I want puddin' pops.

Hey! School started this week! Lew is taking Thermodynamics II with a lab, Ergonomics and Middle Eastern geography. Really people, do you think the guy needs to learn about Middle Eastern geography? It is one of the general ed classes he has to take. There is a bunch of classes to choose from. Luckily, this class is taught on-line.

Ruby is starting school next Wednesday. I'm so excited!!!

If you have not checked out the links on the side of my blog, click on Horrocks. Cassi started blogging and there are some cute pictures of Bay and Deeg.

Tomorrow is my Sweet Lew's birthday. He will be turning 31. He will be so upset that I am even mentioning his Birthday. But I have to tell you how wonderful he is. Right now he is going to school. Engineering school! That is a tough degree! He is working a regular full time job and another job. His second job is with his brother, Joey. That job can be a full time job as well. And he has a family and a home to take care of. He is so busy. Most nights he does not go to be until 12:00. He is back up at 6:oo am. He has such a strong work ethic. He never complains about how hard things are. He has worked at his full time job for almost 10 years now. He is so wonderful. He is a wonderful dad. You can watch him with his kids and see how much he cares for them. When I read the Twilight series, Edward reminds me of Lewis. Lew is so protective of us. He has a cool head in emergencies. Lewis is fast and strong. He will decide he wants to do something and then there is no turning back. His will power is amazing. There are people that are truly, truly good. They are the people that no matter what is going on in their life, they will stop what they are doing to help. Lewis is that type of person. All that he does has a purpose to make me and the kids happy. Lew has made many sacrifices for us, with no regret.
Lewis treats me like gold. He loves me with all his heart. He knows my weaknesses and does not fault me for them. He makes me stronger and supports me when I need it. He has a way of showing me things that I can improve on, without making me feel insecure. He loves me when the scale is really high or low. Lewis challenges me and introduces me to new things. He takes me out of my comfort zone, and I love that! I love Lewis's sense of humor. We get each other. He is my sweetheart. I am so very, very blessed to have him love me. He was made for me. I have found my true love. I love you Lew! Happy Birthday!

Lewis at Christmas. He was 2 years old.

Duck hunting, January 1996.

Lewis and his dad, Larry. June of 1993.

I was thinking about our little family the other day. I realized that the girls all have a drink with our names in them. Check it out...

Mountain DEW
Hot KOKO
RUBY red soda
AMBER Bock (or brock? It's a beer?)
HA! That's some deep thinkin' on my part!
If we have another kid, I may name it Fanta, Tab, Squirt, or YooHoo, just to keep it going!

This is getting embarrassing...

I did it again.
I fell running....again.
Different spot on the trail, same spot on the arm.
The wound is bleeding more this time.
My foot got caught in my shoelace. There was no tuck and roll.
It was more like...thud.
My hip and knee were involved too.
I didn't take pictures.
It's just getting out of hand.
Lew suggested I start running on grass.
Ruby suggested a helmet.

Just a few items of business...

I really like this plant. This year it is doing great. It's name is Muehlenbeckia Creeping Wire Vine. Isn't it pretty? We went up to Soap Stone this past weekend with the Horrocks family. This may explain why Zane has trouble sleeping.

Ruby in her favorite pose.



That's my Sweet Lew. He's hot.

For our anniversay, Sweet Lew bought me a nice, new camera. As you can tell from the photos above, I suck at taking pictures. I have a professional photographer friend, Kelly, who is going to teach a photography class. She is so, so, awesome. If you would like to see some of her pictures, go to her blog at sansomfamily.com. Or you can check out her and her husband's company at Galleryphotography.com. I'm am taking the classes, and I would love for anyone to join me! I'm so excited. I woke up a few times in the middle of the night, just giddy with excitement. And the classes don't start until September 23rd. I can't wait!!!

Sleep

This story is long and boring. I apologize. But if you are having trouble sleeping, read on!!!

We have sleep issues in our home..

When Ruby was born Lew and I did everything wrong. She sleeps like crap, and it's all our fault. To this day she will not sleep in her bed. We redecorated her room in a princess theme. She's not scared. She just does not want to sleep in her bed. She sleeps in the doorway of her room. The last time she slept in her bed was months ago. In the middle of the night, she will sneak into our room. We put a little couch at the end of our bed, so she will lay on that and go to sleep. My theory is that- if she's sleeping, and does not wake me up, I don't care where!

