A boys life: catching bugs & baseball

Today we went to Grandma's house just to play. Garrett, Renton and Lauren came with us. We had so much fun. The boys spent most of the time collecting bugs. I caught 2 butterflies and a dead queen ant. Renton caught a tree hopper and Garrett caught a dead moth. Judson caught one butterfly, the prettiest one. We still are going to do research to find the name of the butterflies. I will have to take a picture of our bug collection when we are closer to being done. Judson is having a blast with it. That is all he talks about.
Carma and I jumped on the trampoline, she LOVES it. I have to distract her with something else to get her away, but she finds her way back soon enough! I tired her out for an earlier nap though.. hurray! Tired me out too! Butterflies are faster than I thought.

I keep forgetting to take my camera to Grandma's house and get pictures of Andrew. He got back from his mission Thursday night around 10:00pm. It is great to have him home already. We had Sunday dinner over there to celebrate too. Lauren was showing him all of her hopping tricks. He already started school today, didn't waste any time! I should show a before and after picture of his.. but then again it wouldn't look any different. He still looks 16. Maybe a tiny bit more facial hair.

Judson had his 4th coach pitch baseball game. We got his pictures back and they are SO CUTE! I will post them as soon as I can get them scanned in. They pretty much do whatever and then get all excited about what snack they are going to have. And I almost forgot I signed up for snacks... would have ruined the entire game!!

Carolina's baptism

Saturday was Carolina's baptism. It was so beautiful. She is so amazing and sweet. I fixed her lunch and we talked for a while afterwards. She said she feels different and I asked her to explain, she said she just feels calm and peaceful. She is seriously too "golden"! She said that she loved going to church and praying her whole life but that something was missing and she never believe every part of the Catholic church and that she knows the Lord brought her here to Utah so she can learn about this church. She said before she moved here she thought Mormons were so weird, (I said "We are"), but she said "Yes, but it is so good that you live so close to God". I never think about it much, esp b/c I live here in Utah, but she is right. We are dang near perfect! JUST KIDDING! But seriously, I want to be faithful like her and not even doubt the Heavenly Father loves me and will answer my prayers, and that the atonement is for all aspects of life. She has been a great example and reminder to me of the basics of the gospel and how important they are.
Here are some pics of the baptism.

Fun ways to start a week!

Wades party, library and raccoon

We have had a busy and fun two days. Wade,an old neighborhood friend, invited us to his b-day party. We had a so much fun and Donna made up some cute games for the kids to play. Then Michael took the kids to a bbq at the Tolmans while I worked.

Today we went to the Library for a fun summer program called "Get a clue". I put Judson in 7 & 8 year old class and I was worried he would get discouraged b/c all those kids are going in 2nd or 3rd grade. Well, he hated it and I am going to switch him to another class closer to his age. But Mario loved it, so it will be sad, but they will now be in different classes. We checked out some cute books that I am excited to read with them and Judson got an insect kit. Did I mention that we are collecting insects,for a summer science project, and pinning them on Styrofoam, labeling them and writing something interesting. Judson loves it. I am amazed at what interests him. He spends most of his days looking for bugs. It is so cute.

After the Library, we went to visit a lady in the ward that rescued a raccoon. Seriously, it is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. It purs. It is very similar to a cat, but even cuter. It is so mischievous and cuddly. We got to feed it with a bottle. We first saw it on Sunday and Judson talked about it all day yesterday and today until I took him. He loved it. Carma was not as interested... but she did do that SCREAM that scares that Chloe (Dana's cat) to death. I was saying "SHHHH" b/c raccoons have much sharper claws.

Fathers day at Tolmans

Judson and Carma are so blessed to have so many cousins close by and not just any cousins, the BEST and coolest cousins anyone could ask for.
Here are some cute pics of the grandkids that live here and some with Grandma & Grandpa. SO CUTE!

Super Judson & Super Carma

Look at the difference in seriousness. Judson IS superman and very serious about it and Carma is more interested in the dancing and singing part. But BOTH are VERY funny!! Judson seriously cracks me up!! There is a longer super Judson video but it was taking way too long to upload, but there are so many pictures of him dressing up and pretending to be Superman, Spiderman, tape-man, just whatever! Now he is into Star wars, but not so much into dressing up, kind of sad. It is so true that they grow up way too fast!
Carma LOVES to watch Super Judson!!! It is her new favorite, move over Backyardigans! Judson was about the same age as Carma when this video was taken.

