Darn You TAX MAN

Yes, I am blaming the 7 3/4 inches of snow I have on my deck (and eveywhere else) on the tax man. Like April 15th isn't fun enough as it is. And if we go straight from this to 90 degree heat I am going to be ticked. Utah seems to enjoy skipping right over spring.

A Little Part of Who I Am

I have had something on my mind the last week or so (actually it's something that is on my mind quite frequently.) The picture below is my Grandma Loveridge.

She was an amazing woman! Unfortunately I never got to know her, she passed away of breast cancer when I was only 9 months old. I am amazed at the feelings of loss and sadness I have when I think of her and her early death. My Grandparents were never a force in my life, and maybe that would have been different if she would have been around longer. I am sometimes jealous of Richele; Grandma was her guardian angel (literally) when she was in Thailand on her mission.

I feel such a connection to Grandma. Mom really loved her and talks about her often. I LOVE it when Mom says, "you are so much like your Grandma." When Mom and Dad would go over for a visit, she used to say, "Come see what I'm working on." She would take Mom to the bedroom with all of her projects (and they were numerous--the projects, not the bedrooms :)). Grandma would just light-up showing off what she was doing. I find myself taking my projects to Mom's, Pat's, even work to show everybody. My projects are also numerous (sorry Chad). I just "eat up" the stories mom tells about Grandma. Many of them resemble me and my interests. Oh, mom also tells me I got my thin lips and skinny legs and ankles from Grandma--(luckily the Reva leg genes are stronger than the Bennett thigh genes--woo hoo)

All my love to Grandma Loveridge---I'm glad you are a little part of who I am.

Reva and Elwood--1937 (a favorite) Reva and Elwood square dancing
Loveridge Family 1955--My dad is the youngest--what a cute little fart
Reva and Mac
Reva and Mac--1960
Reva Beth and Mac--1952Santa and Reva

I just had to throw this one in of Mom and Dad in 1975. Nice shirt and chops dad.

***thanks so much to Carolyn for her comment about crocheting that REALLY got me thinking about Grandma. Also to RevaBeth and Arnold for putting the pictures together--they are cherished***

Such a Rebel

We have always known that Spencer is spunky (nice way of saying it). But now we know that he is downright rebellious. We always tell him to fold his arms for the prayer--sometimes he does, and sometimes he looks at us and defiantly says, "I do dis" (he clasps his hands together.) We let him think he won that battle (do we really care that he clasps instead of folds---NO, but he thinks we do)

Last night he took his rebellion to a new level---"Spencer fold your arms, bow your head and close your eyes for the prayer"

To which he clasps his hands, opens his eyes wide and looks at the ceiling. We just ignored him and said the prayer. I could see the wheels turning in that little boys head--"ha ha I won another one---stupid mom and dad"

Out of the Mouth of Babes

I am always amazed at the insights my kids have and the things they say, particularly concerning the gospel. There are many family nights that Chad and I just look at each other and say, "WOW!!"

Well, tonight was not one of those nights. Chad taught the boys about Easter and stressed the significance of the resurrection for us as a family. Cameron really was listening--he always likes to talk about Grandpa James and has even asked if he will still have allergies when he's resurrected. Spencer seemed to be listening, but when we asked what Easter was about, he answered "Easter Bunny doesn't have a phone."

We asked him again a little later and he said, "Easter Bunny bring me a scooter."

WHAT THE HECK!!!! I don't take credit for the wonderful insights and I sure won't take credit for the random thoughts either.

If he was truly insightful, he would know that the Easter Bunny definitely has a Blackberry.

Take Care of the "Money-Makers"

The pictures below are the reason I haven't posted about our Disneyland trip yet.

I LOVE TO CROCHET!!!! It's my newest "thang". I love the feel of the yarn, the cadence when I get a row going. It is so calming to me. I know it's a funny time of year to start making beanies, but I will just stockpile them for Christmas gifts. I am getting quite the collection of cotton yarn--such fun colors.

I have been crocheting so much that I am feeling it in my wrists and forearms. Better slow down---gotta protect my "Money-Makers" after all. I am especially loving the brims---so handsome. They wore these (the ones pictured above, not below) to Wal-Mart the other day and we got at least 4 compliments on them. Cameron acted like he was the one that crocheted them.

I really can't believe they wore these for pictures!! I have been using their heads, trying to get my gauge and sizes right, but I thought for sure they would bolt once I took the camera out.

I wish I had a picture of the tiny one I made for Richele to use when she takes newborn pictures. I want to make a little boy one with a brim for her pictures as well. Little Caleb will be here before we know it to model it for us.

Takin' the Animals to the Zoo

Thursday before we went to Disneyland Kristi wanted to get all the kiddos together and go to the Zoo. It was such a fun day. The kids did really well and it was a nice "out" with all the hub-ub going on.

Nicole refused to get out of the stroller for the picture. Spencer did the exact same thing just a few days later when Grandma wanted a grand kid picture.
I LOVE this picture!!!! Cameron wanted to be on the "big lion, not the baby lion". He is definitely showing his displeasure. I also love that Spencer is showing his joy in Cameron's disappointment.

He Left Me Speechless....and that doesn't happen too often

On Wednesday morning we were trying to get Cam ready for school and the floor of the family room and his bedroom were COVERED with Pokemon cards. I got upset and said, "Boys, I am tired of your stuff always on the floor. How come you can't clean-up after yourselves?"

Spencer looked at me and replied, "Well Mommy, yous stuff is all over the floor downstairs."

Sure enough, even though I have organized all of my craft stuff in bins and those bins now reside in the storage room, I had a few projects I was working on the night before and 6 bins were on the floor in the family room.

Hey, who does that little 3 year old think he is trying to remind me that I am not perfect???