Zane

Zane is a good sleeper. We learned from our mistakes with Ruby. If he wakes up crying in the night, Good Luck to you brother, I'm sleeping. (unless he is scared. I can tell the difference).

That being said, he does have a problem.

This is also my fault.

He still drinks a bottle.

I love giving him a bottle and cuddling him and reading. He doesn't fall asleep. I put him in bed. He then adjusts the pillow so the seam is facing a specific way, and then he lays down. Ta da!

Well, a few months ago he climbed out of his crib. To avoid a broken leg we changed it to a toddler bed. Dude decided to not sleep and waltz out of bed when ever. We put a stop to that, and turned the crib around so the wall would block the exit. Dude figured out how to push the crib away from the wall and busted out. We put a stop to that, and moved the dresser against the crib. Dude is super stong and pushed the crib and dresser away from wall and busted out. We put a stop to that and double sided taped the furniture to the floor!

Now for the past week, I have been making Zane throw away his bottle when he is done. I've been telling him two more bottles left... One more bottle...

Today was his first day with no bottle.

I read him a few stories, gave him a sippy cup of milk, and held him lovingly.

He wanted a baba.

He cried for-ev-er.

He busted out of the crib.

Mom, took him back.

After taking him back a few (20) times, I decided to lay down outside his room and do crunches. He would spy around the corner and hide. Sometimes he would just turn on the light and play. At one point he got out his spy lazer toy and tried to zap me.

Finally we layed down on Ruby's couch, and read a story until he fell asleep.

We may be buying another couch for my room...

"Fail doing something you like."
- David Letterman

Last weekend we went for a hike up to Twin Lakes. It starts at Silver Lake at Brighton. The kids had a great time. They are good little hikers. The whole thing was rocks. When we got to the top there was a cute little duck. Zane feed it a piece of his granola bar. He chucked it in the lake. Ducky decided he didn't want it. So Zane fished it out and ate it. You should have seen the lake. Not the most anti-bacterial lake. Zane is still alive and kickin' so I think he's okay. Anyway, as we were hiking down the mountain I asked Ruby if she would sing me a song. She busted one out. Here are the lines-"you need to get the arrows in the ground." We passed people, and she didn't miss a note. I must suggest that you don't watch this little video. Just listen, you will experience motion sickness.

Then today we took Ruby and Baylee to preschool orientation. This preschool is wonderful. It is Aunt Sand's Preschool. They went last year for the 3 year old class. That class was once a week for 2 hours. This year they will go 2 days for 2 and 1/2 hours. I love this school. If you want your child to attend. You have to get your name on the waiting list when you are prego. It is that good. It's not expensive. The teachers are genuine. They love, love, love your kids. Teacher (Sandra) is so funny. She kissed Ruby today and told her she loved her. Sandra just got 3 new pet mice named Monkey, Poopsie and booger. I told Mrs. Jensen that Ruby was scared. So she talked to her and made her feel comfortable. At the end of the year they have a big production where each of the kids plays a part like Snow White, or Ariel. It is so cute. I will add more pictures and stories as the year goes on. I love it and I'm so glad that Ruby goes there. I stared to tear up today when Teacher was talking about how much she loves the kids. They even assign a best friend around Halloween if the kids have not found one yet. They make sure that no one is left out. Ohhh, if only they could be her teacher for longer...

Happy Freakin' Anniversary!

Today is our 9 year anniversary! Lew and I have been married for 9 wonderful years.

I was thinking of posting a nice tribute to Lew and how we met...

But today just stunk!

We decided not to celebrate our anniversary today. We are going to go have a little weekend

get-a-way in a few weeks. I was still hoping for a good day. But no.

First, I have a headache. I don't like to complain, but I usually get headaches that last a full week. Awesome.

Lew had to work. The kids and I went to Cassi's and played in their pool. That was fun. Really. They kids have a great time together. Cass and I chat it up and have a good time too.

On the ride home Zane fell asleep for the last 2 minutes. If this happens he thinks he is good to go for the rest of the day. So no naps for him. Awesome.

We were playing outside and Zane's was pushing a truck. It went faster than his little legs. He's a pretty tough kid and will not cry too much. When he started crying I thought we would have teeth missing. It turns out to be just a large goose egg and road rash. Here is a picture. Or you may refrence pictures on an earlier post of Raney's wedding. It is the same dang spot! Awesome.

Lew got home from work.

