Put The "P" In the Potty

For my potty training friends.
And since all of us eventually have to do it.
This is where I've found my inspiration and ideas to implement.
Click here!

Making Plans To Be Prepared

For months I've been dreaming about taking a family vacation. A place to get away, enjoy the kids, roll around in the dirt and commune with nature. I have loads of fond memories of camping with my family and I wanted to do the same for mine. And now is a perfect time.

#1. I'm NOT pregnant.
#2. We have a van.

2 BIG excuse that have kept us from one of our favorite things. The past 2 times we've gone camping I was pregnant with Ben and then with Keira. And let's just say...it rarely works out.

Usually I'm extremely tired, very moody, on the edge with my friendliness with bugs and not very helpful. See when you camp you need tons of energy to set up camp, keep kids entertained, to cook with out conveniences and unusually LARGE amounts of patients for annoying bugs and for all the things that will go wrong. Because 9 times out of 10 something goes wrong, the weather doesn't cooperate, your neighboring tents are lunatics or you forget something vital, to which lead you to conversing with your lunatic neighbors to borrow what you've forgotten.

But this time it's bound to be better. The weather is looking promising, my camping neighbors will be close friends in whom I can tell them to their face their lunatics and they will gracious laugh and tell me I'm one too. Plus we're starting early and making a list. So hopefully nothing will be forgotten!!

With wonderful autumn weather joining us here in North Texas we enjoyed BBQing outside with the kids and then gathered on the grass for a wonderful lesson from Larry about preparing. He spoke of how God had a plan on how to create the earth. And how it took time, 7 days. And then showed us pictures of the earth and of the pioneers heading west. Then relating it to how the Pioneers needed a plan and had to pack all that they needed.

We then talked about our camping trip and asked the kids to suggest things we might need. They were brilliant with their ideas of sleeping bags, bug spray and bathing suits. Which lead us to start making piles in the garage to see what we have and what we need to be prepared and set a plan. Hopefully they learned something. But most of all now they are so excited to go camping, it's ALL they can talk about!!

A Roof Made Of Bird Seed

With a few weeks of weird weather and
layer upon layers of rain
some strange things started happening.
Like mushroom gardens growing in the middle
of my lawn in September.
Waking up to 59 degrees and pulling out
winter clothes 2 months early.
Then there was that incessant noise.

Although muffled by the walls of my home,
it was still loud enough to catch my attention.
Finally by 2pm I opened the front door and saw
this on the house next door.

Billions of little black birds pecking away at the roof.
And now that I realize they seem to be going from
one house to the next.
It's as if they were made of bird seed.
Eventually I started throwing pebbles at
my own roof to make sure there weren't any on mine.

Eventually I got bored and started taking photos
of things around the yard.

Like this garden step Larry made.

And these little followers that shadow me
24/7.

These are Ben's "happy face".

"What'ch you lookin' at Willis?"

Always striking a pose!

Can't I Get A Break?

Why is it that the week I teach preschool, I am asked to start playing the piano in primary again (which involves some much needed review of the songs), Keira's 1st birthday is in 8 days, we are going camping in 8 days AND then the bishop calls and asks me to give a talk on "The Influence of Righteous Women"?

I'm beginning to think that God is up there in Heaven laughing. Not just a little giggle, he's rolling on the ground, holding his sides, tears are streaming down his face and a few snorts have escaped his nose.

(Especially after the saga of the never ending car problems.)

Because really a talk on what? Righteous women? Well this sure isn't going to be a talk full of personal stories!

Straight From The Horses Mouth

This is my hair.

It came off with scissors.

My name is Emma Jean Roberts.

I cut my hair because I want to. It was too big.

Mommy was mad at me.

I like to go swimming.

There are knots in my hair. Mommy needs to get them out.

Dallas Zoo

After days and days of rain
we jetted out of the house
with some of my favorite LADIES
to enjoy a break in the clouds at
the Zoo.
(missed all my other BFF's that didn't make it)

It was probably my favorite trip ever.
Great conversation with friends.
The kids never complained about walking
the WHOLE thing.
(although I did, bootcamp and 3 miles of walking hills was a bit much)
The animals were very very entertaining.
I've never seen them so close to the glass
or running around their cages so fast.
Even a rhino was doing laps.

