The Dial Family

Emma's Kindergarten Graduation

2010-06-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how fast time flies. I am having problems posting more pictures on FB for some reason, not sure I even want to continue with it, at least I have blogging still right? We went and watched Em and her classmates put on a little graduation show for the parents. She was so cute and had so much fun. After I was able to get a few pictures of her and a few of her friends even though almost everyone in her class was pretty keen on her and her them. I was able to volunteer once a week and really got to know her little friends. It was amazing at the relationships each child had with eachother and how much everyone got along thru the whole year. Such a great group of kids and how sad it's going to be to move away from them next year as she will be starting at a completely new school.

This guy was actually the school's crossing guard. We would drive by him and the girls would roll their windows down and say hi to him every morning. It was so sweet. Alice went right to him and was happy just sitting in his lap thru the whole thing. I guess he ended up having a little great grandaughter in her class. Such a sweet man.

At the end of the "mini" ceremony I failed once again to get pictures with me or Nate. Isn't that always the case? I'll have to post more later.

Alice 1st "Cupcake" Bday Party...

2010-05-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Alice had her 1st "cupcake" theme birthday party over the weekend. She enjoyed seeing family and especially loved the food...of course, she will eat just about anything you put in front of her (yes, including garbage if we gave it to her). With sloppy joes and fruit salad, chips, veggies and dip, taking down the pinata, and cupcake eating fun; it was bound to be the best 1st bday party ever...Bday girl getting ready for the guests to arrive...

These scrumptious delights were part of the going away favors for the party guests. If you are interested in finding out how to make these EASY delights, go to www.bakerella.com; MMMM, so good and super cute!

Aunt Gretchen made these HAPPY BIRTHDAY blocks for Lucy's 1st bday party last year. We borrowed them... so cute! THANKS GRETCHIE!!

Food, MMMM so good! And the weather was willing to cooperate with us, allowed us to use the nice backyard... the kids loved it!

The kids decided that instead of pulling the string on the bottom of the pinata, they insisted we used the bat to break it apart; in the end it took 3 men to literally bust the thing apart...Lilly so focused and intent on busting it open...GO LU-LU!!
Party favor bags made easy with digital scrapbooking cupcakes (provided by Stephanie Fry (THANK YOU!)) printed out on photo paper, cut and pasted to goodie baggies....The Birthday Girl sets her gaze on her birthday cupcake, and didn't even give the candle enough time to be blown out before she was intent on gobbling it up. She was so funny, she started with the top but then decided to keep going with the bottom and finish with the top. That's my girl!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

(Loads of ideas for cupcake theme parties found on the internet, along with a special thanks to Steph for providing the digital scrapbooking CD for all the fun cutouts and the cute cupcake theme idea she threw for her own little one a few years ago. Your the best!!)

Alice is 1!!

2010-05-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Yesturday was Alice's 1st birthday (even though we arent celebrating until this weekend with family and friends)...

She has been an absolute joy and delight to watch as she grows from infant to this strong and curious toddler. She adores mommy and daddy, LOVES LOVES LOVES her sisters and is always interested in everything around her. I remember as she came into our lives hardly a peep was to be heard and as they lay her on my tummy her big eyes were wide as she immediately was taking in the world. Ever since then she most def. is the most patient little one I have ever come to see and know. She loves life, loves to be happy and is very rare to see a dissatisfied look on her face. We are so lucky to have her in our lives...

Blogging Creeps!!

2010-05-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

We have been getting some real wierdos looking at our blog and commenting; mostly it seems from china or japan or somewhere over there thus I am resorting to private blogging these days. I haven't been on for a long LOOOOOOOng while I know, it's been a bit busy and I havent had a chance to keeping it up on blog, facebook is another story. I'm trying to do better, I promise! Thus, if you are a follower and would like to keep posted please get me your email so I can put it in our invite list so we can keep you up to date on how crazy life is about to get these next few months of summer... thanks!!

Emmas Oz Performance

2010-05-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

One last hurrah for sledding season...

2010-02-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

One of the last days of winter, I feel it in my bones. I have to admit, I am a little sad to see the snow go, considering we get loads of it up here on the mountain where we live. It's so beautiful at times, driving in it is another story of course, especially with how windy the road is on the way down to dropping Em off to school. Behind us is a golf course and with it covered in snow and the past few days of storms with snow and rain we got a load more of snow; so much that we decided to take one more trip up the hilly golf course for some sledding adventures. Brady, Gretchen and Lucy decided they would join us considering my loveable adorable little niece, Lucy, has not gotten to go sledding at all this winter... She was a blast in a half. Here were just a few pix to highlight our afternoon...
She is so funny, Brady just laid her down since she was so wobbly just sitting on the sled...Go Gretchie and Emma... Lilly likes sledding but is ok not doing it at times. This was one of those moments. She just enjoyed watching the rest of us go down the hill while she walked up and down it eating snow... we had to make sure she wasn't eating any yellow snow....

The snow was so packed it wasnt too fast of rides for any of us, until we found this more steep hill... then it got crazy!

Cute little Lucy Lu..

We love this face she pulls... little pouter!!

Me and my girls, so glad they love the outdoors... Even Alice got a little taste of the snow that day. She mostly sat in her stroller and watched the rest of us, but she got her chance...

Little poser, meow... lol

Emma is totally our snow princess. She loves carrying her sled up and sledding down. But with the snow so packed it was still even hard for her to go down by herself, so Auntie Gretchie had to help her a little. It was so cute.

Go Brady and Lucy Lu!!!

Farewell snow, until next year... It's been getting a little warmer here and there. We do get some storm flurrys that pass thru but we're looking forward to spring. Until our next set of adventures.... Ta ta for now.

New Year Beginnings... I'm back to blogging!!

2010-01-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

We went to California as we always do for Christmas Break. All of us were able to come and enjoy fun games, LOADS AND LOADS of food (still workin' that off btw...) and some fun family pix (sort of an ode to Jordan before he prepares to leave for his Mission this next year). Our family has grown quite a bit as you can tell since the last we had fam pix done and is still consistenly growing. We had a great time seeing family and friends and always enjoy getting together. Here were just a few of my favorites. I promise to do better blogging people. Its been so crazy busy around here keeping up with the girls and activities. I have been getting complaints that I haven't been posting as much so here's just a small taste....

I love this pix because my girls are actually ALL 3 looking at the camera and actually ALL 3 smiling, including that wee one in my arms. She is growing leaps and bounds and we are just loving it... more to come on her!!
Me and my boys... gotta love em!!

What is that MISCHIEVIOUS little girl on the left thinking? Keep your eye on that one, she is TROUBLE!!

7 Girls and 1 boy. Poor Morgon!!

Don't ask...

We have had a wonderful New Year beginning. We are all healthy, loved and blessed. We are so greatful for our family and friends and would not be who we are today if it weren't for them. Emma is busy with Kindergarten and Theatre group. She loves having friends over and is such a social butterfly (much like her mommy I guess). She is such a HUGE helper with her 2 younger sisters and is always so postitive (much like her daddy). She loves life and loves getting out and stay active with snow sledding and swimming. We just love her zest for life.

Lilly is much the same. She is quite the character and loves doing EVERYTHING her sister does. They enjoy a little healthy competition at times (sometimes that worries me), but they ultimately are the bestest of friends (makes my heart smile seeing how much they adore one another and makes eachother laugh.) She loves playing with Emma and her friends but also loves to help with her younger sister. She my mischievious one, thus keeping me on my toes... never a dull moment with this one. She can tend to make mommy so mad yet make me just love her all that much more. She is very loveable and has no fear of showing those around her how much she loves them (babysitter came over for the first time and she ran and hugged her, SO SWEET!!). She constantly melts our hearts with how much she loves life. Along with her sister she is busy with gymnastics, snow sledding and swimming.

Alice is such a FABULOUS baby!! We just adore her! At 8 months, pro-crawler, pulling herself up to everything and anything she gets her scrawny little hands on, and showing off the 5 teeth she has thus far; she is the life of the party. The girls can't get enough of her, mommy and daddy can't get enough of those cheekies, and SUCH an amazing sleeper, we could not ask for more. She loves sleeping in her car seat, loves laughing and giggling esp when her sisters come and play with her in her crib. She is loved, no doubt about that.

Didn't get cards sent out this last year as I always do, went by WAY too fast. Got to enjoy a little bit of it at Christmas break at least and hope that the rest of you are enjoying your new year beginnings. All our love, The Dials!!

Family Vacation to Southern Cali... (FINALLY!!)

2009-10-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I know... It's been almost a month and a half since I've posted anything new... It has been busy not only since school started for Emma, but getting ready for our major family vacation to Southern California this year. It was SO much fun getting together with everyone that I really am aching for more. It went by so fast I sometimes wake up wondering what we did.

It all started with a promise 2 years ago to our then 3 year old Emma; We'll go to Disneyland when you turn 5. Ever since then, she has NOT let us forget. So, we figured we HAD to live up to our promise and take her. Well, what started out as just a fun mini family vacation ended up being a HUGE extended family vacation. Everyone in my family was able to come and it was better than I had hoped. My mom, Brett, Bonnie and their 4 kids as well as Brady and Gretchen and their little 10 month old girl, Lucy came for the full week. Nate, my dad, Kaleb and Jordan showed up Thursday night to enjoy Disneyland together. We decided since we were going to be there for a week we would rent a house. It was ok, not what I expected, but would def. do a house again (just a little more room than we thought we were getting). Just a few highlights shots I got in between travels (it did have a beautiful pool; the weather just didn't allow us to swim at ALL as it rained a majority of the time. It did brighten up at the end of the week and so made it nice and HOT at D-Land.) The kids enjoyed the pool (throwing their toys in it)... The boys couldn't resist bringing the WII and at night relax a little to some games..

