Bunch of Sparks

Happy Birthday Drew!

2008-10-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

So today was such a busy day and we didn't even get to sit down to do presents and cake until 8:30 this evening. But Drew had a great day anyways. He was able to bring donuts to preschool and even got to have soccer practice, which is one of his favorite things. He also got to pick where to go for his birthday dinner which was Carls Jr.

He asked us for a lemon cake with lemon frosting and lemonheads on it. He even had lemonade for dinner. Do you think it's safe to say he likes lemons?

He was excited to get his first bike and can't wait to take it outside in the morning. This was exactly the bike he wanted because it had rockets on it.

Happy 5th Birthday Andrew. We love you!!!

Her first trophy

2008-10-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Madilyn had another piano recital tonight. She loves to play the piano and has learned so much. I think we get more nervous for her than she does. We know that if she doesn't play her songs perfectly, that she will be disappointed in herself and that is hard to watch no matter how encouraging we are. She did a great job though and we are always so proud of her. Madilyn has been particularly looking forward to this recital because she earned her first trophy ever for completing a series of books. She is now asleep with the trophy by her side. So sweet!!

This is her piano teacher Chris Richter. He is such a wonderful teacher!! Doesn't Madilyn look tiny next to him!!

On a totally different subject, Madilyn was fitted today for an fm system for her hearing aides. When she goes back on track, her teacher will wear a microphone all day long that will transmit the teachers voice directly into her hearing aide through radio frequency. It will be so much easier for Madilyn at school as she will hear her teachers voice above all other sounds. I love technology!!

Drew's suprise party

2008-10-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

Grandma Sparks threw Drew a surprise birthday party while we were in California. She went all out by doing games for all the cousins to play and gave each kid tickets to put in their pockets and then redeem for a fun prize later. We had Drew's favorite foods, hot dogs and chips and just had a really great time with cousins and family. He even had a Spiderman pinata and a cool soccer cake and to top off the night, he got a new shiny and fast scooter. I still need to get pictures from my sister in law but here are a few that were on my camera.
Ethan helped himself to some icing before the party started. He's such a sneak. He wasn't even wearing any of the evidence. Thanks again Grandma, it was fun to celebrate Drew's birthday with family! You rock!!

Making faces!!!

2008-10-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

While Grandma was getting ready for Drew's party, Chris and I took Madilyn and Drew up to Oak Glen. Drew wasn't really all that interested at being in Oak Glen so we actually spent very little time there. You can't go to Oak Glen though and not get a caramel apple so of course we had to get one of those. Well then we just got creative in taking up time. How about making faces at the camera!!!

Newport Beach!!

2008-09-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the beach when we took the kids on Tuesday and so we decided to go back again on Thursday. Madilyn's top priority was finding shells. She was so determined to find a whole sand dollar and on the last day, we found a whole one for her. She was thrilled!!

Ethan loved playing in the sand and having freedom to play around. He did a few face plants in the sand and he didn't even care.

Drew is our beach guy and fit right in with the beach scene. He loved the water and pushed Chris to go further and further. We were lucky to see dolphins out in the ocean jumping out of the water and having a good time. We were able to get out pretty far in the water because of a sand bar that had built up. Literally not more than 50 yards away, we watched dolphins surfing in the waves. I lived in Cali for 25 years and never had seen them that close before.

All you beach goers...what's the one thing you don't want to do? Feed the seagulls! Do not feed the seagulls! Ethan on the other hand thought it was fun to have the seagulls and pigeons around and fed them cookie the second day. The first day we were out in the water and a bird took off with some cookies and another took off with a diaper. Before you get too grossed out, it was a clean one. It was kinda gross to have so many dirty birds around but at the same time it was funny. Ethan enjoyed it.

We also went to Balboa pier and had lunch at Ruby's. As Madilyn puts it "some Mexican guy" caught a starfish while we were watching from inside. It was the biggest starfish I've ever seen, not that I've seen many. Just another fun beach experience.

I wish I could be a California girl...again

2008-09-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

This was probably the first trip back to California where I really felt like I was missing my home. When we first moved here to Utah, sorry to those who have always lived here, but I hated it. I went home every chance I got. Those visits got to be fewer and farther in between and I got used to Utah. I would even go as far as to say that I liked living here. But after visiting this last time....I miss California, which I still consider to be home. Could a move be in the future for us? Eventually, I would like to move back, but the time is not now. Hopefully sooner than later! Madilyn and I were talking and she was excited I wanted to move back. She also threw in that she knew we'd be moving back to California because mom always gets what she wants. I just had to laugh!!!

The Wedding

2008-09-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

So I don't have many pictures of the wedding but thought I'd make a post of a few of them now and then some more when I get more pictures. I believe girls started getting ready around 10:30 and the wedding didn't start until 6 and even then it felt rushed towards the end. It was a busy day. Madilyn was the flower girl and loved every second of it. She was all ready to go and then decided she was hungry. Room service to the rescue. Not exactly a gourmet meal for her first room service...more like a hot dog and french fries but it hit the spot, wasn't messy, and kept her content until dinner.

Madilyn looked so precious and ate up the fact that people kept telling her how beautiful and sweet she was.

Michelle was a beautiful bride and remained pretty calm throughout the day. We really like Brad and know that they will be so happy together.
I'll post more pictures on another post. There are stories to tell.:)

My little sisters wedding

2008-09-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

My little sister Michelle got married on Sept. 20th at the Marriott in Marina Del Rey in Southern California. It was the most beautiful wedding and so much fun. It was the first time in many years that all my brothers and sisters and I were together. Her rehearsal dinner was at a restaurant across the street. Michelle looked so cute and you couldn't even tell how nervous she was for the day to come.

Drew was tired but was such a trooper. He just finally laid across 2 chairs and fell asleep.

I love my little sisters!

I can hardly believe that Summer is over!

2008-09-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Where has the Summer gone? You may have particularly been wondering that as my last post was sometime in July, I think. We have been busy with 2 kids on soccer teams (one of which Chris coaches), riding scooters at classic fun center a few times a week, doing the bounce house and the jungle, splash parks, going to the pool, playing with friends and so many other fun things. Madilyn is back in school but off track already and Drew started preschool. We have very busy days at the Sparks house. That's a wrap up of our summer though. The months have flown by and I am so not looking forward to winter.

Cascade Springs

2008-07-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

We are finding all kinds of fun things to do this summer. It is the first time in a long time that we don't have to take a stroller or carry a kid in our arms and we are enjoying that. This morning we went to Cascade Springs just outside of Midway at the end of the Alpine Loop. It was so beautiful!!!

So many of the wildflowers were in bloom.

The kids love to hike and follow the trails ahead of us.
I thought what a great picture spot but of course Drew refused to smile.
Ethan's a homie! I kept fixing his hat to be in center but I guess hanging off to the side is the way he liked it. I'm not sure what they are doing here but it looks like Ethan is about to cause some trouble.

Slipping and sliding

2008-07-19T14:58:00.001-07:00

We pulled out the slip n slide from the garage and the kids entertained themselves several times this last week playing on it in the afternoons.

Ethan didn't get to play with it the first few times because Madilyn and Drew played while he was asleep. He thought it was great!
And when he was thirsty, he drank! Oh and I do feed him even though his ribs are plainly in sight.

Ice cream with Gramme Sparks....kinda

2008-07-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

So the kids got an ice cream card in the mail from their gram-me Sparks who lives in California. Beth is really creative and good at crafty things. She made this card. Isn't it cute!! The note inside said she wished she could take the kids out for ice cream and had money inside to treat them to something yummy. The kids were excited to go and get their treat and so we went this afternoon.

THANKS GRAM-ME!!!!

Madilyn's ice cream was strawberry mixed with gummi bears. Drew's was Raspberry with bubble gum or gubble bum to Ethan, and Ethan's was strawberry with rainbow sprinkles. It was definately a sweet treat!!!!

Enjoying the outdoors

2008-07-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

For years I have been saying that we need an El Pollo Loco here in Utah and guess what!!! We got one!!! I heard one had opened in Lehi and we made the trip down to get some yummy food. May I also add that after Chris and I got married and weren't sure where to go next, we went to El Pollo Loco. So there's some sentiment there, I guess. Anyways, we went through the drive through and went up American Fork canyon for a picnic and some hiking. We are so blessed to have such beauty around us.

Isn't he the cutest thing? K so the kids bought some hubba bubba bubble gum at the store the other day and Ethan told them he wanted some gubble bum. "I want gubble bum! I want gubble bum"! So guggle bum it is. I Just thought that was so stinkin cute, I had to share.
My three cuties! My photogenic Madilyn
K so there's a story here. The water here is actually quite fast flowing but it is very shallow and fun to walk across the rocks. The water was also really cold and the kids weren't so sure they wanted to go in. I know I didn't, but I encouraged them. Madilyn went out a good ways and lost one of her flip flops. It was going high speed down into the resevoir and me with my quick reactions ran towards the flip flop trying to retrieve it before it was gone forever. As I reached down to get it, I hoped that I wouldn't be bending down in vain to not be able to grab it, especially since there were several people watching. Thank goodness, I was successful. Not so much because I'd be heartbroken about losing her shoe, but because I didn't want to look like a bigger dork than I already felt.

Happy 4th of July!!!

2008-07-05T16:46:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July everyone! Hope you had a great day! We went to our ward breakfast at our stake center in the morning and then went to a Bee's Baseball game in the evening. We wondered how much we would be enjoying ourselves when we pulled up to the stadium and our thermometer read 102 degrees. It did eventually cool and and we had a great time!
We bought general admission tickets and sat on the grass with hundreds of other families. It was a busy night at the ballpark. They gave the kids these wackie thingies that make a lot of noise when you hit them together. I'm sure there is a a technical term for them but I don't know it. Well I thought "how fun" when we first blew them up but my opinion changed when I heard the noise that came from them. The kids played sword fight, baseball, and ninja with their "bats and swords". If one thing positive was to be said about them is that it kept them busy and the kids loved them.
Madilyn spent some her time just chillin' out on the blanket. Ethan on the other hand was a total riot! He got so excited when the crowd cheered and well sometimes, even when they didn't. He'd grunt YEAH! AWESOME! GO!! and he'd throw out his little arm with his hand in a fist. He also was jumping around everywhere cheering on his team. It was so fun to watch him and he kept our blanket neighbors laughing.
There was a firework show at the end of the night and again Ethan was hilarious. He saw a few fireworks in the area before our show started and he got so excited. He was yelling FIREWORKS! and he'd grab my attention by poking me and smiling and yelling FIREWORKS! When the show started, he was just on cloud nine, excited at each blast. It was great. Our night of fun wore the kids out and this is a picture of them on the way home from Salt Lake. Ethan dragged that bag of popcorn all the way out of the stadium and to the car. He woke up once when the bag slipped from his hands. He cried for me to pick it up and after I handed it to him, he fell back asleep. So sweet!

Aunt Michelle came for a visit!!

2008-07-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

I love my little sister Michelle! She came out to visit us last weekend and we had a total blast with her. She is getting ready to be married in September to her fiance Brad who she loves and adores and who I harass for taking my sister back to her home in Hermosa Beach. I keep suggesting that after they get married, they move to Utah but I don't think it's working (for some reason). The kids had a blast with Michelle. They spent a lot of quality time with her. We went swimming, flew kites, blew bubbles, made art projects, did lunch, had a movie night, and went shopping. It was a busy several days and we sent her home with a gift. Ethan's cold. Sorry Michelle! We love you and can't wait to see you in September!

So I havn't been that great at remembering to bring out my camera. These pictures of them flying kites are the only pictures I took the whole time she was here. I promise to get better!

No longer a 2nd Grader!

2008-07-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

Madilyn finished up school last week and because we are on year round schedule, she starts the 3rd grade in just a few weeks. It's CRAZY, I know. Every year I pick her up on the last day of school knowing that she is going to be SO sad to say goodbye to her teacher. Mrs. Ostler has been wonderful and it is sad that they have to say goodbye to someone they love when they have spent so much of the last year with them. I also have to add, only because I'm a proud mom who thinks her kid is pretty great;), that she had a perfect report card.

The kids went to the Red Butte Gardens for a field trip the week before school got out. Madilyn's allergies were horrible and her eyes were killing her. We are still waiting for her appt with the allergist.

Dad's Fishing Trip

2008-06-13T14:07:00.001-07:00

Dad went on his yearly fly fishing trip to the Green River with the guys this past weekend. He had a great time, despite some nastly weather the first day of the trip, and very high flows out of the Flaming Gorge Dam. The flows actually went from 800 cfs to 4200 cfs and stayed at 4200 cfs throughout the trip.....that's a lot. However, once the boys found out what the fish were keyed in on, the fish started to get caught. The guys always do a fun contest to keep the fishing a little interesting ( although fishing the Green is always a great experience). This year they had a prize going to the first to catch a fish on a nymph, streamer and dry fly. Who would have thought the dry fly would be the fly to get. Four of the five guys went into the last day tied and wouldn't you know it, nobody got the last fly. Chris couldn't get that dry fly on. He caught a brute on a Rainbow imitation Streamer pattern, and all others where on the classic size 20 and smaller BWO Barr's emerger. Even though the Cicadas were out in force. Had to be the high flows out of the dam. All in all, it was a fantastic trip, with lots of laughs, amazing views, and probably the best fishing in Utah.

PS.....I had to hijack my wifes blog to post this trip, as I highly doubt I was going to get a featured post with pictures of Fish. Heather will probably catch this post tonight and either laugh, smack me....or just delete it. If you see this blog before it's gone, please feel free to send encouragements for approval on another trip for Dad next year.....

PSS...I have the best wife in the world for letting me go on a 4 day fishing tip, leaving her at home with 3 kids, one of which you've most certainly seen in previous posts is...not such a good boy all the time.

Do you recognize any of these people?

2008-06-09T11:35:00.001-07:00

So a few weeks ago I got together with my friend Nancy who I haven't seen or talked to in about 10 years. We got in contact again thanks to blogging. It was great to see her and catch up on life. Here is a picture of us back in the day. Nancy is on the bottom right. Can you figure out the people with the red arrows pointing to them?This was actually a picture from the trip to Utah where I first got to know Chris about 11 years ago. Yikes!!!!

This is a picture of me, Tanya, and Nancy. The guys framed this for us as a gift. We just realized that Nancy and I both named our first boys Andrew and Tanya(middle) named her first son Andy after her husbands best friend Andrew. Isn't that a crazy coincidence!This is us now. Nancy has two cute boys Andrew and Josh and her husband just graduated from med school. She is incredibly busy with her boys and her church activities. I always admired Nancy for a few reasons. She is incredibly smart (I wasn't suprised she married a smart guy) and strong in her faith. I remember her being a leader, especially in her family and I just really remember her being so kind and easy to like.
So a trip to Thanksgiving Pointe or anywhere else for that matter wouldn't be complete unless Ethan found something to get into. What's on his face you ask? It's MUD! He ran through a puddle and did it over and over again until he finally fell in it. Boys will be boys we kept saying. After awhile he was covered head to toe in mud. I think his cute little face says "take that moma, and you thought you could stop me"!
It was great to see you Nancy and we'll have to get together soon!!

Moab Family Vacation

2008-06-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we took off for Moab Utah. Saying that we had an awesome trip wouldn't even give it justice. The kids and Chris and I loved it! I brought the trusty Fabreeze to spray down the beds before we put our bedding down. Chris laughed at me and told me I was not a camper. He also told me that I couldn't bring a blow dryer and make up. We were really roughing it.

