5FF-Vol 5

I am a little stumped today as far as a "theme" for my 5FF.  When my visiting teachers came and talked about journal keeping last month, they also provided me with a little jar full of slips of writing ideas.  Today, I will have Landon pull one of those ideas out of the jar for me and that will be my 5FF topic for the week.

Here is the question:
Where is the most exciting place you have ever been to?  What makes it exciting?

TRAVEL!  The topic for the day.

1-  England.  Hands down the greatest place I've ever been.  I served a mission there from October of 96 to May of 98.  In the spring of 2000 I went back to visit some dear friends.  I went by myself that time-and it was very interesting traveling that far alone. Rachel saw me off at the airport...my how we've changed!!

When I met Scott, he noticed that I had a Union Jack flag on my key chain and asked me about it.  Turned out, he also served a mission in England....a few years before me.  Not only had he served in England, but in the same mission I had served in.  In 2007 a lady from his mission that he baptized called and told him that she was getting married in the Preston temple and was also having her deceased son sealed to her.  She asked Scott to sit in as proxy for her son.  What an amazing opportunity. Presley was only six weeks old, but we made the journey and were there together for a couple of weeks.  We were able to see our friends and tour the country together.  Here we are with the happy couple...

And here I am with Presley in front of the Lincoln cathedral.  I served in Lincoln for 8 months of my 18 month mission.  It became near and dear to my heart.

2- Right along with England, is Scotland!  I went there to visit friends in 2000 and Scott and I went again in 2007.  Sadly, we missed my friends that time (Claire!!!!)-but we were able to visit some of the most beautiful countryside I've ever seen.  It was beautiful!  We went to the castle in Edinburgh and really just enjoyed driving around and seeing the amazing scenery.  Here is Scott first with Presley (at a restaurant in London) and then in front of the castle in Edinburgh.

3.  Paris!
During my 2000 trip my friend Jan ,who lives in aforementioned Lincoln, and I went on a day trip to Paris.  We found a really cheap flight and took off for the day.  We did every touristy thing and went to every touristy place imaginable.  The Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triumph, the Louvre, the Opera House, Notre Dame, just everywhere.  In one crazy whirlwind day.  But what fun we had.  And I don't remember ever being that tired at the end of one day.  Great memories though!!  Here in Jan and I in front of the Eiffel tower....

4.  Florida!
In the summer of 2004 we took the two girls to Florida!  Parker was 2 and a half and Pacie had just turned one.  We actually met my friend Jan, pictured above, and her family there for a week.  We went to Disneyworld, Key Largo, Miami Beach, Busch Gardens...I'm trying to remember where else we went!   I went through my pictures..and now I am really bummed out.  It always makes me sad to see how fast my kids are growing up and how much they have changed!  I could post a thousand, but here are a few of my favorites.  That trip, by the way, was so much fun.

Sunset in Key Largo.  How amazing is that picture?  It looks like a fake background.  

Look at Parker and Pacie!!  Parker had really curly hair when she was little and the Florida humidity made it super super curly.  And I think Piper looks so much like little Pacie.  Such fun times....

(As a total side note:) *This is the Dann family.  Nigel, Jan, Chris and Becca (twins) and Jared.  I have known them since 1997...and we are still close friends.  Even though they lives thousands of miles away... We have seen them quite a few times since my mission was over. They like to come to the states.  We met them in Las Vegas/Grand Canyon the summer after Florida, they came over the Christmas of 2008 and the summer of 2010.  Counting down until we get to see them again....

5.  My last destination is California.  It is fairly close and we have been there quite a bit.  My two favorite trips have been just this last October when Scott and I went there to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and October of 2008 when my parents took us there for an early Christmas present.  All of us were able to go except for Mitch, Sarah and Ari. We missed them being there!!  The grandkids, well, all of us really had such an amazing time being there together.  The kids were in heaven and October was such a great time to go. The lines were short, the weather was perfect and everything was decorated in candycorn and Halloween.  Amazing memories!!  Here are a few pics of those two trips..