The boys having a little TOO much fun...
Day 1: The beach. What is Southern Cali known for other than their most GORGEOUS CLEAN beaches? Even though their first beach visit was to Santa Cruz boardwalk a few years ago, the girls didn't skip a beat running after the waves.... as well as AWAY from them. They were so giddy and so hilarious!! I took advantage of my new lens and totally wanted to get some fun family shots as well. Here were just a few of my favorites...

This family came walking by us with their rather large dog (I thought it was a pony) and Mae Mae just had to pet him...Claire couldn't resist a little snuggle either...

Claire and Lilly were SOAKED at the end of our visit. We should have brought their swimsuits, but we weren't expecting to get in that day... oh well, they had fun.

We then spent a day at the San Diego Zoo where we really enjoyed seeing a ton more animals than I had ever seen at any other zoo. We, did not plan well and so didnt get enough time to see all that we wanted to; which actually worked out best because by the time we were done the kids were dropping like flies.. they were so tired!!

Em and cousin Mae Mae find a bug... uh, girls, there's animals you won't see anywhere else, drop the bug. You can see those anywhere..

Lucy (my niece), got a stuffed Koala; we'll just say she was in love. At 10 months, she was such a trooper what with being completely off schedule and hardly any naps during the days. She was so great and LOVED everything we did that week!!

Lilly did ok at the zoo. She loved the monkeys (her being one herself), as long as they were a STATUE. She had to make sure it wasn't real.

Here she's getting attitude with the mommy monkey telling her what to do... bossy little thing; wonder where she gets it?

As you can see, the kids were just dropping like flies.

Besides the SLC Temple, the San Diego Temple has GOT to be my next most favorite temple in the whole wide world. We got to stop off for a little bit on our way back from the Zoo and take in some beautiful shots of this magnificent temple. I love how you can see it from the freeway. It is just so breathtaking...

Universal Studios was very interesting. It rained, it closed earlier than we had anticipated thus we only got about 4 hours of fun in. We enjoyed going on the Universal Studios Tour which is really what they are known for. The girls enjoyed Shrek. Couldn't even get Lilly on any other ride for that matter, and Em did NOT like the Simpsons; even though she was yelling pure joy the whole time she was on it. Funny little thing.

We were on the tour and we got to the Jaws scene where it comes popping out of the water right next to the tram, and Emma happened to be on the side it pops out of the water... Enough said. (Wish I would have gotten a picture of her face; she traded me spots immediately after.)

We did spend a day at Sea World, my camera's battery died thus I had to wait to get my charger when Nate came that Thursday night. It was fun to see Shamu (Lilly, Claire, Bonnie and I sat in the soak zone; we didn't get soaked as I had hoped but did get wet. It was so much fun. We got to pet the dolphins (they are so SILKY SMOOTH!!).

We had a great 3 days at Disneyland. Emma had a wonderful time having lunch with the princesses at Ariels' Grotto (great place to get a TON of princesses' autographs btw..). Lilly did ok on some rides, but other than the princesses didn't like any of the Disney characters. She flipped out when Goofy surprised her by poking his head over the stroller and saw him pearing down at her (flipped out is not even the best way to describe how she reacted). The girls first visit to Disneyland went well and Em is now telling her friends, "We went to Disneyland and saw Ariel for my birthday."

Sucha little poser!!

Emma said, "Mommy, that's the letter 'A', just like the a in my name!!" I had to get a pix.

Emma and Morgan had such a great time going on rides together.

Lilly did NOT like toon town very much. So this was the only spot in Toon Town we could get her to be comfortable enough to get herself OUT of the stroller. The last day we were there, however, she saw from across the park she saw Goofy and Donald running and bouncing into eachother (putting on a show for the kiddies that were watching and surrounding them). Lilly started FREAKING out and ran into Nate's arms. (Poor thing is scarred for life).

Em and Lu and a couple of their cousins...

Emma was SO enchanted by each princess. She would ask them questions (have no idea what she was asking them; she was too quiet about it). She was so star struck!! It was so much fun to watch her and Lilly as they got their books autographed.

Lilly LOVED the princesses as well, but did not take to any of the other Disney characters.

Lilly, Em and their cuz Lucy.. they were so cute with her.

Daddy and Emma had to persuade her to get on Dumbo with them..

One of the VERY few rides Lilly would actually go on.

Can we spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E?

Alice was such a great baby... She was so happy and content sleeping in the stroller.

Me and my girls... Poor Nate is so outnumbered.

Fall Pictures

2009-10-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

I got a new lens for my camera (FINALLY!!) right before we left for our D-Land vaca and I decided to test it out on the girls out in the backyard. I saw the leaves had fallen from our huge tree in the back and decided I couldn't resist as it made for such a great Fall background. These were just a few or my favorites.

1st Day of Kindergarten...

2009-09-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so our day begins with a fun breakfast full of Em's favorite; pancakes and chocolate milk. She was so excited about going off to school she kept asking, "Is it time? Do I go yet mommy?" I had to just laugh at her. I thought to myself, "This isn't going to be so hard. The kids been in pre-k the last 2 years and those were just a few hours a few days a week, how hard can sending her off to Kindergarten be, really? It's about the same thing, right?" Yah, little did I know what awaited me at school. We get to school and Em immediately gets into line behind the rest of her class as "photography mom" goes NUTSO taking pix. I was doing great, no tears, so strong. Then, Em's teacher (Miss McGary) says to the kids, "Ok, boys and girls, say good-bye to mommy and daddy because you won't be seeing them for quite a few hours." That was it, I lost it. Tears were streaming as I turned and walked towards my car. I passed a few mothers who were apparently feeling the same thing. (Luckily I had my sunglasses on, otherwise I'd REALLY be embarrasing myself with black cat eyes). The whole way home I was just crying and thinking "How in the world did my mom do this? Now I totally know how all my friends who have older kids felt sending off their first to school." To top it all off, I don't know how I'm going to do when she actually starts FULL day next year. (One step at a time, right?)... Anyhow, needless to say, when Em got home from school that day she was so thrilled that as soon as she hit the door she was playing make believe Kindergarten Teacher, mommy, and child with Lilly and I (Em being the mommy, Lilly being the child going to kindergarten and me being the teacher). It was so cute and I was so glad she had a great first day...

Lilly would have missed her sister even more had she not had nap time while Emma was away (thank goodness for aftnernoon kindergarten)...

She's off to her first day of school... STOP!!!Waiting in line with her classmates. How fast time goes...

I didn't get a pix with her teacher quite yet as she seemed to busy with other parents and teachers when I got there. This was when they were getting ready to walk inside.

Life gets crazy!!!

2009-08-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Our story begins with our moving. For those of you just tuning in, we have moved AGAIN!! Where you might ask? Back to SLC, and who knows if this will be the final destination. One more year of school and then from there, nobody knows. In any case, we moved for work (no more work to be done I guess down in St. George; we go where the work is... so here we are again). As we get settled in another home in NSL for another year, we find ourselves starting a new kind of adventure with our girls. Emma, now kindergarten bound, decided she HAD to play soccer and wanted to try and be on her cousins team. Thus, here are the 2 "BFF's" ready to begin their first soccer game of the season. I have to admit, I went a little crazy on pix, but considering Nana and Papa weren't there to enjoy the scenes, these many photo ops are for them. The rest of you can scroll down to the next set of adventures...BBQ.

Em & her cousin Shelby (GO STINGERS!!)
Just daydreaming before the big game...

Kick her in the shins.. I mean... get the ball!!

Surprising how nobody was there to take the ball from her... normally they're all in a cluster!!

Taking a breather, it's sure hot out there!!

Em's #1 Fan!! She SO wanted to get out there with her sis...

Friday, August 28, 2009... Emma turns 5.

For Em's big 5 year birthday, considering we had just moved back and hadn't had time enough to throw anything with friends, we decided to nab a few family members and throw a small BBQ Birthday for our birthday girl. Emma had a great time playing with her cousins. the first thing she asked for that morning as she woke up was "pancakes that daddy makes" (which means crepes) and chocolate milk. She also woke up asking what to wear to her lunch with the princesses (we are taking her as part of her birthday gift this year to Disneyland later in October). Later that day we had to meet with her kindergarten teacher for testing and then came home to get ready for the festivities. It was a blast. Auntie Gretchie made her a castle cake which Em absolutely loved...

5 castle cones for a bee-autiful 5 year old!!

Aunt Gretchie and Emma; look at that amazing cake!! Love you Gretch!!

Emma and her cousins... she sure has fun being around family.

Thanks to all who helped make Em's special day all that more amazing and loved.

3 months and rolling over!!!

2009-08-17T07:24:00.001-07:00

Yep, you read that right... Just over 3 months and our "eat, sleep & poop" -ing little baby is making waves and rolling over. I had just finished feeding her and had laid her on the floor. I had the tv on at the time and had glanced up to see some news feed and there it happened. For one split second I'm watching the tv and she had been on her back, I looked back down at her and all of a sudden she's on her stomach.. So, I wanted to catch it on camera and this is what I got (silly little thing). Ok, so I can't figure out how to get video feed on yet, but here's a few camera shots of her...On our way to church... just Alice & I (Nate and the other 2 girls are up in SL working and playing while I'm down here in St. George packing and getting ready for the big move this next weekend). Chillin with the skillet...

I found a few pix on my camera from the trips we took this summer. We went down to Arizona and saw Brett & Bonnie for their baby blessing as well as up in SL with family for my cousin's wedding and our own baby blessing.

Alice & her cuz Gi-Gi.. (Can you find Kaleb making his "traditional" family photo funny face? When Kaleb was about 10 we had a family photo done and it was during the time that digital wasn't quite up and running yet... well, good ole Kaleb had his tongue sticking out on a majority of the family photos, thus picking out a "good one" was impossible. So that's how we remember him and that's what he'll pose as for family photo ops. By the way, any girls that are the least bit interested, I can't say whether he'll take descent photos or not for engagement or wedding, so good luck).

Crazy Summer wrap up...

