One Thinks That I'm Brilliant....One Thinks That I'm An Idiot

I forgot how hard the 3's are until Spencer SLAMMED straight into them. Although he is stubborn and all around frustrating and infuriating to anybody who has to spend more than 2 minutes with him...he still thinks his Momma is Brilliant (and I am you know---humble too). He is always telling me, "that's a gweat idea mommy".

My 5 year old, on the other hand, although generally better behaved, thinks his momma is an idiot. He doesn't come right out and say it (because he is smarter than that). But I know my kid and I know what's going on in that cute little head just by the look on his face,,,,and boy oh boy do I know the "idiot" look and I get it often.

So the tie-break goes to Chad---Well he is a smart and peace-loving man, so I know what his vote will be.

Oh How New Furniture is a Balm for a Troubled Soul

Yes, the title is a little dramatic. But true none the less. I have just been on edge the last couple of weeks for several reasons---no sunshine, boys needing sunshine, jewelry sales down the crapper since Christmas, a storage room I haven't found the "uummph" to fill with all my craft stuff so Chad can finish a bedroom for the boys, my basement being a MESS, changes in a day of the week for me, baby??when???. Yes, we have all the important things, Chad has a job he enjoys, we are healthy, we have a mortgage we can definately afford (compared to the dipshits out there we will be bailing out), etc. etc. But when the little things build up it makes for one uptight Momma (enough that a couple of tears were shed at the mall yesterday--thanks for listening Mom).

Anyway, my new kitchen table was delivered at 5:00 last night,,,,,,and ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD. It's silly, but I can forget everything else and focus on the redecorating I am doing in the kitchen and living room. I LOVE to redecorate, sometimes just rearranging existing furniture and buying a few new pillows, a throw, and a couple of candles or picture frames can keep me occupied for a good 2 weeks. I love my little house, and it's nice that it's little, because small changes can make a big difference. Today we are heading to buy a shelf and pick up the new love seat. Then I will head to Roberts to find a wreath. The anticipation is almost equal to Christmas morning. The perfect diversion for a mom who hasn't been as nice to her boys as she should be. SORRY MY LOVES!!!

Before and After pictures to be posted soon.

Its A.........Water Fountain!!!!!!

Saturday night, the boys wanted to play a game,,,and not their kid games, they wanted our games. I kept saying no, and when Cam brought out Pictionary I still wanted to say no (I had visions of frustration and tears), but Chad wanted to give it a try. Good call Daddy!!! It was a riot. Chad would draw really easy things that they could guess and Cameron did a good enough job, he only had to give a clue now and then (with no tears). Spencer was just happy to be playing with markers. And mommy loves the smell of dry erase markers, so I was happy. We will definately be doing more of this. We are all tired of Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.

It's a..........Tornado (I'm not even sure Spencer knows what a tornado is)

It's.............Mommy making a ring, while jumping (too funny)

It's a............water fountain (???? to a 3 year old it probably is)

It's a.........ladder on its side

It's a..........man in a submarine, and a squid, in the water, underneath a big boat

For anybody with kids about this age, get a white board and some dry erase markers. It's always helpful with church things, and Pictionary is awesome. AND you can sniff the markers when it's not your turn.

Hey, I Know That Voice

Last Friday afternoon the boys and I were out and about looking for a love seat. We were at the very back of IM Home, the boys playing with a kids bus they have there, and I was sitting at the bottom of a bed pretty much snoozing away. The boys were having such a good time and behaving so well (and more importantly Chad wasn't due home for another couple of hours), that we stayed and stayed. All was quiet and I heard this darling little voice just jabbering away. Hey, I know that voice. Sure enough my little Cole-baby was with her Mommy and Grammy out looking for a bedroom set. The kids kept playing and Mom, Shell and I talked. It was one of those moments that made me really grateful that I live close to my family. And grateful that we all need furniture.

Too bad Kristi wasn't in the market for a major furniture purchase, or I'm sure she would have ended up at IM Home with us.

The kiddos were kind enough to stop playing for a quick picture. Spencer was in an especially good mood to actually smile---wow!!! (It's hard to tell, but Cole has on her Tinkerbell wings under her jacket. Such a girly-girl.)

Nothin' Says President's Day like Bowling, Home Depot, and Cleaning

This is the first year Chad has had President's Day off of work. It was great!! January and February are long, cold months. So it was a nice break for all of us.

Alex is obviously pleased with himself

Cameron was very worried about lining up the perfect shot
Spencer did well for a few frames
Always the girl,,,I caught the pose a little bit late. She had her hand on her hip and did a little butt-swish before she pushed her ball

Spencer preferred Grammy's tummy tickles to bowling

We told Cam to put his arm around Samantha, and this was as close as we got. Smart-alec

Cameron REALLY wanted to take a picture of us--Kris, you look hot. I think I'm at a bad angle :) (no woman likes pictures of herself)

YAH!! Bowling's over, time for lunch (we think they should have a "kiddie game" that is only 7 frames long.)

