We like cheese on Sunday

In honor of Ridge's "cheese" picture pose

On the fourth day...

Ridge finally asked where his brother was.

Archer rode his bike to school so there was no "goodbye" as he hopped out of the car. When we returned home from dropping Em at school,

Ridge: "Archer? Archer?"

Mom: "Archer's at school."
Ridge: "Oh, school. Emma school?"

Mom: "Yep. Archer and Emma are at school."

It only took four days. I think Ridge is enjoying his time without any sibling intervention. He is starting to roam free and redistribute the contents of his siblings' rooms. Maybe, just maybe this will encourage Archer to clean his room and put things away that he doesn't want re-routed! A mom can dream, can't she.

A couple of one liners

What does Ridge say when his carrot rolls off the dinner table?

"Stop it, carrot!!"

What does Emma say when the traffic is backed up at the school drop-off?

"Stinkin' cars!"

How to score with the ladies

This is Ridge.
Ridge likes long walks in his plaid "Vans"
The cheaper your bling, the more willing you are to share it.
Argyle socks are a must with striped shorts.
If your pocket has an M&M stain on it from your last photo shoot, even better--it draws the ladies in.
When you think you are done, you must always put on the finishing touch, your "Handsome Face"
And always remember that Mom and Grandma think you are "Smokin' Hot"

First Day of School

School is on! Today is the first day of our wacky school year.

Archer is attending the neighborhood school, Deskin. We live 1.5miles from this school, so there is no bus, and if he walks, there is no crossing guard for safely crossing Buffalo--a 4 lane road. Emma is attending a special ed program at O'Roarke that is several miles away. Both schools start at the same time. We are in for an interesting year. I am excited though. Emma is attending a school that is brand new and is named after my best friend's dad. That's right, Amy O's dad has a school! We feel really lucky to be able to attend his school and not only that, but Emma's teacher is incredible. We have found a teacher that is on the same academic page we are. It will be a wonderful year!

Binkie

Do you think this is too many binkies?

We are out of the closet

Monday was the day the closet was finished! We put all of the clothes back, moved out the donations, and recognized our bedroom. This has been a fun, easy project, however it was time consuming. I had not anticipated the length of the demolition part for some reason. Anyway, it turned out great and we love it!

This one is for Thomas

Last night at dinner with Thomas, we were talking about the video of Ridge on our blog.
I said to Thomas, "I heard you like the video of Ridge on our blog."
To which Thomas replied, "Yeah... do you have a picture of me on your blog?"

Here ya go!

Tough Guy

Yesterday we found out that Archer had to get two teeth pulled. After carefully combing the schedule, today was the day! I figured this way he wouldn't worry about school and the dentist. Archer was very brave. I tried to tell him what it was like when I had my teeth pulled but that was old school. They don't even give shots these days! Archer said they just applied something from a vile that looked like jam and had a sour taste. This "jam" numbed him up and it was down to the pullin'.

Here is the before. You can see the permanent teeth coming through the gum. Vampire is what comes to my "Twilight" mind.

White Fang.

And after. Does anybody know a good orthodontists?

Olympics 2020

Here is Emma in action. Usually the bars she goes across are taller and longer. I think in 12 years she will be ready for the Olympics. Miss Brandy is just amazing. Emma has made so much progress through gymnastics. Going to the gym has been the best physical therapy we have found for Emma, she is getting stronger all the time and gaining more awareness of how much pressure and force she is using. I just can't say enough what a blessing this has been for all of us.

No pictures, please

I don't usually watch videos on blogs but this one I had to share because it makes me smile and it's short.

My husband

1. What is his name? Babe, to me. Rob, to family. Robert, at work. Robby, if you new him in high school. But NEVER BOB!

2. Who eats more? I probably do at meals, but he can definitely out-snack me.

3. Who said, "I love you" first? I did

4. Who is taller? He is.

5. Who is smarter? He is in the boy-stuff areas and the putting people in jail areas. I can hold my own in trivia and sewing and geography.

6. Who is more sensitive? Me, I am a cry baby.

7. Who does the laundry? I do. I have this delusion that if I dry certain items, they will shrink and I won't fit into them. Yea, that's the problem--the dryer! So, we have an unspoken agreement on this one.