2009-08-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's been quite a while since I've gotten on here to blog, but it's been a really crazy tail end of a summer, let me tell ya... Here's a little of what we've been up to since I blogged last..
July 10th Nate's company downsized and literally had to lay off all it's employees minus the family members working for it... JOBLESS AGAIN!?!?! (sigh)...
We then take off for SL because there is NOTHING in St. George hiring in construction; needing to stay close to a major city (Nate is finishing up his last year of school thus needing to stay here in Utah otherwise out of state will only make him start fresh in their program, quite silly I know). Good news though, we found a job (we'll see how long this one lasts). Bad news, we're moving AGAIN!! Those who know me know I'm SO sick of moving. (sigh), life happens I guess.. but we have really been blessed in not having to go too long without a job and I have been blessed with being able to stay home still with my girls, as so many go months without work and then start to lose everything. My heart goes out to those who have had to experience that...
July 26, we were able to bless Alice with family while job searching up in SL and then headed down to Arizona for Brett & Bonnies baby blessing. The girls loved seeing their cousins and enjoyed a few days with aunts, uncles and nana & papa (Emma esp loved seeing nana again considering she had just spent the month of June with her). We then headed back up to St. George for a day before heading back up to SL to look for a place to live, again. (sigh) After finding a place, I am headed back down to St. George to wrap up the house items and bring them back down, just in time for Emma to start school. I don't have pix of our many adventures as I forgot our camera, so documenting our fun loving CRAZY summer adventures just didn't occur. I'm looking forward to settling down (once more) and will be up and running in no time to tell of how things are going. (Alyssa!! I'm looking forward to getting the kids together on a more regular basis and will be calling you soon to hook up, promise!!)

2 MONTHS!! Where has it all gone?!?!

2009-07-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

Yesturday was Alice's 2 month check up. She did really well. She didn't make one peep the whole time and was very intrigued by everyone at the Dr's office. I cannot believe she is growing SO fast!! She is still a bit wibble wobbly in her neck, but she managed to lay on her stomach for Dr. Barton and hold her head up high (which I didn't get a shot of...). We were so proud of her...

She weighed in at 10 pds 8 oz (from 7 pds 4 oz) thus putting her in the 39%. She's shot up length wise from 21.5 to 23.5 (tall skinny little thing) putting her in the 86%.
She even managed to smile at the Dr.The girls had a great time playing with toys while there.... Other adventures Alice is taking on are starting to arch her back sideways and ready to roll over (not quite all the way, but her feet are super strong so she ends up pushing her whole body upward, thus leaving it hard for me to leave her anywhere unguarded). She LOVES smiling and "talking". The best part is she is sleeping for sure thru the nights (going down at 9:30 and waking up at 6:30 is pretty good sleep to me). When she wakes up she smiles and just jabbers for a bit and then is finally hungry. She loves her swing and takes a few long naps in her crip thru out the day. Not all is hunky dori however. She does have her moments of wanting to just cry and whine; but for the most part, we are doing really well (considering). Emma is back home and loving every minute she has to get to hold her baby sister. She and Lilly are back to role playing princesses and having their on-going sibling moments.
(sigh...) I love being a mom of GIRLS!!

Happy 4th of July!!

2009-07-06T07:58:00.001-07:00

For the 4th of July, we (minus Emma; she is still in Cali w/ Nana and Papa & the boys) decided to spend it down in Arizona (crazy I know... what with how HOT it is down there). We went and spent the weekend with my bro & his fam. It was a ton of fun. We left Thursday and stopped at a historic Navajo Bridge along the way... it was overcast that day and thus made for GORGEOUS pix taking along the way. It made me think of how grateful I am to live in such a beautiful country and the freedoms I have that most don't.

Lilly & cousin Claire had a great time cooling off in the backyard in their blowup pool. As did the rest of them once they saw what the two mischief makers were doing...

The kids enjoyed spending 4th of July at a park where they provided free water rides for everyone to cool off in (what a novel idea!!). The kids enjoyed just a few rides as the lines were SUPER long (did I mention it was free?). We later enjoyed food by the carside as we watched the parks fireworks show. The kids enjoyed it (Lilly & Claire had to get used to it from the safety of the car and Morgon and Mae-Mae had to cover their ears at first (thinking it was going to be TOO loud). (I didn't get a pix, but Morgon ended up falling asleep during half of it, it was too funny). Claire & Morgon were the only ones really to get into the free water rides... Of course, they all got into a little mudhole (below)...And of course little Ali & her cousin Gi-gi enjoyed relaxing in the stroller. (Bonnie and I went shopping Friday and I had our double stroller with the 2 babes in it; people thought I was toting around twins (yah right!!)...Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!!

2009-06-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

My friend's mom sent these newspaper headlines via email & I thought they were pretty funny...

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter
(This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible! They put in a correction the next day.)

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
No crap, really? Ya think?

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that's taking things a bit far!

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
What a guy!

Miners Refuse to Work after Death
No-good-for-nothing, lazy so-and-so's!

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
See if that works any better than a fair trial!

War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Ya think?!

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought!

Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
They may be on to something!

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge!

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Weren't they fat enough?!

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That's what he gets for eating those beans!

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again!

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!

And the winner is... Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that right?

Lulu without her sidekick Emma...

2009-06-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

So Em has been gone the last week and a half at Nana & Papa's in Cali. When we were kids we used to go to our Gma & Gpa's house for a few weeks (even as long as a month) during the summers and really get that one on one with the grandparents. (Those were memories we still remember to this day and will forever and ever...) So, we decided to do that with our kids, at the request of course of Nana & Papa.. So, Em has another week and a half before she's due to come home and boy is Lilly getting anxious. She def. misses her sister, but still finds things to do either around the house or outside. We came home and set up the girls' swim pool in the back and Lilly went right down to business pulling out toys and getting in. She had a blast, but still found time to ask, "Where Emma?" Poor thing, all alone in her own little pool, she sure misses her sis!!
Once she hears her sis is coming home soon, she's happy for at least a while longer.

We MISS you Em, but we know your having a SUPER fun time with Nana & Papa & the boys...

XOXOXOXOOX

Birthday Wishes...

2009-06-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who remembered me on my birthday. I appreciate your birthday wishes and so here is what I did on my big 31. (I was in complete denial the full year I was 30, but now there is no denying it, I am now into my 30's... sigh). The day started out just as normal as any other day, baby feeding, burping, cooing and talking and of course right back to sleep we go. At 10:00 am I began my first birthday adventure, by spending it at the dentist office. I know, I know, that doesn't sound like the most ideal place to spend your birthday, but I LOVE getting my teeth cleaned. I did just have a baby and they say that you tend to loose at least one tooth for every baby you have. In that case I'm doing pretty good considering with Emma; no cavities, Lilly; 1 cavity, and now Alice; 4... but no losses thank goodness. Thus I was off to a pretty good start that day. Afterwards the day just seemed to fly by with errands and kid stuff. Nate came home a little early from work and surprised me with dropping off the kids at a friends house and treating me to 2 fav's; Olive Garden and shopping. SO much fun to spend time with him and not worry about kids kicking and screaming they want to go home while at the stores. It was nice to spend some quality time with eachother and have an actual adult conversation. The day was just as I hoped; my birthday wish come true.

New Moon Teasers...

2009-06-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

My little girl is growing up...

2009-06-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

So we are out in California for my youngest brother's HS graduation as well as a little R&R with family & friends. Nate comes in the room as I'm feeding the baby and he reminds me of a recent conversation of how Emma would eventually pretend to feed her baby breast milk like mommy... We didn't expect it to be Lilly first. Nate was downstairs with the girls and Lilly came into the room with her shirt up and her doll plastered to her chest. Nate asked her what she was doing with her baby and Lilly simply replies as she's concentrating on making sure the baby is in the right spot, "Feeding the baby..." I was laughing... never a dull moment with that girl. Anyone else have stories like that? I'm sure you do!!

2 weeks old

2009-05-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

2 weeks old and we have been so in love with this new little one. She had her 2 week check up today and she's growing just fine. 7 pds 15 oz now and still as long and skinny as ever.. We absolutely adore her!! So do the girls; and who wouldn't... just look at this squishy little bundle!!

Lilly is always wanting to hug and kiss her. She is always asking (more at the most in-opportune times like nursing and changing the diapers) if she can hold her. When she does, she loves just looking at her and pointing (more so poking and prodding) at her nose, eyes, mouth, ears... all the things she has the same of; it's quite comical. (as long as one of us is with her).
I had to take a pix and post this adorable pix Emma made on her doodler. She was so proud of her latest stick figure drawings... Alice is by far one of the tallest babies, and then there is mommy, daddy with the spikes (she thinks daddy's hair tends to look like a tall mo-hawk at times), Emma & of course tiny little Lilly (whom act. is almost about the same size as Emma at this point). I had to laugh. REminded me of some cute posts I've seen on others' blogs..

Alice Part 2...

2009-05-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Part 2 at the hospital... A few hours after Alice was born, she received her first set of visitors: her big sisters. Along with her arrival, Alice brought her two older sisters a little present; their favorite disney character, Arial. As you can tell, Emma was absolutely ecstatic. The girls were so excited to finally meet their new little sister. Every time I would come home from Dr appt's, Emma would be the first to greet me at the door asking, "Did you bring the baby home?". Thus, she was very excited (as was Lilly) to see their brand new baby sis. They were so cute. (Of course, after they got their Arial dolls they lost interest and were completely consumed with playing).

