Random Random

Random pictures, random stories for this post. We haven't been up to anything very exciting this week, nothing really blog worthy. But a certain daddy wants to see all the pictures I take of the boys so Eric here is your day to day events that have been going on.

Love the Minivans!

Jill this picture is for you as well. Only my cousin Jill would attempt five kids under the age of four in one minivan all by herself. Sure it was only to Olive Garden down the road to Target, but that would be more than enough for me. The only thing missing was you Tanner, I know you love school but I sure am missing you for Monday Fun! Good thing these little cousins genuinely love being with each other, otherwise this whole scene would just not be possible.

Story Time with One Special Table!



I had to snap pictures of the boys reading books on this little table in my Grandma's front room. Talk about dejavu, does this seem familiar to anyone else? Mom, Tam, Teri, Ashley, Jill? Just imagine three little girls in pigtails instead of two crazy little boys otherwise exactly the same. How many hours did we spend at this little table reading books, coloring, doing each others hair. Don't know, but I sure do love the memories!

Lovin' This Granny!

One more story that makes me so happy every time I think about it. The last few days me and the boys have been having a sleepover at Ashley's we had lots to do in Layton so instead of driving back and forth every night we just stayed at her house for two nights. The first night I was putting Lancey to bed and he got nervous in a place he had never spent the night. He was whining and then put his little hands on both sides of my face and said " mommy me want Granny's, Lance's bed". It melted my heart, Lance has been somewhat struggling in the new surroundings but the last few weeks he has been doing better. I loved the fact that he now considers Grandma's house, his house and the place he finds comfort in being. We are all missing Eric like crazy, but one day at a time I guess.

Photo Shoot

As a continuation of my last post on the family reunion I had to do an extension with these pictures of the same day at the reunion. The boys were all playing around by this fence surrounded by some weeds and I thought they all looked so cute, it was too perfect of a moment to pass up on a little photo shoot with them. After all they really are the perfect little sources for a good chance to practice my photography. I took them and then played around with them on our photoshop, sometimes I have a hard time figuring out how to download them onto the blog however, after I do some cropping and zooming and changing the colors around so somebody please let me know if the pictures don't show up. For some reason they show up for me but not for all of you. Without my little computer genius around to help me, I am leaving it to my blogging buddies!

Here are some of my favorites, cute little subjects!










Sorry Ter and Ash I am sad I didn't get one of Carson and Brevin all alone, it was all I could do to get my two to cooperate, next time for sure!

Family Reunion

I love summer because it's family reunion season. On Sunday we went to the Huggin's family reunion on my mom's side of the family. I grew up close to all of my cousins so I love seeing them and all of their kids, so fun! We missed two reunions earlier on in the summer so I was so glad to be able to be here for this one. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

I love this picture of Brevin, my cousin Melissa's little girl Brinley and Luke. They are all making such cute little expressions. Believe it or not Brinley is actually a little older than Lance, she is so darling and little.

Grandma and Lance! In usual Lance mode it always takes him awhile to warm up to people and have fun at new places. Clinging to my mom is the only way I could get him to remotely smile.

The eternal optimist Luke, he wanders from table to table scavenging food from whoever will give it to him. At one point I sort of lost track of him and he came back to me with a chicken leg in one hand and a cookie in the other. Thanks to whoever was feeding my child!

This reunion is so much fun, because they had all kinds of games and activities for kids to do. They had relay races, digging for coins in sand, pinatas and more. For some reason though we had a hard time getting the kids interested in the games, well I did anyway, Teri and Ashley didn't have much trouble. The kids spent most of their time with these exciting kid-friendly activities.

Digging around in the cooler for ice cubes. Lance was the ice Nazi and anything that went in and out of the cooler had to be okayed by him first.

Eating the ices cubes, a personal favorite of Luke's!.

Then with soaking wet hands, sitting smack dab in the middle of the sand pile and throwing it on himself and everyone else around a half mile radius. Needless to say we had some very dirty little boys to clean up.

