Fun Weekend!

Well, in lieu of boating this last Saturday, we went and spent the afternoon/evening at my Uncle's house across town. My Grandma Noble was there (My Uncle and Aunt whose house it is actually weren't there), My Aunt Carol was there and my cousin Natalie. We had so much fun! Hope you enjoyed the photos! (Of course, as always, thanks to Angela for bringing her camera!)

Caitlin got some sun screen in her eyes and rubbed a little too much...here's her pitiful self after her run-in with sun screen.

Thanks to Angela

Well, thanks to Angela, I obviously got a picture to post. So - I hope you like the new "look".

Well, I am aparently retarded. I cannot get my picture to post with my profile. So - here it is. There was only one photo of me on my computer with only me - and that was in a swim suit on the boat - so that's going no where near cyberspace. So - here's one from the day after Cailtin was born in August of 2005.

Life keeps going...

Well, under threat of bodily injury, I post again. Last week was filled with Relief Society visits, girl's night out, and book club. Each of which was immensely enjoyable. This week has held Caitlin teething mollers (ouch!), me missing a meeting (woops!), going to dinner with some family from Sacramento, and the first Enrichment activity since the changing of the guard. The Enrichment was last night and I think it was a success. Lots of women worked very hard and it came off without any major hitches. The dinner was wonderful, the dancing was embarassing, and the father's day leis (sp?) are finished!

We are starting to count down to Kenneth's baptism - he is very excited, as are we all. We are also looking forward to a trip to Utah for family pictures. I purchased each of the children a new shirt this evening for just that occasion (sp?). I'm working hard on catching up with work this week and I've gotten a lot accomplished, but remain overwhelmed at what is left to do.

The kids are all in the bath (Kenneth in one and Caitlin & Daniel in the other). That will hopefully leave me with some time to review tax returns (I know you're all jealous!). My Grandma Noble is house-sitting my Uncle's house on the other side of town next week and he generously invited us to come use his pool - so we're eagerly looking forward to some good visiting time with Grandma combined with swimming time for the kids.

Caitlin just pooped in the bathtub (ah, the joys of motherhood) - so I gotta go.

Fun in the sun!

At the cactus garden behind the chocolate factory - Kenneth captured the rabbit.
Kenneth

Joy & Debbie - friends forever

Caitlin, Debbie, Zach, Kenneth & Daniel at the WORLD'S LARGEST GIFT SHOP

We have had a wonderful time with Debbie this weekend! We went out on the town on Saturday night. We went to church on Sunday, then to the mountain to do some hiking (and I'm feeling it!) It was COOL and HIGH up there. (8000 feet)

Yesterday we went out on the lake - but it was WINDY! So we packed it in a little early.

Today we've gone to the WORLD'S LARGEST GIFT SHOP, the Chocolate Factory, and the Bass Pro Shop. We're just settling in to make a yummy dinner of Hamburger Gravy (my request!).

2 hours and counting...

Kenneth keeps wishing we had a time machine so we can see Debbie SOONER! We can't wait! Our good friend, Debbie, from Texas, is coming to visit this weekend....we are all extatic. Nancy was going to come as well, but she ran into some unavoidable issues at work...Nancy, we'll miss you! We love you!

Debbie should be here in just about 2 hours. The bread is rising and we're cleaning. We're looking forward to a wonderful memorial day weekend!!!

Park/Pool photos

More photos...

Overdue

I know this is way overdue, but I finally got the pictures from our vacation on my computer. Enjoy!

Kenneth, Caitlin & Daniel on the anchor outside the Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara.

Daniel & Kenneth & Caitlin at the table at the house where we stayed.

Both days we were on the pier we bought the kids ice cream....the 2nd day we got it in bowls... :)

Caitlin, Daniel & Kenneth on the curb on the pier.

The pool heater wasn't working so the water was quite chilly. This is Kenneth warming up next to the pool.

Daniel & Kenneth in the pool at the house where we stayed.

Steve took this photo while we were on the pirate cruise. We saw several Great Blue Herons while we were there.

Joy & the kids on the pier.

The "touchy feely" part of the Sea Creatures exhibit...even Caitlin got into it!

Kenneth "Steering" the pirate cruise.

