sTiLL a LiTtLe BoY!

Dallin is growing up so fast! He's made it very clear that he is now in 2nd grade. I can't believe it! Where has the time gone. The other day I walked out of my office and happened to have the camera with me and he was all dressed up playing something fun! This is what he looked like...When he noticed me taking his picture he got all red in the face like he had been caught or something. It was funny. He thinks he's all grown up, but I know he's still a little boy at heart. It makes me happy! :D

On a funnier note:
Last Sunday, he walked into the bathroom after Dustin had finished doing all their hair, handed me the spray bottle and said, "Mom this is a CHEAP spraybottle!" It doesn't even work!"

"ChEaP!" Where did he come up with that?!? LOL!

On a prouder note:

Dallin did awesome in school this year! He always did his homework with little or no help from us! Got great scores on his spelling tests! He met his "Best Friend" Carson in school this year...they have so much fun together and are way excited that they both have the same teacher again next year!




Age six years young and looking all grown up...Sigh! We love you Dallin and are so proud of all you do!

P.S. He is heading into 2nd grade with ALL of his baby teeth. He's worried that he won't lose any like his friends and tries to get them to wiggle every night. I am secretly happy about this...I like his baby teeth! I see all those kids with HUGE new front teeth that are too big for their mouths and have to laugh!

Alex...

Alex is growing up so fast! I know he's the middle child, and I am constantly feeling guilty that he get's pushed along with the crowd and not getting enough attention, but I've been told that's the role the middle child plays. He is getting so big! The other day I noticed how tall he's getting. He's very observant, and funny when you least expect it...
I never catch Alex without a ball in his hand. He's totally come out of his shell this year at the playground. He's been determined to do all the stuff the fifth grade kids can do, even if it means he has to get in their game to learn. He's got them letting him play H-O-R-S-E on the basketball court, he's played baseball and soccer with them. I would be terrified, but he dart out of the car the second we pull up and I don't see him 'till the bell rings. He has mastered the monkey bars, pumping himself high on the swing, shooting hoops and all sorts of other games. He can hardly wait to start kindergarten. He promised he'll get up with out bawling, eat and be on his way. He's counting down the days! Where did the time go? (Alex also had his "I'm going to Kindergarten check-up and he weighed 49 pounds and was 47 inches tall!)
Back to the observant part...the other day I had the day off of work so I thought I'd get dressed up, do my makeup and take the kids out for a fun day. Planned to go to lunch and do some shopping. I had just put the finishing touches on my hair and face when Alex walks into the bathroom and says, "Mom! Why did you put all those POLKA-DOTS on your face!?!" I said "What are you talking about?" He said you have all these red polka-dots all over your face!" (Yes I was a little hormonal, but nothing to be alarmed about!) I told him they were zits and he'd get a few when he grew up. He wrinkled his nose and said, "I will NOT be putting those on my face, they are ugly!!" and walked off. Nice huh? Guess the make-up didn't work that well. Time to try something new I guess. P.S. The "Polka-dots" are all cleared up now...no worries! :P

Derrick...

Derrick...what can I say? He is so funny and cute and a little firecracker with an attitude and an innocent spirit all wrapped up into one. I have to write down the funny stuff he says just to keep up and remember. The other day he had Julies flower in his hand and kept trying to put it in his hair. With my help he finally succeeded and then said "I don't know why girls wear these things, it's given' me an achy head!" LOL!

Here are a few other things written down in my notepad that I gathered over the last few weeks...

* "Mom...do only Grills (girls) go to your work? I never see any boys in there?"

* While we were visiting Dustin's parents he was in Sunbeams with my Aunt Becky teaching the lesson. She asked them if anyone knew what fasting was? He pipes up..."Sure! I do that every day on my bike!"

* I told the boys to stay in the car at the school one day until I could clock in and come back out and put their jackets on, it was cold that day. I got back out to the car and he says, "Mom Ales LITERALLY got out of his seat...LITERALLY Mom." (Very serious face attached to this one. Where did he hear 'Literally' anyway? How did he know how to use such a big word? Weird.

* I was doing laundry and he comes into the laundry room and says, "Mom! What is that smell?" (I had just taken a load out of the dryer and it smelled hot and like dryer sheets) I said, "What do you think it is?" He says, "It's probably all this CRAP on the floor that's smelling like that!" Where did he learn 'crap!' ...and for the record, there wasn't that much laundry on the floor either, and it didn't stink! What will he say next?!?