Alice Jane Dial

2009-05-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

It all began Monday morning at 5:30 am when we received "THE CALL" to come in and prep for our inducement. We arrived at 6:30 am and were taken to the delivery room. The short version plain and simply:

1. Everything was wonderful; EXCEPT my epidural (the aneth. guy, come to find out later, was the worse there... WHY ME!?!?!). He came in, gave me the first shot, couldn't get the needle in right so had to start with a new one all while I'm hunched over and IN PAIN with the first shot; TOOK FOREVER!! Even then, was numb but not as numb as I should have because when my Dr. came in to break my water he was only able to skimb it; enough so that when he felt that he couldn't get any further without hurting me anymore thus relaxing and thus my water breaking on it's own right then (which was something I def. felt and my nurse noticed it). They had the aneth. come back in and they decided to try another shot in a different spot. Well, THAT didn't feel good either and took just as long for the clumsy OAF to stick me again but this time he gave me such a LARGE block that I felt it almost immediately and was SUPER numb. However, it was such a large block that I went immed. pale, started throwing up over and over again and my heart rate began decreasing very rapidly to the 50's. I passed out but could hear people rushing all around me and eventually color and heart rate was back to normal (SO SCARY). After that, we were in heaven.

2. 5:47 pm we welcomed our brand new little 7 pds 4 oz & 20 1/2 inch little girl Alice Jane to the world. She came out with eyes wide open (LITERALLY). She cried just for a moment but overall was very patient with the nurses cleaning her up. She was perfect from head to toe and we have absolutely loved having her. (Just a side note; a few days later I was talking to a mom from Emma's preschool who was a CNA at the hospital for the Labor and Delivery station and she knew the aneth. who had given me my shot. She told me he was the worse one there and that she had had a similar experience as far as the shot numbing her from the waste up instead and then her heart rate crashing as well... SO SCARY!!)

The name is another funny story. We had decided we liked Alice long before and felt that once we saw her we'd know if it would fit her or not (it does btw.. perfectly with just her mellow temperment alone...) As far as the middle name goes... we were wanting to use Raeanna (my grandma's middle name and great grandma's first name combined) but then we found out that she was born on Nate's grandma's birthday... thus feeling it even more appropriate to use his grandma's name as the middle name... Alice Jane Dial.

Proud mommy...

Proud Nana...

Thanks for all your comments and prayers. It was funny because we got in the car to come home and Im looking at all 3 kids in their seats and I felt almost complete.. (it's wierd how much more I feel like a family with 3 rather than the 2 we've had so far... so complete). Love my girls...

BTW: these were all the pix we got on our camera; my mom has more I'll be getting from hers later so I'll have to post more when I get them... sorry it's taken so long.

The Countdown Begins...

2009-05-07T15:50:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I haven't been on blog for a while, let alone checking. Today is currently my due date and no sign of baby yet... (sigh). Thus, had my dr's appt yesturday and only at a 2 I am just fine with that. There is a part of me ready for this little one to be out but another part of me says just one more weekend. So, Monday will be the day if she doesn't arrive before then. I went today (due date in mind) Las Vegas to pick my mom up from the airport. (No worries; I took a friend just in case, Nate had to work). Again, no worries, I'm still with child. I'm looking forward to a weekend full of family considering last weekend I had all to myself (HEAVEN!!). Nate took the girls up to SLC as he had a side job and the girls got to see grandma and grandpa Dial along with cousins. They had a fun time as did I... at home... by myself... no baby... just myself... (sigh). I must say though, the day before they left the girls and I had somewhat of a hard time getting along that day thus as they left the following morning I was really regretting them leaving so soon and praying all day for their safe return home. Needless to say, my weekend was full of planning, organizing, resting, catching up on some shows (bless you DVR!!), and dinner and a movie with friends... it was SOOO nice. However, it was SO nice to have the hubby and kids home Sunday evening as my mind tends to play tricks on me; esp late at night 3:00 in the morning wondering if your going to survive the rest of the night all alone in a big empy house. (whew) I guess watching those scary late night shows don't help either.
So, this is the countdown to the baby... No baby news as of yet for those of you wondering and calling... I promise we'll post as soon as we possibly can!! Thank you for prayers, loves, calls and letters!! Until then.....

Easter Bunnies to Easter Hunts...

2009-04-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter weekend. It's a little late, I know, in getting this on here, but I guess better late then never, right? We started off the weekend by going and seeing the Easter Bunny. Emma's friend from preschool invited her over to take pictures with the Easter Bunny and I figured rather than going to the mall to get pictures of them both, I figured this was the perfect chance to get it all done at once. However, Lilly was NOT too keen on the idea as she soon found herself one on one almost with the GREAT WHITE MONSTER.. She would not release her claws from my side for one second so I had to go and take the pictures with her. It was quite a site, but she did just fine. Emma obv. was used to it by now so we hope Lilly will grow out of it as well..

We then made our way to Phoenix, AZ (all last minute planning BTW) and were able to go down and visit Brett and Bonnie and the kids. It was so much fun. We were able to have a small easter basket hunt in the morning and then later after naps went on an easter egg hunt at the park across the street. It was a lot of fun and the kids were so happy to be with eachother as well as finding their candy filled baskets. It was so nice to relax a bit and visit with family (even though it seems it was such a quick trip). However, Bonnie surprised us all by having the baby the night before we left. Jenavive Emalynn George (8 lbs, 1 oz; 22 inches long). Congratulations you guys!! Thanks for making it such a sweet time... we SOO needed it!!

Lilly and her cousin Claire loved finding the eggs more for eachother than they did so much for themselves. It was the most endearing site to watch as they would find an egg and then pass one off to the other. SO CUTE!! They just loved eachother.

Lilly loved finding the eggs and showing them off. She was so funny to watch as this was more her first time really getting into searching and finding the eggs without help.
The girls had a blast that weekend we were there. They enjoyed all sorts of fun things. One of their favorites was dressing up and having little parties. We decided to get them to dress up and take pictures of their little tea party. It was so much fun and the girls loved the attention. It was absolutely adorable!!

Hope everyone's Easter weekend was fun with clear skies.Happy Belated Easter from ours to yours!!

Driving on the Road...

2009-04-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

So I was checking my email today and I received this from someone who was obviously upset with whatever driving I had succumbed to yesturday...

"I wouldn't buy from you because you are your own worst advertising. Maybe if you were a little more respectful on the road it would help your business and not hurt it. Just a thought from a fellow driver who watched you drive with little respect for others today."

What do you say to that? Do you say anything at all?
Part of me wants to lash out and ask, "Who are you to tell me how to drive? Are you so perfect as to feel you have the right to mis-judge someone else by the way you think the WORLD should be driving? Just because you were able to use my business website and lash out at me the way you did, does it make you feel better?"
But then part of me just says let it go, you know what kind of a driver you are and you don't remember doing anything as wreckless as this person claims you did, let it go (oh, wait, that's not part of my conscience saying that, that would be my husband telling me to just let things go...).
Please, someone, make some sense of this for me!!! How rude can people get these days?
(BTW, those of you who check this and knew me back in high school... I'm a MUCH better driver these days than I was back then, so please, be nice.)

The Dentist Visit!!

2009-04-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Yesturday was the Lilly's first dentist visit. She was somewhat excited... (Emma kept telling her it was going to be a TON of fun, I just love that girl!! She's such my big helper!!) The outcome was fair. Understandably, she's 2. But I figured I'd get her going a little earlier than I had with Em. Thus we made it a double duty day... Emma of course (this being her second time; she did fabulous the last time considering she was familar with the last dentist, it being one I worked for), so she was very familar with the settings. Lilly on the other hand was not ok with laying back in the chair. This was as far as she was willing to go. Not too bad, however she didn't like the "electric toothbrush" they use (she likes her Hello Kitty one more and likes it when mommy does it rather than some stranger doing it...). So, the assistant had to brush her teeth with a regular toothbrush. She did great with that part. Then, when the dentist came in, she didn't want anything to do with him, thus mommy had to lay her down and somewhat hold her while the he checked her teeth. NO CAVITIES, YAY!!! Same with Em's. (Whew...). So, suffice it to say, it was a fair visit for poor little "lu-lu" but a fabulous 2nd timer for Em's. To top it all off, I was in sucha hurry to get to the appt. that I forgot my camera, so I had to resort to the good old camera phone. Not too shabby I guess..

(Here is Lilly awaiting the "DREADED" cleaning...)

(She didn't want to lay down, so this is how we had to do it... Unfortunately no pictures of her screaming and not wanting to get NEAR the dentist as I am holding her down long enough for him to have her open; which she eventually willingly did on her own. )(Emma did great, this was a pre-pix before he really got started on her). Needless to say, WE MISS YOU DR. FRANCIS!!!!

2009-03-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

We had a pretty fun day today. The sun finally came back out and even got as warm as in the 70's today. Nate had to work thus we had one of our first Saturday's to ourselves. We decided to make the most of it and really make daddy jeoulous by going and enjoying the sun and water without him. So, we went to the "water park" without him. "Water park" is what the girls call it, but what that really means is a park with a fun little splash pad and pond with rocks where the girls can wade in it and cool themselves off (great for those of us not willing to give a "whale" watcher's show; if you know what I mean). Here were just a few snap shots I got of the girls having fun in the water. Emma found a plastic baggie out of our car and decided to have a little fun with it. She played with this the whole time she was there; filling it up and then dumping it out all over the rocks. She's so easy to entertain...Lilly loved sitting and relaxing... (at least I hope that ALL she was doing..)..

My Special Homemade Gift!!!

2009-03-26T19:23:00.001-07:00

Nate & I took the girls for a (nice freezing cold) walk before their bedtime this evening and on our way home (which didn't take us long to turn around to head for the warmth of our home...what were we thinking; it was windy and freezing!!), we decided to check the mail. Inside awaited a wonderful surprise....
This all thanks to the wonderfully talented HEIDI PAYNE!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I love it to pieces and was so excited!! (And not just because I was excited to be getting a PACKAGE, but what an adorable creative piece of spring home decor!!) You really do love me!! (My freezing face is trying to thaw, literally, from the freezing cold... many of you who happen to be in much worse conditions than a measly 60 degree windchill will be saying I'm a big wimp; AND I AM!!! IT WAS COLD and the wind did NOT help...) Heidi, I love it!! I really do, thanks again for putting together something so creative and unique together for me!! Your the best!!

Spring is in the air...

