Are you kidding me #17

Today during Bella's quiet time she came to me and said she was hungry. I was in the mood for nachos so I asked her if she wanted some and said we could have a picnic. Her response was, "sure mom! but what are nachos?" Are you kidding me? I'm pathetic! Not too long ago I posted about how she didn't know what a slurpee was and now nachos! What kind of a mom am I? I mean seriously, chips and cheese are 2 of her favorite things. How could I have never made them for her?

I made the nachos, and she loved them! We even took a few pictures since it was a first.

Man, I've got to be better with teaching her the fundamental things in life, like good junk food. From here on out I'll be better!

Seth's other love

I know that myself and the girls are Seth's true love, but coming in second would have to be his love for Utah football. So today after work we headed to the bookstore where all the players and coaches were signing autographs and taking pictures. I waited in line while Seth looked around. After awhile he decided that the line was too long and not worth it. So we walked around for a little longer. It was just long enough for him to get a picture with Zane Taylor and one next to the championship trophy. He was a very happy guy.

Basketball Fun

On Saturday we went to see the Utes play their last game of the regular season. Since it was their last game all the seniors played and to attract more fans, tickets were only $1! You can't beat that. We met up with some friends and had a great time. Utah won and now it's off to Las Vegas for the finals. Seth is pretty excited to have a road trip with his BFF Joe. Thanks for meeting us friends, it was fun!

The Cranes came to support the Utes, even though the Aggies were playing that night

Bella & Tanner

Nora, Grace & Bella

Seth & Nate with their girls

Naps, naps where have you gone?

It's finally happened. My sweet little Bella, envy to all parents with no napping kids, has out grown her nap. She's made it to 4 years 3 months still taking naps.
I'm not going to lie to you, it's been heaven!! I myself being a napper, have enjoyed many afternoon naps cuddling with Bella.
But, those days are long gone. I know, I'm not going to get any sympathy form many of you. But seriously, this is a hard transition for me. I've been spoiled and now reality has hit me. So be patient with me. I might be a little grumpy for awhile.

Are you kidding me #16

I guess I'm a little behind, but I just heard the news about this new movie and I'm so excited!!
Seth this means we'll have to actually go to a theater. I know you won't mind for this.
If you were a fan then you'll be very happy. Check out this link and see what I'm talking about.
Bluths

Congratulations!

My sweet friend Marianne had her baby a few days ago. I couldn't be happier for her. Everyone who knows her would agree that she is one of the nicest people who would do anything for you. She already has 2 great girls and now a little boy. We're so happy for them. Congratulations!!!

Of course Marianne, you should know we will do our best to brain wash your child about which school to cheer for.

I can't help it! She's like crack to me!

I firmly believe that the first step to getting help is admitting there's a problem. Well here goes.

I have a love/hate relationship with Oprah. I say I can't stand her and I blog about how she bugs me, yet what am I watching every night? Yes, Oprah! I'm so annoyed with myself. I have the DVR set up to record it so every night I check who the guest was and decide if I want to watch it. The other day she had the octuplet woman's dad on. I was so annoyed with many things through out the interview. But, not once did I turn it off. Half way through watching it I realized I have a problem. I know I'm sick of Oprah yet I COULD NOT TURN THE TV OFF!! I know, I need help!

Enjoying the good weather with friends

Birthdays & St. George

Me and Bella in the pool

Seth & Bella taking a walk while we were visiting grandma & grandpa Rice

Me & Laura celebrating our birthdays last week

Claire and Bella on the slide

This last weekend we headed to St. George for a little R&R and pre-birthday fun. It was great! The weather was perfect. We had a great time swimming, playing, relaxing, visiting family and eating bad food. I totally fell of the wagon and ate horribly. But it was worth it. We celebrated valentines and my birthday with dinner at Red Lobster. I allow myself a special dinner loaded with a million calories once a year from that place and man was it good!!! Seth teases me that the only other people who like Red Lobster are the 70 and older crowd. But I don't care.

Now that we're back it's time to do what I do best......stretch my birthday out as long as possible. All I ask from my loving husband is that he goes along with everything I have planned. That includes, lunches with friends, shopping, a massage, and hanging out with my family. That's not to much to ask, is it?