Daniel "steering" the pirate cruise we took.

This is Daniel & Kenneth in front of the Santa Barbara Harbor.

Daniel & Caitlin sitting in Grandma Ackerman's scooter.
Caitlin - modeling for daddy...her consignment store dress w/ matching bow & socks... :)
Caitlin on Easter - isn't she cute?

Official

I am officially the Relief Society President of the Stonegate Ward. I am extremely humbled and overwhelmed. This is a huge job to take on (just when I thought my life was busy enough!). I pray the Lord will give me strength to serve my family, my clients, and the sisters of our ward as He would have me do.

I have LOTS of photos to share - I'll try to get to that in the next day or 2. I got the film developed from our vacation in Santa Barbara! :)

Another great weekend!

Well, we have arrived safely home after a wonderfully eventful weekend. First of all, my little sister, Elise, and her husband, Les, are parents for the second time after the birth of Jacob Darrell on Saturday morning at 6am. Congratulations you two!!! A big "I'm proud of you" goes out to Elise because giving birth is never easy and she did an amazing job...no drugs...you go girl!

We arrived Friday in Utah and spent Friday night with the Jones Family. Shauna and I put beads onto socks for Annie and Sophie and we enjoyed yummy food and great company. Steve joined us at about 3am Saturday morning. Saturday morning the kids played some more and we left around 11am. Thanks to the Joneses for always being willing to let us come! Also - thanks to Mike for being willing to forego a football game so Spencie could play with my kids....they had a great time, thanks!

We visited another of my friends, Shari, and her daughter, Sydney. Sydney and Caitlin are 3 days apart and Shari's dog, Mya, enjoyed playing with the kids, too.

I got to go shopping with my sister, Angela and my sister-in-law, Amanda. We shopped for Danny's birthday gift and Mom's Mother's Day gift. That was fun! Then I got to hold baby Jaxon (David & Jackie's little boy) for a long time in the afternoon/evening. He is a darling baby! Grandma Noble and Heidi were there, too, so that was really fun! We celebrated Danny's birthday with a big fractured taco dinner - YEA! Reed, Karen, and Reedie came over later in the evening to say "hi". I think that's the first time in about 9 1/2 years that I've seen Reedie. He is very grown up and very handsome. It was good to chat and get to know him a little better. And, of course, Uncle Reed made me laugh so hard I cried...he has that talent.

Sunday we helped my mom clean her basement and then we went to the baby blessing for baby Jaxon. Jackie's family dwarfs ours, so there are a lot of people when we get together. It was a lot of fun and after the blessing they had LOTS of YUMMY food to share!

We drove home (to Las Vegas - still wierd to think of that as "home") directly after that and arrived sometime between 8-9pm I think. The kids slept in this morning - I woke them all up at 8:15am. Kenneth had an appointment with an oral surgen at 9am and Daniel had speech at 9am. Since Steve had an unexpected call at work at 9am I was double-booked. Thanks to Angela for helping me out on that one! Kenneth will have to have a funky-named procedure done at some point to cut the skin between his upper lip and his upper gums....but it won't happen until after his other teeth come in and he's had some orthadontial work done (probably 6-9 months).

I think that's just about it....Caitlin is battling a cold (a nasty side-effect of the COLD UTAH WEATHER!). The rest of us are OK.

Kenneth's baseball team plays Johnathan's baseball team in 45 minutes, so I guess I'd better get the troops moving.

Sometimes reality stinks...

Well, we're home. Bummer.

We had a wonderful weekend enjoying NO stresses of daily life. We didn't get cell service at the house where we stayed, so we had uninterrupted bliss. Steve did do some studying each day (good for him!), but I had a work-free weekend. The boys swam (Kenneth got his first sun burn), and we relaxed. Daniel got a little more of the ocean than he bargained for when a wave came particularly high... :) We all had a great time and we hope to go back again someday. We loved the area and the beach. We discovered how important vacations are...well, I did, anyway. We hope to be taking more of those in the future.