2009-03-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

We have def. been experiencing warmer weather down here in sunny St. George. It's been absolutely gorgeous and lots of fun. We are attempting a garden this year thus have been busy the last few weekends getting the area prepped (not too hard considering it was already put in before we had moved in,..). This last weekend, however, we decided to take a break as family came down to visit last minute..

The girls enjoyed adventures that ranged from learning a little of St. George history, enjoying the 80 degree weather by breaking out swimsuits, seeing pirates and taking pictures with a rather large hot dog. Needless to say, it was a fun filled weekend with family (thanks for coming down to see us guys!!) ...

Hot Air Balloons, Dress up & Sleeping while eating...

2009-03-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

So I know I've been pretty bad at blogging lately. There really hasn't been too much to blog about other than the weather has been fabulously springy and delightful, thus allowing more time outdoors working on the yard and getting our garden up and running (yes, I know, I'm attempting a garden; only for the fact that it was roughed in before we moved in, so I figured I might as well see if I have a green thumb inside myself somewhere or not; TBD)... This last weekend, though mostly uneventful, was still quite a bit comical (esp with our very own comedic; Lilly... And for those of you who know her or have been keeping up with our postings; there is NEVER a dull moment with this little one (sigh)).

We first start the weekened off by discovering early saturday morning they have hot air balloon rides, right behind us, practically in our own back yard. The girls thought it was the coolest thing ever... They sat in the back for quite a while just watching it as it sailed on by our house, so fun!!

Now, while cleaning house later that day, Lilly finds herself once again in mommy and daddy's closet. Normally she likes to hide in there with her toothbrush and toothpaste and sit and brush her teeth (she really is though brushing and not just sucking on the toothpaste; so proud!!). Alas, this time, she has now resorted to pulling out mommy's shoes and trying them on. I had to get a pix though of her trying to get my boots on, it was quite a pix.

Later that evening, after a LONG fullfilling day of backyard prepping and mostly just being out doors, we find Lilly is just too tired even to finish off her dinner plate.. This is one of the first pix's I've gotten of her actually being too tired to eat (which again, those of you who know her, FOOD is not a chore but a TREAT!!). Nighty night Lu-Lu..

FREE SOMETHING!!

2009-03-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

I signed up for this on my friend Heidi's blog and of course part of the deal is to then post it on my own... (which is ok because I thought it sounded like a lot of fun for both parties involved..).

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. You must, however, post this offer on your own blog if your signing up on mine... This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It’ll be done this year. (I won't take the whole year...don't worry)
4. You have no clue what it’s going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven’t even invented yet. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
* * *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!
You can email your address to me at bdial88@yahoo.com,
Good luck.

SHHH!! Top Secret... maybe not!

2009-02-27T09:43:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I haven't had a chance to post much this past few weeks. We've not only had guests, but my mom surprised us with a short, but FUN FILLED weekend visit. Haven't had a chance to get pix's downloaded yet but we had a great time and the girls were seriously SO sad to see her go. The Atkinson's were kind enough to offer her a lift (seeing as she REALLY needed a taste of her grandkids; she kept borrowing other friends' kids (aka: cute little KATHARINE HOPPER spending the night and getting to make valentine cards a few weeks ago... and boy, when Emma found out, she was SUPER jeoulous). None the less, she got her fix this last weekend. While she was out we decided to cook a little something different up. I was craving (it's the pregnancy, ugh!!), my favorite of all.. Applebee's. Normally I'm not a huge fan, but there is ONE thing I am a fan of if we ever end up going there and that is their Asian Chicken Wraps/Salad.. OHHHH. I mouth is watering again just thinking about it. Well, we didn't want to go out and spend so we decided to see if we could find the recipe online. AND... (drumroll), we did. This might be old news to everyone else, but I was so excited to find this website because it also had some other favorite restaraunt recipes on there, so I'm getting the BIG SECRET out to those who have managed to keep it (sorry, I just think everyone's budget should be able to afford yummy at one point or other..) So, here is the website I found....

http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/recipes.asp

ENJOY (if, that is, you didn't know about this site already... and if there is anyone else who can add to this site, PLEASE DO!!) I love it when I see posts of fun and YUMMY recipes to make (I know Nate esp. is always looking for something OTHER than the normal).

Many more adventures of Lilly the Great...

2009-02-18T12:52:00.000-08:00

I'm doing the dishes early one evening and the girls had gone to their room to play and to get their PJ's on... supposedly. All of a sudden I hear Emma giving out a light scream. I drop everything and go to assess the damage. As I turn the corner to our living room, this is what I saw...

Apparently, the girls were playing with the laundry basket when Emma decided to see if she could fit inside of it with it on top of her. Lilly decided to sit on it and when Emma told her to get off, Lilly realized what she had done and when in fact LIKED what she had done... I had to get a pix before she decided to let her sister go. Emma, needless to say, was not happy at all.

Once again, kiddie corner moments...

2009-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Another one of Emma and Lilly moments...
We have been talking about Testimonies this month for FHE and last night we were talking about places or events we go and participate in that help build a testimony. I showed the girls a picture of the temple and asked what it was. Emma replied quickly, "The temple." I said, "Yep, now what do we do in the temple that helps build a testimony?" She sat there for a moment pondering and then said excitedly, "We dance..." Nate and I exchanged glances and had to try really hard to stifle the giggles that REALLY wanted to come out. I guess I asked for that one, considering she has been SOO sucked into watching Barbie's "Diamond Castle" lately and everytime they find the castle at the end they dance and sing... I love my girls.

Family filled Holiday Weekend...

2009-02-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

This Valentine/President's Day weekend was very busy for us. We had family come visit us from friday thru monday last minute. It was so much fun though. Saturday we decided to go for a short hike/climb up at Pioneer Park. Lucky it wasn't raining... but it WAS a little chilly for the girls.... Needless to say we all had a great time and the girls esp. had fun getting to visit and play with their aunt, uncle, and cousins. It was nice too because Nate and I got to go out Saturday night for Valentines. He is making me a bench seat for our entryway and I got him his favorite movie "50 First Dates..." and then went to a movie that night.

Emma and her cousin Carli enjoying hiding in holes, but take time to pose for a pix...

"D" is for Dial.. right?

Lilly was getting chilly towards the end, thus Uncle Michael covered her up...

Emma was getting a little chilly as well so daddy gave her his jacket...

I normally read to the girls before they go to bed, but since Uncle Michael was there, they wanted him to come read to them... (Lilly hardly EVER sits/lays still long enough for me to get thru any of the books she chooses for me..).

We miss you guys already, come see us again SOON!!

Movie quotes to Pony nightmares... LOL!!!

2009-02-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Between movie quotes to pony nightmares, our girls def. keep us wondering what to expect next... here's just a few examples from this week!!

We took the girls last weekend to the $ theatre to see their much loved fav sequel Madagascar 2 (Emma enjoyed it, Lilly was into it for the first 10 minutes and then decided finding someone ELSE to sit next to down the aisles or two was much more interesting), but we made it thru the whole movie... Afterwards the girls were wanting to watch the first one in the car and at home. A few nights later they were running around the house in their princess dress up and Lilly ended up chasing Emma and swinging her star wand at her. Her hair was a total mess thus she looked a little scary looking... thus Emma came running and jokingly quoted, "She's going SAVAGE!!!" I started laughing (knowing exactly who and where she quoted that from..). (And I must say, Lilly def. looked the part of a hair crazed savage!!)..

Another funny incident was actually last night. Lilly apparently has been having growth spurt at night and wakes up crying and hurting thus I'm sleeping with one ear open. I hear her crying and rustling in bed, so as I jump up to run in there and hold her I stop just as I hear her stop and say, "MY PONY!!" I stood there for a moment to see if she was going to say anything else but nothing else came out and all was quiet!! I had to laugh. While my girls are generally pretty good at sharing and make believing together (esp. their little pony set), Emma tends to tease a little thus getting a reaction a lot of times out of Lilly to scream at her and say, "MY PONY!" My poor little girl is now having NIGHTMARES about her bigger sister taking her ponies!! (I still had to laugh!!)

Never a dull moment at our house.... Tell me some of your funny stories!! I love laughing at kid moments!!

Emma says good-bye...

2009-02-06T15:38:00.000-08:00

The day started out pretty normal for Emma... she got up, had breakfast and pretty much got ready for school... However, it wasn't until she got to school that it all came crumbling down. Today was her teacher's last day... I don't think Em realized it (still really doesn't) and won't until next week at school. We'll see how she does with it. She absolutely loved her teacher and was always connected to the hip it seemed in any activities they would do as a class. I drove up to pick her up a couple of days ago and they were playing outside. They were playing "freeze tag" and "red-rover"... Everytime Emma wasn't frozen she was chasing her teacher around, and when she was sent running over to the other side of the group to crush their "wall", she went running back with... her teacher. So, Thank you Miss Joyce for all you have done in teaching and inspiring our little girl. She continues to grow and use her imagination and it's teachers like you who help plant that seed...

Watch what you say...

2009-01-29T10:41:00.000-08:00

So I was cooking dinner and Emma was playing make believe with her "My Little Ponies"... It wasn't but a few minutes into her little drama speel that all of a sudden both Nate and I heard these words come rushing out of her mouth, "I'm gonna kick your butt..." I cocked my head and looked at Nate just as he did the same. With half concerned grins we both turned and faced Emma where she was completely oblivious to us staring at her.
ME: Emma, what did you just say?
EMMA: What?
NATE: Did you just say "I'm gonna kick your butt?"
EMMA: Oh.. (in between giggles) I was just kidding, I'm playing with "My Little Ponies".
NATE: Sweetie, did you hear someone say that? That's not very nice, even if you are playing with your toys...
EMMA: But mommy says it all the time to Lilly.
You can just imagine the grin on my face (not shown to Emma, but more to Nate) of embarrassment as I turned and continued to stir the contents in my pot. I had to try really hard to stiffle the giggle that wanted to emerge from my mouth at that instant. Nate just nodded his head and said, "It sounds like mommy needs to watch what she's saying, huh Emma?"
EMMA: Yeah!! (with a slight laugh)...
Lesson learned, my daughter is listening more intently than I can only imagine... It BEGINS!!

