st patty's hike

It feels like summer in Vegas. I mean, it doesn't feel like a Vegas-summer, but it feels like summer somewhere else. what am I saying? It's 80 degrees and beautiful. We have finally pulled out our summer bins and it's shorts and tees, baby! Yesterday we joined homeschooling friends and took a hike at Red Rock. This was (by far) my favorite hike I have done... because it was easy enough for the kids (with enough boulders to climb on) and there was a waterfall at the end! Honestly, it was a perfect day and a great way to spend St. Patty's day. Green sugar cookies are over-rated.

Three things to mention/remember..

#1-- as seen in the pictures above, Zack got a little thirsty and helped himself to the water. I wish the camera could have captured his big sigh/gulp when he lifted his head for the tenth time and said, "That tastes good!"

#2-- Luke got car sick and threw up on the drive.. this is normal for us but unfortunately, we were in Sabrina's car. She was a trooper and handed back her slurpie cup just in time. And she gets triple brownie points because she let me borrow her camera AND she emailed them to me in lightening speed. Sabrina is my kinda girl!

#3-- My favorite part of the day happened on the way down the trail. We passed a grubby-looking family... hopefully they had shampoo in their backpacks and were hiking up to the waterfall to shower. We moved out of their way as they were passing, until I saw that one of the older (quite chubby) men in the group was wearing a nasty, homemade sweatshirt that said "FREE HUGS!" As he passed, I stepped out in the middle of the trail and held out my arms wide and said, "I'll take one!" He grabbed me and squeezed me tight. The rest of the group clapped and I couldn't help but laugh as he squeezed a second time. After they were gone, Ben looked at me and said, "Um, mom, that was a little weird." Every time I think about it, I can't help but smile. I don't care if he was a stranger (or dirty/nasty) that was the best hug I have received in a long time. It seriously made my day....

so little time...

You know the weekend was a good one when you don't have a single second to sit at the computer (besides the time you spent with your family drafting the NCAA tournament bracket. Even Kevin in China got in on the action... and I am SO gonna win!) I honestly don't have time to report on anything.. I just wanted to write this down before it was forgotten. It's the little stuff that I can't seem to remember unless I jot it down.

Date: yesterday, March 15, 2009
Time: 1:30-ish
Place: Sacrament meeting

Zack was sitting on my lap and I wouldn't let him get down.. not because I was afraid he was going to run around and be his crazy self but because I was freezing and wanted his warmth on my lap. After his 10th attempt at squirming trying to break free, I held him tighter. He looked at me he his darling blue eyes and smiled while saying,

Mom, I am NOT your Prisoner of Love!

seriously. where does he come up with this stuff?

babies... and dogs

last weekend, our family huddled around the computer and watched old home videos. most of them were of Zack as a little tyke. I cannot believe HOW CUTE he used to be!!! What happened??

we all cheered him on as he crawled up the stairs, emptied the tupperware drawer and laughed when he spit at the camera. After 20+ videos, I told the kids it was time for bed. As I tucked them in, Ben said, "I wish we had another baby now that Zack is big." I tried to fight back tears because that's my wish, too. (second to WORLD PEACE, of course.)

Then Ben asked Zack, "Don't you want to have a baby?"

Zack pulled a growl face and said, "NO! I am not a grill!"

Ben laughed and Luke clarified, "But don't you want Mom to have a baby?"

Zack sat there for a minute and then quietly said, "Um--- I just like dogs."

we may just have to settle for one. but you better believe it will be a GIRL!

favoratism

Aaron met us at the YMCA last night after he got off work. After a good sweat, we headed to my cousin's for dinner (thanks Kara!) Then we had to drive home separately. Ben and Luke opted to drive with Daddy (of course) and Zack wanted to join the boys, but his car seat was in my van so I wouldn't let him. He was mad and yelled from the back seat,

Mom! Don't you know that I like Dad MUCHER than you?
I like you a little bit and I love Dad a lot and a lot!

He fell asleep within 2 minutes and I enjoyed the silent drive home....(a lot and a lot.)

and I thought pink pajamas were bad....

About an hour ago (11:45 AM, Pacific Standard time, to be exact) I heard my kids giggling in the master bedroom closet. I opened the door to find all three boys dressed in mom and dad's things.


Was it just LAST WEEK that I was making fun of Ben for wearing pj's with a pink collar? I guess it can always get worse.........

yes, this was taken in my bedroom. It's a creamy gray color.
and who cares if it's lunchtime and we're all wearing pajamas.
that's the way we roll at our house. can you dig it?