Deja Vu

I remember when these three did everything together.

They laughed

and played

and talked.

Oh, the funny conversations they had!

Now, they are practically all grown and what do they do?

They laugh,

and play,

and talk.

And oh,

the funny conversations they have!

This is Long...Sorry!

Well, things have been a little on the crazy side here lately.  

Am I the only one ready for this school year to be over? 

It's been a tough one.  Luckily, it will be over Friday. 

Yahoo!

We've had a lot going on this past week and I'm just going to do a catch up post so here goes...

First off -- today is Jake's 17th birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday to my first born son! 

You are awesome! I am so incredibly proud of your many accomplishments!  

Jake has carried a HUGE workload at school this year (classes like Calculus, AP US History, IB Physics, IB English, to name a few!) and has done so well.  

We're very proud of him!  

He's also kept up his French Horn and played in both Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra, been involved with the Model U.N., and still quite the golfer.  He's "this close" to getting his eagle and hopefully (he will) be finishing up this summer.  

Jake is a man of few  words so many of you may not know that he is HILARIOUS! 

 I don't know how I got so lucky to have such a great son!  I can't believe that he's going to be a Sr. and getting so close to going on a mission.  Where does the time go?

This past weekend, Lee took Scott and Jake on a mountain biking trip to Moab.  

They had a blast!  

They tested out some of the trails the scouts in our ward will be taking on the week long campout this summer.  It was really a fun experience for them and I'm sure glad they made it back in one piece.  (I have to say, I was a little nervous.)

While the boys were gone, Cole, Max, Emma, and I spent Saturday and Sunday with my parents in Draper.  It was so nice to get away.  Saturday we went to see the new Indiana Jones movie.  We really enjoyed it.  It was a little cheesy and Harrison Ford is old but it was fun.  We went to

 the new Harmon's grocery store in Draper.  (It's awesome.) I know that going to a grocery store doesn't sound fun but it was.  There's so many cool things there. 

 I wish they'd build one just like it in Provo. 

Sunday, we visited my Grandparents graves at Camp Williams 

and it was good to tell the kids more about them. 

 All in all, it was a very enjoyable little break!

Friday was 

Emma's 4th birthday.  

We went to lunch with my Mother-in-law at Mimi's Cafe (Yummy!) and went shopping for her presents.  She was so cute in Toys-R-Us!  She got to help decorate her "crown" birthday cake

 (it about fell apart!) and she loved it.  

Grammy and Papa came to visit.  It was a fun day for her.  She's having a party with her friends and cousins on Saturday.  To say she's excited about that is an understatement! 

 I just can't believe my baby is four!  

I just love this sassy, fun, creative, beautiful little girl!  I can't wait to see what she'll accomplish in her life.  It's so fun having a little girl around.  I really don't know what I'd do without her.  

Happy Birthday Emma Lily!

And, 

check out the new Elisabeth...

Before

After

She had root canals done at Christmastime on two of her front teeth.  Thursday, she was finally able to get her permanent caps put on.  They ended up doing all four front teeth so they would all match and they straighten them.  She has straight teeth now and never had to have braces.  (Lucky!)   She's all smiles now and

 don't they look great!?!

Now, I'm going to get busy getting rid of our junk.

I haven't found out anything new yet as far as our new house goes but I'm going to start getting rid of things anyway.  

I have to say that I have learned a valuable lesson on patience this past week also.

Wednesday night, I saw this young man at the high school band concert.  He had received his mission call that day but was waiting to open it after the concert so all his family could be there.  I asked him why and his reply was, 

"I've waited this long...I can wait a few more hours."

That was an eye opener for me.  

I need to be patient like Luke.

I've waited a long time for a new home so I guess I can wait a little while longer.

(But, I am going to kind of start getting ready!)

Our Little Party Planner

Are your kids like this?

When my kids have something in mind,

like a project or party,

if I don't make it happen...

they do.

For instance,

Emma had it in her mind that we were going to have an

American Idol party.

I had no intention on having a party for a T.V. show but she was

dead set on it.

I was just like, "Whatever."

Well I was at the grocery store Tuesday a little overwhelmed at all the choices in the ice cream case when I noticed this:

I thought Emma was going to pass out from the excitement when I brought home the

the Cookies 'n Dreamz ice cream (please.)

"It can be for my American Idol party!"

she said.

I thought that was it for the party.

Wrong.

She set this beautiful

"tablescape, just like Sandra Lee"

(According to Emma. I'm just glad she didn't ask me to make cocktails!)

And an American Idol party wouldn't be complete without voting.

Emma's choice...

David "Archletto"

(That's what Emma calls him -- Aunt Mary does too but that's another story.)

A Note to my Son...

My dear Scott,

I love you so much!

You are a very good son.

I hope you know

how awesome you are!

Just remember...

It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're flying with a bunch of turkeys!

But never give up trying to soar!

I love you!

Mom :)

I Suck!

Have you even volunteered for something that you know is not right for you but

you do it anyway?

Last year, about this time, I got a call saying I was elected PTA President-elect. I didn't want to do it but I thought to myself, "Well, this can be a training year and then when I become President I'll know what's up so it'll be fine."

Well, I agreed to it.

(Like an IDIOT!)

Then I got a call saying the President decided to put her kids in the darn charter school so they wanted me to be the President.

I literally laughed at the poor woman and said I'd think about it.

Every fiber of my being was telling me

"Don't do it!"

"Just say no!"

"You have too much on your plate as it is!"

"For the love of...

JUST. SAY. NO."

But Lee said, "Come on! You can do it!"

So, I reluctantly said yes.

(Like an idiot.)