Lilly the Great Chronicles....

2009-01-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

Our little POW... isn't she cute. Here's the story to that sad looking face and the bandage upon her head.
The BIG adventures of Lilly the Great...

Our story begins with Lilly overseeing her obstacle; the couch. She decides that in order to get to the other side, she must climb this monstrous thing in front of her. Thus she begins to climb. She sees the beginning to the end of her long climb and hopes to see a glimmer of descent. However, this descent is not what she had in mind. She enters the top of the monstorous couch and as she begins to savour the moment of victorious climbing, she looses her balance and thus begins her un-announced descent.... Boy does it hurt. She does not land as softly as she would have liked her body to allow, none-the-less, she is on the ground. She then realizes the most unfamilar, excruciating pain ever at the tip of her head, thus creating a loud siren of shouts and screams. Laying there screaming, her father is first to the scene. He picks her up and immediately asseses the damage. Finding a large bump that has immediately began to form, her mother finds an ice pack and they plant it firmly onto her head. After about 30 min. of on and off again motions with the ice pack, Lilly is read to eat. Thus creating the POW illusion and thus is the end of our hero's journey... Tune in next week as Lilly the Great encounters: THE BED!!

Christmas Holiday in a nutshell.. enjoy!!

2009-01-07T22:37:00.000-08:00

We had a very unique Christmas Season this year. Normaly we head to sunny Cali for a few weeks and enjoy family and friends. This year, considering Kaleb was coming in just a few days after Christmas (and wanted to see the family; thus was flying into SLC), we decided to stay home. Figuring we were in the middle of where everyone lives, our home was the designated area, thus we had everyone (almost; Brett & Bonnie & kids came the day after Christmas), in our small little house. But it was the best time ever!! We had a fun week for Christmas in St. George and then 2 days after we left for Salt Lake to see Kaleb get in on Monday, thus celebrating the rest of our Christmas & New Year's season opening gifts and living up the George Family Christmas traditions. It was so fun seeing all of the family (both sides).

Lilly has def. grown more and more in love with little Lucy. She actually wanted to hold her this time. They were so cute!! And that Lucy is such a patient little baby!!Every year for Christmas Eve we celebrate by having the grandkids (and a designated couple) act out the Nativity Scene. My mom and dad went to Jerusalem when we were just kids and brought back these awesome shephards clothes (I can't think of the name of them; but the grandkids love them and look forward to wearing them ever year). This year there was only Emma, Lilly & Lucy, thus narrowing the "fight club" down a bit. Lucy played our lovely little baby Jesus and Lilly was the only one up for being a shephard along with her Uncle Jordan. Emma was in one of her drama moods. (gotta love those "girl" moments). The next morning the girls woke and were SO excited to see what Sant had brought. They loved helping eachother open gifts and were equally surprised at what they got. It was so funny!!

Emma LOVED her leapster. She took it with her on our road trip up to SLC and enjoyed sharing it with her cousin Morgon. Lilly loved her baby doll set. She loved pushing her new little baby around in her stroller and pampering her to sleep in her new little bassinet. It was the cutest thing. Made me a little more relieved in preparation for the new little one in May. While in SL we got to visit with Gma & Gpa Dial & cousins. For Christmas this year Gpa Dial gave the grandkids a unique coin starter collection. (He being a collector himself). The kids even received a fun coin counting machine and the girls were immediately excited to get it home so they could put the change from their original piggy banks into the machine.

Another tradition we do (normally Christmas Eve) is read the Night Before Christmas; where Santa comes and visits and brings our Christmas Eve gifts (consisting mostly of pajamas or bathroom accessories). This year we waited for Kaleb and celebrated so he could enjoy a little Christmas tradition as well. The kids were elated. 2 out of 2, STEPH!! Quite shocking too, as Lilly's first sighting of Santa was at our Ward Christmas Party. (She only sat on his lap because Emma had been sitting there.) Thus, this time around (Jordan playing our Santa) she got right up there (thus seeing all the other cousins were getting gifts from him, it must be safe, right?). Claire then decided to join her, providing such the sweetest cousin photo op. They were such the best of friends the whole Christmas vacation.

Family Reunion... sort of.

2009-01-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

Lilly & her cousin Claire LOVED hanging out with eachother all thru the Christmas and New Year Holidays. You found them everywhere with eachother and it was mostly Lilly dragging poor Claire around. Lilly got dress up clothes from Nana for Christmas thus the kids wanted to try them on. We got some cute photo op's of these two just chillin. They were so much fun to watch.We made signs that the kids could hold up for when their Uncle Kaleb came down the escalator he'd see them first. Little did we know, we were in the WRONG part of the airport, thus had to move, but made it (nonetheless) just in time for him to see them holding up their signs!! He loved it!!

We're whole again!!

Getting to Know ME!!

2008-12-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

My friend Heidi posted this on her blog and I learned some fun and interesting things about her. Those of you who might enjoy doing this, do it!! I think it's fun... let me know if you do so I can check out your blog!! Enjoy!!
All you do is highlight the ones you have done in your life.

1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band (clarinet in the 6th and 7th grade)
4. visited Hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to Disneyland
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited Paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. seen in person the Statue of Liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch-hiked
23. taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden in a gondola in Venice (does the hotel in Vegas count?)
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or a sunset
31. hit a home run (in the park)
32. been on a cruise
33. seen Niagra Falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an Amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing (on a wall)
40. seen Michaelangelo's David
41. sung karaoke
42. seen the Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. visited Africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. received a prestigious award
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theater
55. been in a movie
56. visited the Great Wall of China
57. started a business (a lemonade stand in front of our house)
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold Girl Scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. got flowers for no reason
64. donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a concentration camp
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in Times Square
74. toured the Everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guards in London
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the Vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone's life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the Alamo in person
96. swam in the Great Salt Lake (eww!)
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee
100. learned to play an instrument

Emma Speaks!!

2008-12-28T18:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, so my friend posts some fun loving "MACY's THOUGHTS" and thus had to add a few of my own....
For instance, we were eating out one day for lunch and were sitting in our booth when a few elderly gentleman walked by dressed in their vet uniforms. Emma screams out, "Look mommy, Look!!" as she points to the men. They smile and wave and say "Hey there!!" She waves and says hi back... as they walk out another man walks in and is wearing his marine uniform and it makes Emma shriek out again pointing at him saying, "Look mommy!! Another one!!" to which the young man smiles and waves at her... and then she says still really loud where he (thankfully) smiles and keeps walking past us, "But he's black..." Red faced and trying to hold in a laugh I calmly have to sit her down and try to explain to her there's all sorts of different colors of skin and just as I finish explaining this to her she says, "Well, actually he is more brown than black."
A little while later we find ourselves at the grocery store. I don't like the word "shut up" being said in our home and thus everytime Emma has heard someone or something say it she says, "That's not a nice word is it mommy? We don't say that..." Thus, we were walking down an aisle and a man and his daughter were walking away from a women and the man was saying loudly, "Well, I'd just tell them to shut up..." To which Emma says to him as we're walking past him, "We don't say that, that's not a nice word." He smiles and I just had to keep walking in fear of what he might say next. I guess I should be glad she's listening to what we're teaching her...

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-22T12:55:00.000-08:00

Before we say Happy New Year we wanted to add just a few additional yearly activities in the mix. Emma had her Christmas Program for preschool on friday. She was so excited about it. She did her dance mix with her class and LOVED holding the candycane while at it. She especially loved showing us how she played her violin. (A make believe one as the teacher played the real one and the kids acted out the actions). But by far the favorite of the whole program was of course the big man in red. Her teacher helped Santa hand out fun little candy bags as each child got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted him to bring this Christmas season. Emma of course asked for 'My Little Pony', will she get it is yet to be seen, as she has been talking non stop about all sorts of things OTHER than the one she actually asks him for. We'll see what we can manage. She'll be happy with anything... Finally, the girls got to wear their Christmas dresses to church for the first time. Emma was especially excited, she LOVED the flower on it and was so thrilled to show it off to her teacher. Merry Christmas to everyone and have safe travels where ever you go.

Lilly & A Cupcake...

2008-12-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you mix a 2 year old Lilly with a chocolate cupcake?

This.... Who cleaned it up is the question...

Daddy gave it to her.. who do you think?

Snow man making days!!

2008-12-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

I had to laugh at Lilly as I put her snow suit on. She reminded me almost of the little boy in 'A Christmas Story'.

We have a new (temporary) addition to the family. We woke up this morning and to our surprise there was more snow. This time it stuck and stayed for a few days. The girls are warming up to it and as soon as daddy got home they were outside building a snowman (there was no way I was going to get 2 large snowballs on top of one another. I'm a wimp, I know). The girls had a good time searching for black "coal" rocks and a couple of whipple sticks from a bush nearby. Luckily I had decided to get baby carrots that day at the store thus creating his beautiful features as shown. With a scarf and a hat, our snowman came alive. (Not really; but the girls liked to think so). They took immediately to role playing with him and then decided it was too cold thus retreating for the house. They wanted him to come but alas, we explained that if he came in he'd melt away and they wouldn't get to see him the next day. They were happy just looking out the window at him. We'll see if this snow stays.... (I thought we escaped the snow when we moved down here; I was told it only happens like once every 5 years... great, we made it for the 5 year mark I guess.) Oh well, we are enjoying it while it lasts. It makes it feel more like Christmas for us thus we're enjoying the season!!

It's gonna be a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

2008-12-15T19:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, maybe not quite a White Christmas, but still it was quite a shocker when we woke up this morning to what seemed at first like another overcast day, but then we started seeing white flakes on our way to school. Emma was glad to be going INSIDE for school (she REALLY hates the cold), but Lilly was quite fascinated when we got home. She even tried to pick some snow up but didn't want to hold onto it. (Like the full moon shot?) We have dedicated these pictures to our little friend Caden Fry, considering he's been asking his mommy he wants to go see snow and doesn't remember it considering he was just a baby... so here's to you buddy!! Wish you could be here in person to enjoy it, (it's not sticking so your not missing out.) None the less, it's been fun (but cold) staying indoors and watching it all fall. It's beginning to feel like Christmas for sure. Thank you mother nature!

