I've been TAGGED!

I've been tagged by my friend Jen. I'm supposed to go to my picture folder and blog about the 4th picture in the 4th folder. My picture folder has lots of folders in it, so I had to add an extra "4th". It's Denver, March 25th 2007, trying to see if he can fit both hands in his mouth. Look at that little bald head! He loved that swing! Today is his 2nd birthday by the way!



Then, just for kicks, I went to this years folder and picked the 4th and 4th. Amberlyn "fixing" her bike with daddy's tools. I think he was washing the car at the time, or something in the driveway. There was nothing wrong with the bike, she just wanted to be like dad!



I tag Afie & Mary!

Halloween (finally)

I know it was nearly a week ago, but here's Amberlyn and Denvers costumes!

They were Minnie & Mickey! We went to the ward Trunk or Treat! We ate dinner there, (who ever thought chili and costumes went together was.....) then shopped all the trunks. Amberlyn is an old pro by now, this being her 5th year out, but Denver on the other hand.....He was apparently tired or something, because he kept trying to lay down in the middle of the street. I showed him how to hold his bucket and go say "Trick or Treat" to the ward members. They handed him a treat, and I tried to show him how to put it in his little orange bucket. He thought I was taking it away, and had a meltdown! After a few times of this, he began to figure out that he still had his treats, they were just in the bucket. It soon got dark, and we had been to all of the trunks, so we went to seek other treats.

We went home, parked the car in the driveway, and headed over to our friend Mary's house, to make the rounds as a group. By the time we got there, I was done with Denver trying to sit in the street, so we borrowed a stroller and headed off. I pushed him to the next house, lifted him out of the stroller, and took him and Amberlyn to the door. Minnie Mouse knocked, and a sweet stranger emergred with a bowl full of candy. I told them to say Trick-or-Treat, and Denver's version was something like, "Tikk Teet!"

He was handed a treat, and suddenly, it clicked! He was so excited to show me! I told him to put it in his treat bag, and he ran down the driveway to the stroller, to be toted to the next treat bearing house. From then on, he always had to see the candy. He would either take one (or 5) from the bowl that was extended to him, or intercept the goodness mid-drop, to examine his prize. We only went down a street or two, then I was DONE! We headed home to count our treasures!

Denver was excited with his haul, and immediatly settled on an orange Tootsie Pop, with the wrapper still on. Here they are, with Denver trying to open his treat!

What a fun Halloween!

Don't forget to VOTE!!!

I VOTED TODAY!!!!!
Don't forget to get out and let your voice be heard! I voted for McCain!
*I didn't vote for Obama because of his association with known terrorists.
*I didn't vote for Obama because he wants to tax me 23% on the profits of the sale of my home.
*I didn't vote for Obama because from the time he was elected into the senate, and the time he announced his presidential candidacy, he only logged 142 days of political work. That's less than 5 months. You couldn't be the manager of McDonald's in 5 months!
*I didn't vote for Obama because he doesn't take his family to church on Sunday, because they feel that Sunday is family day. This is according to an interview with Michelle O.
*I didn't vote for Obama because he supports partial birth abortions.
*I didn't vote for Obama because the sight and sound of the man physically makes me nauseous!
These are the things that are important to me!
Vote For McCain!!!!!!!

Schnepf Farm!

Well, we had our annual pilgrimage to Schnepf Farm! The kids had a blast! We opted not to have the kids wear their costumes, because, well, it's a farm, and farms are dirty. We went the day before Halloween, and we wanted to keep their duds clean for Trick-or-Treating.

We arrived at the farm around 4:30 pm. After loading kids in strollers and making sure diaper bags were sufficiently packed, we entered DisneyLand. Well, it may as well have been for how excited the kiddos were! Amberlyn and Wywy had to stop and get their faces painted! Ghosties

for both this year!