A few mistakes I've made as a mom

1. Teaching Bella "I see London, I see France, I see Bella's underpants"
2. Introducing Bella to "Full House"
3. Leaving Claire in her high chair while I'm out of the room (I don't want to even say what she's done)
4. Taking the girls to Parsons Bakery every day (our friend Kim takes way too good care of us there)
5. Letting Bella take a toy and book to bed (It's now turned into every toy and book she can fit on her pillow)

Not to be too negative here are a few things I think I've done right
1. Showing my love of books and school
2. My love of Coke
3. Church attendance
4. Swimming lessons
5. Admitting when I'm wrong

What Bugs

Here's a list of just a few things that have been bugging me.
WARNING:
I'm feeling pretty grumpy so this might seem a little negative.

1. Flakiness: If you say you're going to do something then please follow through
2. Not Getting enough Sleep
3. Oprah & Jennifer Anitson
4. Being Sick
5. Park City during Sundance
6. Skinny Pregnant Women: Not Fair
7. Fast Drivers During a Snow Storm: We know your car is fast, but don't in danger me and my family so you show off (that was said to the stupid man in the big truck that almost pushed us off the road last week)
8. Bad Breath On Fast Sunday
9. People always running 30 minutes late or later
10.People getting worked up over politics when they don't know what they're talking about

What bugs you? Besides me and my list. Feel free to make your own. I found it very therapeutic to release my inner grumpy side.

Pool Party at the Browns

A few days ago as I was looking at blogs I came across my friend Sid's and she had posted about her daughter wanting to go swimming, but since it was too cold outside they had a pretend pool day inside. Well, Bella happened to be looking at blogs with me that day and thought that was the coolest thing. She asked me over and over again for an entire day if we could have a pool party. So I gave in yesterday and we had one. What a fun idea! All by herself she found a blue blanket and said that was the water, then she laid out her beach towel and put on her sun glasses. She really wanted Claire and I to join so we did. Yes, I even got in my swim suit. We couldn't find Claire's though.
We had such a good time. Thanks for the idea Sid!

I think we might be moving

I just saw on the news that the company Cannon in China is now giving their employees 2 hours paid time off once a week to procreate. I guess the government says they need more children.
I have a feeling if my husband heard that he could get paid time off to "practice" having kids, he'd be all for it.
So if we announce that we're moving to china you'll know why.

Are You Kidding Me #15

I just saw a story on the news about this 73 year old basketball player. It's not a new story. But I hadn't heard about it. Anyway if you haven't heard about him he's a man who wanted to play college basketball again. He played when he was in college, about 53 years ago, but was kicked off the team for pulling a prank(he says he didn't do it). A few years ago he decided it was time to play again. So he sent out letters to different schools to see if they would accept him and let him play. One college finally did and now he's on the team. Awesome!
I like this guys for a couple reasons.
1) He set out a goal for himself an accomplished it. He didn't let things discourage him, like being turned down by other schools.
2) He's really in shape. He's 73 years old and can hold his own with kids in their 20's.
My favorite part of the interview was when they were talking to a player on the team and he said the only thing they give him a hard time about is that he wears his basketball shorts up to his belly button and they try to get him to low ride.

I like hearing stories like this and I wanted to pass it along.

FaNcy NanCy

These are just a couple of pictures from the Fancy Nancy party Bella and I went to at Gardener Village. We were just introduced to the Fancy Nancy series and we LOVE them! If you have girls and you haven't read them, you need to. They really are such cute books.

Anyway, the party was a huge success! Bella dressed herself all in fuchsia, "that's a fancy way of saying purple". They played games, read stories, had a fashion show, danced, made a crown, and had cake. If that wasn't enough, when they left they all got a little bag of "fancy accessories" and a picture of them in the fashion show. It was so cute! All the little girls were dressed up and looked so darling.

The second picture is when they were playing a game, but I really took the picture because the little girl next to Bella was so cute. I just didn't want to seem like a nut job taking a picture of some random girl, so I made sure Bella was in it. Okay so that's creepy, I know.

I think there's still time to make an appointment. I highly recommend it.