Guess who's knocking on May 10th?

2008-12-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is about baby feet but I just love seeing beautiful pix's of them. They make me want to just kiss and squeeze them. Thus, we of course are not only preparing for baby to be, but have an official date... We went in over Thanksgiving weekend and my doctor was able to tell both the due date as well as what to expect. I kept saying it was a girl hoping that would jinx it into making it a boy, but alas; you guessed it... another girl!! We are of course excited for either outcome (I being a little more nervous than Nate), but reassured none the less that it is going to be another fun filled adventure with whatever Heavenly Father sends our way. We are thrilled to add another sister to the brood and have been asking the girls what names they like (considering we are just fresh out of girl names). Any ideas, please throw them our way. We'll keep you posted as the date arrives!! Happy holidays to everyone!!

Thanksgiving Feast, Newborn Baby, Temple Lights... Busy, Busy, Busy!!

2008-12-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

(For those of you that say I don't post enough pix of me, well here you go. This is as good as it gets for now. We are taking family pix's soon thus I'll have more to post later.)

We spent Thanksgiving in Salt Lake and really had a good time with family (didn't get to see many friends due to how short of time we were there). We kept up the tradition of shopping early Black Friday with the women in our Cooley family and thus sent our pregnant addition (Gretchen) into labor the very next day. (We had to give her props, she made it thru the whole shopping experience with no signs of labor.) I'll tell you the story: We went shopping 12:00am (yep, we're a set of dedicated women), got home from shopping at about 8:30 am; Gretchen went home to get some rest and about 11:30 am she woke and realized her water had broke. The next thing we know we get a call they're in the hospital and that night about 10:30 pm little Lucy Arissa George is born. Boy did she have a lot of blond hair. Emma was really taken to her but Lilly just wasn't sure. It was cute to see how they reacted to her (all the while thinking of our soon-to-be in May). Hopefully they'll take to their little one a little better than they did to Lucy. Congrats again Brady & Gretchen!!

One of our favorite things to do while visiting SLC during the Thanksgiving early Christmas season is to go and enjoy the lights on Temple Square. Even though it was a quick run thru, the girls enjoyed it (weather permitted) and especially enjoyed seeing the different colors. Emma enjoyed informing us she knew the colors and was ready for more.

We hope everyone's Thanksgiving Vacation was safe and relaxing.

The instant we got home Sunday afternoon I started taking out Christmas decor and have been setting up since. I love this season....

(BTW: Went to Twilight with the girls in our family and really enjoyed it!!)

Sibling Rivalry

2008-11-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

("I'm going to give you a hug and your going to like it... Stop squirming.")

So I was on the computer today and I was finally checking up on my blogging and nothing fun and eventful really has occurred for us these past few weeks, thus nothing really to post (sorry people, I'm just not very good at putting stories into words as delightful and fun as most of you do...) thus we haven't had much to post, until today. As I was saying, I was on the computer catching up on news when Lilly came in and had Emma's recital outfit on (something they now use for dress up). Emma followed in one of her ballet outfits. I had to laugh. I then started snapping pix. They were dancing and playing make believe so well together (fighting came with it as most sibling rivalry does) thus as I was taking pix's I told them to give eachother a hug. Lilly didn't want to have anything to do with it. She was busy trying to dance and skip but Emma (my most obedient one) took to trying to give her a hug. As you can tell she had a hard time, and Lilly was not happy about it. So, here's to those of you who can understand those crazy kid moments. I have so enjoyed reading up on the kid stories most of you have posted. I just wanted to contribute with my own...

Fun with an Elephant!!

2008-11-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors are moving and clearing out games and they gave us an elephant butterfly game that the girls pulled out immediately and started playing with... As you can tell, they had such a blast.

Happy Birthday Lulu!!

2008-11-03T21:41:00.000-08:00

Lilly turned 2 today and boy is she climbing mountain after mountain!! I cannot get over how fast it all goes by. She got quite a few phone calls and loved talking to everyone. Thanks for calling. She loved her little Pajama Party with all her friends & family. Her cousins came down from Salt Lake for the week and she got to spend the day with them while mommy & aunt Kimmie got ready for her party later that night. Everyone had fun decorating their own pillowcases, watching Lilly open her gifts and having cake and homemade peach ice cream (which turned out absolutely DELICIOUS!!) Then, they all sprawled out with pillows & blankets while watching Dora & waiting for their parents to come pick them up. It was such a fun night and just flowed so easily. Goodie bags included: travel size toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, floss, glow in the dark stars, mini bubbles, & gummy's. The kids loved them.

Happy Halloween!!

2008-11-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Emma still couldn't figure out what she wanted to be this year. One day it would be a princess then the next it would be something completely off the wall (half the time I had no idea what she was saying.) Thus, I pulled out one of Emma's old Halloween costumes (a lamb costume she wore her second Halloween) and decided to run with it. When I told Emma I was going to make her a Bo-Peep costume, she asked, "Princess who?" I guess she decided to run with it because later she had her preschool Halloween party and had fun showing off her version of "Princess Bo-Peep". ( She cracks me up.) Thus, "Princess Bo-Peep" and her little stray lamb got dressed up and ready to go trick or treating in our neighborhood. We didn't have much luck as it seemed everyone was out doing the same thing we were doing. (Wierd) So, we decided to go to Nate's cousin's neighborhood where we did a little better, but still not as good as I remember as a kid. All that mattered was there wasn't any whining or fussing about wanting to quit and go home so we stayed out for a couple hours longer than I thought they would go for and then made it home to bed. The girls enjoyed dumping out candy and seeing all that they got. It was a fun night over all. Happy Halloween everyone!!

Prop 8 defined!!!

2008-10-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

It's crunch time now people!! All those who do not know what or who they are voting for, the time has come to really get to know what is going on... Especially on the prop 8 deal!! Click on the link below, I think this website really helps define in clear terms what Prop 8 really is about.. (that is, if you haven't checked this site out yet..)
http://www.preservingmarriage.org/

Pumpkin Farm Adventures!!

2008-10-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Considering there is only 1 pumpkin farm here in St. George and surrounding areas, it really wasn't as crowded as we had anticipated. The girls had a blast with all the different activities they had going on at the farm; especially being able to pick out their own pumpkin to take home and carve... It was a fun day at the farm!!

"Happy Helper" Emma

2008-10-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Emma had a big day on Friday at Pre-school. She was the "Happy Helper" for a day. She was able to take the "Happy Helper" bunny (aka: Flower) home with her for a few days. She had fun taking Flower shopping, swimming (Flower watched), and to the park. She was sad to take her back to school but she had fun helping the teacher the rest of the day. She also got to bring in her favorite little stuffed kitty for sharing time as well as share cookies with the rest of her classmates. She had such a blast.

I've been tagged WAY TOO MUCH!!

2008-10-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's the deal. I've been tagged twice so this is just going to have to do for those who have tagged me and for those who want to tag me again. But hey, I'm at least being a good sport about it and responding to those who tagged me... Here goes!!

TAG #1
The rules are:
Link to the person who tagged you: http://jtmaughan.blogspot.com/
Post the rules on your blog
Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself
Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them
Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

Weird things about myself, in no particular order:
1. My name... (enough said).
2. I've been married 6 years now & in that time lived in 6 different places.
3. HUGE Gone With The Wind & Scarlett fan. LOVE those classics..
4. I love the day after Thanksgiving shopping hype!!
5. I am SUPER anal about brushing my girls teeth after I let them brush them first...
6. I want to move back to California...

TAG #2

8 TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH
- CSI (Las Vegas)
- NCIS
- CSI (New York)
- Ghost Whisperer
- Numbers
- Prison Break
- Mentalist
- The Office
(I watch WAY TOO MUCH TV... thank goodness for DVR!!)

8 FAVORITE RESTARAUNTS
- Cafe Rio
- Olive Garden
- Famous Daves
- El Matador
- The Melting Pot (once in a great long while; so EXPENSIVE!!)
- Applebee's (sometimes; just for a chicken chinese salad; my fav.)
(We just don't go out a whole lot...)

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTURDAY
- went shopping for groceries & home accessories
- took the girls to the park
- made cupcakes for Emma's Pre-school
- watched the girls swim in their little pool in the backyard
- took a nap (Mmmmm....)
(not too much really)...

8 THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Kaleb getting back from his mission (just under 3 months... WAHOO!!)
- The Day after Thanksgiving SHOPPING with the girls!! (who's up for 12:00 again?)
- Going to Disneyland next year for Emma's 5 year birthday (she talks about it everytime someone asks her how old she is... she'll tell them 4 but then she adds, "But when I turn 5 I get to go to Disneyland and see Ariel and Cinderella and Jasmine, etc...")
- Lilly's "2" birthday party!! (still don't know what we're going to do...)
- Nate's new job isn't as TIME constraining; we get to see more of him... YAY!!

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
- Finish school
- Settle down into my OWN home and never move AGAIN!!
- Have twins so I can be done!! (not too sure about that one)/ have a boy...
- Make lots of money so we can take a trip to Europe (here's to wishin, right?)
- Move to California
- Predict who the next president is going to be so that I can just kill myself NOW!! :) (j/k)

I'm just ending this tag game... Sorry, I know I'm such a bumber but everyone I would tag have most likely already been tagged. JUST DON't TAG ME ANYMORE.. Thanks guys...

Win A FREE Handbag!!

2008-10-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, those of you who know me know that I'm such a purse collector... Well, I found this on a friend's blog and had to check it out. If you like purses as much as I do, check it out... it's def. worth your time!! http://www.handbagplanet.com/

Our First House Guests!!