Happy Father's (and Paw-paw's) Day!!

Happy Fathers day Paw-Paw!!! Here is a little song the kids sang for you. We would have sang the "Grandpa" song, but we don't know it! I Love you dad! I hope you have a fantastic Fathers day b/c you deserve it!! Thank you so much for everything you have given me and taught me and for all that you do for us still! I am so lucky to have you as a dad and I love you SOOO MUCH.... and so does Judson and Carma. They talk about you all the time. Judson ask me on a regular basis "when are Pa-pa and Ma-ma (as he says it, he hasn't gotten the southern aw sound down yet) coming?".


I woke up early and fixed breakfast for Michael. I made strawberry crepes, hash browns, biscuits, eggs, ham and Orange juice. It is fun doing things for him like that because he really appreciates it. Besides the fact that he is the BEST DAD and totally deserves it!! I couldn't ask for a better dad for Judson and Carma! We are so blessed.

We are going to the Tolman's today for Fathers day. Mexican Theme. I think I will make horchata. (Spelling?) Michael got Larry (Michaels dad) all these fun outside games. They look fun and I think Larry will like them.

Busy Week

This week has been so busy, but so much fun. I went to Park City for "girls night out". We stayed at one of my neighbors time share and it was SO nice. I forgot to bring my camera. Dang it! This place was so nice though, huge jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, beautiful leather sofas, nice bed, steam shower. It was cushy. Too bad we were only there for the night. We went out to dinner at a brewery. It was OK, I ate a steak.. BAD IDEA. I am NEVER eating red meat again, or until I go to Louisian and my dad makes his steaks, b/c then is it only worth it. Seriously, I am just barely feeling better from it and it is Sunday. We got back to the hotel and played games and talked until 3:30 in the morning. It was so fun and I got to know these Sisters better. We woke up at 8:00, after we all swore to sleep till noon, and went shopping at the Park City outlets. I got Michael a 3 new shirts and a pair of pants (he looks so good in them and I am glad he likes them b/c he is hard to please sometimes with clothes) I also got Judson a white polo shirt and Carma a white dress. They look so cute together in them. I wish I could get a picture of them in them, but they move around too much.

I got back from Park City on Friday afternoon and then we had a baseball game. The other team didn't show so we just played with our team. We have three more games left. I am sad b/c it is so much fun and a great date night. I felt too sick to play b/c of all the junk I ate, but I did anyway. I didn't wear my usual two bras, and as I was running my bra broke. FUN HUH?- NOT. How embarrassing. Luckily we were just about done playing and I hid it pretty well. I just bought that bra too! That is what I get for buying a bra at Wal-mart!!

Saturday we baby sat the Johnson clan (Michaels sister's 4 kids). Those are some cute kids. I should say that Michael babysat b/c I didn't do anything. I had to get ready for the baptism that the Missionaries invited Carolina to attend before hers. Then we came home and Carolina babysat the kids while we attended Terra's wedding at the Jordan River Temple. It was so awesome to see her sealed, they seem like the cutest couple!! I rushed home to get Carolina home for her date and the ran and got Terra a present, then picked Michael and the kids up to go to the reception. They were MANIACS at the wedding... well, at least Carma was. Michael and Judson behaved themselves for the most part. Judson forgot his shoes after we asked him to get his shoes on 85 times. We get there and he say's "I don't have shoes!". arghhhhh I was so mad, it is so dumb how mad I get over little things, then I realized (with Michaels help) that it wasn't a big deal... and it really wasn't. Imagine that!

Fun filled day!

Get a clue Library Day!

Today was filled with so many things to do. First we went to the Library for the kick off for "Get a clue" reading program. It was like a carnival of sorts. There were different booths and activities for the kids to do. Judson and Carma had a blast. Mario is in the same session.... imagine that~ my second son; Judson's twin. They all had fun. Judson was really good at shooting the balls off the soda bottles, but he enjoyed making the finger print animals the most. I need to do this craft at home. Carma just ran around doing whatever she pleased, as usual. She did sit still enough for me to get her hand print. It is so cute and little.