Heaven....we're in Heaven

We made it to Montecito safely last night. The drive wasn't too awfully bad....until it was time for the baby to go to sleep....she insisted I hold her hand. My arm went to sleep several times over. Both boys went to sleep without fighting in the slightest....they were so tired. Daniel had a hard time going back to sleep once we got here, so he ended up sleeping with us. Steve & I each enjoyed a bath last night. This area is so lovely! The weather is sunny, but just about 65 - 70 or so. It's so nice! We went to Santa Barbara this morning (10am) and went to the Maritime Museum there. It was a very nice museum - not too large, but very well put together. The baby got tired, so we went to lunch then came back to the house for a nap. The boys have swum through the baby's nap. I slept outside and Steve has been studying. We're about to wake up the baby (it's been 3 hours) and figure out dinner. Thanks for checking on us!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Well, 10 years ago today, Steve & I were married. We're feeling old. We're very happy. It's been a great 10 years. Both of us have received our college degrees, we've had 3 beautiful children, we've made happy memories in Texas, and now we're making happy memories in Las Vegas. I gave Steve a new wedding ring (his original was stolen 2 years ago when our car was broken in to). We're looking forward to a wonderful weekend as a family in Santa Barbara, CA, and many more decades together.

Update

Well, we've avoided being separated this week. Steve has successfully resolved the problems at work without going to New York (Yea!). The Webb children have been a welcome addition around here. Angela's having a great time (as far as I know) in Idaho.

Yesterday we had a tragedy in the family. Steve's sister's husband works for Google. Yesterday he was walking from one building to another and as he was crossing the crosswalk, he was hit by a car going between 35-40 miles/hour. He broke a bone in his back, 3 ribs, his sternum, 2 bones in his right arm (in 3 places), punctured a lung, got some hum-dinger road rash and his head required stitches. He had a 5 hour surgery on his arm today and is on a lot of pain killer. Our prayers and thoughts have been with him and his family all day today. I'm hoping Sami will let me help out in some way with her kids...but we'll be deciding all that when she gets a couple more days into this whole thing.

The doctors are saying he'll make a full recovery but it will be at least 8 weeks. His name is Scott - please keep him in your prayers.

Well, I'm off...

A Stay

Well, it appears for the moment, Steve won't be traveling to New York. They've been hit by their worst storms since 1992 this weekend, and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. He's at work now trying to solve the ongoing problems, and he probably will still go to New York (that's according to me; not him), but it won't be tomorrow. We have a fun family weekend planned not next weekend but the following weekend (that's also our 10 year wedding anniversary), so I'm hoping his trip doesn't intrude on that trip (I'm really looking forward to that trip!). I'll let you know as I learn more.

I forgot to mention in my LONG post yesterday that we're reaping the rewards of gardening. We have eaten (well, I haven't, but the kids have) a few strawberries, and we've got broccoli on each of our 6 broccoli plants, and one tomato on our tomato plant. :) Such are the joys of living in a warm winter area. My bushes that a mom of one of Angela's preschoolers recommended we plant are flowering as well; so our back yard is quite enjoyable these days. Oh - and my rosemary bushes are starting to be fragrant, too!