One more reason to blog and scrapbook

Here it is, my 2008 blog book. People, I'm telling you if you're on the fence about blogging, keep doing it!!! I did one for all of my 2007 blog posts, which I posted a few months ago, and I was happy with that one, but this one is even better. I think it's because I am more familiar with the blurb site and knew what to do. Now I have a hard back book that serves as my journal/scrapbook and the best part was it was only $35 plus shipping. Here are just a few reasons why I love it & think you will to:

The price
You can add and take out whatever you want. I have a lot of personal posts that I never put for everyone to read, but when I made the book I added them. I also had posts that I decided not to include in the book.
You can add and take out pictures as well


Also, while I'm bragging about my family's history I've also finished our family 2008 scrapbook. Now the only reason I have finished this, and let me reiterate the ONLY reason I have finished it is because it was all done digitally. I'm a huge fan of scrapbooks done the real way with paper, stickers and all that. But, I seriously was falling behind and I would never have caught up if I hadn't done this. I really liked the way it turned out. I also liked that I started last January and every time I had pictures just uploaded them and spent less than a half hour and I was done. No big mess to clean up and no going to the scrapbook store and spending tons of money. (That's my own fault because I go in there and can't help it). Of course there were months where I got behind, but it still only took a few hours on the computer and I was caught up. Now here we are two weeks into January and I have both my journal and scrapbook back with everything from 2008.
A few people have asked me what the difference is between a blog book and a scrapbook. There is a huge difference. I tried to make a short little demo video showing the difference, but for some reason I couldn't upload the thing. (Sorry Jen). If you have questions just call me. (Jessica we'll get you through this, I promise).

Happy Birthday Claire

A year ago today my sweet little Claire was born. We've had such a wonderful year.
We started the morning off with breakfast and presents in bed. For Claire that meant a bottle and presents, which she didn't seem to care for. But Bella was very happy to help open them.
Later we had a party with just the grandparents(oh and 2 aunts and one uncle). The cake eating for Claire was pretty uneventful. She really wasn't into the whole idea and after 10 minutes just barley ate a little icing. After cake it was time for presents. Bella helped open presents again and we had a great time.
Claire I just want you to know what a blessing you are in our lives! My life has truly just gotten better since you were born. You are honestly the happiest most content baby. You love everyone you meet. You are turning out to be just as social as your big sister. You taught us about the "laugh cry". That's a phrase we made up for you, because even when you're sad it seems like you don't want to be and you try to laugh. I want you to know that I love you and am so thankful for you! Love Mommy Wearing the birthday girl crown and opening presents

Birthday cake that Kim made just for Claire

Draper Temple

We were lucky enough take a tour of the Draper Temple today before the open house. It was just as beautiful as the others and I was very thankful that we could see it first hand.

Are You Kidding Me #14

After Christmas I went shopping for myself. This never happens. It seems like whenever I go shopping I always end up buying clothes for the girls. Does this happen to anyone else?

I have to say I was so proud of myself for the amazing deals I was finding. I came home with lost of new things and only a few things for the kids. (I just couldn't resist a cute shirt for Claire at The Gap for only $2.99). Anyway, I came home and was showing Bella my adorable skirt, when I noticed the top looked a little funny. As I held it up I realized it wasn't a skirt, it was a strapless dress!(I know I should have tried it on). Are you kidding me? I am so brain dead! How did I not realize I had purchased a dress? I mean seriously! So I told Bella I had made a mistake and bought a dress not a skirt, to which she said "where did the sleeves go?".
I've tried everything to make this dress work for me, but I think it's going back to the store. Better luck next time I guess.

Welcome 2009

I can't believe another year has come and gone.
I've been reading lots of blogs where people have listed their new years resolutions. That's got me thinking. Do I have any? Have I ever had any for that matter? I'm not much of a new years resolution kind of girl. I think it's safe to say that anyone who knows me well, knows that I'm a list maker, schedule following, routine, kind of girl.
So it would make sense for me to make new years resolutions.
I tend to just decide, one morning that I'm going to do something and then do it. But I have been thinking a lot about the things I could improve on from last year. Believe me there are many things! I thought about posting my list.......but then I'd be held accountable to anyone who reads this. So wish me luck! And good luck with yours. Here's to 2009!