Side note- He got an A- and a B+ this past sememster. Isn't he the best?

We decided to go to Chili's for dessert. Ruby loves Chili's. I'm not sure why. She's only been there once? Chili's is located near my favorite place to run. So we decided I would run, Lew takes the kids and I would run there. Yes!!! Well for some reason my legs were feeling a little goofy. If I'm having a not good run, then I run longer and faster to punish myself. So I was sprinting with weak legs. I passed a dude. At this point I'm on the side walk of a busy road.

Have you ever noticed when some kids or pro-basketball players fall?

They do a little tuck and roll?

It's usually for dramatic effect.

Sometimes, it's for real.

Well, I did that.

Awesome.

I got sympathy from Sweet Lew and the kids. And then Lew said, "You can't get hurt! Everyone gets hurt, but you don't." And this is true. Zane-daily. Ruby- one a week. Lew- more than daily. Me-NEVER.

The last time I got hurt was 10 years ago playing football with Lew. We were dating and during a game of touch football I tackled him, my leg ended up inbetween his legs. He landed on my not-so-soft knee. I had knee surgery. Lew is lucky to have kids.

Happy freakin' Anniversary!

Gratitude

"I've come to know that our families are a canvas on which we paint our greatest hopes- imperfect and sloppy, for we are all amateurs at life, but if we do not focus too much on our mistakes, a miraculous picture emerges. And we learn that it's not the beauty of the image that warrants our gratitude- it's the chance to paint."
- Richard Paul Evans Finding Noel

Career choices

Sometimes I wonder what we are teaching our children. What are they going to become when they grow up? What will be their particular career?

Ruby, that's an easy one. She will be a singer.

She can belt out a tune, anytime, anywhere.

The songs can range from Ariel, songs about dirt, or motivational. "You can do it!"

Zane is still deciding. Engineer like his dad? He may be obsessive compulsive. Today he lined up all the shampoo and conditoner bottles on the counter. All the labels were facing forward.

STOCK BOY AT THE GROCERY STORE?

When I was at the farm he let the air out of the tires on Uncle Joey's car.
(Lew didn't stop him. I think he was secretly proud)
HIRED THUG?

ABSTRACT ARTIST?

Zane has 7 mosquito/spider bites on his body.
He found the caladryl lotion.
DOCTOR?

Bikini Cuts, or not...

Today, a few of us got a hair cut.

I really, really need a hair cut. My sweet cousin, Missy, cuts my hair. She is in Costa Rica.

She is coming back on August 26th! I can't wait!

But the rest of the family relies on the services of me.

I'm no bikini cuts. Lewis wouldn't mind that, but I'm cheaper.

This morning I gave Ruby a trim. Okay, that was my intentions. Her hair has really been growing. And I ruined it. I cut off the dead ends and then the curls really shrunk!

She looks adorable. Ruby's hair looks thicker. It's just shorter. I held the tears back so she wouldn't see me cry. The day before she was telling Grandma Deb that she is going to grow

her hair clear down to her bum. Whoops!

Now it was Sweet Lew's turn.

Has anyone watched the movie JackAss?

Well there is a section of the movie where someone will get clippers and just buzz a bald

spot on the back of someones head. ugh. Whoops again. My hand slipped. And it

is right near the neck so his hat will not cover it up.

The good part is that he is such a sexy beast no one will notice!

I couldn't leave Zaner out. No hair cut for him. I was pushing him on the swings. We were singing songs.

When we were done he continued singing lullabys to his baby truck.

The only battle wound of the day was a skinned chin.
I'm pleased.

Here is little KoKo.

Slacker

I had a goal to post once a day. I'm slacking. So I thought I would make a few observations here and work on posting more....tomorrow.