We told the kids we would give them 5 dollars if they could catch a lizard. Ethan is playing with a little metal sculpture of one here. The kids were unsuccessful and I'm not out any money. Those lizards were so stinkin fast but that didn't stop the kids from trying. They were so fascinated by all the little creatures in the park. This is Balanced Rock and it was the first thing we saw. The kids were so excited to be in Arches National Park. When we entered the park, the attendant gave each of the kids their own map. Madilyn became our guide. She told us where to go and circled everywhere we'd been. She was our little tour guide.
We got to climb and stand in many of the arches. This is the North Windows Arch. We had so much fun hiking and climbing on the rocks. It was an absolutely beautiful weekend in beautiful surroundings. So cool! Andrew ran everywhere we went so we think he hiked twice as much as we did. He'd run ahead and then run back to us and run ahead again.
Is this kid cute or what? Our little trouble maker Ethan chillin on the rocks! Ethan did great on the first day in Arches but the second day, Chris spent most of the time holding him as we hiked. It also got pretty hot that day. Chris got quite a work out.

Moab Family Vacation Continued

2008-06-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

This was my favorite arch, a cool arch with some fun rock climbing to get to it. Adventurous but safe for the kids. It was huge!!! Here's Chris and Ethan standing in it.
Here's are the kids in front of Skyline Arch. This was another favorite of mine.
Here is Chris and the kids standing in a cave they climbed up to.
The kids all wanted a turn turning the key to get into the cabin. Sometimes it's suprising how easily entertained the kids can be. We did have a fun action packed weekend. We hiked, climbed, swam, played life sized checkers, tetherball, blew bubbles, played on the playground, threw frisbees and balls, saw many ancient Indian writings, cool dinosaur tracks from an Allosaurus, went to the coolest rock store, and BBQ'd. And a Sparks family vacation wouldn't be complete unless somebody got sick. It was Andrew's turn a few minutes after we left for the drive home. Poor guy. He's ok now, we think he may have gotten heat exhaustion. All in all we had a wonderful time and plan on going again next year.

American Idol heartbreak!!!

2008-05-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

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!!

2008-05-18T20:42:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-05-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

2008-05-03T09:51:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-05-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Tonight's piano recital

2008-04-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

Madilyn had her second piano recital tonight. It's so great to see the kids perform their songs they all have been working on. It gives them an opportunity to show off how much they've progressed and to feel pride in their accomplishments. Madilyn is such a smart girl and I love the fact that even though she has a severe hearing impairment, she excels in so many things and she doesn't let it hold her back in any way. I'm such a proud mom.

Madilyn doesn't think a night is special unless she gets to go out to celebrate. Taking Ethan to a nicer restaurant is too risky so we went more casual and went to Fazoli's. We just ordered way too much food.

Ethan had a breadstick with his ranch dressing. I'm totally serious about this. He took this ranch packet and worked really hard at sucking the dressing totally out of it. Not so appealing if you ask me.

It took us awhile to figure out that what Drew was pointing at on the menu board was their yummy breadsticks. We ordered him a kids pizza meal because past experience has told us if we don't order him anything, we'll regret it later. He actually did know what he wanted, just breadsticks.

Shoot em' up!!!

2008-04-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

So what do you do if you want to watch a movie but your 2 little boys want to play????

You hand them toy guns, keep the movie going, and shoot up the bad guys!! I came out to this little scenario Saturday morning. Way to be creative Chris!!!

Baptism Day!!

2008-04-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

So there have been moments in motherhood where I have really struggled with the fact that my children have gotten another year older, particularly as Madilyn has gone through her firsts. I cried when she turned 1, I bawled when she left for kindergarten and was still crying when I went to pick her up. I have been getting teary eyed for weeks in thinking about the fact that she would be turning 8 and getting baptised and even thinking about it now after the fact brings tears to my eyes. It was such a beautiful and sweet baptism. I wish that all of you could've felt the spirit that was there. Madilyn looked precious in her baptismal whites. I know that they are pretty much ugly jumpers, but you look at them in pure white and know what's about to happen and they are so beautiful. Madilyn was thrilled to be baptised and she shined with excitement and joy as she got into the water, the biggest smile across her face. Chris then confirmed her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was just truely a beautiful day! Thanks to all our friends and family who came to support her. She loved having you all there!

Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

2008-04-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

So I know that this is about a week late, but life has been incredibly busy. Ethan turned 2 on the 27th. Grandma and Grandpa Sparks, Uncle Greg, Aunt Rachelle, and cousins came from California. Ethan had a great time carefully opening his presents. I thought for sure he would be the kinda kid that ripped open the wrappings and threw the gift on the floor only to quickly move onto the next but no, not Ethan. He was precise and looked for places to open his gift after which, with no prompting from mom, held up his gift for the cameras. So funny!!! I know that we aren't supposed to want our kids to grow up but I love that he's another year older!

Ethan's going to make me ten years older!!!

2008-03-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

So I about had a heart attack this afternoon. I took the kids to the grocery store to get a few things before family got here. Ethan loves the grocery carts with the car in front of the cart so I got a disinfectant wipe(which I love), wiped the steering wheel down and buckled him in. So I started my shopping for the few things on my list that I needed to get. I checked everything off and went to the front to check out. I love it when the cashiers are waiting for you and you don't have to wait at all. I started loading my things when I noticed that my son(not even 2 yet, at least not for another day) was not in the car. FREAK OUT!!!! Oh my gosh, I was FREAKING OUT!!!! Just gone!!! They asked me what he looked like and I told them and then they asked me what he was wearing and I couldn't remember. It was so scary! A big thanks to Ashley Wolfley! Right when I realized he was gone, I saw Ashley and asked her to go down by the frozen section while I looked somewhere else. Women were looking with me as well as employees. Ashley found him! Thank you Ashley! I just held Ethan and was so thankful he was ok. Then as he screamed while leaving the store, my feelings of gratitude and love kinda went out the window. I love him so much but man, he gives me a run for my money everyday!!! All I can do is laugh. Again, no picture!

Nothing is safe!!!!!

2008-03-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

So I was very carefull in getting ready for Madilyn's party yesterday. I made sure that I put everything in a safe place so that our sweet little Ethan couldn't reach up, pull a chair over, or do anything to undo my handywork. But of course, he found a loophole. I had frosted the cupcakes and didn't have room in the fridge. The only safe place I had (I thought) was to put them up on top of the fridge. I was WRONG!!!! I was doing Madilyn's hair in my bathroom and Ethan walked in covered in chocolate with a cupcake wrapper in hand. Needless to say I was very upset as I picked up cake crumbs while tracing his steps back down the hallway. The little sneak pulled a barstool over to the counter and from what I could tell reached up onto the fridge, which seems like quite a reach. I think he may have then stood on top of my kitchen aid. Nothing stands in his way! I didn't get a picture because, well I was mad. But I thought I'd share the story.

Time for Tea?

2008-03-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

So today we had a friend birthday party for Madilyn and instead of inviting all the neighborhood and kids from her class, we invited her closest friends over for a tea party. They dressed in dress up dresses and put ribbon and flowers on straw hats. Overall, they had a great time and I am not completely exhausted from overdoing everything like we did last year. The menu consisted of crackers, cheese, deli meat, strawberries, bananas, yogurt covered pretzels and mini fruit medley tarts. And of course, our "tea" was apple juice. Topped off by chocolate cupcakes. Madilyn has some great friends that we love having around.

Picture Day!!

2008-03-13T19:47:00.001-07:00

We had the kids photos taken by Wendy Gailey. We think she did an amazing job. Check out her website at http://www.photosbywendyg.com/. Talk about melting my heart.

The Three Musketeers

2008-03-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

I just can't say enough about them. I love my kids so much!!!

Eight years ago today I was expecting my first.....

2008-03-13T12:30:00.001-07:00

baby and I waited, and waited, and waited for ten more days for Madilyn to make her appearance. She finally did come but not until the 23rd. 10 days overdue!! She still runs on her own time schedule.

Spring is coming!!!

2008-03-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Well for the last week or so we've had some really great weather. Well good for Utah this time of year anyways. We have gone to the zoo with friends and to the park and just outside to play. It's been awesome. I'm ready to get rid of this white skin and ready for a glowing tan. Ok so you all know that I don't really tan but blue skies and warm temperatures will be nice!!!

Cookies for Valentines!!