*Derrick is very good and putting his own clothes on. Loves to dress himself! He has a hard time getting the shoes on the right feet though and at least every other day we get to the playground, I notice that they are on the wrong feet and tell him to sit down and change them around. So one day I find they are on the wrong feet, I tell him to change them around, and instead of sitting down and starting the process of taking both shoes off and asking me which one they go one, he just crosses his legs and says, "There! Now they're on the right side!" LoL! Couldn't help but laugh at that one. What do you say to a kid who comes up with that?!?

* We were on our way to Dallin's last soccer game and he was in the back of the truck just jabbering away. Finally he says, "Mom can I tell ya something?" I was sick of the talking, so I said "No." He says, "But mom it's awesome, I promise!" I say, "Fine! What!" He says, "I Love you so much Mom!" I tried not to bawl.

* Today I walked downstairs to find him in his St. Patrick's Day necklaces (that Dustin would be horrified to find out he's worn into every store in the city...LOL!) and a chefs hat with all the fake food lined up in a row. When I asked him what he was doing he said, "I'm making dinner for my Flammly." Then later he was in my office playing with the buttons and was organizing them. He said, "See Mom, these ones are with their 'Flammly" and those one are with their "Flammly." I asked him to pass me the button drawer so I could get some out and they all mixed together, and he yells in his cute little squeaky voice, "Oh no, they just lost their "Flammlies!" I was dying!

Welcome Spring! Glad You're Here!

This is way too cute not to remember! My Mom always does a great job decorating her house---right down the the wreath on the front door. It is darling. Well for spring she put a cute wreath on the door with a sign across it that said, "Welcome Spring! Glad You're Here!" Anyway, a few weeks ago she went to take the sign down and put up the new one and discovered a bird had made a nest behind the sign on the wreath and there were four tiny eggs in it! So Fun! We the baby birds finally hatched this week and we got some pictures...how cute it this?!? They are tiny. She said the eggs were only about as big as the Caburry eggs we all love and eat way to many of at Easter...LOL! They have only had a few mishaps with the mama bird attacking Holly and her date as they approached the steps for the "Door-step scene" and Tara accidentally opening the door too fast and the mom flying into the house---Totally funny when you here her tell the story! So far so good though...the little cuties are still chirping away.

P.S. The Herbison House front door is off limits so call ahead and they'll open the garage for visitors...LOL!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all the special Mom's out there in our lives! We love you! Mothers day was perfect for me. Loved everything my family did for me! Thanks guys for making me feel so special! I love you all very very much and I am glad to be your mom!

It makes me happy that I only weigh 20 pounds!
I laughed that Dallin was sure that Alex wouldn't sing in church for me. Alex did sing and he did a great job!
Dallin drew this picture on the inside of the card we sent to my mom. It was so cute I had to scan it in and save a copy for myself. I asked him to sign the card the other morning while he was eating breakfast and then I walked away to get his clothes for the day. I forgot all about it until a few hours after he was gone and I saw it sitting on the table. He had not only signed it, but had drawn this cute picture of my mom and the boys...I thought it was darling.This is the picture that Alex drew for me in church. He is getting so good and writing his name...all ready to go to Kindergarten next year!

End of Soccar 2010

Soccer is done for this year and the boys are sad. They did really great! Alex loved every minuet of it. He would ask me every day, "How many more days until my next soccer game?" I have to admit I am glad it's over this year. Their schedules were crazy and on top of each other and the spring we've had has left something to be desired when sitting in the cold and wind on the soccer field. The boys never seemed to notice though. They had a blast!


Alex finally got a trophy to call his own. He was so excited to put it on the shelf and tell Dallin he had one too! Go Alex!

This was Zeke at Alex's last game. The wind was blowing so hard it was knocking the adults around. Zeke's hair was done and slicked down when we got there, but it was blowing so hard he had to lean into it to move and his hair was standing on end. Funny face. Totally Zeke.

You're a Grand Old Flag...

Dallin had his First Grade program at school today. It was fabulous! He did a great job. I don't remember singing that well in first grade. You could hear every word. For weeks he's been talking about getting ready for it and telling me how every time they sing "I'm proud to be an American" his singing teacher starts to cry and he just knew it would make me cry too. Well, I have to admit, I got a little teary. He's getting so big. I can't believe he's almost in second grade! This kid is smart and funny and growing up way to fast. I hate it and love it at the same time. You did an awesome job Dallin. We are so proud of you! P.S. Mom we got it all on video so no worries!

Cousins!

