September 29 - School Pictures

Haze was looking like a studly football player in his new SUU shirt during school pick up today.  He even had a football stare on his cute little face.  Picture time.  Obviously.

Andlie brought her school  pics home today!  I think they turned out pretty darn cute.  Yesterday she told me, "Mom, I get my school pictures tomorrow and I saw them and they are SO CUTE!  Like you can see my eyes and my glasses and I'm smiling and they are SO CUTE!"  I agree!

Today when Andlie was visiting me, she was wearing our new kitty headband and then she was crouched on the floor with her legs bent under her.  I told her she looked just like a cat and then she put her "paw" up by her face.

Andlie drew a picture of the new neighborhood game.  She told me it's called "Tag & Chase."  Here's the instructions: The boys are in the middle and then the girls chase them.  From the looks on her drawn out instructions, it seems like that's the watered down version of the instructions.

Tonight during our bedtime routine (brush teeth, go pee, get a drink), Nora decided she wanted in.  She said, "Pa-tee."  And then when I opened it and sat her down on it, she stood up & said, "Pants off."  So I pulled them down.  Then, "Da-per.  Off."  So I took her diaper off and let her sit for a while.  She LOVED it and thought she instantly became an adult.  I said, "K, are you ready for bed?"  She responded, "No!!  Pa-tee!!"  I finally had to drag her off.  Who knows?  Maybe she'll just potty train herself.  Here's to hoping!

September 28 - Home Again

Andlie & Hazey sure have fun playing together.  Especially when they're both in sharing moods.  This morning they sat in the sandbox eating popsicles together and visiting.  I just sat & watched & listened.  I'm sure with a big grin on my Mom face.

Nora kept putting her face in between the bars & saying, "Ohhhhh," in her most pathetic voice.  I'd ask if she was stuck & she'd say, "Ohhhhh.  Ya."  And then she'd pull her head out & giggle.

During our Target run this afternoon, Haze asked for a picture with the "Inja Turtle."  You don't have to ask me for a picture twice.

I'm sure glad that our kids love their beds.  Tonight the girls seemed particularly comfy.  There really is nothing like your own bed.

September 27 - Pie in the Face

Today was the Primary Program at Grama & Grampa's ward.  Grama is a Primary teacher and had to go up on the stand.  Andlie followed her right up there!  She participated in the program with Grama!  She sang every song and knew most all of the words!  It was so fun to watch her cute little grin.

After Sacrament meeting, she stayed with Grama and the rest of us came home.  Hazey & Daddy built a block city.  And then "Monster Hazey" destroyed it with a pillow.

During dinner prep, Nora helped herself to a cheese apple.  She just took the brick of cheese when I wasn't looking and toted it around like an apple.  She even took a big ol' bite out of it.

Since we left Orem on Friday morning, Andlie had to miss school on Friday.  She was sad to miss the assembly that day because it was the assembly where the kids got to "pie" their teachers for reaching the school fundraising goal.  She was very anxious about missing it and even shed a few tears.

Daddy to the rescue!  Seeing how upset she was, he volunteered to let her "pie" him.  She quickly and eagerly accepted!  So today, we made a heaping whipped cream pie and let her go at it.  She could not stop giggling.  Best Sunday of her life.

Then Daddy gave her a kiss on her nose and she got a whipped cream nose!

What a wonderful Daddy.  He cares so much about our kids and would do ANYTHING to make them happy.  Andlie knows how special he is too.  She found a quiet time and went downstairs and told him thank you.  Special Daddy and special Andlie.  It was a great way to end our stay in Cedar City.

For the ride home, we switched Nora's car seat to be front facing.  I put her in her "new seat" and she said, "Oh ma gosh.  Cuuuuute."  

We thought it would help with her constant "Mom" screams.  She proved us wrong.  At least for the last hour.  She did sleep for about an hour though which is totally new for her in the car.  So that's one point in our favor.  Little girl is full of independence and sass and joy!  She knows what she wants and it is not a 3 hour ride in the car.

September 26 - SUU Homecoming: Day 2

Started the day off with a bang by going to the parade!  Both of the big kids scored a gallon baggie full of candy!  When the candy would come speeding at us, both Haze and Andlie would make sure that they each got enough and it one didn't get as much, the other would give up some of their handful to make sure everything was fair.  Sweetest kids.

After the parade, we headed to the bookstore to get new SUU gear.  It's our homecoming tradition.  But first, we stopped in the rotunda for a quick SUU pic.  (Nora usually makes a "crazy face" for pictures now...)

Laner was in town for homecoming this weekend too!  So naturally, we had to take a picture with ol' Sharwan.

And then naturally, the kids followed.

