Indulgence

Have I told anyone that I am the most indulgent parent ever? Well in case you haven't heard- I am!!!!! But not without making some kind of payment necessary, even if you are 4!!! Kairi has been suffering from (what I like to call) behavioral difficulties. You know the kind that say a 2 year old pulls, with the crying and screaming and power struggling? Well last sunday we had quite the blowup and I knew that SOMETHING had to be done. She has been wanting her toenails painted "the same color as mom's." So we made up a chart that she could color in, and told her if she could be good with no crying, fits and disobedience for 5 days, I would take her to get a pedicure. Well that was the best incentive ever. I didn't think that at 4 you should know how fun a pedicure is or that you would want one, but she did. She wanted it bad. FIVE DAYS she went with hardly any tears and the ones she did have were quickly squelched with the gentle reminder that she had to be good to get her toenails painted. It was so funny too. She couldn't even sit in the chair and get her toes wet. She had to kind of stand in the basin then lean back on the chair so the woman could get to her feet. She picked the same nail color as me, and the woman at the nail salon even threw in a special touch of flower stickers on each foot. Kairi was in heaven and now asking to have her fingernails done. 5 more days of wonderful dear sweet Kairi, here I come!!!!!!!

A Sea Monkey is Forever

I am sure you thought that diamonds are forever, but you are sorely mistaken. In our little neck of the woods you can seem to kill just about anything, especially if you are me. Anyway, Kairi got sea monkeys for her birthday and Cameron and I THOROUGHLY read the instructions on how to keep your sea monkeys alive and thriving. Well 4 or 5 days into the process we realize we have somehow managed to kill the sea monkeys. Now lately I haven't felt all to well and so things have a tendency to just sit for awhile before I get around to taking care of it. So the sea monkeys sat and sat. Just a few days ago, however, Cameron notices that hey---WE HAVE LOTS OF SEA MONKEYS. Hurray, we didn't kill them after all. Good thing too, I wasn't looking forward to telling Kairi that they were dead. So I am happy to report that the sea monkeys are quite alive and thriving. If you click on the pictures, it should bring it up large and maybe you can see some of the bigger ones swimming around!!!!

Ode to Dave......

Well since I last updated about my car-troubled brother, it would seem things have carried on since then. Just when you thought that he had encountered every imaginable problem concerning his dearly de-hooded mode of transportation, karma (or fate etc) strikes again. With Dave's permission, I write of his woes. He was on his way to get the windshield and hood repaired when, lo and behold, in his rear-view mirrors shines the red and blue of "Utah's Finest." Yup, poor Dave was PULLED OVER. He relates that the officer pulled him over for the windshield. Dave discusses his quest to get that and the hood repaired. The officer asks for the standard paperwork, and OH NO!!!!, it is not there. It would seem that the registration and insurance are not current, because the current paperwork is still in Nevada. The officer proceeds to issue a lovely ticket to my dear brother. He gave Dave a warning for the hood and windshield and tickets Dave for no registration, no proof of insurance and not wearing his seatbelt. Dave tells me that the officer probably would have ticketed him for the others, but there were only three lines on the paper and so that is why he got off with just the three violations. So with that in mind I am starting a "Free Dave" campaign. Anyone who feels it necessary or is compelled by love in their hearts to donate to Dave's cause just let me know. He would seem to have a run of luck that needs to be thrown into reverse. So Dave, here's to you.....

I wish I had a camera!!!!

I'm not sure which day it was last week, but it would seem this week I have a ton of posts that are worth posting despite the absence of a picture. I really wish I had been thinking, when this occurred. But alas I didn't. I was in the kitchen doing the dishes. Both girls were in Kairi's bedroom playing. All of a sudden I hear Kesslynn squeal and protest to..... something. Then I hear Kairi saying "It's okay Kess. Just a minute. Hold on. I got it. It's coming. It's okay. etc." So with that I decide I need to go and investigate. As I walk in the room I witness Kesslynn, sprawled out on the floor. Kairi standing over her. Upon further inspection Kesslynn has Kairi's trick-or-treating pumpkin bucket---ON HER HEAD!!!! I thought that I would topple over in laughter. But only after I knew I needed to get it off Kesslynn's head. I am hoping at this point that it WILL come off her head because I am not sure. Well luckily it does come off quite easily. So I ask Kairi if Kesslynn stuck her head in the pumpkin, and she shakes her head no. I ask if she (Kairi) put it on her (Kess) head. Kairi admits to the deed. All I could manage was "Kairi, it is not nice to put the pumpkin on our sister's head." So anyway, please imagine how funny it would be to come upon this sight and how sad you are after it is all said and done, to not have a picture to share with everyone and memorialize such a hysterical situation.

7 year Itch?

