Happy School Year!!!!

This begins another school year and for me a good look and time marching by...  It's so funny how you really do blink...and miss it!  The boys seem so big all of a sudden.  So grown up.  They are way excited for this new adventure!  I am excited for them...here is a glimpse of our first few days.

Dallin started school first on the 11th of August.  (Kindergarten had to do some testing for a week before Alex could get his foot in the door.  Some changes from last year for Dallin are #1 he doesn't feel like he needs to wait for the other kids to walk down to the bus stop any more.  He went all by himself!  I wanted to bawl watching him go alone, but he was determined!  I admit I watched off the deck until he got on the bus.  He was all smiles...ear to ear!  His teacher this year is Mrs. Myer and he is in the same class as Carson (his best friend).  They were so excited at the end of last year to learn that they would be in the same class! He asked to wear his hair differnt the year...spikey in the front. (Don't even ask about the callics...they are getting worse!  Sigh... poor kid!)

Alex was a little nervous about the first day the night before, and I admit that I was a little nervouse for him.  We went over to the school the day before and walked him through the routine of getting off the bus and trecking to the door where he would line up, telling Dallin the whole time not to lose track of him and to help him get where he needed to go.  I have also been dreading trying to get this kid up that early and fed and dressed.  He's not the best early bird  in our house.  Very grumpy in the mornings.  I went in on the first day and he practically jumped out of the bed and had eaten and was dressed within 10 mineuts!  He was so excited!  Whew!  It's been that way ever sense.  No fighting.  No hassles.  Just up and at 'em!  Yay!  Alex has always been very maticulous about his clothes and making sure they are "cool" enough.  That is the only thing we have had a few spats about in the morning.  What "cool" shirt he will be wearing.  I am figuring out that we should discuss it and plan it out the night before.  A lot less drama!!  He looked great!  His favorite color this year is RED!  Sorry Grandpa Alldredge...Red is the new blue!  LOL!

This is a close-up of Dallin in front of his school door!  He was so excited to show us where is was! He still hasn't lost any of his baby teeth!  Not even a loose one yet!  He wiggles each of them individually every night trying to will them to fall out.  He didn't get to put any stars on the "Toothless Chart" in Kindergarten or 1st grade and he is determined not to be left out this year.  I secretly like the cute little baby teeth : P

Hi-Ho! Hi-Ho!  It's off to school they go!  WhaHoo!  (I'm not excited or anything!) They looked so grown up!

Close-up of Alex on his new playground!  So excited to try everything out!

I couldn't stand it.  I sent them down to the bus stop and then had to drive down to make sure Alex did ok.  I know, I know...paranoid Mom!  I found him pacing back and forth waiting for the bus.  He couldn't wait!

The  Bus Stop Gang! These are the kids that the boys play with.  Great kids!  I am glad we live in a neighborhood full of good kids and families.

Here comes the sun...whoops!  I mean the bus!

There is nothing like having a big brother to walk you through things and keep you distracted on your first big day of Kindergarten.  Dallin is such a great big brother.  He was meant to be.  He's always lookin' out for Alex...always.

There they go!

This is Alex's teacher "Ms. Gardner".  She is very nice.  Alex loves her!  A side note to the first day of Kindergarten...I went to pick Alex up and he was all smiles and looked like he had had a great day!  He saw me in the parking lot coming accross the street to get him and started to bawl.  He started yelling at me that he was not coming home with me he wanted to ride the bus home!  I pick him up and we go straight to the play ground so the bus ride home is not an option.  I felt like a crappy mom.  He wouldn't talk to me until after we got home.  He was very mad.  He wanted to stay at school and ride home with Dallin.  He can't wait to be "Older like in 1st grade so he can eat lunch there and ride the bus with the cool kids!"  I'm glad he had such a great first day minus the "pick-up" drama!

Derrick starts Pre-School this year.  He is not so excited just yet.  He starts the week after Labor Day and so far he tells me every day that he's not going.  I simply tell him that he is going and that's that!  LoL!  We are going to have a crazy schedule this school year and it's back to living in the car for me and Zeke.  It's get the kids up at 7:30, get Dallin and Alex out the door by 8, get Derrick to Preschool by 9, pick up Derrick at 11, pick up Alex at 11:45, head to the playground until 1:30 then get home to catch Dallin of the bus by 3:30. Whew!  If anyone needs to reach me...call my cell!  LOL!

