Lacy's week away, 1st day of preschool and SOCCER

We missed Lacy a ton last week while she was at Yosemite with her Mimi and Papa. We were especially jealous that we were not with them. I can't wait to get the pictures from them to see all the fun times they had. Lacy has talked about it non-stop and has begged for Mimi since the minute she got home. Mimi is apparently her very best friend in the whole wide world. She does have the best grandparents. My kids are the luckiest! They left Friday night and I was already missing her that night. It was much different being away from the kids when WE were on vacation. But having Lacy gone was completely different. Hugo missed her like crazy. He would crawl around the house whining looking for her, sit in her room waiting for her to come home. I kept myself super busy, so that was good.

I went with my mom twice to As You Wish to do some fun pottery for her Birthday. We had a nice girls lunch with my mom, Clarissa, Elise and I. Had a couple nice dinners with Shawn and Hugo. A REALLY nice birthday dinner for my mom and I, which included them singing to us and some free ice cream. I did lots of fun projects for my mother in law while she was gone (pictures to come!) Hugo got his helmet off (I'll give that one its own post)!! And tons more.

As You Wish, Take 1
As you Wish, Take 2

My Boys at Chili's the night Lacy came home

As for this week, Lacy startes preschool! We got to go and meet the teacher yesterday and today she had her first day. She was so excited. She has been begging to go ever since she knew about it. She woke up super early and wanted to get ready as soon as she pulled me out of bed. She got all dressed in her cute outfit she picked out and got her backpack, got her hair braided, had some cereal and was ready to go! We still had 45 min. to kill so we cleaned the car, took some pictures and did a little pep-talk for school. As soon as it was not too early, we went and got Carson. She was even MORE thrilled to have her new best friend in the car! I think it made the first day a little easier. For both of us! The two of them got eachother excited and talked about their new back-packs and that they each had a new booster for the other in their car... and easier for me because Hugo was in the middle of them and he was getting annoyed from their antics and was getting fussy by the time we got there. He was about to loose it so I was happy to get them out of the car :) They did really good. Hugo and I ran a bunch of errands and when the kids got back in the car they both talked a hundred miles a minute about school and recess and books and their crafts, etc.

As if preschool wasn't enough for the day (Lacy crashed on the couch right after lunch, she was pooped!) we went to see Shawn play soccer for the first time. He did really good, the game was lame tho ending early, Lacy wasn't too happy, she didn't like people kicking balls at Daddy, him being stuck on the field, people running and screaming. He had a break for a min so we ran over and Daddy told her he was having fun and not getting hurt. She was much happier after that (and an Icee). Overall it was a very busy, fun filled day.

Whew... sorry for the way long post!

Thanks for a wonderful Birthday!

Okay so my year of being 24 has been a really good one. I honestly feel like I have never been happier. I don't know if 25 can top being 24, but I can't wait to find out! I did have quite a wonderful birthday. Thanks so much for all the calls, gifts and well wishes! I felt like my phone was rining all day, and I LOVED IT! Your birthday is the one day you can feel selfish, when the whole day is all about you, and mine was!

I know being a mom, everyday is just same-old same-old. And mine was that too, I still had to wake up early and tend to crying kids. Still had to take Hugo to the doctor, go grocery shopping, deal with the HEAT and trying to get kids into the car as quickly as possible while dripping sweat, etc. etc. etc. But I did have a wonderful week all together, shopping with my mother-in-law, lots of gifts from family and friends, phone calls and and awesome messages especially from the Jones', Charmaine and Clarissa singing on my answering machine, having lunch and spending the afternoon with Samuel, and a VERY lovely dinner with Shawn's family and Samuel at my favorite mexican restaurant.

Thanks everyone for making me feel so special, I LOVE YOU ALL!

I also have to congratulate Heather for having baby Braxton on the 22nd, he is the dang cutest little guy, and Caroline for having baby Royce on my birthday, I cant wait to meet the little guy and hear about everything. I love you gals!

Kid update

Ok I just HAVE to post this pictures of Hugo. Shawn calls me in from in the other room and there Hugo is sitting on the little horsey being cute as ever with the darn biggest smile on his face. Shawn is so cute with Hugo, they were both so happy!I have been experimenting alot with Lacy's hair lately. I need some good easy hair-do's that stay in place pretty good. I got this one on camera, but we've been practicing with alot lately. She will sometimes ask for silly things like, 10 ponytails or lots of curls but for the most part she sits pretty nicely and lets me play dress up on her :) I have got a lot of ideas from this cute blog, She does hair, but we have been playing around with my own weird ideas like sleeping with lots of braids and having fun crimpy 80's hair in the morning, messy buns, etc. Anybody have any cute ideas? I'm in desperate need! Kid sister, Kid sister, KID SISTER N ME!She also has been really into taking pictures lately. I will be sitting in the other room and see bright flashes of light. Shawn thinks she is very artistic. Like the picture in the middle, its of a drawer knob, he loves it! I think she is just being a mischevious stinker (just because I have to deal with it all day!) Its pretty cute... and she REALLY did take all these pics. And this was just some, I had 80 pictues on my camera when I just downloaded them and I only took a small handful, maybe 10. She's nuts, thats why we love her! :)

Tagged Twice

I got tagged twice... its been a while but I will fill them out now!