They love riding the carts at Home Depot

We are trying really hard to make our boys good little workers. They loaded all of the expired food storage up the stairs and threw it into the garbage. Cam didn't complain once and got every bit done.

Spencer got distracted a little bit at the end, but still did an amazing job for a 3 year old.

While the boys loaded food, I steam cleaned the couch, lazy boy, and carpets, and Chad worked on the bathroom.

All in all a great day, little bit of fun and a little bit of work!!!

Belated Birthday Party Pictures

The Birthday Quesadilla before church. In our house, it isn't a cake, but anything else you can stick a candle in (they don't care, as long as they get to blow out the fire)
My Sis-in-law Shannan makes AMAZING Birthday cakes for her kids. Well I have embraced my kids' allergies as an excuse to be lazy when it comes to the cake. So this year Spence got a Birthday Ice Cream Cone!!! (he got to choose the orange sherbet and was as happy as can be).

Let it be known that I have tried egg-free recipes and my boys still won't eat it, so ice cream cones it is baby!!!
Don't you love the look on my face?! Cameron kept blowing out the candle right as I lit it. Too bad both hands were occupied, or he would have received a big ol' flick on the forehead.
He LOVES his Geo-Trax that Grammy got him.

Such cuties, Lovin their ice cream cones: Mantha-Moo, Pence, Cole-Baby, Cam, Ellie (Nat's niece), Alex-Man

I gotta say, I love having fam over, but I DO NOT have enough room. Hopefully everybody just thinks that Kami's house is really "cozy" when we all get together. We are trying to remedy this a bit by getting rid of a bunch of needless furniture and fitting in a bigger kitchen table, and a love seat. Everything is on order, and will hopefully be here in the next 2 weeks. I am excited to make that post.

Wow, Men Learn to "Camp" Young!!

This was a common exchange in the Loveridge house hold when we were youngins

Kami, Shell, or Kristi: "Mom, where's Dad?"

Mom: "I don't know, probably in the bathroom." And sure enough if the Funnies were missing, that's were Dad was.

Spencer can't read yet, so he has to find other ways to entertain himself while on the potty.

It's Great To Be An Uncle

This was the conversation I heard while driving carpool on Friday-- The boys were talking about video games.

Cam to friends: "I can show you guys how to play Halo."
Friends: "No Way!!!" "Cool"
Cam to friends: "Well,,,,, my Dad doesn't let me play Halo."
Cam to Mom: "Mom, do you have Brett's number on your cell phone?"
Cam to friends: "My uncle Brett lets me play Halo."

Too funny!!!! Oh when I think of the things Chad either taught or allowed Andrew and Ryan to do...well, all I can say is, Sorry Matt and Shan.

Ice Sitting with Friends

Parker, Caitlyn, Jessie, Jarrett, Spencer and Cameron all bundled up and ready to goOne of only two catches for the day--mommy's glove. The second catch was Chad's reel
I know that I look scary in the balaclava, but boy was it warm
Such a cute picture of Jessie and Jayne
I'm surprised Spencer would even stand next to Cam in his mask

Last Saturday we went to Strawberry Reservoir with Jayne and Jeremy and their kiddos. We were supposed to go ice fishing, but I don't think I've ever actually ice "fished". I have been ice sitting several times though. Chad is the fisherman of the fam. Summertime, wintertime, rivers lakes, streams, it doesn't matter, he just loves to fish. Me, well not so much. Summertime is ok, because I can read a book sitting on the shore, or fall asleep in the float tube (my personal fav). But winter fishing excludes reading or falling asleep. Jayne invited us and said they were going to bring the 4 wheeler and Jer was going to buy a 6 hole ice shed. So, I figured the kids would at least be warm in the shed, and the 4 wheeler would be fun. We stayed pretty warm, the hot chocolate was a hit, and the kids did really well.

No, we didn't catch any fish, but Cam caught my glove, and Chad, well, he caught a reel. I was put in charge of watching the reels, but I was more concerned with feeding the kids lunch and keeping them warm (yes, I should have propped the reel upwards). So the pole was forgotten. Chad came in to an unattended pole and picked it up. Well, the reel came off the pole and fell into the water. Let's just say Daddy wasn't happy and he let us know he wasn't happy (college should be paid for Cameron by now). Jayne and I didn't know whether to laugh, cover the kids' ears or yell back at him. Good thing the "$30 favorite" reel was recovered and although there was tension for a good 24 hours, apologies were said and at least Jayne and Jer have a great story to tell everybody. I'm sure we will get to the point where we can tell the story, but it isn't quite funny to Chad yet (I keep reminding him that it will get funny as time goes on).