After they were all painted up, we headed off to the pumpkin patch to find the biggest bestest one! We actually already picked pumpkins at Apple Annies in Wilcox, AZ,

but it was fun to play in the patch with their cousins at Schnepf.

After pumkpin hunting, we were off to the hayride! We rode on a tractor pulled, straw filled trailer,

and even got to get off to pet the deer!

After the hayride, it was time for the rollercoaster! Amberlyn was brave enough to go, only if mommy went with her. She was a trooper, and quietly endured the 3 times around the track. She loved it, but didn't want to go again. (don't worry, it's a kiddie coaster!) Next it was time to ride the rockets! Amberlyn and Wywy shared a ship, and went flying as high as they could around the world! Denver rode the Honey Bee with daddy, while the older two were on the rockets.

Then it was mommy and Amberlyn's turn,

then Lynne and Wywy had their turn!

After the Bumble Bees, we wanted to go on the train, but it had derailed! It would be at least an hour before it was fixed, so we went to the races. Go Kart races! They have individual karts, or family style ones! We had a blast! Where can I get one of these?

Next was the petting zoo! Denver got to go in and pet the baby goats.

Amberlyn didn't like the smell, so she waited outside with dad. Then was the carousel, and next they kids played on a pyramid of straw bails while we waited for the train to be fixed.

It was finally our turn for the train, we raced over as soon as it was fixed!

The school class that was supplying the actors to make the train ride "spooky" never showed up, but that was fine with us, the kids just wanted a fun train ride. After a few stops at the gift shops for penny candy and candied almonds, we left the farm and stopped for dinner at Burger King (cheaper than dinner on the farm) while we waited for the firework show to start. A short display of colorful sky rockets was the perfect way to end a fun night on the farm!

We had a blast, and would love to keep it an annual tradition!

How the crap?!?!?!

Well I put Denver down for a nap, and a few hours later, heard him through the baby monitor. He was awake. I heard what sounded like him banging on the door, but figured he was snaping the chair rail on the wall. (he has pulled it loose.) A minute later, I heard, "This is unit eighty eight, we are in route! Over!" No, he hasn't suddenly became an ambulance driver, it was his toy ambulance, he had pushed the buttons on it. This had me confused. How did he reach the toy on the floor, from his bed? Click play to find out!

Yep! He sure did! I think it's time for a toddler bed, what do you think?

I WON!!! I WON!!! I WON!!!

Hooray, hooray!!! I won a giveaway!! I won the doll giveaway on MyTinyStar! It was for a doll created in the likeness of whoever I want. I decided to surprise Amberlyn for Christmas. I sent a photo of her to the lady who is going to make the doll. I didn't have any recent, cute pictures, so I dolled her up and took her outside for a mommy photo shoot. Here are a few of the results.

Dinosaurs in my Washer

Sometimes you just have to laugh at life. Sometimes it's a totally random thing that reminds you that you are a mom. Like when you find a dinosaur in your washer.

Sometimes the randomness just makes you laugh. Other times it makes you stop and think. Once in a while it will make you cry, sometimes tears of joy, sometimes tears of sadness, sometimes tears of stress. Hopefully, the random things you find in your washer, or bathtub, or bed, or even your life, will cause you to stop and think, and love, and cherish.

I encourage you to laugh at the dinosaurs in your washer.

A great giveaway for NieNie

Check out this great giveaway and silent auction for the Nielsen Family!
my tiny star: Update! Nie Nie Auction and GIVEAWAY!

Handbag GiveAway

Check out these cute handbags! They are doing a giveaway! http://www.handbagplanet.com/

Good ol' plastic

Jamison is sitting on the excercise ball in the kitchen. Amberlyn wants him to hold her doll.

Amberlyn: "Here, hold my dolly on your lap."

Jamison: "Are you sure? I might drop her on her head."

Amberlyn: "It's okay. It's made out of plastic."

RazzBerryPie Boutique: IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME#links

Check out the latest giveaway over at RazzBerryPie.blogspot.com!
RazzBerryPie Boutique: IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME#links

Your thoughts on birds?

