Make a Smilebox greeting

She made me do it!

I didn't want to forget this one.

I invited the girls friends over to play last night.  When we were getting all loaded in the car to take them home, Skye thought it was funny to keep honking the horn.  After several honks I told her, "Do not do that again."

We then drove over to their house.  I walked the girls to the door while Skye and Charli waited in the car.  As I am saying our good-byes Skye honks the horn again.  I get to the car and the conversation went as follows:

Me:  "Skye, didn't I tell you not to touch the horn."

Skye: "Charli made me do it!"  (nearly in drama tears)

My mind is processing how a 3 year old makes a 5 year old do something. 

Me: "Skye, no one can make you do anything, you have choices."

Skye: "No, really mom, she made me."

Me:  "How did she make you?"

Skye: "She said she would give me all the shrimp and octopus to eat."

Me:  "You believe that Charli can get you shrimp and octopus?"

Skye: "Well, she said I had too"

Me: "Charli, is that true?"

Charli gives me a devilish snicker and a huge old grin.  This is a great example of the trouble this little girl creates.  Yes, Skye loves octopus and enjoys shrimp, a girl after her daddies own heart, they even enjoy an occasional bowl of menudo (intestine soup) together.

A night away!

This is how Isaac and I spent last night.  So relaxing and fun.  The anniversary inn in Logan has lots of fun new rooms.  This room even had a pool table and motorcycle right in the room.

Counting your "thankful's"

How great is it we have a holiday to celebrate all the wonderful things we are thankful for.  So, I decided to list 11 random "thankful's".

1. Sunsets

2. A husband who works hard to support us.

3. A good nights sleep...thank you tempur-pedic mattress.  I love you.

4. Skye's good health

5. My blendtec blender

6. Rainy days

7.  My two little girls

8. Laughter

9. Columbines

10. Books

11. Wonderful parents

What are you thankful for?

Creativity

Tonight is one of those nights, when my heart is heavy, but of what I am uncertain.  It is times like these that I love to find escape.  I love to run to distant places through music, literature, art...I am always amazed by the power of creativity.  The emotion it both evokes and resolves.  The most awe inspiring example of creativity, our earth.  What an amazing and vast gift we have been given.

Many of you know that my brother Brandon is an artist.  He is fortunate to support his family and make a career of his talent and passion.  Although artwork is best experienced first hand, I loved this more recent piece.  You can see more of his posted work at www.brandoncook.com

It was only a matter of time!

I knew it was only a matter of time before Skye's hair creativity would go too far.  We warned her numerous time to never cut hair with scissors.  Well, her halloween sugar high must have clouded her judgement and she went to town on her and Charli's hair.  I was more upset that she knew better since we have both made it a point to her.  In Skye's words, "You told me a hundred times to never cut hair for real!"  Well, I was actually happy how it turned out for Skye since I have wanted to cut her hair for two years now, but she wouldn't let us, "only trims to help it grow long".  Her hair in the front, does not grow, so thankfully she didn't touch it.  As for Charli...well, the two weeks rule won't be working!

Poor Charli

She went from this

To this

Now this!
                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                   Good thing your hair grows fast! We know it's not your favorite, but the great news is you can see perfectly now, and no more strangers telling you how cute your little bob is!

Halloween memories

2003, Skye's first halloween.  I cannot believe how much growing and changing has taken place over the past 5 years.  It is really heartbreaking.  I am just reminded of how important it is to embrace the now and appreciate today.  I am also reminded of how poor of a job I do in recording the memories.  At the time I think I will never forget, but you do, and I have.

2004, Skye's first "trunk or treat", she could care less about the candy, she was so excited about seeing everyone in their costumes.  She made such a cute little kitty.

2005, I have never known a costume to be as loved as much as this little unicorn.  I remember the day we bought it we were landscaping at our new house and Skye was covered in mud and dirt from head to toe, I thought it would never be white again.  She had the most perfect little gallop to match.  They just grow too fast.

2006, where's a picture?  I distinctly remember taking a picture, but it must be on an undeveloped roll somewhere.  Skye was the unicorn once again, she loved it so much aunt Pam made it a little bigger so she could wear it once again.  The poor costume is so shop worn from being loved.  Charli was a cute little horse, then again in 2007, she even thought about being the same horse for 2008.  She can still zip it up considering it's a size 18 months.  It was so cold this year that the girls went to maybe 4 houses before they decided they wanted to go back home.  It was fun to have their cousins, Ethan and Ayden, join in the fun this year.

2007, the year mom didn't take any pictures.  Good thing they took this one at Isaac's work party.  Skye's arthritis (these were the days when we were still trying western medicine and Skye has the nice steroid puffy cheeks) was really bad this year, so much that I didn't want to take her "trick or treating".  She insisted on going and although we moved slower then a sloth, she was happy to be a apart of it all.  Our neighbor and friend was so thoughtful in getting a fun non eatable treat for her treat bag since we limit her sugars.  She was so thrilled and played with it all night, not even thinking once about the candy.  She was nice to do it once again this year!  Thank you, Sally. 

2008 the year of the witches!  The weather was so warm, and the kids did not want to go home.

I hope your Halloween...

Isn't like this:

Happy Halloween!

I love Ogden in the fall!

I went on a hike yesterday and I couldn't help but be reminded of how much I enjoy Ogden this time of year.  It is full of such large beautiful trees rich in history.  Before we had kids, every morning,  Isaac and I would take the dogs and head out our front door and hike on this trail before work, it was such a wonderful way to start the work day.  I really miss that time we shared together.