And of course playing on the tire poles!

Box Elder County Fair

My weekend of fair fun was every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be. Both of my sisters already beat me to this post, so sorry to all of you who read all three of our blogs and feel like you are having de ja vu, I feel as if I am just typing this one up. We got to go twice once with my mom on Wednesday night and again with my dad on Saturday night. Both nights were great and I feel as if I have gotten my county fair experience for the year.

We started out the day with going to the parade first. I am not really a parade person, I just get to hot and tired from the mid afternoon sun, so un-american I know. Let me show you how I spent my time at the parade and you can tell for yourself how much fun I had. First off we parked about a mile away so me, Teri, Ash all four little boys, 2 big giant chairs, one blanket, one stroller, and three bags walked about a mile and a half to get to where all my Williams side of the family was sitting. Sounds great, huh!

Then I had to convince Lance it would be okay to sit on the blanket and watch from the curb and not attached to my leg. That took about half an hour, still fun.....

Meanwhile with two whiny kids and no husband to help me I had to con my very pregnant sister to be my photographer. Thanks Ter, you did great!

The remainder of my time was spent walking up and down the sidewalk with a very busy one year old, who refuses to sit down for longer than two seconds and also feels he is way to independent to let anyone even hold him. No we have to be walking and walking and walking. I was kinda glad when the parade was over and was very grateful for the people who were giving out little boxes of cereal. That bought me five minutes of sitting down time in the lawn chair. Definitely the highlight of the parade.

But the fair.....WAS FANTASTIC!

It was so crazy busy, but I love it that way, the more lines the better. My brother-in-law Thiago and I spent 30 minutes waiting in line for the kids cheeseburgers, and it was actually fun. I just have to tell my brother-in-laws all 6 of them how grateful I am for the kindness they show my boys who are missing their dad. Thiago spent all night loving my kids like he does his own, tossing them in the air, hanging them upside down and occasionally throwing serving spoons at their heads and giving them giant welts. Just kidding Thiago, about that last one. They really do love you, thanks so much!

I was also really glad when my mom arrived and was able to take a boy and help me out a bit.

Here we are again on Saturday night, it started out the same eating dinner and the kids playing in the rocks while they anxiously wait for their turn on rides. This picture makes me laugh, as you can see Lance is holding a somewhat large rock in his hand. Two seconds before Carson had thrown this rock and gotten in trouble from his mom. Lance however thought it looked like great fun to throw it and snatched it right up. I am right in the middle of telling Lance he had better set it down right now or no rides. You can just see his little mind thinking this one over, which would be more fun. Rides or throwing forbidden rocks? I am glad to say he chose the rides.



I was so glad my dad was able to go with us to the fair. We have now been in Utah for a little over a month and my poor dad has had to be in Canada for business about 25 out of the 30 days I have been here. I haven't seen him nearly enough and the boys loved spending time with their Grandpa!


I love this picture also, all that is missing is some cowboy boots. Luke was in heaven standing on all the gates watching the rides go round and round. I did get some pictures of all the boys on rides but they all turned out really fuzzy and not too cute. But that was definitely the highlight of the fair for the boys. Lance and Carson especially would bounce from ride to ride demanding "just one more". Thanks mom, dad and Grandma and Grandpa Williams takes me back to my childhood every year we go, love it!

I AM

I have been seeing this floating around other's blogs and I thought I would do this one because I thought it was a good way to "count my many blessings" as the hymn says. I have given myself two days to mope around being sad, and now I am turning over a new leaf and concentrating on all the happy sweet blessings that I have in life. I thought two days was more than enough time to feel sorry for myself and I hate feeling sad so.... on with the good in life.

I am: happy it's Friday and the weekend is here! My weekend is full of fun activities with my family, no time to be sad.

I think: my kids are just about the two most cutest human beings on this earth. Honestly I just can't get enough of those soft, silky little faces.

I know: I belong to the true church "The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". Need I say more honestly the greatest blessing I have been given is that knowledge.