Do you think birds have laws? Is it against bird laws to fly really low in the middle of the road and dodge my car by inches? I wonder if there are little "teenage" birds daring their buddies to do this. Like, "Hey George, I dare ya to play chicken with that black car!" And George is all, "What'll ya give me?" And his buddy is all, "Absolutely nothin!" Then George decides he's cool and misses my windshield by an inch.

Do they have little birdy police? If Officer Feathers sees George do this, will he get a ticket for J-Flying? Is the Officer gonna tweet George's parents and tell them? Is George gonna get grounded and not be able to fly with his buddies for a week?

What about curfew? Are George's parents waiting up for him? What happens if he comes back to the nest late?

Your thoughts?

Why I HATE T-Mobile!!!!!

I HATE T-MOBILE!!!!!
I purchased a phone with them in December of 2006, as a Christmas gift for my brother. The salesman LIED to me to make the sale! He told me that as soon as my brother turned 18, we would be able to transfer it into his name with no problems, and no credit check. I have been trying to get it switched over to my brothers name for almost year and a half! Every time we call them to do it, the "customer service" people tell me one thing, and tell my brother another thing. They keep giving me the run around. They said they don't transfer services without a credit check. I went back to the original salesman, and he blew me off!
I inquired about a different type of plan which would eliminate the hassle of the credit check. They said I could do a special plan, and even told me what to tell my brother to say when he called. When he did call, they told him that that was not something they did, and he still wasn't able to transfer the service to his name.
I would like to cancel my service with them, and they want to charge me the full cancellation fee, despite how many times they have lied to my in the past year and a half!!!
Again, I HATE T-MOBILE!!!!!!!

The Hideousness that is my morning! (Double Whammy!)

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! is the only thing I can say as I run my fingers through my hair, in desperation! What a morning! And it's not even 9:00 am!

First of all, I could NOT fall asleep last night. I think part of it was that I think I am getting a cold, and I couldn't breath very well. I tossed and turned until about 1:30 before I decided that this was ridiculous, why stay in bed? So I got on the computer, blog stalked, and other various things. I went back to bed and just layed there, begging the Sand Man to sprinkle me with fairy dust or whatever it is he does. The last time I looked at the clock, it was well past 4:00 am. FINALLY! The sweet slumber of sleep! I vaguely remember Matt kissing me goodbye. Then came the crying. (No, not Matt) That blasted baby monitor! I could hear Denver whining. Soon a full fledged cry erupted. I begrudgingly stumbled in a little after 8:00. By his cry, I could tell that he had taken his diaper off, again. I had no idea what was about to transpire! I opened his door and was slapped in the face by the stench of ......um........unpleasantness. DENVER GRAYSON SMITH!!! Oh yes, the full name was definitely in order!

Not only was his dirty diaper off, it was on the floor. And he had touched it. (eeewwwww) And it was not only on his hands, oh no. I was lucky enough to have walked into a freaking free for all. It was in his bed. On at least 2 blankets. On his crib rails. It was still on his behind. It was IN HIS HAIR!! It was FREAKING IN HIS HAIR!!!!! Do you hear me?!?! He had grabbed it and then played with his hair!!! It was not a bit of a smudge either, it was a clump of nastiness stuck and caked IN HIS HAIR!!! (I think I just threw up a little just reminiscing.)

After the obvious cursing (in my head) and desperate pleas and threats, I carefully put him on the changing table, only to discover that the dry, caked on stickiness was a bigger job than a few baby wipes could handle. I whisked him into the bathroom to wash him off.