Here we are in California Adventure.  We didn't take Presley or Bergin because they were so young they wouldn't have appreciated it much.  Plus it made it easier for us!  (Kinda selfish...but true.)

This is maybe my favorite picture from our trip.  We all found letters and took pictures in front of each of the letters spelling out California.  This one with my mom and dad and the grandkids is just too cute.

And here is the full group of us in front of the giant candycorn.  Such fun memories!!  California will always be a destination spot because it is so do-able!

Thinking about it, I could list many more places that I have traveled.  My parents loved to take us memorable places.  We went back east and toured the church sights.  That was incredible.  My dad took us all to Texas to his mission area as well and that was so much fun to see.  One summer my mom kidnapped Rachel and me and took us to San Francisco for our birthdays.  That was a trip of a lifetime!! We spent many summers in Jackson with my dad's work and we've been to Las Vegas many times.  I look forward to expanding my wings and going to see a little more of the world...

Some suspicious characters.....

Hey strangers.  Beware of these two suspicious characters seen roamin' around these here parts:

One creative preschool mom gave these out as Valentines.  They had a Blow Pop through the center.  I couldn't resist snapping a picture. And I also love the hearts on their cheeks.
As a side note, I broke down and bought a new camera today.  Just a basic point and shoot.  It's been just over 2 weeks since ours mysteriously disappeared.  I'm sure it will show up any day now that I went and bought a new one....

L-O-V-E

As it is LOVE day today, I want to shout out to the loves of my life.
I am so thankful for my little bunch. I love each of them so much for who they are and how they enrich and make my life so so full.
Each of them bring so much to me.
Parker-Your goodness radiates to all and you are always willing to help. You are growing up too fast-but we are having fun while it's happening.  You are so talented in everything you do!  I am proud of you.
Pacie-You can always make me laugh! You have such a great sense of humor. You are also so sweet and mild mannered. Always easy to have around. You are such a book worm-just like I used to be!  You are so smart and so talented.  I am proud of you too.
Landon-My only boy. You are all boy-but have such a tender heart. I will never tire of your kisses or your sweet moves.  I can't believe how well you read!  I love that you love books and hope you will continue to read and learn.  I am still not letting you start Kindergarten in the fall.  Just saying.
Presley-My little spitfire. You surely know how to keep your mommy on her toes. You make the best faces and are so so dramatic. I have learned to pick my battles with you. Your voice can be the highest pitched I've ever heard and I love it.  You are a good sweet helper to your little "Pipe-sies".
Piper-You sweet baby. You are such a blessing in our home. You are honestly the best baby. Rarely fussy and so fun. You are cutting both top teeth right now-so the vampire look is almost gone. We love you and are so thankful you're in our family.
And Scott-where to begin? Thanks for the card and flowers and Diet Coke x 2 today. Thanks for 10 + years of being my best friend and biggest support. I love you.
Enough Sap. Here are some recent pics of my LOVES.
Happy LOVE day everyone!!

5FF-Vol 4

This is the quick read version of Five Facts Friday.  It's entitled:  Weekend plans.
1- Drive to Layton.  Stay in hotel and let the kids swim their hearts out tonight.  Let someone else cook dinner.  Sweet!
2- Go to watch the girls dance tomorrow in Ogden!!  It's our first dance competition and I can't wait!  I love going to the competitions. Hopefully the youngest three will cooperate and help make it a great day!  Parker and Pacie-dance your hearts out girls!  We WILL be cheering for you and the rest of our amazing teams at IDS.
3- Drive home late tomorrow night.  Enjoy some time with Scott-seems like we haven't seen a lot of each other lately for some reason....
4- Enjoy Sunday with my family.  I love Sundays.  We go to church and then just wait for Scott to come home so we can hang out together.  I'm excited.
5- Prepare for two Valentine's parties this week for preschool.  I am making Valentine card holders for 26 kids on Sunday afternoon/evening.  If that doesn't scream of a good time, I don't know what does!
And that's my weekend.  Interesting or not-that's what we'll be doing.  Note there is no time in there allotted for house cleaning, laundry, etc... I guess you all know what I'm doing on Monday as well.

