that's what I like about you...or maybe not

In the past few months we have been to almost all of our medical insurance carriers, from the kids dentists to the ER (Gwen), James' and I both had little cavities filled, and not to mention the good ol' shots that have become a regular part of our lives now that we have kids. It has made me think of a few things that I just don't really love, or even like for that matter. So usually people post fun little lists of things that are unique about them, or a little get to know you game about what they like. Today is not one of those days. I am going to tell you a few things that I don't like...now come on it will be fun, not like getting a cavity filled fun, but somewhere around driving on the toll roads fun.

Since getting a dog I have come to realize that I do not like the smell of dog food. Not the treats or the kibble whatever you want to call it, lets be honest it stinks.

Also along the lines of dogs, their poop stinks too, totally different from baby and kid poop, the little poops that Spock makes also just stink.

I do not like the icky muggy days before it rains around here. It is like wearing a wool sweater in the summer, a Texas summer for that matter.

I do not like it when my phone has "no service" a totally small thing, but really annoying to me.
Having said that I should add in there dropped calls.

Rush hour. Enough said.

Going to the dentist (but we have a really nice one now so it isn't as bad as it used to be).

Prepping to paint, I would like to hire someone just to come in and do all the prep work. I don't really mind the actual task of painting, it really is the getting ready to paint part that seems to take F O R E V E R.

The laundry vortex that ensues after a trip with the kids. Yikes that is just a crazy mess.

When you don't have a friendly waiter/waitress ( has happened to me a few times)

Freezer burn. Absoulutely my own fault for not using whatever it is in time, but it is still kind of lame. Things in the freezer should last a life time.

And to finish off the list junk mail, or spam mail. I get so excited that I may have an email, but alas it is ususally just some kind of a waste of space and time.

Ahhhhh now having said that I feel much better. Like I have just had a free therapy session. Thankyou Blogger. I think that I should have a cookie now.

tattle tale shmattle tail

Do you see that little face? How could you not like that? Oh well maybe if you knew that he was a big ol' tattle tale.
No! Not him. Yes him. For instance lately he has been tattling on the dog, Spock. Good to know if there is an accident, but he is all about just coming and getting me for the tiny things. Like Spock running down the halls, or in Gwen's room, tattle tattle tattle starting with a loud "uh oh".

Here is a really funny one. Gwen was sitting on the back step and Spock came up behind her and nipped at her panties. Result: When she stood up and Spock didn't let go, stretched panties, an almost flying puppy, and a stark white bum.
Spockers got a new hair cut and now he is cuter than ever. He sure is fun, and we like having him around even if he is the cause of all the tattling.

Spock can't seem to catch a break from Harry, and nobody can escape his tattling. We are going to have to remedy that pretty quick, or he will never have friends.

If you can't stand the heat...

Go get in the kiddie pool. But make sure that you have a friend to join you.
Than swim swim swim,
Stand up,
Run around,
and sit back down.
Rinse off and repeat. Oh and its totally fine if you want to join us, just bring a swimsuit, or even just your panties, whatever it takes to stay cool.

fun in Mt. Pleasant

We love the trampoline at the Barlow's home. Just look at the volume that you can get by playing around outside.
And it is even better when dad is there. And Atticus becomes the little protector of the kids. They sure do love jumping around and playing with the dog.


You can't have the 4th of July without a little parade...and a Dora umbrella...
and otter pops...
And the chase for the candy. Now that is more like it.
We had a picnic lunch and later that night it was some fireworks with the cousins.




And some good ol' bonding time with dad. Now that is the way to spend the holiday. We are almost finished with the travel posts, and back to normal life, so hang on for just a little longer and then we will be back up and running in the everyday whatever it is we do stuff.

Is our backyard big enough for a pony?

We took a trip to the Thanksgiving Point Petting farm thing and the kids really liked it. We saw how milk is processed and heads to the stores,
Pygmy goats that were really cute.
And while we were looking at the goats I saw something that made me think that all moms must feel stepped on or climbed on at one time or another....
I rest my case.

Also Gwen had the chance to ride some little ponies...many many times. She rode as many times as I had cash, she just really loved it.



Harry liked the horses alright, but he sure liked the other animals that were just running around a little bit more.

Maybe there will be some mutton bustin' in his future? Don't tell James that I said that.
When we had to leave she was so sad. She wanted to take the pony with us naturally. So I said maybe we could come back another day, and the deal making began like this:

G: I need to ride that pony.

Me: Honey maybe we can work out something and come back.

G: I need to ask dad to ride the pony.

Me: That is a good idea, when you talk to him tonight ask him if he would like to take you to ride on the pony.

G: Can I ask dad for a pony?