I want: to be content with what I have been given in life. We all have trials and hardships and things we wish we could change. But there is just too much good, to focus on what we don't have.

I have: a wonderful husband, beautiful children, healthy body, roof over my head, amazing family surrounding me, food to eat, a great country to live in, a car to drive, and of course wonderful blogging friends (seriously thanks to all of your sweet comments, I was right it really did cheer me up on my last post).

I dislike: fake people, I really wish we could all just be friends with everyone. This world is so full of so many wonderful, unique people. It is so great getting to know all kinds of people even when off the bat they don't look like someone you would have much in common with. Life's to short to spend time not including everyone.

I miss: sigh, of course Eric. Let's not focus on this one.

I fear: losing a loved one, nothing in this world sounds harder to bear than that.

I feel: relaxed, it's nap time and I am at my mom's house where let's just face it is always a comforting place to be. I love my MOMMY!

I hear: the music playing on my own blog. I LOVE it! It's like my own personalized CD, every time I get tired of a song, I just replace it with a new favorite. 46 songs of nothing but bliss. I am always turning it on; cleaning, scrapbooking, and of course blogging. It's a great silence filler.

I smell: My moms nice clean house, I love the smell of her house. A little bit like vanilla mixed with her many cleaning products.

I crave: Fair food, Teri and I were just talking on the phone a minute ago, trying to decide what to eat at the fair again tomorrow night. Losers I know but what can I say we love it, Ter I think I am definitely going to go with a cheeseburger and carmel apple this time.

I cry: lately quite often, but as I said turning a new leaf. No more tears from me.

I usually: spend all my allotted money the first two weeks of the month and then seriously regret it the last two weeks. Oh it's only the 22nd, what to do for another week.

I search: constantly for new scrapbook supplies, they are my weakness in life.

I wonder: what my children will grow up to be in life, I love to imagine the men they will become, and the lives they will influence.

I regret: not taking every opportunity that is given to me. A large fault I have is not trusting myself enough with new things, so I back out to often. I am trying to improve and grab all opportunities.

I love: Wow, where to even begin. I love too many to even begin listing, I know I would leave someone out.

I care: about other's feelings. Nothing makes me more sad than when someone is suffering and there is not one thing I can do to help them.

I always: make my bed, every day. How is it even possible to start the day off right, when you leave a sloppy bed. Not to mention there is something really depressing about getting into a messy bed at the end of the day.

I worry: about silly things. How to drive to new place, leaving the gas cap off, having more than one pile of laundry not done, if I have the right color of red for a scrapbook page. Seriously I wish I could get rid of some of these stupid time consuming thoughts.

I am not: athletic, not one athletic bone in my body.

I remember: a happy childhood. My goal in life is to give that same peace and happiness to my children. I want my home and their mother to be a safe haven to them in a troubled world.

I believe: that most of this world is good, if only everyone would embrace that good in them.

I dance: only goofy with my boys. Only their little laughs can bring out some seriously disturbing dance moves. My dancing is right along with my ability to play sports, leaves a lot to be desired.

I sing: always. I think I am a terrific singer, pretty sure nobody would agree with me. Well except my little Granny O, she thinks I am amazing too. Not sure what she's hearing but I do appreciate the nice feedback.

I don't always: brush my teeth at night. I know disgusting, but sometimes I am just too tired to bother with it.

I argue: rarely, I can't stand confrontation and hurting other's feelings. Most things I just let roll right off me to avoid an argument.

I write: pretty much every day. Writing is my passion in life, that's probably why my blog gets so much attention from me. I have always kept a journal and I have notebooks filled with all of my stories. When I am not writing I am reading a good book and getting new ideas or coming up with the stories in my head to write down later.

I win: at Phase 10, particularly against Eric. Sorry hon but you really are bad at the game, you make it real easy to win you.

I lose: pretty much everything else.

I listen: all the time. I would much rather sit back and listen to other's than be the one doing the talking. I could spend hours alone in a public place eavesdropping on other's conversations.