I did feel better when Jer laughed and said that he would have reacted the exact same way. AND, Jayne told me to be nice.

So here's a cheer for the $30 favorite reel.

"Oh, Shiz"

Cameron: "Oh, Shiz"

Daddy: "Cameron, we don't say shiz, it's just like saying the real word. I don't know if you heard that word at pre-school or where, but it just doesn't sound good."

Cameron: Pointing his finger at Chad with a big smile on his face "I heard it from you" giggle, giggle, "I gotcha there Dad."

I really don't think Chad does say that word, but Cam just knows if there is a bad word, it's a safe bet that Daddy has said it. (I am so proud) Ahem. To be fair, I need to clean up my language too.

Why You Should Always Rotate Food Storage

Yes, this is all VERY expired food. Chad finished my wonderful laundry/storage room this week, so I moved all the food onto my new shelves, and boy the picture doesn't do the amount of expired food justice. I was going to catalog it just for fun, and counted to can #30 and couldn't go on. Needless to say I will be doing better. Cameron helped move all the food, so he deserved to be in the picture.

Sometimes a Mom Just Can't Win

Well, our resident artist has changed mediums. He has gone from boogers on walls to Kleenex EVERYWHERE. At least he has variety in his Kleenex; big and flat, big and crumpled, little and crumpled, little and flat, and my very favorite, the teeny tiny bits that are all over his bed and floor and some have even made their way into my laundry (I know mom, it's payback time :) ).

Oh Well!!! Gotta love kids!!

Draper Temple Open House

Utah's 12th Temple


At the Church for refreshments after the tour (the decorations were not that of your typical Relief Society function.)

All tuckered-out on the ride home. Brett does make a great pillow.

Cameron showing a little bit of the Brett attitude.


It was nice to take the boys to the Open House for the Draper Temple. I'm glad they can see the inside, so it doesn't seem so "secretive" to them. We had a Family Night on Monday about Temples and the boys were really excited for Wednesday. Brett and Nat rode with us (thanks guys, you're always great to entertain the kids!!!). There was quite a wait at the church to even get on the bus, so after driving from the "blue" church to the "yellow" church, which actually was the "red" church (it really is amazing how organized it all is), we got right in and they had a nice video presentation. Elder Holland's remarks about heaven not being heaven without his wife and kids was wonderful. The boys loved the bus ride to the temple and they were thrilled with the baptismal font. Cameron kept his arms in front of Spencer as we walked in front of it so Spence "won't fall in". It was cute.
It was a beautiful building, but I was distracted by the throngs of people walking on the squeaky vinyl mats, not to mention the smell of the vinyl. I couldn't help but try to calculate how many feet of vinyl they had to lay, and thought of the poor guy unrolling all of it. I am easily distracted at times.....hey, wanna go ride bikes?
I was actually kind of disappointed in my feelings as we walked through. As I thought about it later I realized that although it is a beautiful building, as I saw it, that's all it was. The important part of the temple isn't the beauty of the African wood or the amazing chandeliers, it's the ordinances that are performed after it is dedicated. So I am sure my feelings will be different when I return after it is dedicated (and all the vinyl is removed).

I asked the boys some questions the next day
mom:"Why do we go to the temple?"
Spencer:"a bus" (He LOVED the "school bus" that took us to the temple)
Cam:"to be baptized and get married"

Mom: "What do we do at the temple?"
Spencer:"You get baptized at the temple"
Cam:"you have to have a recommend and you get married"

Mom:"What was your favorite part of the temple"
Spencer:"where you get baptized" (he's got the baptism thing down)
Cam:"the place that's supposed to be heaven" (even now, a week later, he is talking about the Celestial room--the chandelier truly was amazing)

The Beginning of the End...

I think I just embarrassed Cameron in front of his friend Cooper. The boys were eating lunch at the bar and I had some Michael Jackson playing on the Ipod. Thriller came on and I started grooving. All 3 boys were cracking-up (especially Cooper). After a couple of minutes I was breathing hard, the 2 boys were laughing, and Cameron as serious as ever said, "Mom, please stop dancing." I kept dancing--I was to the Zombie part (can't stop me now). Cameron says again, "Mom, SERIOUS, please stop dancing." I was tired anyway, so I stopped. I like to think that Cameron was just worried about my safety (I sometimes resemble Elaine on Seinfeld---no dancing on tables for me--I leave that to Christy). But the way he kept looking at Cooper makes me realize I just embarrassed him. Well, get used to it kid!!! Momma's gotta move and groove!!!