• KoKo (boxer puppy) is doing great. I'll get another picture soon. She is growing like crazy. She is driving Dewie crazy. BUT, Dewie has been playing with her. It brought tears to my eyes. Dew would play with Hewie in the mornings about 4 times a week. I think she really missed that play time. So it makes my heart happy to see her playing again. And KoKo hasn't had an accident at night for about a week and a half. She has had a few in the house, but she is learning.
• Zane has gone pee in the potty 3 times!! And two times in the grass. Awesome! It's so funny to watch him. He concentrates so hard, and farts a little. Funny.
• Zane has a few days each month where he is accident prone. We are in those few days right now. He has about 7 mosquito/spider bites. He fell off the garage steps yesterday. Lew is the quick man on the draw and grabbed his ankle before his head hit the concrete (see Raney's wedding pictures). Then today I was loading the dryer in the basement and when I start to go up the stairs, Zane is tumbling, head over heels, down the stairs. I caught him about 3 steps from the botton. Bloody mouth. That wasn't a cuss word. He had a bloody mouth. Then he slipped on a book in his room and landed on his elbow. Stand by for pictures if this continues.
• Ruby is wonderful. She is learing her letters so, so good! She is great with her numbers and we have been working on her letters. She tells me that teacher is going to be so proud of her. As soon as Ruby wakes up she is chatter, non-stop. "Guess what! We need to get cards today to send to Santa. Guess what mom. When I grow up, I will be as big as Erika. Guess What! Lolly pop is coming over for lunch" Ya know. Stuff like that.
• We are now enrolled in Shellie's School of Dance!! Yahooo! Ruby has been taking dance from Just Dance. They did a great job! I took a mommy and me class with her. It was a great introduction for her. Then she went there last year again. When I saw my sweet cousin Sara, we asked her how we could get Ruby and Bay in Shellie's? She told us the sign up was way past, but to e-mail Shellie and see if we can get in. We did!!!! And even better is that my cousin Shayla is going to be their teacher!! I can't wait. I took dance from there. Okay, don't hold that against them. It's not their fault I'm not graceful. Ruby and Bay will be little dancers in no time!
• Sweet Lew is done with school. For 3 weeks I get to see Lew at night. Not really because of his second job. But let's all pretend.
• We decided to tear up the grass/weeds on the side of the house and put in gravel. It is looking so much better. Lew is a work horse and it is about 60% done. I love that guy.
• On Monday, August 4th it was 10 years since Lew came home from his mission. And 10 years since I have been totally and completely in love with him.
• Breaking Dawn. I went on Friday to Barnes and Nobel. I thought, oh, it will be busy but there are how many book stores in the valley? Wrong. When I got there the line was on the side walk past Barnes and Nobel, TJ Max, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, Famous Footwear, Empty story, Payless, Maytag. I was standing so very far away. People had freaking wrist bands! They were in the thousands! Some were in prom dresses! Madness. My sweet mom came with me. She was afraid that I was going to be in a dark parking lot alone. Ha! I meet a few other crazy nerds. After 12:00 people were driving past holding the book out the window. I was really close to tackling them and ripping it from their hands. I had two other girls who I was scheming with. One had a staple for a nose ring, so we had weapons. We then heard that Deseret Book across the way had some books. So Deb (mom) went over there and after about 30 minutes she had the goods. I got home around 1:00. I had the basement stocked up. A cooler with Diet Mtn. Dew. Water. Light Kettle corn- popped. Nectarine. Sunflower seeds. The room was cozy, pillow and blankets. Bathroom nearby. I was ready. I stayed up until 5 am. Slept for 4 hours. Shoveled gravel for 4 hours. Read. Read. Take care of kids. Read. Read. And then the disappointment set in. I just didn't like it as well as the other books. Maybe I was expecting more? I have to read a few other books and then I will give it another whirl. My heart has been saddened. I won't go into it, so I won't ruin the book for anyone.
• This Tuesday we went to Thanksgiving Point. We went last week to the kid country. Ruby and Zane loved the ponies. We went for Deegan's B-Day. That was fun too. We went today because Cassi has a free thing through Scott's work. I noticed a sign that said during the month of August it is only $2 per person on Tuesdays. Well, me and every other stay at home mom in the state went there! Wow it was busy! We wanted to go to the kids area so they could play in the water. There was a line on the sidewalk. Not as bad as Friday- less cleavage and more strollers. So we decided to go to the other gardens. The kids loved it. Here are a few pictures. Side note-this place has to be a photographers happy place. I couldn't take a good picture if it killed me. So here they are..

They have a little stage in the amplitheater area. Ruby was in heaven. She danced the whole time. It was so cute to see her curls bouncing all over. Does it look like that kid is checking her out?
Zane and Lightening McQueen. That car goes with him everywhere.

Bay and Deeg. Really, that is the best I could do?

This was a cool tunnel. It was the entrance to the secret garden. There are little doors in the tunnel to enter the garden. The kids were a little scared.

Cassi, Baylee and Deegan. Deegan was wishing his pants were off to moon us all.

The End