2008-10-06T23:24:00.000-07:00

Michele (my cousin) and her 2 kids came down to visit us for the weekend. They had missed us as we had missed them and thus had planned a fun filled weekend to get together with the kids down here at our new place. The kids had a blast (even though we got rained out on Saturday). We made the most of it though...

Gage & Lilly are SOO funny when they get together. As you can see, Gage is SUPER patient at times with Lilly; even more so to where he'll let her clean his nose for him... What a fruitcake. They loved playing catch and throw in our kitchen and especially enjoyed chasing eachother around the house. They had so much fun.

Considering we were rained out on Saturday, we decided to check out the much raved about dinosaur musuem here in St. George... (yeah, sorry, it really wasn't much let alone THAT fun for the kids). But we got some great pictures.

Of course the big attraction was going and seeing the horses. We were a little better equipped this time with carrots and so ALL the horses were a little more apt to coming over and seeing what was going on. Shelby sure wasn't afraid... she was even into hugging and kissing the big animal. Gage and Lilly of course were still afraid they were going after their toes and not the carrots... Besides seeing the horses, the kids enoyed swinging on rope & stick in our neighbors yard. Even Lilly got into the "swing" of things. We had such a great time....

WE MISS YOU GUYS ALREADY SHELL, SHELBY & GAGE!!

Thanks for coming and spending some time with us. It made us feel a little more at home!!

Surprise!! Surprise!! Can you guess??

2008-10-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Well, happy news all around I guess... We've known for sometime, we've just really been stressed with the job not panning out; finding another one that would work and then moving and getting settled. It's been absolutely crazy. But, we're 100% sure now we're expecting.... (It's become happier news now knowing we'll be covered and not so jobless as we thought).. Anyhow. Due sometime the beginning of May, we look forward to adding another to the Dial Clan. We're not sure yet if we want to know what we're having (as either way we're sure we'll be just fine) but I don't know if I can handle 9 months of not knowing what to expect (Do I finally get my boy or are we to add another girl to the wish list of Emma & Lilly). I was asking Emma the other day what she wanted, a baby brother or baby sister. She sat, almost thinking for a moment and then said, "Um, I want another baby sister." A few months previous, out of the blue she told me, without me nudging or asking, "Mommy, I want another sister." (I wonder if that was after her and Lilly had gotten into that day or what...) Either way we'll be sure to let everyone know what we decide. Oh Happy Days....

Willie the Cat...

2008-09-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the most patient "kitty" I have ever seen. Look at how he just sits and relaxes, let alone with Lilly. He loves the kids. This is Willie, our neighbors cat (who has somewhat adopted the girls as family now too). I don't know why, he has to sometimes fend our fun loving Lilly off at times; what with her trying to carry him by his tail at times. But he deals with it too and still comes around. He's such a good tempered "kitty". Emma and Lilly just adore him.
He loves to relax... especially if he can relax in someone's lap (it apparently doesn't matter who's lap it is)... We find him at times in the mornings taking a cat nap in our chairs on the front porch.
He even let's the girls carry him anywhere they want him to go. They'll even put him in thier stroller at times and push him around. I'm surprised they haven't put clothes on him yet. He loves to lounge around and sometimes just do nothing. He doesn't get long naps, as you can see. He's such a kid magnet.

FALL IS HERE!!

2008-09-24T09:50:00.001-07:00

We have been going for walks lately during the evening (when it's cooled off quite a bit). Fall hasn't brought much change in the weather here; still in the 90's during the day but sure does cool off at night which makes for nice walks out by our neighborhood. There is a ranch not far from us that the kids love to go and feed the horses. We didn't come so prepared with carrots or treats for the horses, but managed to find grass off the side of the fence where this one horse LOVES the attention; thus you see him galloping over to greet us (the only one to do so might I add.)Emma wasn't afraid to go straight for the neck of the horse. She was quickly taken; truly her mother's daughter...
She even found herself feeding him and not freaking out as I had expected her to.

Lilly was afraid he was going to eat her feet....
But soon found she could get his focus elsewhere other than her scrumptous toes...

Baby Bump Contest!! VOTE NOW!!

2008-09-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

My adorable sister in law, Gretchen, and proud "daddy" to be, Brady, of course are expecting. But what you don't know is that Gretchen entered a fun "BABY BUMP" contest and I'm putting the call out to all those who come to my blog to go to the link below and vote for her. Come on, isn't she adorable? She makes it look so easy and so fashionable. THUS, she HAS to win. SO, go to the link http://www.971zht.com/pages/babywatch/ and vote #137... You DO have to go to your email and confirm the vote though... so make sure you go to your email after you vote on their website. Can you believe it; she's due November 26. She looks FAB!! We're rootin for ya Gretchie!!

PROPOSITION 8!! PLEASE READ!!

2008-09-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have been hearing tons of things going on with this proposition 8 that will be ready to vote on in November some time. What exactly is it? Well, the reason I know about it is because my mom has been put in charge of informing the community on what it really is about; and she was delegated this position by her very own bishop from her ward. Now, that right there must tell you something pretty serious; that if the church is getting involved (which normally they don't get THIS involved) then this is pretty critical to take time and really become knowledgable in what is going on right there in front of you. Thus, I hope that this won't contain too much reading for you but PLEASE take a few minutes and really read and understand what Proposition 8 does for the family unit. Proposition 8, if passed, will clearly define the moral issue of marriage; meaning between man and wife. If voted AGAINST it, gays and lesbians then have a right to what a normal marriage constitutes. I normally am a very open minded person; but in this instance I feel even my way of life is being threatened and that I'm now being judged for what I believe in as far as my own marital status. I am sorry, I really do hope you read the rest and truly understand what is about to it. Those of you who live outside of California such as I, please know that this doesn't only effect California. Everyone is watching because whatever they decide to pass, normally becomes a wripple effect to the rest of us. PLEASE READ ON!!! See who emailed this as a mass email so people can become informed... If you want to know what you can do to help email him at the email listed below. Thanks for listening to my rant. I'll get off my soap box now....Good luck California and God Bless America!!

Craig S. Hungrige
Senior Criminal Investigator
Sutter County District Attorney's Office
446 Second Street Yuba City , CA. 95991
Desk: (530) 822-7293
Criminal Division: (530) 822-7330
chungrige@co.sutter.ca.us

Dear friends and family,
My friend had Sacrament this past Sunday focus on Amendment 8 in California . (the gay marriage issue)
Their stake president asked the members of their stake to come up with $38,000 to support this amendment and this is non-tithing, non-contribution money. They are also to donate 4 weekends per family to call, and go door-to door in their community passing out info and collecting signatures and educating their neighbors about this amendment.
This is an excerpt from her letter about their Sacrament meeting:
'One of the Sacrament speakers is an LDS judge in the area and his statistics were mind blowing.
For example, in Boston , MA (where gay marriages are now legal,) the Catholic Charities have closed their doors because the state has required them to allow adoptions to same sex couples, and they refused. They are a large and worthwhile charity with great power in the state and they were overruled. A Methodist church has lost their tax exempt status because the minister refused to perform a marriage of a same sex couple (they were not of his congregation). A physician who refused to do fertility treatments on a same sex couple because of religious reasons was sued, lost and the state is requiring him to treat everyone as equals.
Our schools will be required to teach, starting in kindergarten, that marriages make up many different combinations. The consequences are horrible.
Directly tied into ALL of this is our right to continue to go to the Temple . If Gay Marriage is supported by the government, then those who are same-sex married, who are 'LDS' and legally recognized as married by the government, can sue to be married in the temple. It is my opinion that the church will not bend on this issue, and our rights to go to the temple will be in jeopardy.
AND goodbye to those religious tax-deductions. Tithing, fast offerings, etc. We will lose our tax-exemption status if the government legally forces the church to support same-sex marriage.'
These effects are far-reaching! I hope no one is upset by this email, I would not want to offend anyone, but I believe this issue is not a political issue at all, but a moral issue that, affects all of society. The Proclamation on the family clearly gives a warning voice on this matter. I pray that this issue on the ballots will overturn the gay marriages occurring right now in that state, and help prevent other states from adopting this stance. I believe that it is important to support and defend traditional marriage, home and family.
Another friend says that her relatives in Sweden are even watching what goes on in California . The whole world is watching to see what happens.

BUBBLES, BUBBLES, and more BUBBLES!!

2008-09-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

One of the funnest things the girls love to do is get in our large garden tub and turn on the bubbles. Lilly will come in and ask for "Bubbas"... She's such a nut. Emma loves playing with a comb and pretending it's a mermaid. Oh the imagination these girls have.

Hot Rainy Days...

2008-09-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

Emma's Crew... these are some of the neighbor boys who absolutely love playing with her.

(We think it's because she has a set of wheels.. what do you think?)

Not only do the girls enjoy being outside, but they got their first taste of HOT St. George rain. It actually felt good compared to the 99 degrees we had earlier that day.

Driving Lessons.. LOOK OUT!!

2008-09-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

Emma got her first driving lesson today... well, sort of. She is still so skittish in her little jeep (she's had the thing since she was almost 2.) She'll get the hang of it sooner or later, with the help of her new friend next door, Malachi.

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

This is the place... no going back... for at least the next 2 years while Nate finishes school.

COCO PUFFS ROCK!!

2008-09-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

One of Emma's favorite breakfast cereals when she goes to gma & pa's is Coco Puffs. She'll eat gallons of it while she's there. See how happy she is...

BOO!!

2008-09-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

Lilly hasn't seen gma in the mornings obviously...
it's not even Halloween yet and already she's getting into the spirit. This is Lilly's favorite spot to run to when she hits gma & pa's house...
THE HIGH CHAIR!! Gma always has something good for her to munch on while we come visit.

The Last Breakfast (sort of..)

2008-09-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

Our last supper before we're on the road. Pa fixed us a delicious plate of his famous biscuits & gravy. It's TONS better than anywhere I've ever eaten before (including the Cooking Pot in YC)..