A Trip to the City

Alex and Drew love big cities. Well, this past weekend we took a surprise trip to Salt Lake CITY. D was thrilled to hear there was a city near us. First stop, Temple Square.....

The boys loved all the exhibits. They especially loved all the water features.

D was so impressed with the Salt Lake Temple. He kept telling us over and over how it took 40 years to build.

After Temple Square, we headed over to the Conference Center. I never seen the boys sit so reverently...

We then went to the Church History Museum where they have a cool I am a Child of God exhibit. There were so many neat interactive exhibits.

We ate dinner at Tucanos which all the boys loved! Then off to spend the night at the Sheraton where the boys promptly changed into their swimming suits even though I would not call it warm.




What a fun trip and now D wants to know, "When can we go back to the City?"

Preschool Graduation

Today was Drew's graduation from preschool. He was so cute. While we were waiting for the program to start I heard him tell his teacher that he was coming to her class forever. Then when Mimi arrived he said, "Teacher, this is Mimi and she is going to graduate with us."


They put on a darling program.


Then each graduate received their diploma....

I can't believe he starts kindergarten in the fall!

Travel day from ... well you know.

Seeing how much I travel this really doesn't happen that often, but when it does it seems that it really hits the fan. Yesterday was one of those terrible travel days. It didn't start out well, with a 4:17 am wake up call from Delta telling me that my flight had been delayed until 10:30 am. Ok, so at least they called. I couldn't go back to sleep and I waited until it was time to leave. Half way there, another call, flight canceled. No reason just canceled and I was rebook through Oklahoma City, what?!?!? So I gave them a call and you would think that with as much flying as I do and the fact that I bought a full fare ticket would get me a good flight, but they claimed there was nothing they could do. Great, cross country in steerage...no worse, Regional Jet steerage.

Here is the view on the way back to the house.


So, I finally get to the airport and as I'm getting on the plane the flight attendant tells the people to please move into the rows to allow people behind to board. The douche in front of me mouths off to her. She thinks it me because she refuses to serve me a snack or drink during the flight.

After two hours turbulent h*ll on an RJ, with "Angry, I'll show him" flight attendant, I get to Oklahoma City. Hungry, thirsty, tired and just as I exit the plane, the snack shop closed. Enjoy the pictures because I waited here for the late plane that made me miss my connection to Alabama.

Downtown OKC.


The Terminal

That's my flight at the top, late by an hour and 10 minutes.

Look Mom no plane!


So, I finally get to Atlanta at about 10pm having missed my connection. I make my way to the hotel. I wait outside for a good half hour, board the bus and actually get to the hotel without problems!! Finally one good thing happens, I got upgraded to a junior suite. At least I will sleep well.



Ok, so today went without incident. Crummy prop plane ride to Dothan, Alabama and a 30 minute drive to Ft. Rucker.



I hope the way home is easier.

All Grown Up

The crib that all four boys slept in finally gave out yesterday, so Aaron took it down. We rearranged Peyton's room with the hopes that he would be excited to sleep in his "big bed." He did great! He went to bed all by himself and never once got out.

He slept through the night! This morning at 7:00 am I hear, "Mom, I awake!" I went into his room and there he was standing in his bed waiting for me to get him. What a cutie!

Nothing Much

I don't know where this last month has gone! Things here are good. We had a fun trip to Montana for spring break. In fact Drew asks almost daily to go back and visit Grandma and Tiger. He even throws in that he doesn't care that it is a LONG drive, just take him back! We started off the month with Peyton having a double ear infection and Drew a sinus infection. However, everyone is nice and healthy now. Alex and Drew's soccer season has started. Alex's first machine pitch baseball game is tonight as long as it doesn't rain or snow! Ethan is working on writing his autobiography for his 3rd grade project. It is due this Friday, so he has been working hard. I'll try to get back to more regular posting in May!

A True Gentleman

Lately anytime we go anywhere Drew insists on opening the car door for me. He then proceeds to say, "After you my lady." It is so cute! He gets really upset if I forget to wait for him to open the door and open it myself. In fact he makes me get back into the car! Chivalry truly is not dead! What a gentleman!

Easter Best

Just a few pictures of the boys on Easter! 

They're getting so grown up!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 9th Birthday! I can't believe it's been 9 years. 

The time has gone by so quickly!