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does.

9. Who pays the bills? I do and for some reason he brags about. (which is nice to hear)

10. Who cooks more? Me, unless we are grilling. I need to get over my fear of the grill. I think my fear comes from our old grill where flames shot out of the front and almost grilled Rob's...

11. Who is more stubborn? Me.

12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Me, even though he is most always wrong!

13. Who has more siblings? We are even-steven.

14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I do. I guess stubbornness and always being right gets you the pants. I think we actually share the pants.

15. What do you like to do together? We are still finding our groove.

16. Who eats more sweets? It is a close call but I think it is him.

17. Guilty Pleasures? New music DVD's or CD's or movies or movies on his lunch hour.

18. How did you meet? We went to the same high school and he was a year older and I had a crush on him from afar. We finally met face to face at the Singles Ward.

19. Who asked whom out first? I asked him to go to Spring Mountain Ranch with a group.

20. Who kissed who first? He did.

21. Who proposed? He did. On his knee and the whole bit.

22. His best features and qualities? His ever-present smile, his strong hands, and his ability to calm my worries. Rob is a great husband, father, and provider of all things.

Olympics

We have been into the Olympics around here. Michael Phelps is an incredible machine! Isn't it amazing what the human body can do. I feel that I may be cutting myself short by not finding a sport or physical activity. We have been suggesting to Archer that maybe he could be in the Olympics oneday. Ridge must have heard our conversations because he has been working on his wooden spoon skills. "I did it!" has been Ridge's favorite phrase lately. When I saw this, I shuddered at the thought of what Rob is teaching the kids to do with my utensils!

Who knows, Ridge could petition the IOC to get his wooden spoon jockeying into the line up of events!

Update

We are done with Rob's side of the closet. Now he has to decide what goes back and what gets donated. He has been quoted as saying, "I'm getting rid of half my stuff."

Are we done yet?

I think I know what it feels like to live like a hoarder now. Not with all the rotting food and garbage but with mountains of clothes and extra furniture all around. I am so ready to put my closet back together. We are so close to finishing Rob's side of the closet and it looks great. I am getting ready to tackle my side now that I am sure Rob's came out okay. I will post a picture of the finished product soon. If you don't see a picture in a week, please come dig me out of the mountains of stuff that I was overcome by. Thanks!

New project

I have wanted some closet organizers for sometime now. I am absolutely positive that it would keep my closet forever beautiful with not one item out of place.

So the journey begins:

Some stuff (yes I have actually taken out lots of stuff at this point).

Lots less stuff

Let the work begin!

Done with the floor.

Cute Cousins

When Grandma buys a Fancy Nancy hat and Mom/Aunt Amy makes a Mermaid shirt, the girls are just delighted!

Lucky 13

Is 13 really that bad?

I feel incredibly lucky with 13 today.

Just 13 years ago, Rob and I were married.

Just 13 years ago, we started an incredible journey

Just 13 years ago, we had no idea

Just 13 years ago, we began this family

Just 13 years ago, we were in Spokane alone

Just 13 years ago, we were struggling through college and law school

Just 13 years ago, we were just 2 and now we are 5

Just 13 years ago, we were young, now we are wise

Just 13 years ago, we called an apartment home, now we have a house

Just 13 years ago, we fit in a compact car, now we drive a hog

Just 13 years ago, we laughed, now we laugh more

Just 13 years ago, we loved, now we love deeper

Just 13 years ago, I got a pair of diamond shoes that occasionally get a little tight and I whine.

I can't believe it has been 13 years! We are better and stronger as individuals and as a couple than we were back then and I am excited to see how we are in another 13.

Rob, I love you.

Stick a fork in me

I AM DONE! I finished the last book in the Twilight Saga last night, well early early this morning technically. I won't give anything away, I will just say that I am satisfied.

I went to Deseret Book on Friday night to get Breaking Dawn. I talked my BFF into going with me. I figured I would never wait in line for a book again and that it might be a fun experience to participate in a book release.

I have really enjoyed this series and I marvel at the talent of Stephenie Meyer. I have heard countless people say, "I'm not of a reader, but these books..." Not only could she capture us for one book, but for four all together. And a movie. Genius. I am just hoping I enjoy the movie as much as the book!