Tiny Dancer

Gracie has started taking a ballet class once a week! (instead of doing gymnastics, since that was so far away) She loves it and looks absolutely DARLING in her tights and leotard :) Here are some pics of her in her getup.

They come out of class all together each time and Gracie always makes a bee-line for this trike in the teacher's garage :) Her tricycle has had a flat tire (which we have fixed three times! count 'em, three!!!) and she has never really gotten to ride it. Poor thing is going to be way underdeveloped in the bicycle riding department until next year. Sheesh! Dayton is ready for a bike without training wheels already! Oh well :)

Enjoy the new tunes! The song of the day is Roy Orbison's Mystery Girl. One of my favorites (even though Joe can't stand RO) :)

Grandma Sue's House

The other day I asked Gracie, "Who is your favorite friend to play with?" And she replied, "Grandma Sue!" So in honor of that endearing response...here are some pics of us hanging out at Grandma Sue's house the other day.

Truly, we belong together (eye rolling smiley needed here :))

Myles serenading himself with a poem and a rose :)

Gracie in her Elmo undies and Grandma Sue!

Janie and Grandma!

No explanation necessary.

Pretty lady!

Myles mid-worm :) We have a whole series of these shots...I wonder if I can put them all together with funny worm-ism music? :)

Don Williams

The other day I bought an Alison Krauss CD and loved one of the songs on it. It is called "Lay Down Beside Me" and it is a really beautiufl love song. I listened to it a bunch of times and then it finally dawned on me...this sounds like it should be a Don Williams song! Well guess what? I searched for it on iTunes and it IS a DW song! Do I know my DW or WHAT??

Okay, there is a slight possibility that I've heard DW sing the song in the past and just forgotten all about it until that epiphany. But in any case, I was all pleased with myself that I had been so clever! LOL

I found a video of the Don singing this lovely song on YouTube and posted it right over there...right there ---> Do you see it? Top right corner...right THERE! So if you feel so inclined, sit back and let the best voice in country music serenade you :)

Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Continued...

Two posts in one day! It's either feast or famine around here, eh? Here are some more new pictures...

Janie's a big kid now and got a new carseat to prove it! Wierdly enough, she doens't like to watch the DVDs in the car like Gracie does. Hmm.

Doesn't she look just like Jim Carey's In Living Color character who irons her lips? LOL

Here's the same hairdo...just at the END of the day. Notice the oreo crumbs around her mouth. "Oreo? What oreo? I know nothing about said oreo!"

A Normal Day...

I thought this was a sweet picture of Janie. She's been extremely fussy the last week or so and she's driving me nuts, so pictures like this remind me of how sweet she really is...even if she's teething right now :)

Her best good cousin Myles! Isn't he a handsome scout? He hung out with us this weekend while Ape and Brad went on their 2nd anniversary celebration! Congratulations guys! Myles is getting older so fast that it's freaky! Love you bud!!

Here's Gracie all decked out in bug-catching gear! I was pretty darn pleased with myself for catching her a huge-mongous praying mantis hiding in the carrots in our garden :)

Janie's walking all over the place these days! She wheels off balance quite often, but it's cute to watch!

Joey's on a business trip this week and his girlies are missing him bad...so is his lady :( He gets home Saturday, though, so we're glad he doesn't have to stay over the weekend.

Well, this is seriously the driest, most boring post ever, so I'll end the misery here...No, Here!

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." - Franklin P. Jones

Healing, Walking, and the Potty Train!

I thought I'd post some pictures for concerned Aunties and Uncles who are far away and can't see Grace very often...here is a picture of her on the Sunday following her dog bite (that's just 4 days after). She looks almost completely healed and back to normal now, though. It's beenamazing to see.. I can't believe how quickly she has recovered and gotten back to her troublesome (and lovely) self.

Janie is walking like a champ these days! She's completely mobile on her feet now and is getting into everything you can imagine :) I bought her a new forward-facing carseat today and will post some pics of her in it as soon as she takes her first ride. New digs! Woo hoo! (Or does the word "digs" only refer to clothing and shoes? Hmmm...I'm not sure.)

Well, thanks to some name dropping on my part (Zoe, Taytem, Rylee, Leah...) Gracie is oficially riding the POTTY TRAIN! She's been in panties/pull-ups for about 4 days now. It's definitely turning out to be a gradual process, but I think we're making GOOD progress, and that's what counts to me. Her favorite undies are Elmo ones, and her treats for going #2 are these little doggy toys (picture Polly Pocked meets the pound). All in all, things are going so much better than I anticipated, which I'm grateful for.

