January 18, 2009

So it's been a little while--we've had one of those weeks. Connor started it by running a high fever. We figured it was just his teeth. He's been teething once every 6 weeks for the last 4 months (molars). He runs a fever, his gums get red and swollen, but the darn molars never breakthrough. Poor guy! Anyway, the fever continued until Wednesday, when, while eating lunch, his lips and fingertips turned blue! YIKES! I ran him to the doctor, but they just said he had a virus and I have to wait it out. Grrr.

Friday night, Dennis and I went out on our weekly date (to Costco, of all places, where we shared a slice of pizza and a churro after shopping, then on to the dollar theater to see Madagascar 2--not my first choice, but it was that or High School Musical 3, and it's what we could afford), and came home to find Aspen in bed with eyes puffed and swollen and a fever. Allergies? Who knows. Benadryl and Tylenol and she slept off and on through the night. Dennis and I really haven't slept much all week.

We traded off at church today (I gave Dennis the option of leading the music in sacrament meeting or teaching Primary--he readily opted for teaching Primary--Sunbeams, no less), and then he took the older kids to Grandma Brown's farm to celebrate her birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!) while I hung here with the sickies.

Anyway, a few pics that I haven't posted in the last little while.

Devin started basketball this week. They had a hard time finding a coach, so I offered to coach(with the caveat that I only know about front yard basketball and know nothing about coaching), but luckily they found someone else who knows something about basketball and coaching. Anyway, he's doing a great job. They only lost their first game and Devin scored 8 of the 14 points. Go Dev! Sorry the pics aren't great (I was using my small purse-size camera with the delay). Devin is #11:

Even sick, Aspen felt well enough to bake and decorate a cake for her dad using the baking set Grandma Brown gave her for her birthday last year.

Didn't she do a great job?

The other night we played a rousing game of twister:

I think Aspen wins for the twistiest postion:

Connor got into the action as well:

Shaylee couldn't participate because she was getting ready for the stake dance:

Devin was groovin' to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" with his friend Payton:

We also celebrated Ellie's 3rd birthday with her for FHE last week (check out that cake Wendy decorated!):

We love cousins! Shaylee & Madison:

Devin & Ryan:

Alicia & Jonathan:

Alicia's Wedding

She did it! Alicia married Jonathan Smith yesterday in the Salt Lake Temple. Unfortunately, I already downloaded all the beautiful photos Dennis took at the temple on my computer downstairs (and I'm up on my laptop watching the Olympics). So you'll have to make due with reception photos for now (I'll post the others later--they're gorgeous! We had some blown up to post at the reception).

The happy couple:

Is this boy happy or what?

With their parents:

The Smith Family

The Brown Family

Nieces & Nephews (Brown side)

Isn't my family cute?

Connor and I (with Alicia's bouquet before the reception starts):

The cake

The sign-in desk:

The photo table:

Aspen with Ellie and her Grandpa Johnson (Ellie's mom Wendy had her baby during the reception, so Ellie came with her Gradndma & Grandpa Johnson). See above post for more baby details.

Alicia prepares to throw her bouquet:

And who should catch it but my sweet Shaylee . . . what?!?! I asked her for at least 10 years . . . it's a conspiracy!

Shaylee & Alicia:

Cutting the cake:

They were sooo nice (I had cake up my nose, down my dress . . . they just ate it)

The car . . . Aspen was really concerned about "those naughty kids who put treats on the car." I think she might have been more concerned because we wouldn't let her eat the treats off the car.

Cousins

Alicia's Bridal Shower

We held a bridal shower last weekend for Alicia--Dennis' sister--who is getting married next month. It's always lots of fun to get together with the women for an afternoon of food, friends, and fun (and of course lots of talking).

The beautiful bride to be:

Some of the gifts and ideas for centerpieces for the wedding:

The food (Cafe Rio salads, yum!):

The friends and family:

We held it at Cynthia's house (Aspen adores her) while poor Jeremy was in agony in the basement (he had his tonsils removed and other painful surgical procedures a couple days before the shower):

Jeanette and Caden (Belinda in back):

Jennifer & Patty display the beautiful quilt they pieced for Alicia:

It's Summer!

Well, we had the perfect start to our summer (I say that as a mom because I like structure, and we've had it, with a lot of fun mixed in). So we had a crazy weekend of doctor appointments (Shaylee got an eye infection), scout office (Devin needed a new uniform and book), library (hurrah summer reading program), soccer games, and more. We spent a fun afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa Brown's farm on Saturday hanging with Dennis' cousins. (Author's Note: Mild potty language follows). Aspen wanted me to take her to see the cows. One of them was going to the bathroom.

Aspen: "Mom, is that cow peeing?"
Me: "Yes, Aspen."
Aspen: "Where's his toilet paper?"

Hmmm . . . not sure how to respond.

So we went inside where she explained to her dad, "Cows just pee in the dirt, and they don't use toilet paper."

So here's Aspen with the cows.


The rest of our summer got off to an amazing start as well. The kids voted to have scripture study in the morning so they would get up and get their studying and chores done. Okay. Dennis and I have both gotten up and worked out at 6:30 a.m., then we've had scripture study from 7:15-8:15 a.m. (including studying articles of faith and a new scripture dictionary we started with words the kids are learning in the scriptures), then the kids have breakfast while I shower, etc., then we do homework (algebra, french, writing, typing). I'm having the kids do research papers on our Disney cruise and Walt Disney World (motivation--anything not included in the paper will not be included on our vacation). Then it's chores and off to play. I've even had time for the park several times with Aspen and Connor, weeding, laundry, piano lessons, scouts, dance, etc. Whew! I hope we can keep up this pace.

These are some photos I hadn't downloaded from my other camera. The first few are of my dance recital (the kids all did awesome--I even got to play a duet with Taylor):






These are random photos we've taken recently:

We decided we didn't have many pictures of the cats, so here is one of Athena:

Sorry these took so long to post! These are from Alicia's graduation at BYU: