National Novel Writing Month

I have gone a little crazy and signed up for National Novel Writing Month, which is a website group thing... whatever. Anyway, it means that I, along with, I don't know, like, millions of others all over the world, have committed to writing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Yes, like, from November first to November 30th. It is the eighth, and I'm pretty behind, but we'll see... Wish me luck!

Halloween!

Trunk or Treat is always the name of the game, but we also went to a neighborhood where Alexia's friend lives. Her family put on a spook alley in the garage and the kids wanted to try it out. Let's just say they're going to wait awhile before they try that again. Alexia and James got creative with their costumes this year. Don't ask me where she got the idea, but Alexia went as "Bubble Wrap Girl." It was cute, fun and cheap; that's all I can say.
James was his own fictional character, "Sky Guy" who he created about a year and a half ago. Last Halloween he just wore the hat. This year it seems Sky Guy has developed magical abilities and now sports a cape and wand.Will was Buzz Lightyear which is what he was two Halloweens ago. (Yikes, my kids just don't grow) And Sophie was a Fairy Princess. (Honestly, what else?)

Yes, I am a blogger slacker.

Well, as my last post was all the way back in May, I figure I'll just put the whole summer into one post. It was fun. I hope that's not too generic...

Anyway, to begin, I did a photo session with Heidi, Brian and the pwecious wittle cutie Destiny. These were some of my favorite shots.
Oh, and okay, I suppose I can include one of Heidi and Brian as well.
July 2nd
My totally fabulous friend Jen took us all to Hogle Zoo. And P.S., that's not why she's fabulous. It's amazing how much you can enjoy yourself in the crowd and the stink and the blistering heat of the zoo.
It was quite serendipitous that we were there that day, for Jen found her soulmate and we were able to take their lovely engagement portraits.July 4th
Independence Day was observed by spending a day at Salem Pond park. A picnic lunch, feeding the ducks, walking around the pond, some swings, and a book were all that was needed to relax and enjoy each others company.



Other random happenings...
What can I say except, park, princesses and pouring down rain?

Oh, and also... flour fight.

A Fairy Princess

This is Sophie's first dress-up session. Once the dress and wings were on, they didn't come off for the rest of the day. This was back on May 11th.

The best thing about having a big sister is that she'll put dress-up on you when your mom would assume you were too young and wouldn't like it yet.

Yay for Destiny!

Heidi just called me today with the fantabulous news that Destiny is being transferred from Primary Children's Hospital to Utah Valley in Provo. This is the best thing we could hear besides her coming home. Can I just say that I love love LOVE my baby niece!

Vote for me!

Check out the shopping bag I designed. If I win the contest, I get $1000, which would be cool.

Birthday Kids

TWO major milestones in the lives of children: turning eight and getting baptized and turning ten and moving into the double digits of life. Our home has been full of excitement in the past month as both have happened here.

March 26th. James turned eight years old. He woke up that morning with the question: Where is my Birthday Crown? So I quickly made him a crown.

This year I told the kids that they had to start buying gifts for each other for birthdays and Christmas. With their own money. Earned by doing chores. Yikes. But they love the idea. So Alexia got James the movie "Bolt", and Will got him two "Roscoe Riley Rules" books. From his Mom and Dad, he received his first set of scriptures. Awwww, special!

And since it can be a challenge sometimes to make food especially for James, he was thrilled to make-do with this one of a kind "Birthday Cake": three tiers of masterful culinary creation. Or you could call it a stack of James's gluten-free ginger cookies. Don't worry, he loved it. No really.

His baptism was two days later... which was also the day I had a Baby Shower for Heidi. Yes, you could call it a busy week. There is nothing like seeing your child baptized. It's poignant.

April 21st. Alexia turned TEN years old today. Ten. One-Zero. It's not sinking in. She's just awesome. I made her blueberry-banana pancakes for breakfast this morning. One of my finer "Mom Moments". Then she put on her new Hannah Montana t-shirt with a cute skirt and leggings, I curled up her hair and sprayed it liberally (she loves that part), and she was ready for a killer day at school.

She got a pretty little flower cake (since it was on the bakery clearance shelf for $6). Following our new rule, James and Will bought their own presents for her and did quite well. From James: a "Barbie Thumbelina" movie. From Will: two new Littlest Pet Shop bunnies. Sophie sprung for new HSM flip-flops. And from her loving parents: a dress and a capri and top combo. She'll look so cute in them.

It's a hoedown

On March 5th, the fourth grade at the school had a fun country dance. The students had been learning the dances for weeks. Alexia was so excited to take her dad and show him a thing or two.

The entire grade performed a line dance. Alexia did so good! She had to keep hanging on to her hat since they hopped and turned a lot. We had a fun evening.

Here We Are, World!

Just in case anyone is interested, I am now starting to blog.