Well, now that I've spent this whole year trying to figure out what this whole PTA thing is and how to be the President, I can honestly say that I suck as a PTA President!

It's been absolutely ridiculous.

I remember at the beginning of this school year, my mom asked me what legacy I will leave as President.

I laughed in her face and said that I just want to make it through the year without ruining PTA like I did the Electromagic (I was project manager of this technology fair at Thanksgiving Point when I was in college and it was a complete flop. Yes, a complete flop.)

Well, I barely made it through the year without ruining PTA.

(Thank the heavens for the handful of AMAZING parents who seem to always step up and go above and beyond expectations to help at the school. It's truly amazing! Without them, not a whole lot would have gotten done!)

But it's not over yet!

I remembered at like 11:00 last night that I forgot to call the next year's leaders to tell them about or meeting today. We were going to kind of pass things over today and answer questions. I don't remember who I talked to and who I didn't so this should be an interesting meeting.

I basically suck.

Random Thoughts...

(Emma and Max summing up how I feel today.)

It's one of those days that I don't think I could put a complete thought together if my life depended on it. 

Hence the randomness...

All I do is dream of my new house.

We are so close to getting it; just working out a couple of details.

Yesterday, we took the in-laws to see it.

They loved it.

(Of course they did. It's awesome!)

I am bone tired.

The large pile of top soil at the end of my driveway is finally spread.

My kids will no longer be filthy at the end of the day.

They are kind of sad for the dirt pile to be gone.

They called it 

"Kid's Paradise".

I wish I was in California with my parents right now.

My dad called me Friday and very excited said,

"Hey Cari!  I'm calling you while sitting at the beach with 

my new cell phone!"

He cracks me up with his new phone.

I can't believe my mom has a cell phone too.

If you know my parents, you know that's big deal.

I never thought I'd see the day.

Whoa Nelly, it's hot today!

I wish I had air conditioning.

My new house will have air conditioning.

I finally planted flowers outside.

My bishop's wife works at the MTC and brought home tons of tulips that they dug up.

I was so excited because tulips are my favorite!

I was a little too excited and I ruined the bulbs so now I won't be able to plant them next year.

But, I did get a great arrangement!

My husband is driving me a little crazy with his allergies.

I feel bad that he's having a hard time but he's "seeing the light" again!

Jake and Scott both have their Learners Permits now.

Scott actually drove to and from church today.

Kind of scary!

He did well though.

I went to the doctor's last week for a physical.

I haven't been to the doctor's in four years.

Now I have to go tomorrow to get some pre-cancerous spots frozen off my face.

Doesn't that sound fun!?!

I hope it doesn't scar.

That would just be wonderful.

There's other issues I have to deal with too.

I guess that's what happens as you get older.

Yipee.

Well, I am tired and I'm off to bed.

Happy Birthday (a day late) Craig!!!!

(Craig and my mom on the day he received his Master's Degree. I told you he was hardworking and smart!)

Happy Birthday

to my

handsome,

super funny,

hardworking,

loving,

smart,

cool brother.

(Did I mention funny? Because, seriously, he's one of the funniest people I know!)

I hope you had a great day because

you deserve it!

If we were in Long Beach,

I would have treated you to a Special T burger

in honor of your big day!

I guess I'll just send a pretend one your way!

I love you Craig!

Rock On Cole!

Cole's been learning percussion in band this year.

He really enjoys it and,

judging from his practicing,

seems to be doing well.

One thing about Cole is that he is a ham.

He loves to perform

and

loves the applause.

Here's proof at his latest band performance where he's playing the xylophone.

(Check out how he rocks out!)

(also, sorry it's a little shaky!)

Cole, you make me smile.

Friday Funny

This picture makes me laugh.

Scott's hyper because it's his birthday.

Jake is trying to blow out the candles because he's jealous it's Scott's birthday and not his. :)

Max is trying to blow out the candles because he's being the annoying little brother.

And Cole,

well,

Cole is just being Cole.

How I love these goofy boys!

Everybody Say..."WHOOT WHOOT!"

Congratulations to Elisabeth!

Saturday, she graduated with her 

Associates of Science degree

 from 

Southern Utah University.

She'll be starting the teaching program this fall

 and in just couple of years, 

she'll be teaching!

We couldn't be more proud of her!

(I just can't believe I'm old enough to have my daughter halfway through with college!)

Time does fly!

Tesoro Apreciado

Isn't it funny the things people buy at garage sales?

I remember when we were kids,

my parents let us have a garage sale.

My brother, Craig, had these stinky old hiking boots that he thought for sure he'd be able to sell.   We just laughed at him while we made our shaped Tootsie Rolls and Koolaid to sell.

He had a little tag on them that read:

"High Adventure Hiking Boots $1"

Sure enough,

someone bought them!

And the picture of himself...

Our neighbor bought it for a nickel.

(I guess he got the last laugh!)

Last fall the kids and I had a garage sale and sold a blender without a lid.

I explained to the guy that there was no lid but he was just concerned if it worked.

Go figure.

Well, a couple weeks ago, our neighbor's kids had a garage sale.

Max came home (all excited) with a treasure that he was sure I'd love...

Yes amigos, it says

"Fe~Familia~Amigos"

I figured that "familia" was family and "amigos" was friends but I had to look online to figure out what "fe" was.

It translates as

"Faith~Family~Friends".

Although it's all banged up and it's in Spanish 

(I'm not bilingual--obviously.) 

I thought it was sweet of my cute little boy to think of me.

He was proud to give it to me so 

it has earned a special place above our couch for all to see.

Le amo Max! 

Usted es un amor!