And because no post is fun without a picture:

(yes it's also from my camera phone.  Still can't find the real one.  How many days do you wait before you buy a new one???)

Daddy Daughter Date

Scott and Parker had their first official Daddy daughter Date last Thursday night.  They wore coordinating colors. (Parker picked out Scott's clothes and laid them out on the bed with a note saying, "please wear this to the daddy daughter date tonight".  Complete with shoes and socks.

Parker rushed home from dance, got a little spruced up (aka perfume and 1st time deodorant) got dressed and away they went.  My camera is still awol.  Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.  Not the best quality, but at least I have some record of their night.

They ate dinner, (sloppy joes), painted fingernails, played some games, danced and then cleaned up and came home. Sounds like it was a wonderful evening. I'm sure it will be the first of many dates that they get to go on together.  I'm thankful for a husband who is willing to support his kids in all that they do.  

 I know that my girls are daddy's girls...100%.  And that's okay by me.

5FF-Vol 3

I was thinking last night about things that I wish I could do, or was better at.  My ponderings often become my writings.  Here they are in no particular order.
1.  Sew.  I would love to be able to whip up cute things on a sewing machine.  My mom and grandma are both really good seamstresses. Somehow when I was younger I had little interest when my mom wanted to teach me.  The only thing I've ever really made is a tooth fairy pillow for Parker.  I know it's a learned skill and maybe I could learn how....if I could find the time.
2.  Photography. I love to take pictures.  Love.  I love looking at pictures. It would be really fun to get a nicer camera and start playing around more.  That being said, I love documenting my kid's lives through photos and hope that they will appreciate it when they are older.  Regardless of the quality, they should be impressed with the sheer quantity! (Also, my camera is currently missing.  I couldn't find it last night when Scott and Parker were on their way to their first ever Daddy-Daughter Date.  I am in slight panic mode.....)  Presley is interested in photography too.  Here is one of her latest self portraits....(rocking the 80's unitard as well....)

3.  Be Organized.  I truly think being super organized is a talent.  Having a place for everything and knowing where everything is at all times...(see #2 about misplaced camera).  I do have a system-and although it works for me most of the time-I would just love to be more orderly.  Clothes, shoes, papers, preschool odds and ends...it's a lot to keep track of.  Any tried and true tips for downsizing and then keeping things orderly?

4. Be a runner.  I'll be honest.  I love to go the gym.  Yes, I begrudge that I have to go at 5 am. There is simply no other time to go.  And yes, there are days I want to sleep in.  But once I'm there I love to work out. Mostly.  I would love to be a runner and do at least a half marathon someday.  It is on my bucket list.  I am sure with the proper training, I could.....

5. I play the piano-barely.  I would love to develop that talent further so I could actually play and accompany.  I have to say that sitting with the girls during their practice times has helped my playing as well.  Again-it's something that I'm sure if I dedicated more time to it, I would be better at it!

I know this is a number six-but I would love to be more charitable as well. Doing more for others.  Be more mindful of the needs of others and not be so focused on myself....

So there is my 5FF.  Now I am going to get my girls on the bus and enjoy my day off from preschool!  Maybe I'll go play the piano, or organize Piper's baby clothes...

THAT's gonna leave a mark...

Oh my boy....
While visiting teaching last Monday, my kids were playing at a friend's house.  Their 13 year old son was watching them and was taking care of the two little girls who were there.
He said that he thought Landon was watching a movie downstairs and he was in the process of carrying both of the "little" girls down the stairs.  (Presley and Ellie are the same age-well over three..I think they were just loving the attention)  I digress...
He got downstairs and Landon was on the treadmill.  He was running and exclaimed, "Look how FAST I am going!". Right as he said this, he slipped, going face first onto the running treadmill.   Matt ran over and grabbed him off before further damage could be done.  It gave him a NICE case of road rash and a nice scab that is still almost off.
Boys will be boys-that is for certain!  I am just thankful it wasn't worse!!

Here he is the day of the accident.....
We both feel sorry for him.

I said, Landon, you're not supposed to be happy when you're hurt...So this is the face i got.  These two were taken two days post incident...