Fabulous Fall!

I am officially through with summer. I know it's still hot and doesn't quite look like fall in sunny St. George yet, but that doesn't mean I still can't move onto fall with the rest of the northern part of the state! :D And so here are a few of my favorite things about fall! I've been trying to really take note and think about all that I love about each season, here is what I've come up with so far...

1. cool morning air

2. the smell of cinnamon

3. fall decorations in all the stores---I love that the whole store seems to have a theme and it all matches from the candy at the checkout to the paper towels!

4. good dinners. Now that it's not so hot I am in the mood to think about food---i'm sure my family will be happy about this!

5. Fall-ish smells---in stores, outside, all over

6. wearing jackets and jeans

7. the kids in school---love it that they are busy and entertained!

8. Fall leaves---this might be my favorite of the fall things! I am always amazed at how trees surprise us each year with those fun colors!

9. cold weather and a good reason to stay in and watch a movie--who doesn't love Hope Floats or The Holiday? The best movies come out in the fall too!

10. caramel popcorn---yummy

11. a perfectly good reason to eat a doughnut and root beer---only good in October, although I must admit I cheated and snuck one last week!

12. Hunting season---I know I say I HATE this, but I actually do look forward to seeing a smile on Dustin's face and the kid that comes out in him when he's with his Dad and brothers. I hope my kids have that to look forward to when they are older. It's fun gabbing with the girls too!

13. Watching the world change from the green grass to the orange leaves. It's funny how people seem to change with it. No more need to be gone all the time, people seem happier with cool weather and something to look forward to.

14. School parades and parties. I always looked forward to this time of year when I was in elementary school---so much was going on!

15. Decorating my house! I love changing all the decorations and giving everything a good dusting. Funny how a little change lifts your spirits.


I also just got a little part time job and JoAnn's Crafts and Fabrics! I am way excited. Hopefully I'll have enough self control to end up with a little extra $$$ for Christmas too! Wish me luck!

Growth Spurt

Lately I have really been noticing all the changes in my kids. They seem to be growing so fast! They are getting so much bigger, and smarter, and funnier --- where does the time go?

I think it's so weird what school does to a small boy. He comes home a changed person every day. You can just see (and hear when he tells me all the goings on of the day) the growth in him. I'm amazed by this. His funny word right now is "air-hot balloon" "Mom I saw another air-hot balloon while I was on the bus going to school!"

Alex is so funny! He's the never ending actor at our house. Every time I sneak a peek at him he's imitating some funny character...it's hilarious. When he knows I'm looking he pulls one of these faces. I would love to know a smidgen of what goes on inside that head of his! P.S. He found another "Clone-Trooper" helmet at the DI the other day---he was over the moon. More funny pictures of that are sure to follow. His favorite show right now is "Hook" he studies it, memorizes all the songs and is enamored with the pirates.
Derrick has got to be going through a growth spurt right now. I find him sleeping everywhere --- except his bed. I also noticed his feet are getting bigger and he eats constantly! I have also been finding random lights on in the middle of the night when I get up with Zeke, and usually Derrick is on the floor asleep. I have got to get that kid a nightlight. I think he wakes up, gets scared, get's up turns on the light (sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes his bedroom, even Dallin and Alex's once and then doesn't quite make it back to his bed. Weird!
P.S. The picture on the left was taken with my new camera, the picture on the right with my old one. I am loving having a few (tons) more mega-pixels to work with!!!!
Zeke is turning into a toddler. His baby days are fast approaching the end. Before you know it he'll figure out how to tell me "no" too! LOL! He's walking all over the place, loves to play in my make-up [all my blush and eye-shadow are now in bits because he's dropped them on the tile floor---grumble, grumble], and he tries hard to keep up with his brothers, a very daunting task if you ask me. :D

I hope they stay little a while longer, there is so much to going on all the time I sometimes feel like I'm missing it!

Note to self: Take time to notice the little things in life!

Laugh out Loud!

