But, Do They Lock On and Stay On?

It's official - he's a first grader. Little C is posing with our next door neighbor - they are in the same grade and inseparable.
All summer Little C has been begging for Sketchers - They advertise this brand of shoe during Saturday morning cartoons and he was convinced that he could not begin first grade without them. So- we made a deal. If he did his chores really well all summer and was an amazing older brother then Sketchers he would have. A couple weeks ago we journeyed out to make this purchase. There weren't very many Sketchers to choose from -at least not cute ones anyway -so the Beloved Spouse and I tried to convince him into getting Nikes. We almost had him, until he said, "Well, I like them, but the problem is, do they lock on and stay on?"
What?! First of all - this is an obvious sign that he has watched too many Saturday cartoons - and second of all - props to Sketchers advertising. They have brain washed our son into thinking that all other brands of shoes simply fall off your feet and that one must have Sketchers because they -
LOCK ON AND STAY ON -
I dare you to try to convince a six year old otherwise.

He's Got Personality!

Go Jacob!

Jacob put on thirty glorious pounds :)

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-new-moon-jacob-preview.html#watch

Check out the trailer - there are two so hang out for the second -

We Got Away -

We made a quick little trip to Nauvoo this weekend. The family vote for favorite place visited was the Nauvoo Temple. Such a magnificent structure - the spirit seems to be magnified - jumping out and grabbing hold of anyone willing to feel.

Across from the temple are statues of Joseph and Hyrum sitting atop their horses.

It was here, on their way to Carthage Jail, where Joseph paused and said,

"This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens..."

This isn't the greatest picture but I'll try to depict what was going on. This statue is located in the visitor's center and has a short audio clip that can be played along with it. The Beloved and I were busy walking around looking at the other displays when I took a moment to glance around and search for Little C. When my eyes found him he was sitting there reverently on the bench staring at the Savior intently and listening to the audio message. It was a touching moment for a mother to observe.

The boys were sitting on the bench directly behind the oxen so they could get the best look possible. One of these large animals decided it was time to use the lavatory - which immediately sent Little C and Gadashio into a laughing spasm. Gadashio started laughing and pointing, giggling out, "silly doggy" -

... a little haggard by the end of the day and ready to feast....

Notice the still passed out child to The Beloved's right.

The Cabin Event -

We stayed at a campground owned by the Community of Christ Church.

$8 a night - bathrooms - showers - we had no complaints.

There was this little odd wooden playground set located in the cabin that the boys couldn't get enough of.

And, to my hearts content, a basketball hoop right out our door.

This campground facility is commonly used by youth groups so there are quite a few little messages littering the bunks. This one made us laugh especially hard when we discovered that the Community of Christ Church was formally known as the RLDS Church.

Way to go Mormon Boys! You'll help convert them all back yet :)

We visited the assumed burial place for Joseph Smith and his family which is still currently owned by the Community of Christ Church. The Beloved and I started discussing Joseph

Smith the III, the first president-prophet of the Community of Christ Church, and were wondering what it would be like when he was reunited with his father Joseph Smith Jr, the first prophet of the restored gospel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We thought he may at first give the "parents eye" and then of course immediately a huge loving embrace.

Like - "Joseph Smith III what exactly were you up to?" :)

These are some of our examples of what the "parent look" may be like:

Ummm -probably not - we were just trying to pass the time :)

Carthage Jail

The Beloved tastefully picked out a shirt that read, "I'm your Daddy" to wear to this historic church site. After this inappropriate choice was discovered by the Domestic Goddess in Training - he refused to let me take a picture.

This room is "the dungeon" where Joseph Smith and the others were held their first night at Carthage. This cell is where Willard Richards brought John Taylor after being seriously wounded, and hid him underneath the mattress to hide him from the mob. This action ultimately saved John Taylor's life, since the weight of the mattress mixed with the straw caused enough pressure to stop the bleeding.

Bullet hole marking in the door is believed to be the same bullet that caused the death of Hyrum Smith after hitting him in the face.

This is the room where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred. After being shot, Joseph fell out the window -

landing near that well.

Nauvoo and Carthage were such solemn places. It made us reflect and ponder on all of the huge sacrifices that were made in order for the gospel to come forth and be heard.

"has the days of miracles ceased?
Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men..."

Happy Anniversary - HE OUT DID ME AGAIN ...

I am pleased to announce that it is our anniversary & -

I AM NOT PREGNANT!

Thank you - thank you

1st year married - just had D&C

2nd year married - prego with Gadashio

3rd year married - prego with the new baby

4th year married - almost skinny with no pregnancy being foreseen in the near future -

So, now that I've taken a moment to brag about that - let me brag about the Beloved.

He woke me up at 5 a.m. with my wonderful anniversary surprise -

Beautiful ay?

The Beloved always out does me on gifts because he has so many natural talents. So, I kicked him, said thank you, and then immediately fell in love with the picture.

Here's the Beloved on our big day - Completely composed and ready for marriage -




It is so amazing that we still look like this.
How do we do it?
Pure genes, pure genes :)

I love you honey! Happy Anniversary!
Thanks for the last four wonderful crazy years!

Thanks for Being Productive - You've Made Me Gain 5 LBS!

Tell me you can relate:
Sitting at the computer - leisurely in pajamas, kids running around looking like orphans, hair is hand brushed back into a pony tail, teeth are severely in need of a brush, and you keep thinking - okay, I am pretty sure I can squeeze in a shower within the next 20 minutes - or at least before the Beloved gets home in 8 hours... trying to scan through peoples blogs as quickly as possible and the last one you fall on has to be one of those "really productive mom's blogs"...ohhhhh... it's a killer to my pride.
You know what kind of blog I am talking about - Mom looks great! Kids look great! Has canned everything under the sun plus has made 52 dozen loaves of bread, is on top of her garden, and your pretty sure she has already made her families breakfast, lunch, and dinner into freezer meals so she can just pull them out on demand -
So now I am thinking - great - I better learn how to do something new today.... so I can be successful in life and develop my talents, blah blah blah blah blah -
This leads me to calling my sisters - because they are these disgusting types of moms I am talking about :) and I hurry and write down their bread recipe.
I make bread - two loaves... soooo delicious!!!! I am thanking that "productive mother's blog" for guilting me into baking something wonderful - and then I weigh myself. I GAINED FIVE POUNDS ALL IN THE NAME OF BEING PRODUCTIVE! I should never have learned - bread is my biggest temptation - well coupled together with Pepsi. When the Beloved and I were first dating he ran to the convenient store to grab us a treat - He politely asked what I wanted - so I answered, "Pepsi and bread -" "Pepsi and bread?" "Yes." "Like a loaf?" "Oh, a loaf would be perfect, thank you very much!" You get the point....
So, as not to offend anyone - I love that you are on the ball and I bet your families appreciate you so incredibly much - I love that you are talented and I really do admire you - But, please don't be productive in the food department for at least a month... I am weak and seriously lack self discipline...you will make me cry :(

If You Can Do It - SO CAN I !!! The Sibling Mentality -

BROTHERS -

I read a book the other day that said -... objects become our friends...

I am really missing a friend -

the mountains -

But grudgingly - there is some beautiful scenery around here as well -

Here are some fun photos we took during a family walk this Sunday -

He wouldn't be our baby if he wasn't getting chubby -