Here are 9 things we love about you...

1 Your sense of humor.

You still giggle about throwing

Buffalo Chips at Tiger and

the stinky pool at Yellowstone!

2 You love to travel.

You've been to MANY places

and been on hundreds

of airplane rides.

You love seeing new places.

3 You are a wonderful

big brother!

Your younger brothers

adore you!

You are a wonderful example

for them!

4 You are my #1 helper!

You make life

so much easier!

5 You are always so

happy and cheerful!

You are so much

fun to be around!

6 You are a great friend

to everyone!

7 You are extremely smart

and a very hard worker.

Right now you say

you're going to be

a dentist or a surgeon

when you grow up.

8 You are a great athlete.

You love FOOTBALL, basketball,

riding your bike and scooter, 

and swimming.

9 You make everyone

around you smile!

We love you E!  Happy Birthday!!!

Edmonton is in Canada Eh!

Did you know Canooks like Cheese and Gravy on their fries and call it Poutine? Neither did I, and after the girl said, "Your not from around here are you?" she politely explained what it was. I guess I'm not used to the idea of putting ketchup on my macaroni and cheese (Kraft Dinner for you Canooks), nor am I expecting to be asked if I want ketchup, mayo or poutine for my fries. Don't get me wrong, I love Canada I even have a dark Canadian secret....I'm 1/32 Canadian! Yes, it was a dark day in my life when I found out (last year in fact), but I have come to embrace my heritage and these are the things I love about Canada:

1. Fudgee-O's - Double Stuff please. Why aren't these things in America?
2. Tim Horton's - Now only if it could reach past boarder states and make it Utah, I would a happy, happy man, 50 Kilos heavier but happy.
3. Popcorn Salt - I love all the flavors.
4. Wunderbars - For that matter any Canadian Candy, why can't Hershey understand I DON'T LIKE WAX in my Chocolate!!!
5. Funny coloured Money - I love being able to tell how much money you have by looking in your wallet, now only if the US would clue into this one.
6. Unnecessarily adding the letter u to words like labour or colour and for that matter pronouncing process PROcess or sorry SOOREE or calling the letter Z ZED.
7. Canadian Movie ratings - Each province has its own movie ratings and they usually let me see movies I can't see down here due to the dreaded "R" rating. Thank you Canada for your "14" rating.
8. I used to love Canada for shopping, even with the GST you could get some deals, but with the weak US dollar stuff in Canda is WAY expensive. I mean honestly, who is going to pay $40 CAD ($41 US) for a DVD.
9. NEW FAVOURITE TREAT - Joe Louis or to be more precise a SUPER Joe Louis. Imagine a giant Hostess Ho-Ho but not rolled up and more like a Ding Dong. Thank you Jason, why didn't you tell me sooner about these things?!?!?!

In any case I enjoyed my visit to Canada this last week, but I'm glad to be home. Here are some photos of the West Edmonton Mall since I was stuck in Edmonton all day Friday. I didn't really buy anything as I couldn't afford it on my measly US salary. But just remember this is a MALL that has the following:
- Indoor water park
- Mini golf
- Ice Skating
- Submarines (no longer working)
- Sea Lion Show
- A petting Zoo.
- An Amusement Park with two roller coasters, one with a triple loop.
- A Casino
- Bungee jumping, indoors mind you.
- Ferarri's for sale
- And at least 3 Adult Sex shops, no I did not go in. :)












BTW, the Poutine was yummy but made the fries soggie after a while, so eat fast!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Drew!

He had a great day today! Look how much he's grown....

1 week old

Stylin 1 year old

Who can forget the shopping

cart fall resulting in

a fractured skull to

celebrate his 2nd birthday.

A trip to Hawaii 2 months

before his 3rd birthday for

Neana and Ric's wedding.

He loved the black sand beaches,

seeing sea turtles, and

a catamaran ride where

he snorkled with Dad and

saw whales and dolphins.

Happy 3rd birthday

and the tradition of the

"pizza" cake begins.

Drew hates all sweets

and wanted a 

candle in his pizza.

D slipped and fell

breaking his hand.  Poor

guy.  Another trip to the

ER.  He's still smiling though.

I love this little guy!!

Happy 4th!

An uneventful, but

very happy 5th birthday

to a wonderful boy!

We love you!!!