the drive-in

Last weekend we piled blankets, pillows, camping chairs, and treats into the mini-van and took our kids to the drive-in to see Kung Fu Panda. Unknowingly, we also brought along a couple unwanted guests- Vomit and Diarrhea. Fortunately, the kids weren't the ones to get sick and they quite enjoyed the show. Livvy spent the entire time trying to escape which drove us NUTSO but really, should we expect anything less from her?

The next day the kids were so excited to tell everyone all about the drive-in, or more specifically how daddy threw up all over the front tire. Just what everyone wanted to hear. Needless to say, we don't encourage them to talk about the drive-in anymore.

Earlier in the day I had stopped at Costco to buy a few things. I didn't want to make any more stops so I picked up some treats for the movie. What was I thinking buying super-sized treats from Costco? I guess I was thinking I was buying treats for a baseball park full of movie watchers. I am rather proud of myself for NOT buying the big huge can of nacho cheese sauce. I had to call Dave on the phone and have him talk me out of it. Because really, I do love me some nachos. Dave doesn't though and of course it was a ginormous can- it would have been a waste of $10. But I would have loved it. Or I guess I should say I would have loved to have loved it if I hadn't been feeling sick.

Overall, the drive-in was fun and even though Dave pitched his cookies between movies, we did stay and watch Indiana Jones. Can't go to the drive-in and not see a double feature! I was hoping Taylor would fall asleep and not watch Indiana Jones but he stayed wide awake, probably because he was scared out of his mind. He moved over and sat by Dave when things got a bit scary. The girls fell asleep and we breathed a sigh of relief- no more chasing Livvy. Bless her.

So if anyone is up to seeing Wall-E, we just might be hitting the drive-in again. And this time we will be sure that no uninvited guests come along for the ride.

July 4th

I guess I'm a little behind in posting about the 4th of July. We had a fun day with me spending the first half of it sleeping in my bed. Can the day get any better than that? Dave mowed the lawn. We made food and headed on over to my parent's house for a bbq. It was a good dose of family, food, fun, and fireworks with a little swimming and croquet on the side.

Taylor and Ethan (or as Taylor calls him- "Esan") displaying their see-food.



A little croquet anyone? Dave is a big croquet fan and Taylor has now followed suite. Or maybe it was just because he was the oldest child there and the light turned on and he actually understood the concept of the game.



I have decided to make it a tradition to get everyone in the family new clothes for the 4th. Not necessarily matchy-matchy (Dave would rather die) but just something red, white, blue or a variation of all three. This year I was a little behind in my clothes purchasing and didn't find Dave anything during my last minute clothes binge at Old Navy. I felt bad but I'm sure he was more happy than sad.

He grabbed this red plaid shirt from his closet. It was missing a button. And wouldn't you know it folks, the guy sewed on his own button. I was impressed. I guess he didn't go on a mission for nothing. His mom would be so proud.



We watched the Sandy City fireworks from a hill over by Jordan High School. The kids had a great time. This was mostly because #1- Russ and Nat were there to provide entertainment for them and #2- Russ and Nat located the kids some glow sticks. So you see, we can credit a successful night at the fireworks solely to Russ and Nat. We have to enjoy these happy aunt and uncle times while we can because once their rugrat arrives on the scene- our kids won't be so cute anymore (to them anyway).



Afterwards, we came back to my parents house and set off our own fireworks in the street. We didn't get home until after midnight. Isn't that what holidays are all about? All regular behavior out the window to make way for celebration and pandemonium? Pretty much.

The headband-

Sara totally gets it- Livvy, not so much. She kind of looks like an 80s aerobics instructor, what with that mullet peeking out from under the headbands.

Livvy turns 2

My Livvy turned 2 on the 28th of June. Where has the time gone? Not only is she 2, she isn't even the baby of the family anymore. CrAzY! I had big plans to do a Care Bear birthday party for her but come to find out- they have discontinued the Care Bears birthday party line. What? Must there always be something stepping in to foil my party plans? The answer is YES. However, I was not deterred. I quickly made a change of plans and we celebrated Livvy's birthday My Little Pony style.

I have spent the last month or two trying to get her excited about her birthday. She just has not gotten it. AT ALL. In fact, I still don't think she even knew what in the heck was going on at her party.