Okay, what normally happens when you turn the faucet at your house? Water comes out, right? Ummm...not so much. After a short blast of sputtering water, it stopped! Yes, it stopped! NNNOOO!!!!! I tried the bathtub. No luck. I stood him in the tub and told him to stay put as I ran around the house frantically checking every faucet we have! (because it couldn't possibly be all of them)

Mind you, I am not good in a crisis. I always think I will be calm and level headed and know just what to do. But it never really quite works out that way. I become hysterical. So if any of you are thinking that if you are in the middle of a catastrophe, and you can just call me and I will kiss it and make it all better, I am just letting you know that in my heart I would love to be the calm and collected helper, and bend to your every need, but the reality is, I will most likely freak out.

Back to the water. (or lack there of) I grabbed the phone to call Matt and ask him why he had turned off the water. As I was dialing, I thought that maybe some prankster had turned it off during the wee hours of the morning. While I waited for the ringing on the other end of the phone, I had a thought. I grabbed my robe and went to the front door. The ringing began as I opened the door, where I found a note stating that indeed a prankster had turned off the water. It was signed by the water company! Well those dirty rotten...!!! Of all the crappy mornings!!! (literally) I can't believe they would actually turn off my water! Don't they know that I have kids! Aren't they mind readers?!?! Don't they know what has become of my morning?! Don't they know that I need my water?!? With no warning!!!

(Okay, in all honesty, there is probably a bill in the mailbox, which I have failed to check in probably the last 3 weeks. Our mail has probably been returned to the post office by now.) It really was an honest mistake, I sincerely thought that I had paid that bill. Actually, I had, but when I scheduled the online payment, I couldn't find the actual bill, so I paid what I thought was due. Apparently, I was wrong. If they had knocked on the door before proceeding with such a drastic measure, I would have gladly given them a check! Or at the very least, I would have been able to assess the situation earlier, and have them just give me 5 minutes to wash the nastiness off of my child!

Matt answered and I began my hysterical rant, aggravated by the fact that I have had only 4 hours sleep, and I don't feel well. I don't even remember what I said, but by this point I was crying. He mentioned something about the neighbor's hose. I gave him the number to the water company and went to gather supplies, and my now naked offspring, who had managed himself out of the tub, and was now streaking through the living room. (please don't sit down!!)

I had Amberlyn find me a towel as I drug (dragged?) the end of the neighbor's hose through our back fence. I hosed the child, lathered him with antibacterial soap, and scrubbed him down. He howled from the cold hose, made worse by the good breeze we had going. I rinsed and dried him, wrapped him snugly in the towel, and carried him back into the house, wailing at him to please stop taking his diaper off!

I got him dressed and Matt called back to say that it was taken care of and the water would be turned back on sometime today. At their convenience. Please, oh please come soon! I have blankets to wash, teeth to brush, toilets to flush, hands to wash, a shower to take.....

Denver just poured RED Powerade on the carpet. And I have no water to clean it up with. Yes, I am crying again.

I need a Dr. Pepper.
Copious amounts of Dr. Pepper.
And a truckload of chocolate.

Mr. Helpful

So yesterday was Monday, which means it was mopping day. I got out the mop and bucket, filled the bucket with water and cleaner, and carried it into the kitchen. Denver confiscated the mop. When I wrestled it away from him, he said, "Well fine mom, then I'll just go get my own mop." Okay, since his only words consist of cowd (cold), mimi (binki), neenee (LynnE), and leeeee (please), (well there are more, but they are few) he didn't really say this. But the look he gave me said it all as he set off to find his little red toy mop.

I started by the back door, and Denver soon emerged, with his pitiful little plastic mop in tow. He wasn't about to let me go at this alone. He dunked his tiny mop into the bucket, lifted it out soaked with water, and splashed it all over the floor. My kitchen soon looked like the floods of Katrina or Gustav. But, water dries, and hey, he was having a good time!


With the floors thoroughly soaked, it was time to use the water to actually mop the floor, you know, spread it around and clean up the spots? Ummm...not so much. He was content to keep my feet covered in cleaning water, with the in and out of the bucket routine. I eventually convinced him that he could do it, and Matt got a great video. My favorite part is his cool sunglasses!




Can you see how drenched the floors are?