Darn those Allergies!!!

We have lived with food allergies forever in this house. We are used to it and have learned to adapt. But there are times it breaks my heart,,, especially for Cameron. Other times, I just have to laugh.
Cam: Mom why don't you make me a cake without eggs?
Mom: I have baby, you still won't eat it.
Cam: No, you haven't (he was in a sassy mood)
Mom: Yes I have baby (with an edge to baby), I have made you cookies, brownies and cake with no eggs and you still don't like them.
Cam: Well that's because you put onions and sausage in it.

Chad and I cracked up. I couldn't help but think of Rachel on Friends' attempt at making Triffle--You know the one with a layer of jam, lady fingers and carrots and peas. Oh I do miss the days of Friends on Thursday nights.

Pencer-Poo--My Little Errand Buddy

Cameron has made it more than clear this year that he wants me to run ALL of my errands while he is at school. So to make King-Cameron happy, Spence and I are out and about most days while Cameron is in school. I try to make Cam think I am doing this as a big favor to him, but as all mommies know, it is much easier with fewer kids. Spencer is such an angel on our little outings (most of the time). He either sits in silence, looking out the window, or he chatters away. Either way it's great Spencer/mommy time. Today we ran to the gas station and Spencer asked, "what da gas for?" I explained that the gas makes our cars go. Just like when we eat good food it makes our bodies go. Food gives our bodies energy, and gas gives our cars energy. I could tell he "got it". He got all excited and said, "wow mommy, dat's a great idea!!!" I cracked up, and kissed his cheek until he said, "Shop doing dat mommy!!!"

I couldn't deny him his very own pepsi after that!!!

"I'm asking you with my brain."

So---I know there are a whole range of communication problems in a marriage. Well, ours usually stems from me not being able to put a coherant sentence together. We rely on hand signals, grunts, "you know"s, "that thing", "remember"s. Chad usually translates rather well and is patient enough for me to find the words I'm searching for. Well tonight we were REALLY off, so I finally just said, "Chad, if you can't read my mind, I don't want to talk to you."
50 points for the first person that can tell me what the quote in the title is from.

Gotta Keep an Eye on This Kid

We've caught Spence climbing out a few feet, but this time he went as far as he could. Chad called me to see, I ran to get the camera, Chad stayed as the spotter. Yes, we are sending mixed signals-- "Spencer don't you ever climb out there again!!! Now turn and say cheese!!!"

We are the BEST parents ever!

The Best Patients of the Year!!

Look at these babes!!! The 2 kids of course. Kristi, Mantha and Alex had cleaning appointments on Tuesday and they were so stinking good (even Kristi earned a token). Alex kept licking my fingers, so I would poke his tongue and he would giggle. They both loved being sprayed with the air/water syringe--and were especially thrilled when I sprayed their mommy. Next time I will have to let them wear gloves, masks and use the suction (Lori's boys always love the special attention). And no cavities to boot.

Why We Should Be Allowed To Have Cameras in the Chapel

This is Spencer, yes he is sleeping, yes he is standing, yes that is drool on the bench in the first picture, and yes he is wearing the mittens he has fallen in love with and INSISTED on bringing to church.

Sunday was our first week on the 1-4 schedule (booooo!!! hisssss!!). Within minutes we had to separate the boys (shocker). After the sacrament Spencer just lays his head on the bench and Chad starts to rub his back. 2 1/2 hours later he wakes up. In the picture he is standing, but after the chapel cleared out (he attracted quite a crowd as people left) we moved his legs onto the bench and covered him with my coat. So Chad and I alternated watching him. The little stinker hasn't taken a nap in months and decides to take one at church (so he does have Grampy genes). The best part of this is how happy he was the rest of the day. He was even civil with Nicole at dinner (I'm sure she was wondering what was up.)

We would like to thank Deb and Robert for using their cameras in the chapel. Even if it means they get released :)

2008 in Review

2008 was a good year for our little fam. We went on fun trips to Moab and Bear Lake. We went to Seven Peaks a lot. We camped, and played (I'm hearing Pioneer Children right about now). We (as in I planned and Chad did the manual labor) did a bunch of work on the kitchen. I LOVE my kitchen. I got a girls' weekend in Park City with my best friend (an annual father's day weekend thing). Cameron has been loving his 3 day a week pre-school. Although, he wants to call it school, not pre-school. Spencer loves shopping with his mommy while Cameron is at school. Chad has been working on finishing the basement. Chad's job went well this last year and despite the "divorce" at CJ Dental, Kami's job went well in 08 too. I will say the 2 best things of 2008 were 1. Spencer potty-training himself at age 2 1/2 in all of 1 week. I can't say how wonderful that is. 2. Greg and Shell's boat. We went to Utah Lake several times and Bear Lake. Fun times for everyone. Here's our year--in photos.

