Catching Mallows

Wednesday night entertainment with Aunt Deid. While we realize it would be more impressive if Deidra's hand didn't enter the picture, just inches from Bentley's face, he didn't care and was proud of every catch.

Minor in Posession

My recipe for becoming the favorite sister:

Buy her an illegal baby turtle of course.

Tameka has wanted a baby red ear slider for a while now. She was tempted to order an illegal one off the internet, and then again tempted to drop one in her pocket at Baby Animal Days. But she resisted both times. Now, buying a baby turtle is not illegal if you are 21 and an educator. She is neither, but I have over 21 covered. And luckily, they accepted Chod working at the university as an "educator".

Hopefully her career as a turtle owner goes better than the fish from last year. I don't think I am ready to take care of a turtle quite yet.

Heeding the counsel?

Dear Elder's Quorum Party Planning Committee,

I am not sure whose idea it was to plan a quorum BBQ on a Friday night. And, I think it is really swell that after giving out food assignments you announce that wives and children are not invited. Especially after the Bishop repeatedly hounds you, the Elder's of the ward, that weekly dates with your wives are crucial.

While I understand your budget is not large enough to throw a full on ward party, who do you think spent the day baking the brownies and the cookies, and making the salads and the baked beans you will be consuming tonight?

Yeah, that's right, the wives. Who are now at home with the children.

Sincerely,
Dateless on a Friday Night

**Apparently there was a misunderstanding and wives were invited, but only the EQ Presidency's wives showed up. **

Under the Sea

Bath time was becoming a bigger hassle every day.

Until the swim goggles were pulled out.
It is once again a party in the tub.

First--and second impressions

Last fall our Rastafari neighbors moved in, straight from Atlanta, GA. He is a post-doc and she is an engineer. But I never would have guessed that from the dreads.

This morning as the boys and I headed out the door in our pioneer garb on our way to AWHC, I wondered what the neighbors must think of us.

Most likely something along the lines of me being Warren Jeff's umpteenth wife and a narrow escape from the FLDS compound.

Oh boy.


Image from jamaicans.com

Over the river and through the woods

Photo from the family Tea Party

My grandma isn't your stereotypical grandma. Oh sure, she is a great crocheter--but my memories of going to grandma's house aren't full of cookie jars and a quiet house. A sewing room full of hidden candy, and coming and goings of family fill my memories.

Being one of the oldest grandkids I remember her house being a hub of activity. Men smelling of diesel coming in from the shop or field for lunch, family fish fry's on Sunday nights, sleepovers, "swimming" in the hot tub, dressing up in grandma's opals for church, catching poly wogs, playing Top Gun, perms in the kitchen, and the discovery of dinosaur bones are some of the things I remember from Grandma's house. I feel bad for the younger grandkids. They really missed out.

Grandma's children span quite a few years (about 23 in fact). Her youngest is a few months younger than me. So instead of going to grandma's house I went to Kandice's house. Where cousins, aunt and uncles would do our best to drive grandma batty. She would set the rules and we would try our hardest to break them without getting caught. When we did get caught she would yell. Oh boy can Grandma yell. But usually is was directed at Troy or Dusty.

Afterall I am a granddaughter.

Happy birthday Grandma! I love you!


P.S. Remember how I am your favorite?

No Back Home

Today was the first Stephens family mini road trip. And by mini, we mean super little. Some families would call them outings, or excursions, but a trip just sounds so much more fun.

We headed to the Walter Wick exhibit at BYU. Bentley was super excited to be going on another trip. He loves trips. Apparently strapped in a car seat for hours at a time is fun for him.

Being the Aggies that we are, we didn't know where to find the Museum of Art on campus. We asked a student trying to cross the road to point us in the right direction, but all we got out of him was "Go to the two parking lots down the road. I think they are both guest parking, but one may be faculty--it doesn't really matter. The museum is in the big building by them."

Okay, thanks.

So we took a little detour to their Museum of Life Sciences and got to see a live turtle and quite a few other non-alive animals. The MOLS made our trip to Utah County worth it.

But, as seems to be the norm as soon as we headed back to the car Bentley started whining, "No back home. Me want more trip."

I think I may have a globe trotter on my hands.

Tastes like chicken

In our ongoing attempt at getting Bentley to eat meat, I let him choose his own from the freezer section today.

He chose dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets.

As he was downing dino nugget #4 (that is a record for him) at lunch, I commented that they must be pretty yummy.

He agreed, so I asked him what they tasted like.

"Umm, BROCCOLI!"

Our mom dresses us alike

It just isn't fair that stores are filled with little Easter dresses this time of year, and all they seem to carry for little boys are polos and shorts, which really don't go over well with the dad in this house. He says they are future priesthood holders and they will wear white shirts to church. So after much looking, and finding some adorable vest sets, just none in 6-9 mo or 2T, we went the vest route. Lucky for me, I had waited long enough that the Easter wear was on the clearance rack, bad for me I had waited too long and all the little ties were sold out. I still think they are handsome.

I love the belly button.

When we went outside to snap these pictures I asked Bentley if he could hold Lincoln.

With a worried look on his face he reluctantly agreed.

After a minute or so he said in an exhausted tone, "I can't Mom."

Then I realized he really was holding him, not just keeping him balanced like I had intended.

Handsome, happy Lincoln.

Another fat lip. It is a reaccuring trend.

We tried to make a conscious effort to teach Bentley about the resurrection, the real reason for Easter, this week. I'm not sure how much he remembers, but the way he says resurrection sure is cute.

Happy Easter!

Baby Animal Days

If you are attending Baby Animal Days, be sure to stop by the pioneer site and see us! If you're lucky Bentley will do a little jig for you in his "pioneer pants".

I give up

Over 3 weeks ago we started the ordeal of potty training.

I am beginning to think a house broke child is almost as good as potty trained.

If you come over and there are newspapers on the kitchen floor you will know why.

Colored Eggs

We are lucky to have family close by. About once a month we try to get together with the cousins and sisters in the valley for Cousin FHE. Last night involved neon food coloring, the resurrection, crayons, and Fat Boys.

Deidra was pretty excited. She went straight home and blogged about it. Lincoln thinks Whit is pretty.

Bentley likes hanging out with the big kids. And he was an egg dying machine. No dye cup was ever left egg less.

Brian is wanted to be included on the blog, and pulled this face to be sure he made it. He is the Fat Boy shake making expert.

Also in attendance, but not pictured, Chod, Katelin, Tameka, and myself.

Tomayto, Tomahto

On our way to play group yesterday.

"Look a Mingo!"

"A what?"

"A Mingo."

"Where?"

"There. See. A Mingo."

"A Mingo?"

"YES!"

And then later in the day on our way home from running errands, driving a down the intersecting road.

"Mommy, you see the Mingos!?"

And then I see them. A flock of pink flamingos.