While You Were Out

Dave went to Priesthood Meeting last night and I stayed home with the kids. The night pretty much went like this: Upon finishing cleaning up the kitchen, I went to our office (which also doubles as our tool shed, pantry and nursery for Brooklyn) and discovered the boys had completely "cleaned out the pantry" taking extra pleasure in using the overturned glider chair as a slide for each item taken off the shelves.

AHHHHHHH!!!! That is what when through my head, but I just walked away and came back a minute later and told both of the boys to go to their room. I shut and locked the door and went away. I returned five minutes later to find this:


Yes, both boys completely nude (except for socks because of course they wanted to keep their feet warm) and their room turned completely upside down. Every book torn of the shelf, every article of clothing ripped out of the drawers, every toy thrown on the floor and every piece of bedding not on their beds. My response to this. . . ."you're not coming out of your rooom until this is all cleaned up, no dinner, no potty breaks, you may not leave" (I later went back on the whole potty thing and let them each use the restroom because I clearly had a big enough mess to deal with that night, but that was it.) I spent my time with the tunes turned up singing my heart out with Brooklyn. Dave returned sometime later to find both boys still in their room amid the chaos. Thank heaven for little boys??? Oh, and I forgot to mention that before the messes wre created,Dallas went potty and while washing his hands decided he wasn't quite done or something so he sat down and dropped a log on the bathroom rug. I'll spare you any pictures on that one though.

Sweet Brooklyn tried so hard to be a part of the crowd, but this was her measly contribution to the evening. Now, there's a child that's easy to appreciate.


I was grateful for Elder Ballard's talk to the young mothers today because let's all be honest . . .sometimes as a mother you need a reminder that what you're doing is important and a little pick me up to get through nights like this =).

An Ode to Winter Berries

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Sugar is sweet

But apparently winter berries aren't

(p.s. that last line is a link)

Snowflakes That Stay On My Nose and Eyelashes

Spring? Break

So the visions of picnics with the family and golfing with friends quickly dissapeared at this week has brought cold, rain, and the occasional SNOW FLURRY! Off to the Oregon Science Museum we go. It's all about dinosaurs these days.

Happy Easter

What could you imagine would be the reason for such a crowd to gather on a Saturday morning? A baseball game? A concert? Nope.

A cagefight? Getting closer.

Try 200 women fighting over eggs representing a variety of prizes (including a pair of diamond earrings).

In the spirit of Easter, Bri put her life on the line so that our family could live... off of $20 in Applebee's gift cards.

Dallas and Trenton both participated in the 4 year old egg hunt and Dallas (not surpisingly) held his own when it came to beating other kids at grabbing food off the ground, since he's been practicing swipping food from kids everytime we go to the Burger King playland. He even found a prize egg for ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

Dallas's low center of gravity and pregame focus session really set him up for success.

Brooklyn and Trenton just made sure they looked cute at all times.

Marvelous Metal Miracle

It's amazing what wonders man has created with metal...

Fine Art




Breathtaking Buildings




Revolutionized Interstate Commerce




Gave us Sammy Hagar



And Finally...

Will hopefully fix my crooked teeth

Something Old, Something New

It was a wonderful experience to see Bri's grandpa get remarried after losing his first wife to cancer. To see all of his children, with their children, and THEIR children was really special.

More photos on my Photo Blog.

Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

Brooklyn and I took a quick trip to San Franisco in February. Our primary objectives were to visit Elk Grove to see how it has changed and catch up with some old friends, attend a yoga workshop to keep up my CECs and of course visit the Bermans (Margaret and Seth). We fit it all in and got beautiful weather on top of everything. The only picture I took with friends was the one with Jenny and Lindsay, but it was fun to see Diana, Jill and Shelli too. I love that while we all grow up, we all stay the same (except Jill . . .when did you graduate from Tomboy to beautiful lady?) So, here are some pics to document the trip.

Brooklyn was a very cute and well behaved sidekick.

Jenny, me and Lindsay. We're a few years beyond all three of us sleeping in twin bed, skinny dipping in the middle of the night and running sprints in basketball 'til some of us puked. But, still the same at heart. It was so fun to see you. Come visit Oregon!!!

Here lizard lizard. Nice tongue Maggs!

Woah. Easy on the tongue there.

It was great to spend time with my sister: just being goofy and hanging out. We had a few rough patches growing up (like trying to make our own rooms by hanging a sheet down the middle of our shared room because we "loved" each other that much, but what can I expect since I was apparently a bratty goody two shoes who would wake up singing primary songs and only cry if picked on while my mom or dad were in the same room. Hey what are little sisters for? I can only hope that Brooklyn can someday have a sister that will grow up to be her best friend. I love you Maggs!