Classic Olivia- during her party she and her cousin Zoey went upstairs into the bathroom and found the toothpaste (that gross blue-glitter kid toothpaste) and proceeded to wipe it all over themselves and the carpet. Now Zoey kept herself under control (the word 'control' is all relative when you consider we are talking about an almost 2 year old) and only got a little in her hair and on her hands. Livvy, on the other hand, had smeared toothpaste on each of her legs, both arms, and clothes. So much for dressing the kid in a cute birthday outfit... For once in her life she actually avoided her hair. Birthday bliss. And darn it- I was too involved in damage control to even get any pictures! I love pictures. Oh well.

After she was all changed and cleaned up, we brought out the cake. While everyone was singing Happy Birthday to her she just looked around the room wide-eyed. And then when we came to the words "Happy Birthday Dear Olivia", she looked at me like "hey, are they singing to me?" Yep, kiddo. Party. for. you. Catch on.



She did a great job of blowing out her candles without completely spraying the entire cake. Impressive for a 2 year old. Her cousin Ethan reached in and grabbed a candle to lick off the frosting. Livvy followed his lead. Only problem is- she didn't realize that he was licking off the candle- not actually eating the candle. So yes, she took a nice bite of candle.

Here she is spitting it back out...


It never fails just how quickly kids figure out the "ALL these gifts are for ME?" thing. Look at that happy face.



Livvy was showered with many gifts but true to her baby-obsession form, one look at this flower baby from Regan, Hali, Porter, and Zoey and she could not get it out of the box fast enough. She just kept saying "baby baby baby" until it was freed from its packaging.



So there you have it- Livvy's birthday party. It was a good time. I just love to throw parties for each of the kids on their birthday. It's a nice way to let them know they are loved.

We are so happy to have Livvy as part of our family. She has SO MUCH ENERGY. As hard as that can be at times, it can also be so much fun. She loves to love and to be loved. She loves to pull off her diapers and shower my house in her business. But still, I love her. We all love her cuz she is just so darn cute and so darn Livvy!

Mr. Mom

A couple days before we went to the hospital to have the baby, Dave was lamenting the fact that he would have more responsibilities around the house during my recovery. We were joking around about it at the time but in all reality, he was dead serious and not looking forward to his temporary role as both mom and dad.

I am happy to say that we (and by we, I mean DAVE) have successfully made it through a week or more of new baby and things are good. Dave may have some rather unconventional ways of "helping" around the house but all children are alive and accounted for. Apparently playing Rock Band as loud as possible, because "the louder the better" is soothing for the baby. I tend to think it has dulled Spencer's senses but what do I know? I'm not the dr around here...

Sara came running into me the other day giddy over her new hair-do. I asked her who had helped her with it and she proudly announced "daddy". One question: How does he do it? If I had conjured up that hair-do, there would have been weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. I guess daddy just has the magic touch.



I mean, look at that part- who knew Dave was capable of such a thing? Now I just need to introduce him to the flat iron...



The other night the kids wanted a treat before they went to bed. And Dave's response, "You get to brush your teeth for dessert". That stopped them dead in their tracks and had them looking at him like "What the...?" That's right kids, it's time for daddy to go back to work.

Thanks for being such a trooper Dave! Yesterday he started back at work. I know he didn't want to but at the same time I'm sure he couldn't have pulled out of the driveway faster. And really, I don't blame him.

Introducing...

Spencer Paul Jackson
Born June 22 @ 1:51 a.m.
7 lbs 11 oz, 21 inches long



Spencer and his mama


So happy to have him here!


Here he is looking rather new...


Spencer got his middle name Paul from his Grandpa Monson.


Taylor and Sara were so excited to meet their new baby brudder. Here they are walking into the room- I love the looks on their faces.


Finally meeting Spencer!


The kids weren't very cooperative taking a family picture. Well, Livvy wasn't very cooperative. She had just woken up. By the time we were done trying to get a picture she had tears streaming down her face. This is the best one we got of us together.


Despite her sour mood, Livvy was more than happy to welcome the new baby into our family. See that look on her face? It's the "my baby" look. Anyone touches or moves her baby, she either screams at the top of her lungs or bursts into tears. She is taking the role of big sister very seriously.


We are so happy to have this new addition in our family. He is so sweet and we love him with all of our hearts!

FYI

Just to let you know...the bun is still in the oven.