I appologize for posting this...

I know some of you will be offended, but this picture was emailed to me today, and I just had to post. Who in their right mind wears a pair of pants this tight? Seriously.. he's gotta be hurting. If you can't see what I mean, then enlarge the picture. But be prepared to be grossed out.

Well, since we're on the subject... let me share a little bit of our family dinner conversation. I have three boys, right? Right. I think they are pretty well mannered and try to behave like little gentlemen, but they do talk about their body parts. Aaron and I are trying to find the best word to describe their boy parts because "penis" is just too anatomically correct for my taste. I would rather them use another word, but for some reason, they have always referred to this with the proper name.. whatever. I guess it's better than "weiner balls" or another little boy term. Anyhow, let me get on with the story. While sitting at the dinnertable, Aaron started playing a game with the boys. It went a little like this:

AARON: If you think dinner is yummy, raise your hand. (Followed by three boys raising their hands high in the air.) After a few questions, Ben and Luke decided to contribute... but changed it up a bit.

BEN: If you like our family, raise your elbow... (talk about great dinner conversation, eh?) Well, this continued for a few minutes until Luke decides to take a turn...

LUKE: If you think mom is pretty, raise your penis!

Of course, Ben and Luke thought it was funny... because using private parts in a conversation is always silly. But Aaron and I could NOT even breathe we were laughing so hard. I was seriously crying... and our boys just couldn't figure out why it was that funny. Usually, they would get a scolding for using potty talk at the table, but this time we decided to let it slide. Oh my, kids say the darnedest things.

Happy Birthday to my favorite Father-in-law!

This shout out is for Aaron's old man. Not in any way is this post trying to make up for the late birthday card (probably still at the post office.)The first time I met Stan was inside the Jordan River temple. He had striking blue eyes and a warm smile. He was quick to welcome me into the family and has been good to me ever since. I love him for many reasons... but here are just a few:
● He's very friendly and easy to talk to.
● He looks like Harrison Ford.
● He's a hard worker.
● He's read more books than anyone I know, (and he remembers almost everything he reads.)
● He loves his wife and everyone around him knows it.
● He's not too proud to drink baby formula!
● He's enthusiastic about everything he does.
● He's always got a joke up his sleeve.. (and they are funny even after the 10th time we've heard them.)
● He makes the best homemade salsa!
● He can karaoke like a champ.
● He's a wonderful father and grandfather.
● He does great crab walk.
● He has a wonderful memory and tells entertaining stories from his past.
● He drives a minivan like he's in the Indy 500.
● He's a great high school teacher and expects a lot out of his students (so much that they signed a petition to get him fired!)
● He has a crazy twin brother who is usually in jail.
● He always has good advice.
● He's a morning person and is ready to take on the day before sunrise!
● He kicked a prairie dog and it exploded all over his shoe. I am still completely grossed out by that story!
● He got mugged in a taxi and wouldn't give up his wallet... even when they had a gun. He's tough and proceeded to tell them that what they were doing was wrong. We're all so glad he survived to tell the story!
● He's out to make a million and won't stop until he does!
● He's so nice and he eats ice cream every night. (contributed by Ben)
● He's crazy and throws pillows at me and plays with me (from Luke)
● He can play the drums and could have been a rock star in another life.
● He grew up in a not-so-loving home, but you would never know it after meeting him.
● He loves his family and it's apparent in all he does.
● He has 5 wonderful children.. who married cool, I mean, like super cool, spouses.
We love you, Dad and hope you have a great birthday!

Sun-BEAM!

Luke gave a talk in primary last Sunday and we were so proud our little Sunbeam! I just kept thinking, "I wish I could have this on video." It was his first time and he was so cute! Ben stood next to him and held a picture of the Good Samaritan and Luke read the entire thing on his own. He's such an awesome reader...next time we will have to work on the delivery. The primary was pretty surprised to see such a little guy speed through his talk without any help. For the grandparents, we decided to record him reading it. Of course, this video doesn't do justice! Luke's mind is amazing and it works differently than anyone I know.. I can't wait to see who he will become and what he does with his life because he has totally blown us away (and he's only four!) We love our Luke and I am so glad he's mine.

Labor Day

Our theory about moving to Vegas has been true... We don't necessarily love it here, but it's a hot spot for visitors. If family and friends don't come here for a vacation destination (which everyone should because there is lots to do) then they pass through on their way to somewhere else. We love having our guest room occupied!
Dave, Katie and little Andrew came to visit for Labor Day... they are on their way to San Diego, but we'll take what we can get, even if it's only a day. First off, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
Then we came home to a delicious shredded pork meal, courtesy of chef David. Why do all my brothers cook better than I do? After a good meal and a few hands of Rook, we went swimming at our pool.
After swimming, we hit the strip with the kids. Ben and Luke have been begging to see the volcano erupt (at the Mirage... very realistic) We only had 24 hours to rock and we made the most of it! It's always a good time with spunky-Texan Katie!

When we got home, the kids crashed and we stayed up too late chatting and playing cards. Thanks for the quick visit (and making us food while you were here!).. hope your vacation in California is relaxing!

summer reading...

I love to read.. I only wish I had more time to do it. Do you ever wish there were two of you, so that one could sit and read a book all day and the other could play with the kids, make dinner and run errands? I do, everyday.

These are the books that I finished this past month. August was good to me.
A heartbreaking novel of two women in China during the 19th century. It's a story of friendship, regret, compassion, pride and forgiveness. I cried all the way through it and couldn't help but think of my own insecurities and prideful ways. It made me very grateful for my circumstances and the privileges I have being a woman today.. and of course, I am so grateful for my sisters and close friends. Women are amazing, but why do we have to make everything so complicated?

Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte..
Hmm. I don't have a lot of good to say about this book, but that's probably because I am not very smart. Honestly, I needed a dictionary next to me at all times while reading it. It's tragic, depressing, and so frustrating, but I did finally finish it. It IS beautifully (and brilliantly) written so I can see why it is one of the classic books of all time, but that doesn't mean I want to read it again. Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre are books I can't wait to pick up again.. this one will probably sit on my bookshelf and collect dust. Anyone want to borrow it after this exciting plug?

I love the parenting section in the library.. and I am usually always in the middle of at least one book like this. Breakthrough Parenting might be in my top three. I don't think that parenting, especially motherhood, should be taking lightly. Isn't it hard raising kids? It is for me anyway. I stress about trying to do what is best for my kids.. and it always helps me to get a little instruction or encouragement from good books. I guess it's like going to therapy for me.. just not as expensive.

And how can I forget about Harry? The truth is, how can I go on without him? For those of you who didn't think I was a fan, you were SO wrong. I read the entire book in 48 hours.. and I kept telling myself to take it slow and easy. Aaron was so mad at me on day #2 (because I'm not a very good mom or wife after opening these books.) I had about 100 pages to go and I kept telling Aaron I would turn off my lamp, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I mean, this was THE END and I didn't care if it was 2 am. I loved it.. absolutely loved it. Can't wait to read it in a few years with our boys. Long live Potter!