Next stop: Grama's back yard.  Haze spent most of his time outside jumping & transforming on the trampoline.  Nora spent most of hers teasing Grama by saying, "Boo!" and then giggling until she couldn't stand when Grama made a crazy face as a reaction.  Andlie spent most of her time climbing on top of the toys like her true monkey self.

And then....FOOTBALL time!  (Notice everyone's new SUU gear.  We also bought a license plate holder.  Go TBirds!)

After the game, Hazey & Daddy played blocks while Andlie had a little snack before bed.  She can "do whatever she wants when she's at Grama's."  She told me that's the rule.  I'm pretty sure Grama taught her that rule.  And it's very true.

Hazey was so proud of the giraffe that he & Daddy built!  He wanted to take a picture of it so I let him.  And then we made sure to get everyone in the pic.

When the kids were all sleeping, me & Bryan took a trip to good ol' Wally World in search of treats and whipped cream and pie tins.  (More on that tomorrow.)  It was so great to see the Coke all stacked up and honoring SUU!!

September 25 - SUU Homecoming: Day 1

Went to Cedar City for SUU's Homecoming today!  Nora isn't a fan of the car.  That's an understatement.  She hates the car.  She sits & screams my name until I am sitting right by her or holding her hand.  It drives me crazy and melts my heart all at the same time.

When we finally got to Cedar, we went right to our Cedar City happy place - Grama's back yard.  I had to snap a pic of Nora's tiny footprints are "spashing" in the water.

After visiting Shennie & Granny, we headed to SUU for the Business Reception (where everyone was way older than us) and then we went to the SUUSA 10 year reunion (where I knew 3 people).  

And then we went home & picked up Grama so we could go to the big par-tay!

Andlie got to "start the fireworks" per tradition.  She goes somewhere with Mindy and then says, "3, 2, 1, start the fireworks!"  And it works every time.  It's a highlight of her Summer and she always talks about how she gets to start the fireworks.

Meanwhile, Hazey fell asleep on Daddy right after fireworks ended.  It makes me so happy that he feels so safe & comfy in his Daddy's arms.  Can't blame him.  They're pretty great arms.

While Haze took a little snooze, Nora & Mindy danced & shook their booties.  It was such a fun night!  It feels good to be back home.  Especially during SUU Homecoming and especially since Bryan worked at SUU and helped Mindy start this whole "Red Party" on Homecoming weekend (in 2010) that has been happening ever since.

September 24 - Playing

We built Hazey a "monster truck course" this morning at his request.  He had fun zooming his trucks around on it.  He also requested "monster truck music" and wasn't satisfied until I found some Leonard Skynard.

While the kids were at school, Nora decided to take a ride in her car.  But not without her baby.  She piled both her and her baby in and then just sat there for a while.  I'm pretty sure baby isn't the most comfortable she's ever been.  But I bet she's glad Nora brought her along for the ride.

For lunch, I grabbed some chicken rings at Arctic Circle for the kids.  Nora kept saying, "Nee moe.  Kicken donuts."  (Need more chicken donuts.)

When I picked Haze up from school, I thought I had picked up Johnny Hazeyseed!  He learned about Johnny Appleseed and came out wearing a pot for a hat!  He had a fun week learning about apples and told me yesterday, "Mom, did you know that apples have seeds inside and you can plant them and turn them in to an apple tree?!"

Last night, Nora requested that her baby sleep with her.  I thought it was just a fluke until I put her down for her nap & she said, "Bay-bee.  In.  Seep."

Asked Andlie to pose with her snake belt on tonight.  Boy did she ever.  She's the cutest girl!  She is growing in to a beautiful young lady.  With lots of fun personality.

September 23 - Last Game: Purple Ninjas & Family Pics

This morning, Nora brought me the pink nail polish and said, "Paint it.  Toes."  So I did!  And she walked around sticking her feet out in front of her staring all day.  And showing everyone she saw.  She'd stick her foot out & say, "Toes.  Pitty.  Cute."  And then wait for the person to repeat it back to her.

She was full of sass this morning!  After we painted her toes, she demanded that I get her "pay-pah" (paper) and "carhs" (crayons AKA colors) so she could color a picture.  Then when I told her to look at me & smile, she gave me duck face.  She's my little sidekick and I think she's really enjoying this new alone time with Momma at home while the big kids are at school.

We had family pictures tonight!!  Every single one of the 72 are my favorite, but these are some of my top favorites.

Purple Ninjas had their last game tonight.  And Andlie scored 2 goals!  Yay!!  (She's the one on the left with the ponytail - #3.)

During the game, Nora found a new hat to wear.  She thought it was a pretty fancy hat.  Also, she always steals my water bottle and claims it as her own.  Every time.