Snipe

After living on this Earth for 32 years, a fallacy was discovered. Snipes are not imaginary furry little creatures that live in the woods and can only be seen by older, more experienced campers. Not to mention caught with a pillowcase. They are actual animals. Birds to be exact. Sorry to burst everyone's bubble.

Family hike

Paul took some time off to bring sanity to our lives - we spent Thursday cleaning. Quote from Paul as he and Grant finished the job, "Let me tell you, this is what I wanted to do with my vacation, clean boogers off the wall" - said with a smirk (Grant had issues with using tissue for a time). Friday, we went for a 1 mile hike. The weather was perfect. It was a nice break.

Monkey

Ella loves to climb everything (swing-set poles, dressers, basket-ball hoop poles, hammocks, banisters, play-gyms). She has no fear!

Kate's Birthday

The Best things in life are free, or close to free. When Grant and Ella found out it was my birthday, they scavanged the house for my present. Then they wrapped the items by themselves and Grant even colored the paper (after it was wrapped). So, you are all dying to find out what I got, I will leave you in suspense no longer. Grant gave me 3 whole pennies. After I made a big deal out of how nice the present was, he informed me that he didn't even want the pennies because, "I already have 3 dollars". Honesty - is it always the best policy? Ella gave me her pretend make-up and blow-dryer. Do you think she was hinting at something?

Dallin Smiling

This boy loves to smile ... loves to suck on skin (face, shoulder, belly, arm) .... and looks for any reason to laugh. We call him 'medicine'. One smile and all our frustrations fade away. Feel free to print this one out - free of charge - we don't mind sharing Dallin's medicine.

Princess Ella

Ella has been blessed with an enormous array of dress-up (or should I more appropriately say 'dress-over') clothes and accessories. She truly believes that she is a princess (also, Lava-girl and sometimes a puppy, kitty, horsie). She tells us stories everyday about her 'pretend' preschool. Grant is the teacher and everyone in our family gets to attend. For some time I thought that she actually believed she was going to preschool, but today she reassured me that it's, "just a pretend preschool, mommy". Just one more thing about my princess, she is always quoting Disney movies and want's me to play along. If I say it wrong she always corrects me. Her favorites are:

Ella says, "Are we there yet?" (from Incredibles)

my response, "We get there, when we get there."

(This one is repeated 10-15 times as we drive anywhere)

Ella says, "Buried Treasure, Mamma" (from Peter Pan)

my repsonse, "Thanks Ella, this is the last buried treasure of the night - go to bed"

(This one happens just before going to bed - every night, usually 2-3 times)

Ella says, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" (from Heffalump)

my response, "Cloud racing" (then we sometimes jump up in the air)