Joe started a new blog about things he hates! Check it out at http://thingsjoehates.blogspot.com/

And in turn, I've decided to TRY to post about something that I really like (or perhaps love) each time I blog. Here goes for today...

Things Heather Loves...

1. Seeing the local corn stands come up each summer. I wish I had a picture. Anyway, these forest green stands are so country-ish that I just can't get over it! They make me glad that we live in Lehi where (almost) everybody knows your name. And when we eat corn later at home, we're always glad we came (or went, I suppose).

Some Days Are Diamonds...

Gracie is doing awesome and her stitches are almost all dissolved, believe it or not! I don't have the stuff right now to post any pictures of her, post dog-attack, but I thought I'd post some of these slightly older ones from right before Torrey...



We have really been staying close to home and trying to keep both girls happy the last few days. Gracie can't go out in the sun for any period of time to try to prevent scarring, so we've gone to see Wall E, to the aquarium to see the fish, to the library to check out books and movies, and Grandma even let her do some watercolor painting downstairs in her office today. It stinks not being able to go outside! As soon as she's all healed up and I can slather her with sunscreen, we'll be good to go though.

"Do I love you because you're beautiful, Or are you beautiful because I love you?"
~Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderella

In Stitches

Okay, so we've had a seriously stressful couple of days. Let's summarize our situation by saying that 1) we drove a total of 7 hours yesterday 2) Gracie was bitten by a dog and has 12 stitches in her face 3) our vacation has been officially cancelled, and 4) all is well and we're on the mend (Thank Heaven).

I'm sure I'll write some more when I've got the mustard to do so but right now is not that time. Gracie's healing well and was attended by a plastic surgeon, so she should be scar free in a year's time. (Thank Heaven)

(Thank Heaven, Thank Heaven, Thank Heaven)

Do you live with a CrackBerry addict like I do? Yes? Then read on, my friend, read on...

This is an article from MSN.com today:


Living With a BlackBerry Addict

How the wife of a BlackBerry addict tried to stop her husband from chasing the dragon.By The Nest Editors

My husband is addicted to his BlackBerry. He uses it while he drives, while he watches TV, and, worst of all, while I'm talking. And believe me, he's no multitasker. The other morning I woke up thinking there was a mouse nibbling on something, but it was just my husband sending emails from bed. Funny, yes. Could I let it continue? No.

Not wanting to harm my husband's career (after all, that's what this thing is for), he and I came up with three ways to limit his CrackBerry addiction. Then we put each one to the test.

Plan 1: No Crack in the Bedroom. This was suggested by many TheNest.com users as the perfect solution (one even named her husband's BlackBerry "Rochelle," since it has unfortunately become his "other woman"). I felt this was too easy. My husband can fall asleep before I even turn off the light, so he was able to check his late-night emails, put BB in the living room, and fall asleep without thinking twice about his phone not being by his side. Did I wake up to tapping and clicking? Nope, the radio alarm was music to my ears. But this method did stall our getting ready-for-work routine because he now had to read his early-morning messages in the living room before getting in the shower.

The Verdict: This helped, but not enough. I was still cuddling with my husband and BB on the couch at night.

Plan 2: Out of Sight, Out of MindSuggested by my husband, he decided that he would put BB on the bookshelf by the entryway (of our 450-square-foot apartment) so that he wouldn't be distracted by the red flashing light that indicates an incoming message. He seemed able to let go pretty easily. Then I noticed something strange: He was really antsy and always pacing. He was checking the closets for things, going to the kitchen, looking at our bookcase. Ahh-ha! Every stroll around the apartment gave him a chance to check BB.

The Verdict:This was a great start, and it's a solution I could live with. I think it would've worked better in a bigger apartment.

Plan 3: Designated HoursI don't like the idea of being a drill sergeant for my husband. I'm not a neat freak. I don't consider myself incredibly needy. But I do like some one-on-one time. Even if we're watching TV together, it's nice to share something that's funny...and not have to repeat it to a distracted husband who was typing an email (or worse, trying to beat his record at BrickBreaker, the silly game that comes standard on BlackBerries).

I got this idea from a user of TheNest.com who said she had designated non-BlackBerry hours for her husband, where his system is actually turned off. But since we don't have a house phone, this is the only way to contact him, so that wasn't possible for us. We decided that 8 to 10:30 p.m. would be our non-BB time, except for important phone calls (meaning parents, friends, or work). And if I'm on the phone, it's a-okay for him to type away. At home, BB could be checked about every three hours (nothing too rigid formatted, but in that general time frame).