Dustin's Mom called and said that Ryan and the kids were coming for a visit and so we decided to go up for the weekend too and take advantage of the cousins and the fun! We had a great time. CJ, DenniAnn, Kristi, Becky and I took all the kids swimming on Saturday for a couple of hours while Dustin and Tyler played with the surround sound, and they had a blast! I was thinking it would wipe them out and they would go home and sleep for a good long while, but no such luck. We went home to Grandma's for sloppy joes, the kids tanked up and they were off again to play in the backyard, until we made them come in to get ready for bed. I was pooped! I have no idea how they just keep going and going and going! We had a great time visiting and catching up and just taking it easy. We needed a break from work and life and it was fun to just relax. I totally fell asleep on the couch early on Saturday night after our big swimming adventure and I'm sure I was snoring. I love that old blue couch though...so comfy. Sunday after church Mom and Kristi attempted to get all the kids smiling in one picture. Zeke had a pack of fruit snacks and was not having anything to do with the picture. Dallin couldn't keep his bunny ears off of Derrick, and well...you try getting eight kids under age seven to cooperate and smile at the same time after sitting through three hours of church! Not our best moment, but a good memory. LOL!


Zeke was a little unsure at the pool for a while. It's been a few months sense we last went, but after he warmed up a bit to the idea, I couldn't get him out of there and he was having NO help in the kiddie pool, even though he was about 2 inches too short. I about had a heart attack a few times watching him go under! Both Dallin and Alex thought they were totally awesome sporting Jayden's goggles. They looked hilarious with them on. Thank heaven for DenniAnn. She was the only only brave enough to jump in with the kids and catch them off the diving boards, slides and to make sure Zeke didn't drown. She's a good sport and she loves the kids. I think she's still one of them at heart. I can't believe she's off to college this year. When Dustin and I met she was only eight and getting baptized. I feel old.

The "Spin" Park

This month we discovered the "Spin" park just a few blocks from our house. We love it! There is so much to do! Here are a few of my favorite shots. I have taken a ton of them!
A seat for everyone...a mother designed this ride, I just know it. No crying kids that have to wait in line for their turn. Just right for the little guys too!
Zeke...has to do everything himself--no help. He is getting bigger every day. My latest nickname for him is "Bruiser". He is a tank. Does not put up with anyone getting in his way. Some days is scary...LOL!
This is such a Derrick face---the kid couldn't get any more full of life if he tried.
I had a hard time catching Alex on the camera. He loves to climb and climb and try everything out. Quiet, but very observant. Before you know it he has a new trick mastered and ready to show off.
Dallin loves to "pose" for the camera right now. He is very aware that i'm taking pictures and loves to look at them after we get home. Funny how they go from begging them to smile to begging you to take the shot.
Just hangin' around...
Alex loved the rock climbing wall...scared the life out of mom watching him go up and down that thing. I had to pull the plug when Zeke thought he should give it a whirl.
Hilarious! He is still a kid at heart. Thought I wasn't watching and took a spin. Busted!
This thing is totally fun, but beware it could cause a divorce. Dallin did awesome in it, got it on the first try. You climb in and the thing starts to spin. I gave it a whirl and practically fell out...screamed...screamed some more...Dustin came running...tried to catch me as I was half hanging half spinning...screamed some more. Finally got out of the thing. Dustin put his arm around his sister like they were married and said (not very quietly I might add), Who is that lady that almost killed herself in that thing honey? How embarrassing!" It was a funny memory, but I eneded up with a bruise and wont be doing that again any time soon. For the record, my Mom tried it too and did better than me.
Holly packin' Derrick. She loves him!
Dustin helping Zeke get his footing after a spin. Her seriously couldn't stand up straight for a few minuets after spinning around. Totally funny!
She loves being a Grandma!

The girls...love it when they come!

Follow the Phrophet

After watching conference all weekend this was bound to come up....
I'm sitting in the office downstairs working and the kids are playing in the playroom next door. I hear this conversation:

Alex: "Derrick do you know Thomas Monson...he is a Prophet!"
Derrick: "Ya! I know him!" (Pretty sure at this point Derrick had no idea, just wanted to sound cool.)
Alex: "You know like on that song...(he starts to sing)
"Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Don't Go STRAIGHT!"

I was rolling on the floor! Derrick has been singing "Don't go straight!" all day sense. At least we are on the right track and they know who the prophet is and that they should follow him...even if it isn't straight!

P.S. We still sing our "Prophet and Apostles" song to the tune of One little, Two little, Three Little Indians every now and then to keep them fresh in our minds...can you name the first presidency and all twelve apostles? Try it! It's fun!