Me: Sure, I bet that he would like that.

Later that night when Gwen was talking to James on the phone she blurts out, Mater (nickname for James from the movie cars) can I ride on the pony? Can you get me a pony to ride on?

Poor James was ambushed on the phone and didn't realize that she was asking to have a pony...not just telling him that she rode on one. Too bad our yard isn't big enough for a pony...imagine the fun times that could bring them.

a tiny black tangent

It has been almost eight years of James begging and pleading and trying to convince me that we needed a dog. And it finally came down to him basically doing all the research and dirty work and taking ALL the initiative to go and get it, but here is our newest addition Spock.
He is a little black Scottie dog, who is terrified of Harrison, I think that he fears for his life when Harry comes around, and I also fear for the life and safety of Spock when Harrison is around, lets just say that Harrison is kind of rough, and LOUD.
Gwen loves him and wants to carry him around most of the time, I think that if she had the chance she would be having a dress up party with him.
Here is our first meeting. He is like a little stuffed animal, doesn't bark or go crazy. He is totally mellow and sleeps at night, (thank goodness). So I guess we are now complete, a little family with a dog. Bring on the adventures of that.


I will get back to the vacation posts, I just thought that this was really fun news and wanted to share.

A little place I love in Logan

On a bright and sunny afternoon my mom and I took the kids to a little place that is filled with memories for me as a kid, and I hope that it will be the same kind of place for my kids, even if they only go there each time we are in Logan. It is the Willow Park Zoo, although I am not quite sure how it classifies under the name of zoo, but we will take it.

When we got there the monkeys were hiding, and the Macaw's wouldn't talk for us, but as soon as we got to the ducks and turtles none of that seemed to matter, because we found these little baby ducklings and they were so cute, and super fast, and totally not afraid of my kids that were ready to love them to death just on the other side of the fence.

We fed some of the ducks, and Harrison kept playing a mean game with me where he would put the duck food up to his mouth like he was going to eat it, then throw it. Boys, I tell you what. Gross.
After the rest of the park we found our selves in the playground where the swings were alright, a playscape that was too crowded, and the mother of all twisty slides...
Gwen acted like she was excited, but she had no idea what she would be getting in to, and Harrison proved his manliness by pretty much climbing all 20+ stairs by himself over and over and over.
My mom helped them up the first time and then Harrison was hooked. He would just come shooting out of the slide like a maniac. It was so great.
Gwen went down with my mom and myself, but she was too chicken to go alone. Oh well maybe one day we will get her to like the slides a fraction of the amount that Harrison does.
Thank you Willow Park, always a good time, and the kids love the little animals, and now we can add the giant red slide to our list of things that we are thankful for. What a fun day that was.

No more weddings for Gwen

It is official. It sure feels good to be home. We just returned from our trip to see the families, and kind of participate in my baby brothers wedding. I have decided that Gwen is no longer allowed to attend weddings that take place at the temple, seeing as this was the second one in a row that ended with us leaving before the bride and groom even exited the temple, and rushing Gwen to an emergency doctor of some sort. So if you are getting married in the temple and we are invited let me just put it to you this way, we will not be there, but best wishes.

Moving on to the rest of the trip where there are less injuries and more playing, just the kind of fun we like. We were able to spend some fun times with my best friend Kelly and her family. Here is Payton hanging out with Harry as we all eat lunch. (Payton is such a handsome boy, look out ladies when he grows up!!)
Gwen and Cooper are so great together, I totally think that they should get married...but we will have to work on Gwen's accident rate at the temple before then. I love Cooper because he thinks that he is a super hero...I am pretty sure that he has his own theme song too.
Harry and a fudge pop.
Gwen up to no good at my friend Julia's house. Who we were so happy to get to spend the day with.
Nothing like some Aggie ice cream and some silly times with Uncle Jonathan. (who I still can't believe is married now!)
Our favorite part of the store...the rides outside. Harrison was so excited about this one because he could say "big truck".
and "choo-choo".
And the night of the wedding at the reception, all the little girls from our side of the family, I totally apologize now, but this is the only picture that I could snap where they were all in the same place. The colors were brown and orange, and it was so beautiful. The kids looked so great in all their dresses and matching ties.
Harry snacking down before we did pictures.
Cousins, nieces, and nephews all saying something like hop scotch.
By the end of the day Gwen was not the only one that was looking a little tired and sleepy. I am pretty sure that it was a long day for everyone...well maybe not the bride and groom.
I have a lot of pictures and since we were there for three weeks, we did quite a bit so I will do a few more posts on our trip while I clean up the house from getting back. Then we will make sure to post some house pictures for all of those that have been asking. Did I mention that it is good to be home.