Lookin' Good!

In our new ward they put a family picture by each family name in the ward directory. The pictures are NOT that great and the guy that takes them has been after us to pose for ours for the past six weeks. Well today he finally caught us after church and squished us all into a corner (Zeke was asleep on Dustin's arm and the other three had to all stand on one chair together) to fit us into the space he needed. Needless to say it was a bad picture, so to make myself feel better I took some of my cute boys in their shirts and ties after we got home. I always think they look so grown up in their church clothes!

Our Little Man

Dallin's School picture turned out soooo cute! I remember hating mine especially the frist, second, third and fourth grade ones. With the missing teeth, then with the ugly bangs, then the new buck teeth growing in and then the mullet haircut (that I will never live down with some family members) YUCK! We all have to go through that though right? For those who need a quick laugh and a walk down memory lane here they are in all their glory...LOL! and it wouldn't be fair to only humiliate myself so just for giggles here is what Dustin looked like back in the day... Anyway, Dallin is so cute and grown up. No missing teeth yet, but he asks at least once a week when they will be falling out. He is doing awesome in school. He usually tackles ALL of his homework for the ENTIRE week in one night. He loves to read and is great when it comes to explaining things to his brothers. They love to sit and watch him do his math and spelling. I want to cry every morning when he "hikes" to the bus stop with his friends. The other day Dustin's mom was down and we were out front talking when he walked up the hill with his friends. He was talking to them like a little adult, acting all cool and totally with it. I couldn't help wanting to say, Yep that's my kid! Love Him!

Alex and the underware drawer...

Alex, Alex, Alex...what will he think of next? The past few weeks I've been finding stuff (you name it) in Alex's underwear drawer every time I go in to put laundry away or make beds. Most of it is harmless and just toys he wants to keep away from his brothers, but lately he's been hiding food, candy, weird stuff. This is what I found yesterday. A licked empty frosting container with the spoon still in it, a pack of gum that he took from my purse without asking and the chewed pieces of gum to go with it---YUCK! and an empty skittles wrapper. First I laughed, then I worried...what if this is some sort of a cry for more privacy and nutrition, then I took a picture, had Dustin have a long talk about things that belonged to him and what to do with them and then we cleaned out the drawer and put his p.j's and underwear away. The parental chat was short lived however. The next day Julie brought over chocolate shakes for everyone (Thanks Julie---Yummy) and the next thing I know all the shakes are missing!!! So I set off on a milkshake hunt and didn't have to look very far before I found my little Alex leaning over his underware drawer with everyone's milkshake lined up in a neat little row with only the straws sticking out. He had a HUGE grin on his face---I now know what to get him for Christmas...a row of milkshakes! Unfortunately I had to burst his bubble and explain why it wasn't nice to take other peoples shakes and why it was not healthy. He was not happy with this at all and followed up with a lot of crying and stomping. I know this is just a phase, but I thought it was cute and very ingenious. Hey you have to be creative when you have little brothers with curious minds and sticky hands right?
On a lighter note, Alex's latest movie study is Spy Kids. I love to watch him "study" the show and then act it out later and pretend he's one of the characters. So cute! It's also hilarious when at very random moments he will recite lines from the movies and they fit right into whatever we are talking about. Like the other day Derrick dropped his spoon on the floor and Alex says to him, "Watch is butter-fingers!" I laughed out loud before I could help myself!

Happy Anniversary!

Dustin and I have been married for nine whole years! I can't even believe it's been that long. I still consider us that young couple that didn't have a clue! :P (This is our engagement picture) Seriously---overalls??? What was I thinking and why didn't anyone say anything? Dustin looks like a baby. Were we really that young? Fun memories. Love ya Dusty---thanks for choosing me!

All is safely gatherd in...

At least the peaches anyway! I totally lucked out with an awesome sister-in-law who's Mom and Dad took the time to grow some fabulous peaches and she was kind enough to share with me! Thanks again C.J. for taking care of the fam' once again! I so appreciate it and will think of you when I need a quick salad on Sundays! :D Juli, The boys and I drove up to Fillmore yesterday for Tyson's missions report and she loaded us up with all of this gorgeous fruit and I mean tons and tons! I had no idea how I was going to get it all into bottles with Dustin in Atlanta, but a true angel in "mother-in-laws" clothing and an apron around her neck, showed up on my door-step to swoop in and save the day! I had no idea she was coming [hence me answering the door in basically my underwear -- seriously I have got to learn to get dressed the second I get up or it's never going to happen! :D] and she canned up most of what I had and then headed home. It was like a dream it went so fast, and now I can dream tonight instead of staying up until all hours doing it myself. I have no idea what to say except thank you for seeing a need and filling it. No questions asked, expecting nothing in return. You saved my day and I am truly grateful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The peaches are beautiful in their jars (68 to be exact) and it's such a nice feeling to have them on the shelf! (If they make it to the shelf that is, I love looking at them on the counter!) Thanks again everyone for your never-ending support and love.
Tyson's homecoming was great! He did an awesome job reporting and being with family is always special. The food was yummy too! Those "Kelson Women" can cook! I'm glad I consider myself one, maybe it will rub off on me someday! It was so fun to see Becky and her family back together after two LONG years!


In other news Zeke is cutting teeth---AGAIN!!! He's been fevery and cranky and not much fun. I hope this ends soon! (Another reason I am grateful to RaeAnn for helping me with peaches. There is no way Zeke would have stood for me standing there instead of holding him.) Derrick's new funny words are "Yallet" [Wallet] and "Icky Bank" [Piggy Bank]. He is totally obsessed with money right now---he finds it everywhere and loves to carry it in his "Yallet!" Also the other day during a particular stressful moment he was bawling because he couldn't find the Buzz Lighyear underwear and I was busy. I yelled down the hall, "Derrick use the eyes that God gave you and look for them!" He came running up and said, "Mom God did NOT give me my eyeballs! Heavenly Father did!" I laughed out loud!
Dallin is doing awesome in school! I can't believe how smart he is! I am in awe at how much he knows and learns every day.
Alex's current drama still "Hook". He goes around growling at all of us and telling me that I've lost my marbles! Hilarious that kid! :D

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!