Baby "Collie"

Last week was "getting to know baby Collin" week. And by pure accident, Collin has come by his nick-name, which will probably be with him for quite a while. Ben started calling Collin "Collie" even before they met. I would show them pictures of him, and my kids went crazy! I want to hold baby Collie! I want to kiss baby Collie! All in good time.

So when Collin arrived, the kids had way too much fun with him. I mean this in the literal sense. When we were making s'mores in the back yard, we turned around to find Ben helpfully "feeding" Collin a giant marshmallow. And by feeding, I mean shoving it into his mouth. Yeah. I'm pretty sure Margaret is relieved to be away from the crazy giant toddlers that love to attack her tiny 10 pound son.

Magelby's Fresh

On Saturday we went to Magelby's Fresh as a big, giant, crazy, loud extended family to celebrate my Aunt Bonnie's birthday. For breakfast, I can't imagine anything better than delicious all-you-care to eat french toast. (Well, maybe except Nate's wonderful breakfast hash, but this way, neither of us has to cook!) Anyway, we all stuffed our faces, talked and laughed, and sang Happy Birthday to our Aunt Bonnie. And I took some pictures. Because that is how I roll.

Sylvia's 4th Birthday Party

Sylvia is officially four years old, and here's the clincher--I'm officially just old. I can't believe that I'm the parent of a four year old who has her own ideas and feelings and moods. It is really crazy, and this may seem nuts, but she seriously matured overnight. She seems so much OLDER today than she did the day before her birthday! Anyway, we made a special birthday breakfast for Sylvia with heart shaped pancakes. Then, we had a very fun Tinkerbell b-day party, and this is the first year that both sets of her grandparents were able to attend. This is also the first year that I've been brave enough to decorate a birthday cake all on my own. I was so relieved that it looked decent. After the party, we went with Grandma Becky and Grandpa Ben (and aunties) to Brick Oven Pizza for dinner. What a wonderful day!

Happy Anniversary

This picture just describes our relationship in a nutshell. (It's a couple of years old, but whatever....) Seven years of insanity, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Anniversary, hon.

Oh Boy

Benny escaped from the house for the 15th time today, and when I went out in the back yard to get him, he had this getup on. Let me repeat, this is not posed, and I didn't put these on him. He just wants to be like his dad, I guess!

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day was lots of fun. It is always nice to have a holiday that only Utahns get to observe. We celebrated by going bright and early to the Mapleton Days Parade. It was a fun little parade for the kids, with lots of fire trucks, covered wagons, and little ponies. And we're still eating all the candy that was thrown at us! We didn't do much the rest of the day, (my heck, it was a holiday!) but later that evening we did take the kids to see G-Force. Seriously, Ben has never sat through an entire movie before. And this one held his attention for the whole thing! Maybe he's growing up? Nah, probably just the movie. And of course, while walking out, we were asked for the MILLIONTH time if Sylvia and Ben were twins. I always feel the need to explain, "No, they're not. They're 13 months apart. But it feels like I have twins!" Driving home, Nate said that he wants to start wearing a t-shirt whenever we take the kids out in public that says, "No, my children are NOT twins. So, don't ask." All in all, we had a very fun Pioneer Day.

Oh, Yes...Harry Potter

So yeah, we saw Harry Potter. Was it exactly the same as the book? Nah. But the real question is, was it a good movie? Yeah, it was. I'm such a geek that I've been re-reading Half Blood Prince before I went to see the movie. Don't give me too much crap though, considering this is the ONLY time I've done this. It seems almost inappropriate to have an (albeit, old lady) crush on either of these two young hunks, doesn't it? Since we've watched Harry, Ron and Hermione grow up on screen for the last, what, eight years, it's like they're our little brothers or sister or something. I don't know. But those boys are Cute. (With a capital C.) Also, I need to find someone who can teach me to take a picture like the one above. I lurve it! All in all, another good HP film that I thoroughly enjoyed.