First tag was from Amberly

Top 3

JOYS
1. My cute little family. I would rather be with them than anywhere in the world!
2. Being crafty and decorating my house
3. Sleep.. its been lacking lately and I would be very joyful if I could get in a good 8 hours!

FEARS
1. Being alone
2. Holes
3. Public Bathrooms!

GOALS
1. Finish my house
2. Make money to afford to finish my house
3. Sleep :)

CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS
1. My house
2. Sleep :)
3. With all my sisters and friends having babies I've been in such a crafty mood making blakets and cute baby stuff

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME
1. I dont know what to say, you want to know something just ask!

My second tag...

My husbands lovely cousin Maren tagged me so here I go

Here are the rules:
Link the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules in your blog.
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
Tag a new set of 6 following bloggers by linking them!

Oh great I couldn't think of 3 things in my last tag... bear with me!

1. I am obsessed with crosswords and other mind-teaser games like sudoku and logic puzzles. Shawn thinks I'm a nerd... but I'm keepin my brain alive people!! :)

2. I have always wanted to open up a deli or bakery. I know it is so silly but I think it would be so fun. Baking yummy deserts and yummy sandwiches. I would also love to have a little place in my bakery to sell all the fun crafty things my sisters, mom and I love to make! All kids have their hopes and dreams of what they wanted to do when they grew up... well this was mine! My brother and I used to sit on the wall of our garden at home and talk about our deli we were going to open. My mom always says we have similar taste in foods. We would have the best restaurant ever! You just wait, you will love it!! I remember we had a name for the restaurant but I cant remember it. Do you remember Samuel?

3. I love to play on my computer. I love to do digital scrapbooking, work with Adobe CS. Editing pictures, etc. If I didn't have a million things to do I would do a lot more. I just wish I could make money doing it, that would be the dream.

4. I really want to learn to crochet. I have tried and tried and have been taught so many different times, but for some reason my brain just doesn't think that way. I will get half way done with a project and take the whole thing apart because it is un-even or done wrong. For some reason its just one of those talents I DONT have and wish I did!

5. I am allergic to chocolate, yet I still eat a piece of Dove Milk Chocolate every single day. I have a pot on top of my fridge full of them and I grab one every day. I take the small piece and bite it into four much smaller pieces and I savour them and make them last a long time. I am not a big fan of all chocolates, maybe because I've trained my body to not like it... or I just don't want to deal with the repercussions of eating chocolate... but I can not stay away from Dove... or Thrifty's chocolate ice cream.... Yummmm, lets go get some Mommy, I've got on white, what about you?

6. I LOVE to give gifts. I love to shop, I love to wrap and I love to see the expressions when they are received. Mostly I wish I had all the money in the world and I would spend all day buying things for people I think they would like. I know its not good to just wish for more and more money.. but I swear I would use it for good! (said in a miss American pageant voice, hehe)

Now I tag: everyone!! I want to see it on all my friends pages :)

Fun night with the gals!

Last night a few of us girls went out to dinner as a last hoorah/shower for Caroline. Before she has baby Royce It was super fun and I think we should find more excuses like that to have a girls night. We went to Sweet Tomato and chatted for hours and ate yummy salad. It was a much needed, kid free break, it had been a crazy day!! Now we all just can't wait for Caroline to have her baby so we can all see what a cutie he is! Baby spiderman :)

Sara, Clarissa, Me and Caroline

Seriously some of my bestest besties right here!

Caroline, Lola (the lovely hostess and Caroline's sister) and Jen Heward

Thanks Lola for inviting us and for the pictures I stole :)

some sort of OCD??

So I've been collecting these pictures for a few months. Lacy loves putting things in stacks or lining them up. It started with one day my parents were watching the kids and when we had left my dad was walking through the house and saw the Potato Heads all lined up. He said, "Susan, whats with the potato conference in the family room?" then walked in the closet where the rubber ducks were lined up and said... "and with the rubber ducky conference in the closet?"

It was pretty funny and I explained to my parents that I dont know why but when Lacy plays with just about anything she lines or stacks up her toys first. She even does it with her dishes to decide what dishes she wants to use when setting the table. Or with her clothes when deciding what to wear in the morning. What ribbon to put in her hair. Needless to say I am always finding stacks and rows of anything Lacy touches.

Samuel and Lacy were building towers from Crystal Light bottles. Lacy was in heaven and had so much fun!

And these are just the times I happened to have a camera on me. She does stuff like this all the time! Crazy Lacy... we love her!!

Fun on the 4th

For the 4th we were super busy. We didn't end up going to California as planned because the Jones' ended up coming here for some serious family business. We were a little bummed about not getting out of this dreaded heat but so far, it has been a super fun weekend. We had Brian Katie and Susan all Friday. Lacy was absolutely thrilled to wake up to all 3 cousins in her family room. Then around 5ish everyone gathered at my parents for a nice night of steak and swimming. Oh man it was the best steak I've had in a long time!

Then after our BBQ we went with Patrick and Chaz to Patricks office for an AWESOME view of the Tempe Town Lake fireworks. It really was amazing! He works just a few blocks from the lake on the 7th floor facing the lake. With a balcony to go and view it all. We really got the royal treatment. There was nobody else around us, it was silent and there was a nice cool breeze. We went along with Chaz's dad Randy (it was actually HIS office) and all her siblings. We are so greatful they invited us, we really enjoyed the show. I'm suuure we had the best view of the show. Better than anyone at the lake. We were all alone!!

Once again.. the Browns get spoiled :)

Even Errands can be fun!

I feel like ever since my mom has started to work in the temple I don't get to see her much. (I am sure she is THRILLED about that, we wear her out!) So even if it is just us running errands together to the attorney, Wal-Mart and the grocery store... I'm LOVIN it! I know I am so lucky to live so close to my family and my in-laws. I am even more lucky that they like us and we get to see them both every week. I'm so spoiled, and I'm not afraid to admit it!
when she ran into the grocery store I was messing around with my camera phone. when she got back in the car, she just thought i was a total loon!

Lacy Lately

Today Lacy was pretty cute. I got all dressed and ready for the day and she came in and said, "Mommy, can you help me find MY black skirt?" I said, "No, Lacy that is a Sunday skirt" and so SHE said... "well you are wearing your black skirt, and I want to match you!" I couldn't resist. She even looked through all her shirts to find the one closest in color to mine. I love having a little mini-me. I can't wait until she is old enough to take to the salon or to get our nails done and enjoy shopping!We have also started a "listening chart" (which if you know me, is so not like me) but we have a little behavior problem we are trying to work on. For both of us actually. I'm a crazy yelling mom and she has a hard time listening to me. So I am not yelling anymore and she is getting better too! We made a "good listening chart" She gets a sticker when she is being especially good or does something the first time I ask her... and if I get really frusterated with her not listening or doing something naughty, she has to take a sticker off. Then when she gets to the end of a line, she gets a suprise! We went to target to get some cheap treats and she is really excited. We picked out some cute princess stuff from the dollar spot, some play-doh, and some other cute things. She finally reached the end of a line today and was really excited about the prize she picked. Lets hope this keeps working. I told her after she finished the whold page she gets her BIG prize we picked out. (a slip-n-slide). It took 2 days to finish one line, and she is still motivated, so, so am I! Wish us luck, she's a fiesty one, that Lacy Jo!

Hey.. whatever works!

Thats one way to beat the heat. Stomp all the way to the neighbors in the water at the curb. There and back getting yourself soaking wet. I sent Lacy over to Heathers for some cinnamon and she came back all wet!

p.s. i'm still so depressed at my lost camera :( I get teary every time I think about all the lost pictures of Lacy and Hugo (plus all the $ spent) that is now gone for good ...

Hugo's first hair cut!

I decided to finally cut Hugo's hair. It was getting a little long around the ears. Plus, since he wears his helmet 23 hours out of the day, it doesn't really matter how long it is because you don't really see it. He would get this sweaty little mo-hawk in the front coming out the top and his hair in back would just drip! SOO... I BUZZED IT! I also used scissors around the ears. I was so proud of myself. I always cut Shawn's hair but on a tiny little baby it is so different. He was such a trooper as well, he didn't cry at all. I think it looks pretty cute too! I was suprised at how much hair he actually had! It'll grow back by the time he finally get his helmet off :)

Grandma

I had a dream about my Grandma Lope last night. Her name wasn't actually Lope, that was her nick-name. Her name was Lola Nell, but for as long as I can remember we called her Grandma Lope and my Grandpa was Grandpa bald-head. My grandma passed away a couple of years ago and I was always really close to her. She is my mom's mom... the wife of my grandpa I often talk about. I have never dreamed about her before since she passed. I don't remember much except it was just the two of us holding hands, being Grandma and grand-daughter. I have always had a special place in my heart for her. And although I woke up with a horrible headache today, I have to say, it was nice to see her, I miss her dearly!

Saturday is a special day

I had such a good time today. Shawn, honestly the best husband in the world, took both kids today so I could enjoy Heather's baby shower! It was so nice! It was not too big, a very intimate setting that was really enjoyable because we all had so much fun chatting and enjoying eachother. I had fun making gifts and food, especially the best Kathie's rum cake I've made yet (I think I finally have it mastered) and a diaper cake. I really enjoy doing this kind of stuff...

Then for dinner we went over to Mark and Caroline's for dinner for Mark's birthday - Happy Birthday Mark. Caroline made these absolutely DELICIOUS ribs and potatoes, it was oh so good!

Good Food, Good Fun, Good Company, what more can I ask for?

The only crappy thing on my mind is the fact that my camera is still no where to be found. I am absolutely sick over it!! All the pictures on my blog since Cali were taken on my phone, so sorry for the poor quality... I am so depressed over it!!!! It was new too :(

Much better

I'm much happier now that my kitchen is clean

and the laundry is finally getting done!!

the bad thing that happened today was that Hugo's heat rash got a little worse. His face broke out in a ring-worm looking rash so I took his helmet off and with a little cool inside air and some cortizone, he is much happier. Taking it off reminded me I hadn't posted pictures of the latest painting on his helmet!

another good thing is Lacy passing out on the couch giving me a minute to blog and play on the computer - i swear its the first time i've sat down today!

Is it just me??

Is it just me or does crap like this always happen when your house is perfectly clean?? (Refer to last post.) Yesterday I was all excited to get my laundry done from our little mini-vacation, and after 1 1/2 loads my washer started to freak out. and it took a load including both Lacy and Hugo's "special blankies" hostage!! It would start and run, but it wouldn't drain. Since it wouldn't drain the door wouldn't unlock (we have a front loading washer) because all the water would run out! AHHH, what a mess! Well my Mr. Handyman husband came home from swimming with the kids at his parents to try and help me out. He ended up flooding the laundry room and the garage, cutting his hand pretty badly and NOT getting it fixed! He went to bed all flustered and irritated, and I went to bed wondering if all the laundry was going to get ruined from being wet for so long- dang mildew! Kelly called me in the morning to see if it was fixed, and since it wasn't he came to the rescue. Once again I had a flodded laundry room and no fix! He was kind enough to at least get the laundry out and let me bring it to his house to wash and dry (I LOVE having them as neighbors!!) Then tonight at 11:30 Shawn's dad was over trying to fix the sprinklers (arent we a mess?) and I enlisted in his help to try and fix the washer while Shawn was at soccer. Welll... one more time with the flooding laundry room you think they would get the hint... ITS NOT THE HOSES PEOPLE!! He finally gets the brilliant idea to take the washer to the back yard as to keep the water from draining all over my house. Needless to say, the washer is FINALLY fixed and the culprit of all this disaster?? One half of a measley, hairy, soggy, freakin toothpick in the pump!! Thanks so much Papa, Shawn and Kelly all for helping fix my washer! 1:19, the washer is put back, Papa has headed home... its time for bed!!

after some pictures, of-corse!

Our tiny house is lacking storage so our laundry room usually doubles as a pantry. All this had to be taken out to be able to move and work on the washer.

This was the one load I actually got done yesterday before it broke. Shawn's mom came over to visit today and she folded the laundry while she was here- she's an angel!!

As is Heather who also walked over, 7 months prego in the blistering heat with a laundry basket full of my clean, neatly folded laundry (how did I marry into the nicest family ever!?!?!)

Get outta here, your makin a mess!!!

Thats much better, I dont care if my back porch gets all wet!

While they were fixing the washer Shawn asked me to go clean off his car so he doesn't go to work in the morning looking like a high-school kid with a crush... I'm dying to know who did it too, my guess is Lauren ??

I know I'm lookin like a disaster but mind you it was after midnight and I was trying to descretely get a picture of my marijuana smoking neighbors in the back ground. They are really nice people, Lacy thinks that one is a princess when she comes out in her full African attire.. but they sure do like their Mary Jane's.

I know, random picture, right? This is what I was doing when Papa got here- making birthday cards for the relief society sisters in the ward.

And the stupid toothpick that started it all... I'm never going to use a toothpick again!!! EVERRRR!!