Emma and Ben want to know how they
measure up!

I think he's enjoying himself!

Usually the penguins are lazily sunning themselves,
but today they were swimming and diving
all over the place!

Totally in awe of these little guys!

This would have to be my favorite picture of the day.
The profiles of both these gorillas!!

Diana tried really hard to show the kids that
not ALL gorillas are super scary.
(see next post)

Gotta stop for a potty break.
These boys are a crack up!

Ben sporting the necessary walking stick.

In a group as large as ours,
there was bound to be at least
one who got away!
RUN, Sarah, RUN!

Hudson was a little too willing to get up
close and personal with the rhino.

Back left: Ben, Madison, Emma, Emma, Hudson,
Sarah, Isaac, and Maggie.

Better Then A Haunted House

Once we came upon the gorilla exhibit,
we entered in to a little cave with a
glass window that puts you right at
their level.
(being a little hesitant because in '04 a gorilla escaped from this zoo)
The kids ran down to touch the glass,
while us mom's stayed back with the
stroller train.
And then...
without warning...
that crazy male gorilla
charges the glass and kicks it!
Not just a wimpy kick.
We're talking a full speed run with a
karate chop right at our kids.

Needless to say.
I screamed,
they screamed,
we ALL screamed!!




This video doesn't show his black-belt moves,
but none-the-less you can see
he meant business!

After he "eyed" us all,
he would casually turn around and sit back down.

Then a few minutes later he did it again.
And again, but adding in a few chest poundings
for emphasis.
We were all terrified that the glass would shatter with
his powerful blows.
But thankfully we escaped!

I've never been so entertained at the zoo before.
I might just go back again!

One Of The Animals

I just couldn't help myself.
Keira is too stinkin' cute.
I had to snap and snap and snap
loads of pictures of that
toothy grin!

Grinding away at her new additions.

"I wanna drink!"

Lately, Keira has advanced to that next stage.
Closing in fast on toddlerhood.
She wants to examine everything,
and do it on her own terms.
Hence, sitting in a stroller was
NOT
working.
So a few times I had to let her out
for a little
exploration.

She's thinking about it.
And thinking about it.

And 10 minutes later she's finally convinced
there's no boogy monster inside and
it's safe to go through.

Who Knew?

Way, way, way, way,
down deep Ben is a sweetheart.

Even when he's 2.
(and draws on my carpet with red crayon,
draws on my door with pencil,
eats food on my couch,
spills ice every time he gets some from the fridge,
uses his shirt as a napkin,
kicks his bedroom door for karate practice
and
always head-butts my nose)

First Steps

For the past week Larry has been
diligently training Keira for a
triathlon...
I mean...
for her first steps.

He found the way for maximum
forward propulsion
was to lean Keira against a wall
to help her steady her wobbly legs
and then,
reach out to tempt her into
walking.

I like to call it... BABY BOOTCAMP.




Let's cross our fingers that she's walking in
a few weeks when we go camping for
her first birthday.
(avoiding dirty knees)
There's nothing better then a candle
smooched into a s'more!

Emma Jean's 5th Birthday

On Sept 12th, 2004 Emma Jean joined our family.
And it was just the beginning of a crazy time in our lives.
Through out the pregnancy I had seen 3 different Ob's,
moved 3 times and was just ready for someone...
ANYONE to catch her.

At the beginning of '04 Larry was graduating at ASU,
so we sold our Mesa condo, lived at my sisters for a few weeks,
then moved into my parents empty house
(they were on a mission in Paris)
until we were ready,
once again,
to make a final move to TX for law school.

It was a super busy 9 months of pregnancy
and I was very afraid of giving birth
in a new state, no family around,
new ward, and having handfuls of unknowns
facing me.

Thankfully we met great friends that we came
to trust quickly (thank you Breeden's)
who watched Sydney for us,
hooked up with Medicaid quickly,
and were grateful for my sister-in-law,
Kaissa and Larry's mom for helping out.