Rocks, battery acid, and baseball

Well, first off - I shouldn't wait so long in between posts....there's so much to say. I'll start with Monday. Kenneth had his first baseball game (see photos). He did great - although he's not on a great team...what else is new? He doesn't know the difference and he loves the game so much he doesn't really even notice anyone around him I don't think. So - we had a good week - I worked as much as I could. I got my hair cut again (shorter - more layers). Thursday we had a low-key day and I wanted to get out and Steve worked late; so I called Sears. See- I guess I'd better back up a bit. Kenneth has been going through shoes like there's no tomorrow, so my sister told me about the policy Sears has that if your kid wears out the shoe before they grow out of it -they'll replace the shoe for free. So - the last pair of shoes I bought Kenneth I bought at Sears for specifically that reason. I kept the box & receipt - fully anticipating needing them. His shoes were shot. I went to retrieve the box and receipt and couldn't find them....darn the luck. So - I called Sears to see if they'd honor it without the receipt. They said it depended on the shoe. I described the shoe to them and they said bring it in....well, Adam said bring it in. I - knowing full well how this works if you get another person - went RIGHT in. After I loaded the kids in the car the car barely started...and I noticed the clock in my car said 12:03 as I was driving away (it was really like 6:30pm). Well - I'm not stupid. I figured my battery was going out. So - not willing to pass up a chance at free shoes - I called Steve and warned him that we might get stranded at Sears. We got to Sears OK and got new shoes for Kenneth and got out of Sears OK and went straight to Checker. Sure enough, our battery was going out (we knew for sure after they tested it). I purchased a new battery, but getting the old one out was going to be a process; so I took it home hoping Steve would save me the trouble. The next morning Steve so kindly replaced my battery before going to work. He left the old battery in the car for me to return and get my $8 back. I forgot about it and ran several other errands. About 45 minutes before baseball I sent Kenneth out to the car to check on his baseball bag and make sure he had everything he needed. He came back in the house screaming like a wild banchee and grabbing his leg and hand. I handed him a wet rag and ran out to the car to see what the "big black thing leaking oil" was that hurt him. The battery had no doubt shifted as I drove and fell out of the car when he opened the door. He aparently attempted to move it and it leaked battery acid on him. I ran back in; stripped Kenneth; and put him in the bath with the plug open so it would drain in & out. I called poison control (after I called Steve) and moved Kenneth to the shower. After flushing it for 20 minutes and using a mild baby soap, he said only his leg hurt a little. I put silvadine cream on it and wrapped it and we went to baseball. After baseball practice, Daniel decided to bring home a rock (see photo). Once in the car, Caitlin decided SHE wanted the rock. Daniel, in an attempt to prevent his sister from getting his rock, put the rock in his nose....yes, you read right...in his nose. He started screaming like a banchee (I wonder where he'd heard that before?) and I pulled off the road into a parking lot. I got something skinny and tried to wedge it out but I could see pretty quickly this was not something I could do - he was fighting and screaming too much. I called Steve and told him to hurry up and come back to me - then I called Angela (she was closer) and told her where to pull off the road to help me. I gave Angela my skinny object and held Daniel down while she futzed with the rock in his nose. Finally, I suggested we let gravity be our friend, so we sat him up. Angela got the idea to have him blow his nose...so he blew...and blew....and eventually the rock came out - just before Steve got there. Angela didn't see the rock ahead of time, so she was very surprised to see the size of the rock (again - reference the photo). Another crisis past...few! Kenneth had his first piano lesson this afternoon (well, at noon). He did great. I had purchased the incorrect books, so during his lesson we ran to a music store and purchased the correct books. I made him a bag that says "Kenneth's music bag" and we put in a pencil, notebook, and his music books. He came right home from his lesson to practice. I think he's going to enjoy this. It's good. I really like his teacher. She's been teaching for 20 years and she says she's only had one personality conflict. She's a dear woman.....she must be very patient. So - last of all - tonight Steve took me to see REBA!....live, in concert. She was in Primm (27 miles from here). We had a great time - she puts on a wonderful show. Now - it's after midnight and church is at 9 - so I must go...but we've had an eventful week. I guess I should mention that Steve will be going to New York next week (likely Monday) - and Angela is going to Idaho on Tuesday...so I'll be a lonely woman next week....with a lot of kids! :)




This is Steve's wedding ring on the left - and the rock Daniel wedged up his nose on the right.

Easter Update

Kenneth with his Easter Basket

The Laytons on Easter

Kenneth and Nathan holding hands (they're 3 months apart in age and they got along very well).

From left to right: Danny, Darrel, Darin, Steve, Dad, Mom, Joy, Missy, Angela, Amanda

My Dad and Me


Well, I haven't updated for a while; so here's what we've been up to:

