofed everything, and then he finds something new. :) He has started saying, "It's yucky", "Good job" and "there you go". I would probably have to translate for him, but I know what he's saying- so it counts, right? :)

One last thing... My sister Shelby had her baby yesterday. We got to see him today, and he is darling. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera- so I have no pictures of him, you'll just have to trust me when I say he is cute. They are naming him Bronson James ..... It is amazing how fast these little babies grow! Camden looked full grown next to him.

Well- I think that about sums up our week. Hopefully next time, I will have pictures of newly decorated rooms. :)

Catching up

We have had quite a busy few days. On Friday, Matt was in charge of the Father/Son campout. He took Dillon and Logan up early, and they went fishing. The boys saved their money this summer and bought some nets. They use them all the time! They brought them to the campout, and had a great time with them. They caught fish, snakes, and bugs. Sounds like a Father/Son thing to me! :) It got extremely cold that night. I don't think anyone was prepared for how cold it got. (In the 20's I think.) They did not sleep well, and were up very early. When they pulled the tent out, to let it air out and dry better, there was frost so thick on it, that you could make a snowball with it. I think they had a great time, and Matt was a trooper, because he really wasn't feeling well.

Dillon and a snake he caught.

Notice all the boys catching guppies with the net. All the neighbor boys borrow their nets and catch things in the stream behind our house daily.

I got a babysitter for Camden, so Morgan and I could have a date. I let her choose what to do. She really wanted to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It is about 45 minutes away- and we hadn't been to this one yet. She loved it and had a hard time deciding which yummy dessert to order. Afterwards, we went fall shopping. (For her and the boys of course!) She decided that Limited, Too is more for young girls, and she wants to shop where most the teenagers shop now. So to Aeropostale it is! We had a fun time shopping, eating, and visiting together. It always amazes me on what a little lady she has become. She has so many talents and abilities, I am so proud of her. I love seeing who she is becoming and thinking about what the future will hold for her.

We went to Lagoon a few days ago as well. We have had season passes this year, and the kids have loved every minute of it. The boys are little dare-devils. Logan rode Wicked for the first time, and loved it! It was pretty busy, so they didn't get to ride a ton of rides, but they enjoyed the ones they did ride.

All the kids in front of the Bat. They rode it at least 5 times.

Logan on Wicked!

Kids on the log ride

Camden in his cool ride

Morgan has been practicing every Sunday for the past month for General Conference. They decided that the girls should where pastel. Let me tell you....I searched in nearly 100 stores for a solid pastel shirt. They just are not out, at this time of year. However, finally we found one, and after a few more practices, I think they will be set. She is very excited to be able to sing in this choir.


New words from Camden:
Get down (Do you think he hears that one a lot?) :)
dog
cookie
amen

I think that about covers it.

September 11th

I think most Americans remember the events that unfolded seven years ago, and what they were doing at the exact time they 'heard' the news. I know I do. We had just moved to Virginia, living in Fairfax county, right near Dulles Airport, and outside of Washington DC. We were living in an apartment, while we were looking for a home to buy. I was pregnant with Logan, and was getting ready to go to the gym with Morgan and Dillon. I hadn't turned on the T.V. and was getting ready to walk out the door. My friend Karen called, and said, "Are we still going to New York next week?" I said yes, why? She said, haven't you watched the news? One of the Twin towers was hit by an airplane. Immediately I watched the news, but it was showing coverage of the Pentagon. We both sat on the phone in silence watching our TVs as we watched our nation change forever. I hung up, and Matt called. He was at work, and he said they were getting bomb threats. They were in a government owned building. Nothing ever came of that, thank goodness- but I was scared to death. I watched as the Twin Towers collapsed, and the FAA grounded all flights. I remember standing on the balcony of our apartment, and seeing all kinds of fighter jets and helicopters flying around. I heard ambulances and fire trucks, with their sirens blaring, as they raced to respond to the victims at the Pentagon. It was a surreal scene. We obviously didn't end up going to New York.

Today, as I remember that day, I still feel the sadness of all that we lost. I give thanks that we live in this great country. I am thankful for our freedoms, for the many military people, who protect our freedoms, for the heroes, that arose that day. I love how our country pulled together after that tragedy. I wish we were still as unified as we were then. I am proud to be an American, and love our wonderful country.

Dillon-isms

Dillon is always thinking. He continually cracks us up with things he says, and the way his mind works. When he comes up with something we call them Dillon-isms. The way life is through Dillon's eyes. Today he was getting ready for school and I have a stool in the bathroom, that they can sit on while I fix their hair.

He says, "Mom- this seems like a good stool."

Me: "Yes, it is- we've had it since before you were even born."

Him: "Well, I was wondering if I can have it when I grow up and get married."

Me: "That's a long time, let's see how it holds up. Why do you want it?"

Him: "I was thinking I will probably need to save my money for my kids and stuff, so I thought this would save me money, so I don't have to buy another stool."

That is Dillon. Always thinking of something- even if it not in the near future.

Another one. This happened a while ago, but still makes me laugh.

Dillon: There is a girl in my class that reminds me of you.

Me: Why does she remind you of me?

Dillon: Well, she has lips like yours, and she has hair like your color, only it's not like the color all over your head, just like the color closest to your scalp, where it comes out of your head.

Yea- that would be my roots. Time for a color :)

He says things on a daily basis that make us laugh, and smile. He is so observant, and notices things most people wouldn't pay attention to. One time the TV was on and a commercial for Oprah came one. He says, "Mom! Look that lady has your same lipstick!"

I think he will make a great husband some day. He remembers everything, and loves to talk, and will notice when she gets a new haircut. :)

School Days

School has officially started. Too much homework, voice lessons, piano lessons, drama class, football practice, violin lessons, scouts, activity girls, etc... AHHH! My kids are the type that love being busy. They do better when they are busy. They don't get overwhelmed with homework, and other activities. I'm glad that they cope well, and adjust to things. However, I am already longing for the days of summer. :)

New things with us

Here are a few 'new' things in our household:

A couple of Camden's new words:

Ya ya ya

It's Dillon!

Tay too (thank you)

'New and improved' gate. It's only 4 stairs up,

he'll survive the fall, right? :)

New bruises and scrapes Camden is sporting:

Thanks to a head first fall in the driveway. :(

New knife and spice rack in my kitchen.

Camden's favorite 'hiding place.'

He sneaks into the garage, if we don't lock the door,

and this is always where he ends up.

Labor Day

Yesterday was only like 60 degrees here in Utah! It rained and was too cold for this time of year. I am already starting to dread the winter. I seriously need to have an attitude adjustment, because this is how Utah is....it doesn't stay warm year round. I know this, but I can't seem to help myself, and just want nice spring or summer weather all the time.

Anyway- yesterday we had a pretty relaxing day. We are still feeling sick, but we promised the kids we would do something. We ended up going out to lunch, and then the boys played at our house with their cousins all afternoon. The boys had so much fun. They kept getting into costumes and dressing up as pirates, etc. We got ambitious and brought them all to dinner, too. We took Hayden and Ethan with us, and the waitress said, "5 boys!- How do you do it?" We explained that only 3 of the boys were ours, but I got an insight into what people think when they see my sister with 5 boys. Yikes- how does she do it? It is nice to live near family. (Most the time.) :) I love that my kids have cousins their age to play with. I never knew any of my cousins, and never lived by any family, because my Dad was in the Air Force. I am glad that they are having the opportunity to get to know cousins, and other family members, better than I did.