But if it weren't for pictures I'd have to admit
I have a very foggy memory of that 1st year
of law school.
2 babies, 20 months apart...
But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Here's to Emma's 5 years of being in our family!
She's a wonderful big sister, full of questions,
always imaginative and will keep you on your toes.
We love you Emma Jean!

Normally we wake up the kids in bed and sing them
happy birthday.
But since Emma was TOO excited for her special day,
she had been up since 6am.
So instead, we joined her downstairs when we were
ready.

Can't beat a classic photo of opening presents
in your pj's.
My mom's album is filled with pictures of me like this.

Emma and her haul.
Castle, Barbies, Laptop, clothes, books
and dolls.

Started the day off right with her requested,
eggs, toaster strudel, sausage and chocolate milk!

We gave Em loads of options of things we could
do as a family for this birthday.
And she never wavered.
Dead set on spending it with this furry guy!

It's a tight squeeze, but they still enjoyed it!

Keira Jane enjoyed exploring her surroundings and
practiced her walking skills.

Air hockey!

Show me those tickets.

Whenever I see a merry-go-round,
I can't help but remember the scene in
Mary Poppins.

Ben was proud to take Keira for a ride
with his friend Bob.

All girls want a Barbie cake.
(even though I'm still on strike after what they taught Sydney on barbie.com)

I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow those candles out.

Can't beat chocolate cake, pink icing and mint 'n chip ice cream.

"This stuff is goooood."

Diggin' in.

"R" stands for??

What does "R" stand for in you family?

Rowdy?
Ruckus?
Reverent?
Rambling?
Royalty?
Regretful?

Personally after these past few weeks in Sacrament meeting at church I'm beginning to think my kids only know how to be....really, really REBELLIOUS, RAMBUNCTIOUS, ROUGHHOUSE, & RUDE.

Need I go on?

But you know it's super bad, when not 1 but 2 women from the ward offer to babysit your kids so you and your hot, hubby can go on a date.

Really! It's that bad.

Larry seems to think it's because he's given legal advice to all of them. But I think he's just pullin' the wool over his eyes.

American Idol Contestants

Just where has the week gone?
It's crazy how a 4-day weekend
can just through everything off.


Now I sit at the computer
appalled that I haven't blogged
since Monday.

A travesty!

So here's some good ol'
karaoke...
ROBERT'S STYLE!!

When Sydney first sang this song to me
I have to admit....I was appalled!
"Where did she learn that song?"

"Am I failing as a parent?"

"How could my sweet, innocent
child learn a Britney Spears song?"

When she finished I tried to compose myself
and gush over how well she knew every
s-i-n-g-l-e word! (ugh)
Then she told me just WHERE she had learned it.

Barbie.com

(Darn you barbie!)

After Syd's star performance,
Emma jumped in for an encore of her own.

I love how Emma can make up a song on the spot.
And always throws in some special words
about how she loves her family and Jesus!

She's just so full of life and energy.
I think she has a future career in
a really Jazzed up, hand-clappin' church Choir!!

Fort Worth Stockyards (part 2)

When you visit this historical site,
make sure you bring a few extra bucks
to get the full experience by
walking through the museums,
riding mechanical bulls,
eating old fashioned candy and
taking b&w costume photos!

We opted for the "site-see" version
of the stockyards.

Texas version of Hollywood Walk of Fame

I don't know who Ernest Tubbs is,
but he must of been one awesome dude
to get his name on the sidewalk.

Brick lined streets and pathways

Ben found his first girlfriend!
With red lipstick and ALL!

If you look at the top of this photo you'll see a sign
that says cross walk. It almost seems as if
they moved livestock up above, too.

Santa has a summer job, too.

Ben gets to be up close and personal with a
beautiful horse.
He'd make Grandpa Bruce proud!

"Quick Sydney, lock it and throw away the key!"

Aunt Mimmi earned a special place in Ben's heart
by placing him on her shoulders!

I wonder if Emma is READY for the
herd to walk the street?

And here they come!!

Look at those horns!

6ft in length!
Someone can get their eye poked out with those things!

Beautiful animals.
Amazing.

THE END