Yesterday, was Cameron & My 7th anniversary. To actually think about how long he has been apart of my life is interesting. I don't feel like we have been together that long, (and for some it probably isn't any time at all!!!!) However, in this world we live in 7 years is an awfully long time to be with one person. Sure we have has our ups and downs, but I have to say it has been a great time. So upon thinking of this, he and I wondered if the 7 year itch hits before the 7 years or after the 7 year anniversary. So I am going to do another survey. So everyone VOTE!!!!!

"You must be this tall to ride......"

Evidently this memo missed being sent to my youngest daughter. Or..... her grandmother tore it up on the heaven side and told her to disregard it. (I could see this happening, and her telling Kesslynn that it doesn't matter how tall you are, you can do whatever you want!) Needless to say, Kesslynn is now on the fast track to walking. She will turn 7 months old next saturday, and she is showing no signs of slowing. Over the last week or so she has started pulling herslf up to everything. This shouldn't disturb me, except that I fear that she is showing the physical capacity for this, but I wonder if her age limits her mental ability to discern between safe and unsafe. At least to the point that that reasoning would develop a little more fully if she was 12 months old and doing this. Anyway here she is stopping my heart multiple times a day......

Kaitlynn-Sadie

My sweet 16 year old sister-in-law came to stay the night with me one night last week. I was feeling kind of lonely because Cameron was on business in Las Vegas for the week and there were a couple of convicted murderers (for real- I swear it) escaped from the Daggett County Jail in Manila, about 45 miles north of Vernal. There was a tip that they were headed for Vernal, which they weren't (but I didn't know that at the time). So in my paranoid mind I imagined them heading straight for my house, knowing that I was husband-less and weak and breaking in, holding me hostage, and my neighbors wouldn't even know. Anyway- that was really random, but here is the rest of the story. She asked a boy to the Sadie Hawkins Dance at school and he answered her this way putting this pumpkin on my porch. I thought it was so cool and so I took a picture. She is going to love that I am posting it on here, but it was so cute and I just couldn't resist. Love ya, Kait!!!!

Dave's story...

The following posts are devoted to Dave. We love him tons and for whatever reason, we are having a Dave week of great stories and little reminders of how much we love him and Sarah.

So my dear brother has had a rough go of things as far as vehicles go. A few weeks ago he got blinded by the sun and accidentally ran a red light, causing a little fender-bender. Some front end damage occurred, but the car was still drivable. This last weekend Halo 3 had been recently released, and he and Talon were having a Halo party. Dave being the dear that he is drove to Mesquite to pick up Tal to take him to St. George to play overnight the video game. Evidently they had a great time. Anyhow, on their way from Mesquite back to St. George, Dave and Talon encountered what I like to call "car trouble." In true Andersen fashion (I'll post related incidents at a later date) the events of previous weeks came back to haunt him. The above mentioned fender-bender caused some hood damage. As Dave hit the cruising speed of 75 mph, the hood worked its way loose and in Tommy Boy fashion, flew up, smacked the windshield- broke it and stayed there. Dave relates that there were a few tense moments as he had to maneuver the now obliterated front ended car to the side of the road. I can just imagine the screams of both brothers as they relived this classic moment in Tommy Boy!!!! A very nice mechanic pulls over to help and helped Dave take the hood off and leave it as a memorial on the side of the road. Dave and Talon proceeded on to St. George-hoodless. Then to top it off and bring it full circle, as he entered St. George he had another blinding moment and pulled out another classic movie to get him home. Ace Ventura and his strong example prompted Dave to stick his head out the window and drive them both safely home. Very nice use of the things that great cinema teach Dave!!!!! Here is a picture he sent of the windshield-

So now poor Dave is in a dilemma, but I am happy to report that he has improved his situation and is now the proud owner of a black Saturn Ion. Glad to see that you managed a silver lining, Dave, you deserve it. But thanks for the laugh and for sharing it with us!!!!!

Long Live Chicken Dance Elmo!!!!

I HATE CHICKEN DANCE ELMO!!!!!! My kids however-do not. Thanks to their loving Uncle Dave, we are the proud owner of one. Aaaaaarrrrrrgggggg!! Dave- you are so in for it. Anyhow, Kairi wanted to play with it. I thought that maybe I would humor her and allow it. Now not only does Kairi love the silly toy, but so does Kesslynn. All I can say is at least it isn't TMX elmo. Love ya Dave.

I am a Princess

Life has a way of causing a ton of stress. And so it goes for me. However, the last weekend I had the chance to partake of the princess side of life. I cashed in a couple of birthday presents and highly enjoyed them. Last Saturday, Peggy took me to get a pedicure. It was a first for us both. I will spare you the pictures, but lets just say I could do that once a month and not even flinch. Kairi now wants to go and get a pedicure as well. She highly approves of the shade of purple I chose for my toenails and she can't wait to go to the "nail house" as well. Then last night I went and had a hot rock massage that Cameron and the girls got me. Heaven!!!! Can I just say HEAVEN!!!!!! Now with my latest therapy appointment, I should do okay the rest of the week. Sorry no picture..... I didn't think anyone wanted to see a picture of my toenails. :-)