We then came home (well Judson went to his second home, Mario's) and Carma and I hosted Activity day's. We painted a banner for Strawberry days. The girls loved it, but no one got as messy as Carma. It was ALL over her. I am just glad it is done and looks good enough to pass as our Ward's banner.

THEN I picked Judson up, grabbed Little Caesars Pizza (YUK!- NOT worth the fat!) we had the missionaries over for another discussion with Carolina. She is doing great and still on schedule for her baptism June 23. (Can you believe that the Elders have 5 baptisms that day?! FIVE- Ben was that normal out here?) It is funny when she learns something she never heard of; such as Garments, and not drinking coffee. She was like "WHAT??" You didn't tell me that!" But she goes home and thinks and prays and is OK with everything eventually. I am so excited for her and we have become such good friends She adores Carma and Judson and you know I love that too. The missionaries aren't nearly as lame as I though they were either. They are good guys. It just took a while to warm up. They probably think I am one step away from being apostate. It seems like when we talk about things I am a half butt Mormon. We talked about fasting and Carolina was like "Kiki, do you do this?" I was like... uhhhh, well.... uhhh.... hehehe. Maybe a couple times a year". Then one of them said "The Lord gave us a commandment to fast..." I was thinking "I thought that was more of a guideline, not a commandment.... did I ever even go on a mission???"

THEN we went outside for some swim fun at the neighbors house. They have the coolest slide pool thing. We played outside for a couple of hours. I didn't get a picture of this, but I am sure I will get a one since we are invited at least twice a week and they look so cute in their swim suits. Judson LOVES the slide/pool, I can't get him inside. I am NOT complaining. I did have to finally drag him in for quiet time though b/c he gets grumpy with too much sun and activity. I actually told him he had to play Xbox or watch a movie... what mother encourages this behavior? Just kidding.

I didn't get to write that yesterday Judson had another baseball game. But Diva Carma threw the biggest fit she has ever thrown b/c she wanted milk. And I felt guilty b/c I forgot to give her a drink when she woke up so the aggravation and guilt drove us to McDonalds while the game was going one. THEN once we got there it took us 15 minutes to get to the field he was playing on b/c she wanted to stop and look at everyones sun umbrella's. arrghhhh Once we got to the field she noticed the playground located just 40 feet away and that was all she wanted. Needless to say, I saw LESS than 2 minutes of the game and was sweating like pig chasing her. It was this time that I decided to schedule my hysterectomy for Nov 1. I have since calmed down but not sure if I will ever mother another child under that age of 4 ~ as cute as they are... aww, how can I say that? Speaking of, I have to go calm her down. She is freaking out in her room. The point to the story was that I didn't get to get any pictures of his game, but I got some of Carma at the Park.

Our Fun Day at BYU

We (me and my kids, Pinky and Julio + kids, Carolina & Andrea) went to BYU yesterday and had some fun at the Dinosaur Museum. The kids really loved it. Carma even loved it. She was scared at first but then she loved it so much she was asking to go back all day. Judson loved the big shells b/c he loves to collect snail shells, we were AMAZED at how big those shells were. I mean the snail that came out of one of those would seriously have to be bigger than a large dog. How horrific would that be? I guess not that bad since I hopefully would be able to outrun it still. MAYBE.
We then thought it would be a good idea to visit their aquarium while we were there. It wasn't. We walked across campus, the kids were bumping into all the students (Carma even bumped into someone and then bonked her head on the hard tile). We get to the "aquarium" (it really should be called fish bowl) and there we 4 tiny tanks with brown water and huge fish that are too big for the tank. Our visit there lasted a total of 2 minutes. Then we went to the Eyring Science center. That was pretty cool. There was a pendulum, magnetic gloves, and this cool thing that you look at and creates an illusion of a free hanging lightbulb. The boys loved it. It was a pretty good day and I am getting better about taking the kids in public alone. I do think we spent too much time there and Carma and I were grumpy at the very end.

We also got to go to a bbq at Laura Elena's (Michaels cousin) to meet Lynette's (Michaels cousin's) new husband, I think his name is Pat? He seemed pretty nice. It's always fun to get together with them. I am glad they moved back from Arizona. That was our second bbq of the week and tonight we have ANOTHER one at Cynthia's house. There is no way I can eat another hamburger without puking. I am going to marinate some Salmon right after I am done with this.