2008-02-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

So every Valentine's Day we make and decorate sugar cookies. Usually the kids friends come over and help us but this time Chris wanted to participate in the fun. He's in school during the week so we did them tonight. Here's a glimpse at our fun!!

It just....disappeared!!!

2008-02-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

So here's a cute story about Drew. We wanted to take the kids to the I am a Child of God exhibit at the Church Museum this last Saturday. We thought it would be something that Madilyn would like to do. So we packed up the car with the kids' jackets and warm clothes and drove up to Salt Lake. We found a parking spot and Madilyn got out of the car. Ethan always takes his shoes and socks off on every car ride he takes but this time Drew didn't have his shoes on either. We asked him where his shoes were and he just looked at us almost like he was going to cry. He said, "They disappeared". Chris asked,"What do you mean they disappeared. Did you forget them at home?" He said "They just....disappeared" and he started crying. How can you get mad at that? It was all we could do to not fall down laughing. We all got back in the car and did something else. He had gotten in the car without ever putting them on.

Ethan is finally getting his teeth in!!

2008-02-09T09:38:00.000-08:00

So you may have wondered when Ethan was going to get his teeth in, I have too. After looking in his mouth, I realized the poor kid is getting five teeth in all at once. He walks around with his fingers in his mouth and says "Owie". Poor guy. Yes, he'll be two next month and is just getting his teeth in. He's quite honory but soon we won't have to worry so much about what he eats.

Home for Trade

2008-01-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

So here we go friends and family!! Hopefully you have all the seen the movie "The Holiday". My mother in law gave it to me for Christmas and I think it's cute. I have a modest home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths that I am willing to lend out for the week. We have mountain views and a large yard to make snow angels, snowmen, anything to do with snow. Personally, I am so tired of the cold and snow, so here is my proposal...I am looking for someone to switch me houses for the week. Looking for warm temperatures and blue skies. Oh and palm trees but I must leave today!......I'm sure you all have realized this is a joke but thought I'd announce it anyways, just in case. Will the snow ever go away?

Our baby's growing up!!!

2008-01-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

So I might just be a little sad, ok yeah, I'm sad. Last night Chris(with Andrew's help) took down that last peice of real baby furniture in the house, Ethan's crib. He's been sleeping on the bottom bunk of the bunk beds for the last week and has done a great job of sleeping through the night and taking his naps. While I love the fact that there's more room in the boys' room, it makes me sad to know that the next time we have a crib up in our house will be when our kids have kids. Kinda crazy!! Oh, sorry for the pink eyes, I don't know how to fix them...I'll figure this all out soon.

Screaming with Santa

2008-01-27T15:19:00.001-08:00

This picture was taken at our ward Christmas party. When Santa walked in Madilyn whispered she knew who santa was. When I asked her who, she said it was one of the Jolly boys. She was right. Ethan obviously wanted nothing to do with him but when faced with the decision of taking a candy cane from him or not, he definately wanted the candy. He took several steps away and leaned as far forward as he could without getting closer, making Santa reach very far to give it to him. So funny!

Practicing piano

2008-01-27T14:43:00.000-08:00

Madilyn has been taking piano for the last year or so. While she may not always enjoy practicing, she enjoys the one on one time she gets while her dad or I are helping her. Her teacher is Chris Richter who plays piano in primary and is a great pianist. At Christmastime Madilyn and Chris or I played duets with her. It's fun to see how far she's come.

All dressed up and ready to go

2008-01-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

The boys were excited to get ready for church today. Last June Aunt Tracy got married and they wore these suits. The suits sat in the back of their closets because they'd get so hot while wearing them. Well with our smoking hot weather we've had lately, we pulled them out again. Won't be too long before they outgrow them but they felt spiffy in them. Drew especially likes his because he looks like Batman. Ethan's feet are so fat and his arches are so high that unless I buy a shoe 3 sizes too big, they won't fit. Well that is unless he's not wearing his vans. What you can't see is that he's wearing his vans tennis shoes with his nice black suit. Vans are the only shoes I've found that fit his fat feet and somehow the look just fits him.