Sense we were taking pictures of Dallin and Alex on the first day, Derrick and Zeke wanted in on the action and what mom doens't want lots of pictures?  These two have changed a ton over the summer too!  Derrick has grown taller and skinnier.  He can't sit still and loves to laugh...all the time.  He is a HUGE teaser!  Loves to make Zeke scream!  Zeke is just about the same size and Derrick.  Everywhere we go people ask how old my twins are.  Funny!  He's a brusier.  He thinks he's 2 going on 20.  Very independent.  It's driving me nuts!  Hopefuly someday I will count it as a good thing...someday!

Derrick

Our littlest guy!  All grown up and ready to go!

In my efforts to take cool pictures with my camera I did get a couple good shots of the boys!  Loved these two of Zeke.   He's smiling!  Hurray!

He's still got some baby left in him yet!  Cute little cheeks!

To all the moms out there...HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR!  Wahoo! We made it through another summer! 

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Most of you that know me know I can't sit still for long and I love to try new things! When we were engaged my Dad told Dustin he had a "Tiger by the Tail" and Dustin is always bringing that up when I'm on the prowl for a good project! I thought it would be fun to make note of the things I've been trying out...maybe it's something you'd like to try out too. Some of them have been flops, some really fun, some very time consuming and tedious, but it's kept us busy this summer...here's what we've been up to! I finally did it! Dehydrated peaches that actually taste good! I have to give credit where credit it due here... Dustin's Mom let me in on the secret to making really good dehydrated peaches. Cut them up, boil them in sugar water for 3 min. before putting them on the dryer and don't them them dry too long! Soooo yummy! I actually want to do more of these...anyone getting rid of excess peaches? Send them my way!
Super hero capes! Last year I got the pattern from Melissa and made some of these reversible capes for a boutique and for the boys for Christmas. They loved them! I've had people asking for them so I thought I would get a jump on having some on hand to sell and I made 20 of them! Whew! They are tedious and I am sick of it, but I am glad to have a stock pile of them. So fun! My kids play with theirs all the time. It make it worth the work!
Dustin's Mom came down for a few days to bring Kristi and DeniAnn back to School. She is an empty nester now...Sad. We love her pickled beats and we are constantly begging her for them all year long. So she brought a whole box down for us to can and she even helped Dustin bottle them all while I was at work Saturday morning! He was proud, and I am happy to have a stock pile of them. Yummy! Thanks Mom!



I have been experimenting with recipes that would be good for treat plates come Christmastime. These take the cake! Dipped pretzels and homemade turtles! Sooo good! We worked out a lot of the kinks and the caramel was to die for! Next time they will look prettier, but I was pretty proud of these babies! VERY GOOD, but not good for you! LOL!
Now that Dustin is working a few nights a week I have been catching up on my crocheted blankets. I keep bringing fabric home from work and figured I should use some of it. I love crocheting. Something relaxing about it. Totally grandma I know, but oh well! I took one up to Dustin's Mom's to work on while we were there and she asked if she could take it and give it to one of the ladies she visit teaches that had just had a baby. I was so excited to give it to her. She's the one who taught me how to crochet in the first place and if she thinks it's good enough to give away then it means I'm getting better! There is so much to learn with this art...love it!
I have had this purse design floating around in my head for months now. I see all these cute handmade bags at work and I like different things about all of them so I decided to try and put them all together and this is what I came up with. There is some flaws...it's not perfect, but it was way fun making it! I still haven't put it to use though...it took so long to make I don't want to use it and get it dirty! LOL! I can't take credit for the wallet either, DeniAnn made that for me with the extra fabric! So cute!

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy!

What a Great Weekend! Tons of fun! A little Hard work! Lots of laughing! Yummy Food! Family! Four Wheeling! Fishing! Birthday Parties! Sunshine!
We started out leaving early Friday to get to Fillmore for a "camp out" as Alex called it up the canyon! The kids all headed up the canyon with the four wheelers...