If he didn't make me laugh...he would make me cry! Derrick---what a kid! From the weird faces he is constantly pulling [this is just a glimpse as to what he can do with that cute face of his], to the hilarious things he says...and does. Here are a few I wont soon forget:

-The other night I had just gotten Zeke and Derrick both out of the tub. I was hurrying to get Zeke all lotioned up, dressed and in bed and I told Derrick to just stand there wrapped up in a towel until I could help him. Not three seconds later I turn around and there he is with the lotion bottle on the floor and Vasaline lotion ALL OVER his body!!! I calmly [I have no idea how I kept my cool at this point] asked him what he thought he was doing and he quickly said, "look Mom, I did it myself! Isn't it beautiful?" Couldn't help but laugh, smile and cry at that one. So innocent.

-The next morning (7:45 in the a.m.) I was out cleaning out the car from the "road-trip" and he follows me out in his p.j's and starts jabbering away a mile a minuet. After about 20 minuets of non-stop questions I told him to "please go in the house, you are driving me crazy!" He goes in and about 10 minuets later comes back out, informs me that, "I went pooh Mom, and i'n not drivin' you crasey no more!" What am I gonna do with that kid?!?

-He has also decided that he is just as big as any adult in this world. He jumps right out of the car whenever we pull into a parking lot and proceeds to walk around until he has found a shopping cart that he thinks adequately meets HIS needs. I'm am sure the good people of St. George are sick to death of me going around all the parking lots yelling his name. We have had many talks about why this is not a good choice. In the end it's always, "Why Mom?" "Why Mom?"

I love the little grown up man that he thinks he is! It'll happen soon enough Derrick, try to stay small a little longer!

Road Trip!

We got to go to the "Herb House" this weekend and we had a great time! These are some of the "HIGHLIGHTS"...

Saturday we shopped...'till we dropped...at least the boys dropped. We always say we'll never do that again---and then we do. One of these days we are going to give it up and stay in the back yard. I had fun though! Then we went for a walk down to the splash pad and eventually everyone found us including Holly with some chips and salsa---yummy! Thanks Holly, for sharing! Thanks Tara for all your help with the boys and being so willing to play with them. It was fun to relax and laugh. :D


Sunday morning Dustin and I got to go the the Oaker Mountain Temple dedication. It was very neat! What a pretty temple!


Sunday afternoon was filled with Kelson family fun! We all got together (something we haven't done in a while and should do more often) for some good "Kelson Women" cookin' (seriously I was so full I thought I would pop----soooo good!! From the Shrimp Salad, to the Homemade Peach pie to the Broccoli salad---too many to name!) and lots of laughs and catching up. It was so much fun to see everyone. I'm glad families are FoReVeR!

*Some of the "LOW-LIGHTS" were...

-Dallin whining all the way up there that he was going to throw up and Dustin coaching him on how to hold it in.
-Dallin throwing up in the middle of the night---Yuck! I do NOT like cleaning up throw-up!
-Dad & Julie missing all the family fun on Sunday
-Going home---it's hard to say good bye.
-Alex throwing up (all over the car) on the way home. Again---yuck! I do NOT like cleaning up throw-up!
-Stopping three times between Fillmore and Beaver
-Waking up early the next morning for school and work.

We had a good time though and hope to see everyone again soon. It was nice and cool on Sunday---made me ready for fall. I miss the seasons and the fall leaves changing color. Thanks mom for working so hard to make our weekend special.

This put a smile on my face...

These are just some of the funny moments of my day yesterday. I had to write them down---too funny to forget...

We were running some errands and I wanted to run into Big Lots to see what was new for Fall. (...yes fall, I am sick of the heat!) I said to Derrick and Alex, "Do you guys want to come into Big Lots with me?" They both said "Yes," and I'm thinking great! This means they are both up for a little shopping adventure and they might actually behave because they made the conscious choice to come in and have fun. Anyway, then Alex yells from the far back seat of the van, "How many animals are there going to be in there?" What? Animals? What is he talking about? He's been to Big Lots before and there is NO animals. I said, "What do you mean, there is no animals in Big Lots." He retorts, "Well---I thought we were going to "PIG-Lots!" "It has a PIG in the name, there must be other animals in there!" Sadly, I had to tell him there was no "Pig" in the name and no animals either. He then said he didn't want to go in and my dream of a good shopping experience was out the window. They didn't go willingly and they weren't very good. We didn't stay long, but I did get a chuckle out of "PIG-lots!"