Taking flight off the jump daddy built.

This was Spencers 2nd Birthday Party. The dog was a gift from Uncle Brett.

Grammy and Shell-Bell in Moab

Doing some Hiking in Moab

Fishing--We were the only ones around catching anything. Chad was so proud.

Sitting with Grandma and Grandpa at the Art City Days Parade. Mom missed this one, she was relaxing in Park City with Jayne.

We woke the boys up to watch the fireworks from our roof. G-ma, G-pa, Brett, Nat, Scott all came over to enjoy. It really was fun. I have no idea what my expression was all about.

Pre-School Triathalon for Art City Days. This was our second year participating. It is a great time and best of all we all got to swim at the end, in a relatively empty pool.
Fourth of July with the cousins. Cameron goes absolutely nuts when his cousins come into town. He literally wants to spend every minute with them. We love family.
For Chad's work party, we got passes to do all the attractions at Thanksgiving Point. We did about half on that Saturday. It was wonderful. Then Grammy and I brought the boys back later in the week to do everything else. But since it was Grammy and Mommy only I'm sure no pictures were taken. We definately rely on Grandma and Daddy to capture our magic moments.
I can not express to you how much we love Greg and Shell-bell and their boat.
Yah, we know, we need to buy the wave runners.
If you can't tell, Cam is a fan of boating.
Spencer preferred being wrapped in a towel on the boat.
It's all fun and games, until...
Yup!!

We went to Kangaroo Zoo for Alex and Samantha's Birthdays. Good, sweaty fun.
The pool at Bear Lake: Greg would throw Cam in the air and he would smack the beach ball. This went on for a long time,,,they were both exhausted by the end.


I just like this one.
So Much Fun Playing at the Beach,,,but it was COLD!!!

Diggin' holes to stay warm.
Spence, Mantha, Cole-baby, Cam, and Alex at the Utah State Fair. Definately something we will do every year. We love it.
Backyard campout--roasting marshmellows over Mr. Heater
Nothin' better than pee-ing on rocks--it is a campout after all
Another yearly tradition: Walking the Hobble Creek Parkway trail to the Golf Course Clubhouse and having lunch
We hope it will become a tradition to pick pumpkins at the Cook Pumpkin Farm. They also have a weenie and marshmellow roast


The boys look so forward to both sets of grandparents coming over for chili and pumpking carving.
"Boo at the Zoo" with our family and half the state of Utah.
Halloween: We were supposed to be "fire" themed. Such a shocker that Spencer wanted to do his own thing. Chad is a fire-hydrant for those not so sure.
Cam's 5th birthday party. Talk about being King for a Day. Luckily the weather was beautiful. My little house wouldn't agree with 15 five year olds.



Well, going through my pictures, Thanksgiving didn't exist this year. At least in photos. We went to mom's house. Curses to mom's roaster for not cooking the turkey. And thank goodness Pat was "inspired" to cook her own turkey that morning. Thanksgiving was saved. We learned that Cameron is still allergic to eggs--we also learned that mom's new rugs clean up nicely. I also had a crafting buddy that evening; I had no idea Wayne was such a fabulous toll-painter.



had and I took a weekend trip to Vegas in November. Shell and mom had the boys. It was heavenly!!! Unfortunately no pictures--but you know--"what happens in Vegas..."



My boys have the best Daddy ever. Autobot and Decepticon quesidillas.
Such big Helpers!!! These boys can't wait to get their hands on some real tools.
mmmm, I can smell the pine.
We took the boys to the Living Planet Aquarium. It's not very big, but that is perfect for a 3 and 5 year old.
Cameron spent the longest time at the "touch tanks"
I love the Hall Family Christmas Party!!! The boys love seeing Santa. No tears this year either.
Another fun tradition: Grandparents over for dinner and Gingerbread houses. The boys never quite make it to the end. Luckily grandpas are willing to finish them.
Christmas Eve at Tepanyaki
Christmas Eve at Grandma's. Spencer refused to wear a Shepherds robe. But he WAS willing to wear a Jedi robe. Aren't 2 year olds funny.
Cameron playing with his present from Santa: a Nintendo DS
Spence with his Santa present: "Dr. Jones whip, Dr. Jones hat and Dr. Jones gun"
Tubing at Jolley's Ranch. The boys were animals--wanting to go fast and all by themselves
Spencer biffed it once and wasn't happy (as you can tell), but got back on that tube and kept going.


Well that was pretty much 2008 for us. We are really excited for what 2009 will bring.