The boys were so excited to catch a fish! They headed up the trail a little to find the perfect spot and I found them heading back down not too long after when they informed me there was a rattle snake up there! Yikes!

Even Cloey got to ride!

So Derrick! "Look Mom! I'm fishin' with my pole!"

Derrick and Aliya! He loves her...she loves him! They cry when it's time for us to go home. Sweet kids.

Ease up on the root beer buddy...the rubber sheets are packed! This kid loves to guzzle! He was in heaven drinking everyone's drink, running around in the dirt, roasting marshmallows, just doing his own little two year old thing.

Can you tell they are cousins! I would adopt the girls if I could...they fit right in! I tell Tyler and CJ if they die I better get first dibs...LOL!

Dustin caught the first fish...he was proud.

DenniAnn got put on "Zeke Duty" He loves her. He calls her "Ann", really loud until she answers. She was a good sport, took him fishing, and wading in the cold water, cleaned him up...a few times, helped him roast his "mellows"...even after he caught her hair on fire flinging it around to show her it was "done!" Thanks "Ann"!

Zeke and Shannon were enamored with the worms. Loved to look...panicked when we told them to touch them. Funny!

Alex caught the second fish. Dustin was a good sport to stick it out until they all caught one and to help them touch it and put it back in the water...

Alex's BIG fish! (Dustin and I both think it's the same fish he caught...Dallin caught it too! poor thing!)

After we were all drunk on root beer and had eaten enough hot dogs and marshmallows to make anyone sick Dustin and I got to ride up to the ruins for a quick sec. The view was incredible. Something about smelling mountain air and seeing all that beauty makes me want to move there.

Cloey came alonh for the ride. It was hilarious to watch her ears blowing in the wind riding into the sunset!

When we got home Kristi had a darling birthday cake all made up for Zeke. I can't believe our little guy is two already. He has been so much fun. He's the life of the party and our family. He loves to play. Loves to eat. Loves to give his mom loves! Happy Birthday Zekey! We love you!

Heatstroker 2010

Dustin played in the Heatstroker this year...he had lots of fun. For those of you who are not familiar with this crazy tournament, they stay up all night Friday night playing game after game trying to beat out the opponent and make it to the top. He came home super tired Saturday morning, but said they did pretty good and that they would be playing again that night until they lost. There were 80 teams playing this year! (If they kept winning they could have played well into Sunday...I am grateful that they didn't.)
We decided to brave the heat (105' HOT!!! HOT!!! HOT!!! I am ready to move to Alaska!) and go and support our Dad Saturday night. It was fun to watch a few games and to see him so happy doing something he loves! Go Dad!
The boys were thrilled (as always) with the snow cones and friends they have at the ball park. They love it when a foul ball gets hit and they all race to get it and turn it in for a sucker. Dallin was the lucky winner this time. A few side notes are: While I was busy playing with my camera one of my boys on more than one occasion flipped their flip-flop onto the field! Embarrassing! They were very interested (especially Dallin and Alex) about the rules this time. They kept asking how you score points and were confused as to how to score points if you were standing so far out there! A few times they could be heard loud and clear trying to get Dustin's attention. They were yelling at the top of their lungs, "Hey Dad!" "Look over here Dad!" "Dad! Dad! Dad!" Dustin did a good job pretending they were belonged to someone else...so did I! Lol! Thank heavens for the playground nearby...it was a lifesaver!

Shoes!!!!

Zeke loves shoes!!! Especially ones he can get on and off by himself! I find him all the time tromping around in our shoes or playing in our closet! I am a little worried that he is going to become a shoe salesman or something...lol! One day I was outside and he was playing nearby. I turned around and couldn't find him anywhere. The next thing I new I heard him across the street and looked over to find him clomping down the road in Dustin's work boots. They are heavy! I have no idea how he got them on and peddled all the way across the rock pile and street...he's determined! He favorite thing to say is "Shoe!" So funny!


Sometimes he tries the flip-flops, sometimes he tries the regular shoes...sometimes he tries both!