*Derrick gave saying "Big-Lots" a valiant effort as well, this is what he came up with--- "Blig-Locks" LOL! :D


We were at the playground and it was WAY HOT!!! (I can not tell you how forward I am looking to fall.) Derrick was being really good and just sitting with me and Zeke under a tree. All of a sudden he gets up and says, "Mom, I love you as big as the sun, but the sun is everywhere and I am going in!" This totally made my day! First of all because he loves me 'as BIG as the sun' even with all of my shortcomings as a mom and second, because he put that big of a sentence together all by himself! :D I love you as big as the sun too Derrick, and lots lots more!

"The List"

Every weekend at our house usually starts out something like this...

Amy - "...So, what are you planning on doing this weekend?"
Dustin - "What's on your list?"
Amy - "nothing, don't you have plans?"
Dustin - "my plans start and end with whatever is on your list, Sweat-Heart..."

and then that's my cue to break out my long wish list of things or ideas that I want Dustin to make or help me with! :D This list is long, tedious and not much for for Dustin, but he is so good at helping me to get my ideas and thoughts out there and fabricated. This last weekend I had him making toy boxes. I've had a few people asking if he would build them some and so he set to work. He is so talented! I love just sitting there and watching him work. He can me something way cool out of nothing and it is fascinating! If you want a toy box of your own now it the time to order because who knows when I'll get him to tackle "the list" again! LOL! :D

P.S. These are the best toy boxes ever! I love mine! They hold a ton of stuff, it makes cleaning up the toy room a breeze, they are strong and way cute!

*Thanks Dustin for always humoring me and getting those honey-do's done! Love ya!

First day of FiRsT gRaDe and a Hot Air Balloon for Luck!

Today was Dallin's first day of FiRsT gRaDe! He did awesome! I think I had more worries and anxieties then he ever thought about having. He said he wanted to ride the bus with the neighbor kids, got right up and dressed and off he went down the retaining wall in the back yard to meet the bus. Dustin and I (and Cloey, who was nervous and couldn't figure out what we were all doing up so early) stood out on the back deck and watched him get on and go off to learn about "Being a grown-up" as he puts it. As I was turning to come in and trying not to bawl I saw a hot-air balloon lifting off in the distance---it made me feel better. I admit I drove over to the school a few hours later (with the pre-tense of paying his lunch money-ya right) to see if he made it and was doing o.k. He didn't see me though and was out at recess having a grand time! This is the report I got after his big climb back up the retaining wall --- it's no little wall, I don't think I could do it!:

*His teacher is Ms. Hutchings---she is very nice!
*His new friend is Quinton (who also lives in the neighborhood)--he likes to talk a lot!
*He loves school lunch--it was so fun to eat with the other kids!
*The bus ride was cool and bumpy
*The bus driver asked everyone if they had a good day when she picked them up and all the other kids said it was o.k., but he said it was awesome!!!!

"We teach our children about life,
and they teach us what life is about!"

I love my kid! Such a great outlook on life and thinks of everything as a new adventure! We are so proud of you Dallin---you can do great things! Love you!

"Fer Cute!"

This is my latest learning achievement. Dustin's Mom taught me how to crochet these cutest little booties (to help with a humanitarian project that his sister is heading up---if you want to donate let me know :D!) and I've been obsessed as I usually am about getting them just right. I think I've finally mastered it. They are so much fun to make and you can start and finish a set in an afternoon! Did I mention I love hand-made stuff?!?

First Steps...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Zeke is learning to walk. It is soooo funny! He puts his little hands in the air like he's on a roller-coaster. He still likes to crawl better than he likes to teeter-totter on those chubby little feet though. He's way faster on his hands and knees.

Growing Up...

We went and had the traditional one year old pictures taken of Zeke and I just want to say that this was the easiest photo shoot I've EVER done with one of my kids. I was in and out of there in 10 minuets!!! He smiled so cute and funny and no crying, wiggling, or pouting. It was awesome! I have restored faith that it is possible to get a picture of a kid without wanting to sit down and bawl afterwords. I'm crossing my fingers it goes as well when I take all four in to get one of them together---knock on wood! We love our little Zeke! Sooo much fun!