The Verdict: This was a little harder. Not having his phone with him at all times, he went through a bit of withdrawal, and BB would occasionally end up forgotten on the coffee table out of habit (and left there out of my laziness). As time passed, it was great. he would check his phone only before dinner and then again before bed. But every once in a while, I'd see him sneaking in a game of BrickBreaker, especially on shopping trips with me — but maybe that's a reason to keep this thing around!

Final Verdict: The best idea was designated hours, but the real benefit of this experiment was talking openly about my husband's CrackBerry addiction. I used to just roll my eyes or make a joke attempting to let him know how much it irritated me. But after we talked about fixing the problem, he suddenly realized it was a problem. I might not have completely gotten rid of the third member of our marriage, but at least I don't have to eat or sleep with it anymore.

A Stroll About the Grounds

Joe took this one of a beautiful hollyhock...so artistic!

Grace and Taylor playing at the Dino museum in the "Create-a-Canyon" exhibit. Way cool!

In the sand pit where they "excavate" dino bones...such a clever idea for the kiddos.

Looking "over the hedge" (he he)

Taylor...such a cutie!

Can you spot the elusive chocolate-appareled Gracie in this picture?

The boys and their charges...Joe and Grace, Brandon and Dillon, Daren and Taylor

We had a fun Saturday at the Thanksgiving Point gardens and dinosaur museum. Joe's work gave their employees free passes, so we decided to take advantage of their generosity! We went with some of his friends from work, Brandon, and Stephanie and her family. It was pretty dang hot for a while, but other than that it was very beautiful and good exercise for us chunky monkeys :)

It's pretty rediculuous to believe, but we've lived in Lehi for about 5 years and have never been to the dinosaur museum. I highly recommend it if you've got little ankle-biters like we do! There are all sorts of things for the kids to do "hands-on" and Gracie just loved it! I think we'll get a pass next year when Janie will be old enough to enjoy it too.

Hodge-Podge

Here's my little pixie sporting a sprout! She pulls these out so fast, that this should be considered a super-fast action shot!

Isn't she hilariously cute? Taking a bath yesterday she was all silly grins!

Giving love to the person who think the very most of her in the entire world...Grandma!!

As you may have guessed from the title of this post...this one's a hodge podge :) Lately we've been registering for preschool and dance classes, making plans for Torrey (yipee!), and reading (well, mostly just me doing the reading :)). Gracie's going to be starting preschool the day after we get home from Torrey (hallelujiah chorus here) and dance class a week later! I'm excited for her (and for me and Jane...lol) and I know she will be so much happier once she's more occupied during the week.

We're looking forward to Torrey with much anticipation! I'm planning taco salad for our Thursday night dinner responsibilities and just can't wait to see Dennis and Tawny and all the rest of the fam! Torrey is fun and pretty relaxing and that's exactly what we need right now so we're getting excited. We do need a child-carrier hiking backpack though...if any of you reading this have one of those, can we borrow it? Pretty please??? :)

Breaking Dawn was a pretty good read! I'm excited that Tawny is starting to read the Twilight series!!! :):) I'm reading Sense and Sensibility now, which I haven't read before, and it's good so far! I'm also reading some Tennyson and that has been a blast from the past...in a good way. I read a lot of Tennyson in high school. I just drink it up.

So...I LOVED everyone's responses to my "favorite TV show as a kid" question! They were GREAT! My question for today is...If you could have dinner with one person (alive or dead) who would it be? I know it's totally a standard question, but I'm interested! :)

Peace Out! And, um...word up to your Mom!

Are you ready for your close up?

We got a new camera! Here are some of the very first shots we took with it yesterday.

Deep question of the day...what's your favorite TV show from when you were a kid?

You Are My Sunshine

This is a cute pic of Jane from the other day. She is the sunshine in my life and has been since the day she was born. She loves to give hugs and kisses, drinks lots of sippies of milk, and is the cutest, most beautiful child ever created. She looks just like her Daddy...and even has the Alexander forehead! (~Mystical Voice Here~ "I forsee bangs in your future, darling child...") Just thought I'd do a post exclusively for her today. She's my treasure.