Love those chubby legs! This happens often, flip-flop between the 2nd and third tow...ouch!

July 4th 2010

We a had great LONG 4th of July weekend! We spent Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and Dustin's Mom and Dad's. I don't know how we pulled off getting out of work for four whole days, but it was nice to take a break, eat TONS of food and laugh and play a LOT! Here are some of the highlights, so many to choose from...it was hard to narrow it down!

Sarted out Saturday morning at the parade. Alex love this parade! It's the highlight of his year! He calls it "The Candy Parade". They all get TONS and TONS of candy, so much fun! (and yes...we are a "Western Family!) Dustin's dad wast he MC this year, so we had great seats and a few giggles. He always gets us laughing when he's got a microphone in his hand. He did a great job!

Then it was home to swim and waterslide and play in the backyard. The kids had a great time! Grandpa, Dad and Tyler I think even had fun setting up the watersides. By the end of the weekend even the big boys were going down. Hard to grow up when you're watching the little guys have so much fun playing Rambo!


Grandpa and Grandma surprised the boys with a trampoline when we got their. They were in heaven! They jumped their hearts out! They slept out on it with DenniAnn and Kristi Friday night...the genereal concensus wast that it was freezing and they were all a little grumpy the next day. I wish we could say it's too cold in St. George right now...106' ya right! TOO HOT!!!

Derrick with his Birthday present! Having the time of his life!


Grandma fixed up Becky's waterslide. The kids loved it! I honestly don't think they did much "sliding" though, it was more leaping over the edge and falling to the bottom. Scared me to death!


The water from the hose was a little chilly and their clothes kept them cold. We finally stripped Zeke down and he was happy as a little camper with the sun on his back.


Even Kristi couldn't stand it any more and had to give the slide a whirl! Thanks girls for being so willing to play with the kids!


After gorging ourselves AGAIN! We all decided to go for a walk around the cemetery. Grandma wanted to show the kids the owls that live there. They were so cool to find and watch. I think we counted about six! We even got to see a couple of them fly from tree to tree. She was so good to help them find them.

They boys all rode their bikes to the cometary, and after no sleep the night before, swimming in the sun all day and gorging on food, we were all tired! Derrick pooped out halfway their. He was done!


Like father like son! Everyone couldn't help but notice these two walking together. They have the same little strut.

I got ambitious this year and made all the kids pajama pants and pillowcases to take the the fireworks. Amazingly they all fit perfectly and they loved them! This picture says it all...Popsicle faces, messy hair, a hard day of play. Happy 4th of July!!!

Shannon and Zeke little p.j's turned out darling on them. They were so cute taking pictures, a first for Zeke. He loves her. It was hilarious listening to them jabber to each other in "baby talk" they seemed to understand each other though. This is such a cute fun age! Hard to believe they are two already!


We decided to set up camp for fireworks at a different spot this year so the kids wouldn't be as scared. We went over to the elementary school and it was great! A few side notes: We sent Tyler home for more treats...seriously we ate the whole time!!! He came back with lots of junk and the porch swing. We were dying! Dustin was shaking his head helping him to unload it and the comment was made, "You'll all be sorry when you're sitting on the ground and I'm in my comfortable swing!" We'll unfortunately he had to join us on the ground too because the chair pad ripped before the show started...LOL! Highlight of the day!

Grandma and Grandpa were the "couch" for the ones who couldn't take it any more. Derrick and Shannon didn't make it, snoring logs through the whole thing!

Woke up Monday morning to find Grandma out jumping with the kids. Now that's a good sport! I tried once and about peed my pants! Thanks Mom and Dad for all the ice cream cones, and jokes, and food, and hard work you put into making out weekend so fun! See you soon!

Word of The Day...

Today's word is :

"Eye GoBBles"

LOL!!!!


Inventor: Derrick (who else)
Used in a sentence: "Hey Dallin, when we go swimming can I wear your Eye Gobbles?"
Can also be pronounced: Swimming Goggles (but only if you are boring!), as Dallin affectionatly calls them "Waffle Goggles"
No idea where he got that either?!?