The weather has been so nice the past 2 days. I am still training for my half marathon and it is going pretty well. I made it 4.5 miles much easier than last week but I am suppose to be at 5 already... crap. I kept waiting to get thin before doing a half marathon(it has been one of my goals for several years) but that just wasn't happening and my age is. So with the help of Jenny, I decided to work out everyday without focusing on losing weight or food. Well, I lost a couple of lbs, but the food part is SO HARD. No worries though b/c I am on my way to accomplishing my goal of completing a half marathon and it feels great!!

My pretty Princesses

These are silly kids. I was cleaning Carma's closet and found her old Halloween outfit and I she started saying "Pwincess stuff". I didn't know what she wanted at first, then she said "Pwincess hat" so she made me put all of it one. She was SO excited and dancing around. Then a while later Judson say's Mom and I look and he is dressed up in it. What a goof ball! It is funny and ever better that he lets me take pictures of him... funny boy. But seriously, should we be worried? I am just kidding... remember when I was telling him how he shouldn't let the girls kiss him on the lips and he said he likes it when the girls kiss him on the lips. hahaha Not too worried.

June 7 2007

It is not easy to take pictures of Judson. He hides his face or runs. I have to either threaten or bribe, it isn't pretty. hahaha
I keep telling him, "I am not going to have any pictures of you as a kid, so you need to let me take some." That usually works.

Raining Day Fun

It has been cold and rainy for 2 days now. So we have to find stuff to keep the kiddies busy. We watched movies, played star wars, made bean necklaces and played with play dough. Mario comes over at least 3 times a day so he will be in most of our pictures this summer. He is such a sweet kid so I don't mind. Today we aren't doing anything b/c we played all day yesterday my house is a disaster.

Last night we went to a a party to see some people Michael served with from Russia. It was pretty fun. His MTC companion was there and still nuttier than ever. There is a couple from our ward there too b/c the husband served in that mission too. So that was nice to have someone I knew there. Here is a picture of our family with the mission President and a sister and her husband that he served with. I have to swallow all of my pride to post this picture.. I HATE pictures of myself, but I decided that we need more family pictures throughout the year.

(I would just like to tell you the that Carma is on my lap rubbing and squeezing my arms as I type, sounds really cute huh.. I HATE IT!! The first year was cute, now it is just annoying! So I better go and come back later).

Judson's baseball

Judson Plays Coach Pitch for the first time! It was so cute. These kids are hilarious! It was actually better than I thought it would be. Judson actually hit it pretty hard. It went past 2 base. He is a pretty coordinated kid. (get that from me-hehe, just kidding)
We had a pretty grumpy day. I was grumpy, Carma was grumpy. Not fun! I went to help April clean and Carma is a CLING ON. I swear she should have been born a marsupial so she could stay in my pouch. Yes, I have one! Oh, never mind that is a pooch, but not the puppy, the tummy pooch. Anyway, the day is almost over and I am not sad about that!
After Judson's baseball game we went to Jaren's to celebrate his birthday. It was fun. They have an indoor pool (it was FREAZING) but the kids LOVED it. Judson was being pretty brave in the water and Uncle Jon was teaching him how to swim. Carma actually LOVED it too. Can you believe it? She was freaking out to get in. I didn't have my suit on so I sat on the side and she played on the steps. It was cute, she was screaming in excitement.
The pictures show her taking a bath to warm up. (They all have swim suits on, I didn't know it the dress pants/diaper attire and she is naked-oops) She loved it though. They were all sticking their head under the water and blowing bubbles. So she was standing up and bending over, not even close to the water, making underwater bubble noises, it was FUNNY.

She wont take them off!

These boots belong to my niece, Lauren, and she left them at our house. Carma had to wear them every time she saw them. She wore them to the store and the Chiropractor. It was pretty funny, especially since it is hot outside and they are way too big for her. But she loves different shoes, what a girl!

Doe a Deer

As you all know, Carma LOVES to sing more than anything. Here are Michael and Carma singing.
I forget to record it b/c it is such and everyday, no hour, occurrence . But I am sure Dana misses it, and it is too dang cute not to share!