American Idol heartbreak!!!

Madilyn and I have been watching American Idol faithfully from the very beginning of the season. We have watched some of our favorites get voted off each week but Madilyn really wanted David Archuleta to be the next American Idol. We voted SEVERAL, ok DOZENS of times each Tuesday and she had it all planned out, exactly who would be left and when. Well it didn't exactly go her way. I actually wasn't home tonight so I didn't get to hear who won until after my hair appt. I came home and Chris told me her heartbreak. Apparantly they announced David Cook and she was completely shocked repeating "WHAT" over and over again. She then covered her face with her hands. Chris reached over and patted her knee and she started tearing up. Chris pulled her onto his lap and she burst into tears. She was devasted! Ah, to be 8 again! I felt so bad for her and that I had missed the final that I came home at 10:00 and got her out of bed, had her put her jacket and shoes on, and we went to get ice cream. Ice cream makes every girl feel better. We sat in the driveway with the heater on, eatting our ice creams til they were gone and we snuck her back into bed. I'm such a COOL mom!!!!

Happy Birthday Chris!!

Happy 32 Birthday Chris! Saturday was Chris' birthday and I think if you asked him, he had a very nice day. We took a picnic lunch up to a park in Provo Canyon. It was a perfect day and seeing how we haven't had many of those in months, we lathered ourselves up in sunblock and would you believe the Sparks family still got sunburned. We truely are the whitest they come.

Chris holding his greatest gifts...his kids!
Forever brothers!
A picture with Chris and I in it! A novelty!
The kids all had fun playing on the playground as well as

skipping rocks into the river and rolling down hills.And we had a picnic lunch, including Chris' favorite red potato salad.

We came home and had cake and ice cream and Chris blew out the big 32! We were excited about the gifts we got him so we had him open presents in the morning. Overall, it was a great day spent with family.

Just a little bit fat!

K so kids are PAINFULLY honest! Sweet Drew told me this afternoon that I was getting just a little bit fat as he held up his fingers to show me exactly how little that is. He recommended that I excercise tonight. I would've laughed like that was the most absurd thing I'd ever heard from him if I hadn't known that yeah, I have gained about 5 pounds in the last few months. K so back to work I go on maintaining weight loss. I hate for all you who haven't seen me in years to know that I actually got really big. Yeah really big. I delivered Ethan at the ripe size of 209 lbs. Yeah, now that's a big mama. Thanks to weight watchers, I got back to my goal weight but HELLO, obviously the 5 lbs is showing. Anyone seen my weight watchers journal?

Stitches for Ethan

So it really isn't any suprise that Ethan is the first one of our kids to get hurt and require stitches. We have a wire fence behind us and he fell and grabbed onto it. We didn't realize there was barbed wire along the bottom of the wired fence. I'm guessing they had that because the property behind us used to house horses and other animals. Needless to say, he slipped and grabbed onto it. Poor guy! This is his hand 5 stitches later. I can hardly believe how tough this kid is. We were in the waiting room of instacare and he was laughing hysterically at the movie ice age. Of course when it came time for the numbing shots, it was another story. It was so sad!! He's ok now.

My husband, The Graduate!!!!!!

Chris is finally a graduate! It has been a lot of years but the time is finally here. He has been working particularly hard this last year or so, working full time, being a full time student, and a full time dad. He said he really wondered if this day would ever get here. He has really sacrificed a lot for us and we are grateful for all his hard work. So what happens now? We're not sure!!

Chris and the kids waiting for the shuttle to take them to the auditorium. Now this was the highlight of the kids night. The shuttle started and Drew let out a big "Whoo Hoo".
The auditorium before the ceremony started. 1600 graduates!
Can you pick him out? He's shaking hands with the Dean of Economics
My husband and my sweet kids. I'm so proud! Where's Ethan's shoe you ask. Well when we got out of the car Ethan started walking and his shoe fell off. Except that it wasn't his shoe, it was Drew's(they have the same shoes). Quite a bit too big for the little guy. So by the end of the night, he wasn't wearing his sock or shoe, but he wanted the other one left on. I think with our history lately with shoes, we should just keep extras in the trunk.

More graduation pictures!

It's official!!

I thought this was an awesome picture! Walking out of the auditorium. Drew looking cooler than ever walking with his hands in his pockets.
A cute couple stopped and asked if we'd like a family picture. Evidence I was there!!!!
We took the tram back to the stadium where we had parked. It was one of the highlights for the kids.

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Wednesday we had tickets to go to a soccor game. As we drove up to Salt Lake, it started raining so we were kinda wondering if we'd be watching a game at all. 3 kids and rain or snow usually isn't a good combination. As we got to our seats though, the sun came through the clouds. The Real Salt Lake team doesn't have their stadium finished so it was at the University of Utah stadium. Madilyn was really interested in the buildings at the school and you could tell Chris was excited that she had interest in his college as he showed the kids around a bit. Our team scored 3 goals within the first 10 minutes or so. It was awesome and even the kids got into cheering them on. There was a point in the game where two of their soccor players were both going to head the ball and instead of hitting the ball, they collided, head to head and there was a horrible sound that came from it. Both were down on the ground and taken to the hospital. We were a little worried about Madilyn passing out but she held her own.Halfway through the game, the clouds started looking ominous.
And the last 20 minutes of the game looked like this. We stayed despite the snow and everyone had a great time! Real won 4 to 0!!!

Just a reminder for all friends and family

Just a reminder to you all that Madilyn has a very weak stomach. Meaning that she can't handle the site of blood, gross sores, or the idea of someone being hurt. Yep, she did it again. About the 9th or 10th time now. She passed out after seeing her friends ingrown toenail. So word to the wise, if someone gets hurt at your house, sit Madilyn down so she doesn't have a large fall when she loses it. Such a sweetheart!!!