Our kids had spring break last week, so Angela & I let our kids pick out of 10 options 4 things they wanted to do during the week. They chose bowling; movie theater movie; boating; and Chuck E Cheese's. We did all that Tues/Wed/Thurs. Thursday evening we had my sister, Missy, her husband and her 3 kids as well as my folks and my brother Ben come. On Friday I took out Missy, Darin, Dad, and Nathan, Benjamin, and Gilbert (Missy's kids) out on the boat. We had a great day out on the lake. The water was COLD (I didn't even wear my suit :) ), but everyone else was very brave and tubed, skiied, knee-boarded, swam, etc. The kids got a kick out of the floating toilet (they have them strategically posted on the lake), and Nathan dubbed our ski dock a "Porch"...who knew our boat was big enough to have a porch? Saturday Steve took out Ben, Darin, Danny & Amanda on the boat. (Danny & Amanda came on Friday afternoon). We had a choir rehearsal from 9-10am -- A run through for the cantata that Angela conducted, I sang in and my dad narrated. We came home and had an easter egg hunt (see photos), then we took all the kids to the Bass Pro Shop to see the 117,000 gallon fish tank where you can watch them feed the sting rays and sharks ( I love that attraction ). That evening we got a babysitter and all the adults went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner before dividing up for shows. Mom, Dad, Joy & Steve went to the Scintas. Danny & Amanda went to Josh Grobin. Angela, Darrel, Darin & Missy went to Gordy Brown. It was lots of fun! Easter Sunday started with church and singing the cantata. Then a huge Easter feast, then Mom, Dad, Ben, Danny & Amanda went home. After they left we dyed Easter eggs with the kids. Missy & Darin left at about Noon on Monday - and now I'm deep into taxes!!! Anyway, that's our weekend in a nut shell....we had lots & lots of fun! I hope you like the photos.

Home at last

Isn't this a great photo? I think it could be a painting! It's Caitlin on the left and Emily on the right (in case you didn't recognize the amazing red hair!) I love this shot.

Well, it was a quick trip - but it was very nice. Angela and I got to spend some quality time with Jaxon, and with our family as well. We watched General Conference with our parents, and we visited with our only living grandmother for a while, too. It was a nice weekend - even if it was a quick trip (Friday night - Sunday afternoon). Here are some other photos Angela got of Caitlin....

Caitlin is holding Angela's lens cap. Isn't this a funny photo?
Caitlin, Grammie, and Emily

The "Boys" went to Outback Friday night. Out on the boat Saturday, to BBQ Saturday night. They also built me a bunch of new shelves in the garage and moved all the boxes out of Caitlin's closet...that was a HUGE project, for which I am most grateful! I think everyone had a good weekend. Steve went in for an X-Ray on his neck (well, 2 vertebre below his neck) this morning. I'll let you know when we get the results of that.

Welcome Baby Jaxon!

YEA!! Our first FELLINGHAM Grandbaby boy!!! David & Jackie had a 7 lb. 7 oz. baby yesterday. 20 inches. March 30, 2007. Isn't he beautiful? Angela took some great photos!

Update

I know I've been delinquent in my updates - but there's not really much to say...other than I'm busy and I'm tired. No one wants to hear that - so I'll give you the better news...my sister-in-law is in the hospital....having a baby boy! Yea! We keep saying quick prayers for her that everything will go smoothly (and quickly!). Angela and I and Caitlin and Zach are heading up there for a quick trip this weekend to welcome the new little guy into the world...the boys (Steve, Kenneth, Daniel, Darrel, Alex, Johnathan) are going boating.

Layton Update

Well, life here is good. As I was telling Elise yesterday, I'm in a "good place" with each of my children right now and we've been having happy times with Kenneth off track. I'm not working as much as I should - but I'm working just about as much as I can. Kenneth started baseball this week and he's VERY HAPPY! He just loves baseball. Daniel is riding his bike better and better (and more and more) and changing into a little man so fast! Caitlin is SO MUCH MORE VERBAL than the boys were at her age (I know that's normal, but still amazing to me!). She says just about anything she wants to and most of the time we understand her. She's getting along with her brothers really well, and Kenneth has been doing great with her, especially. When we go to the park (just about every day) he's been taking turns with her and playing with her, and it means the world to me! She wears dresses or skirts most of the time, and I got her some cute bows (I'll have to take photos - should have taken one today - she was so cute!).

I took Kenneth to a piano concert Saturday night and he really enjoyed it. It was Jon Schmidt. Kenneth asked him to sign his baseball hat after the concert. The concert got long (for me), but Kenneth loved it! He's still talking about it - so that's good. He wants to start learning the piano.....

Funny......really funny

Well, I get a lot of things through email - some funnier than others. However, I thought this bit was really funny, so I thought I'd share it with you.



Words Women Use:
1.) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in FINE.

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of NOTHING.)

6.) That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying "TO HECK WITH YOU!"

9.) Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "what's wrong", for the woman's response refer to # 3.