Picnic in the Park

We had a picnic with all of Joe's family (minus his dad, who's at home in Saudi) at Bridal Veil Falls and it was a really good time. The Tanners were in town and Gracie just loves to play with the girls, so it was extra special. They all got really dirty playing in the dirt and then getting wet in the falls, but it was fun and there was yummy food...what more could you ask for?

Isn't this a sweet picture? Gracie adores her daddy.

All the cousins on a big rock beneath the falls.

I like this one because I look like the total goober that I truly am :)

Here's the kiddos having lunch.

Gracie having fun...check of Taytem in the background...LOL

Janie ate a bunch of marshmallows and got all sticky, then crawled around and collected grass and dirt on her sticky mits. It was hilarious.

I think Grace should start handing out hams like David Letterman...what do you think?

Quote of the Day from The Office:

Ryan: Did this happen on company property?
Michael Scott: It was on company property, with company property. So, double jeopardy, we're fine.
Ryan: I don't think-- I don't think you understand how jeopardy works.
Michael Scott: Oh, I'm sorry. What is, 'we're fine'?

An Oldie But A Goodie

It is freaking hot today, no? Some days this summer it has just been SO hot that I can't sit outside and watch the girls play in the sandbox so we hide in the house basically all day. We have NO shade, being in a new development with no mature trees...and it's miserable! Luckily, we did take a long (4 miles - I'm proud, can ya tell?) walk on the parkway early this morning, so we got a little dose of Vitamin D in. So, as I was wondering what I could post today I came across some pics of Gracie building a snowman (she actually called it her snowchicken) last winter. (And one of Joey and Jane at Christmas). Let these cool ya down a bit!!



I love her "club-mittens" in this pic. The snow just makes them big clubs :)

He always wanted to be Rambo, okay?

Jack frost nipped at her nose (and cheeks)

The Definition of Cute

Add one three year old darling child to three baby ducklings and what do you get? The definition of cute! These little fuzzies followed us on our walk the other day. They must have lost their mama. Rob found them two worms apiece for them for dinner and they were happy campers! Our neighbors down the street found them wandering around a little later and took them in to feed and care for them. We haven't gone down to visit them yet, but I'm sure it's on the agenda for today or tomorrow. Gracie keeps asking about them.

Gracie got a new art easel and has been painting outside during Janie's afternoon nap. She especially likes to mix the colors and make new ones. She's wearing her darling apron that Grandma Sue made for her. (And yes, I did do her hair in that picture. Thanks for asking! I'm trying to figure out how to french braid her hair, after watching Aunt Rikki do it once. I'll tell ya, it's not as easy as it looks, but each day it's slightly better than the day before :))

My dad has been in the hospital for the last week and is finally coming home today! Hooray Dad! It's been a long week for him...not eating anything except broth and jello...yikes. That sounds like some kind of popular diet, I know, but he didn't CHOOSE it! Poor guy. We're glad you're on the mend Dad-i-o! We all love you!

A Walk To Remember

The girls, Reagan and I have been walking the Jordan River parkway (the paved trail that runs behind our house along the river) in the mornings. It's good exercise for me and the dog and the girls seem to like it okay. Gracie loves to spot butterflies, dragonflies and birds, but other than that she's sort of indifferent. Janie cries about half the time because the sun is in her eyes but sheesh, she wont keep a hat on!! Yikes! Anyway, despite my party poopers, we've been walking and meeting some strange ducks out there. (No pun intended.) Monday we were walking along and were catching up to a man and his dog. When we were about 20 feet away he turned and said, "Could you please just go the other way for a few minutes so my dog doesn't hurt your dog?" All sassy like. It was SO rude. I think I just said, "Um. Sure. Whatever." And we turned around and went home! Crazy, huh?

On yesterday's walk we spotted a big rat swimming by the bridge to the golf course and we watched him for a few minutes. Gracie LOVED him! We also saw about 10 catfish all eating stuff at the surface of the river. Their little circle mouths opening and closing made Gracie laugh.

I noticed last night that Reagan was limping a little and not moving his back legs much, so I think we'll skip today's walk. Poor guy. He's not used to much physical exertion. He does have to exert a lot of mental energy each day, trying not to lash out and eat Grace and Jane as they pull on him all day long. :)

I'm reading The Other Boelyn Girl right now and liking it quite a bit. It's about King Henry VIII and his many, um, lovers. He's such a big baby. A spoiled little boy. The writing is really smooth and I just keep reading along, ignoring the fact that everyone in the book is immoral. LOL.

What's everyone else reading these days?