I don't understand: childhood cancers. It just seems so wrong on so many levels. It's just not right for children to suffer from something like that and disturb their innocent lives. It makes me cry just thinking about it.

I can usually be found: these days your guess is as good as mine. I am pretty much bouncing from one family members house to the next. Lance asks me every day who we will be seeing that day. I am hoping now that Eric is gone life will settle down to a more consistent routine.

I am scared: of the dark. Eric doesn't allow me to watch Datelines or scary movies after a certain hour. Otherwise I spend the night wide awake convinced someone is coming to kill me in my sleep.

I need: my family, immediate and extended. This is where all my joy in life is found in the presence of loved ones.

I forget: my kids pajamas. My sisters joke that every time I am at one of their houses I don't bring pajamas for my kids to get into. They both have become used too just bringing an extra along with them for my boys to wear.

I am happy: that the Olympics have been on. Is there a more exciting, quality show on than the Olympics. I get so sad when they are over and we have to wait another two years for them to come on again. Michael Phelps is amazing to me, I think it is so great!

I hope: That at the end of my life, I can look back and be proud of the person I have become. That I was a good mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend. That my testimony of the gospel will bring me eternal happiness with all those that I love most in this life.

Rallying the Troops

Okay friends as I said in the title of this post, I am rallying in the troops. As loserish as this sounds sometimes when I am having a really bad day a sweet comment from a cute friend can cheer me up like no other. Today is quite possibly one of the saddest most down in the dumps days I have had in quite sometime. Eric left for DC this morning and while I knew this was coming, I think I kept putting off thinking about the inevitable. I have pretty much done nothing but cry this morning and I even have the Box Elder Fair tonight and that isn't even putting a smile on my face. That's saying a lot as I mentioned in an early post my love for county fairs. His first trip back isn't until the first weekend in October and that just seems like a life time away. I know I am feeling way to sorry for myself it's not like we can't call each other and all my family is around me. But still I am sad so please friends lend me a few words of encouragement, maybe it will brighten my day.

Back To School BBQ

Saturday night we went to a back to school BBQ for Luke at one of the director's of his new programs house here in Logan. I was a little hesitant to go because we pretty much knew nobody there and I am sorry to say things like that usually put me way out of my comfort zone. But I am SO GLAD we did end up going. The people's house it was at had a gorgeous backyard full of fun things for kids to do, the food was great, they had horse back riding and a fire pit for roasting marshmallow's. The best part of the night was getting to meet all of the families involved in the program and the sweet little children who are soon to be my little Luke's peers at the crazy age of 19 months. Most of the kids had cochlear implants, we didn't see a whole lot with hearing aids alone, so that made us sort of appreciate the fact that at this point Luke is still not in need of a cochlear implant. The most amazing thing was hearing the little kids speak. There was a little girl about 3 or 4 who was seriously speaking better than Lance our non hearing impaired child. She was incredible and it brought tears to my eyes to realize one day that will be Luke. It really put it into perspective for us to realize this is what we are doing these 9 months of sacrifice for so that one day Luke will be an alumni of the program and be a fully speaking child and ready to be mainstreamed into Kindergarten. It was great talking to some of the parents who have children a little older than Luke and who have been in the program for longer. While they all agree it is a grueling program for children especially when Luke reaches the age of 3 and will start attending every day to their preschool but to hear these kids speak with hearing loss as severe or more as Luke's it was amazing. School doesn't start for Luke until September 3rd, so we have just a few more weeks until we have a little school boy on our hands, so crazy but exciting!



Oh how we love this boy, I know I am his mom but we are truly blessed to have our little Luke in our home. When I think of all this little guy has been through in his short life and how amazing he does with all that is thrown at him I feel so honored to be his mother. He teaches me so much, no doubt he is a special little spirit.



I was so grateful that my mom was able to come with us and keep track of the boys for us, so Eric and I could get to know the other parents and be able to talk to those who are in the same boat as us. There is just something about being able to share ideas and concerns with parents who understand the difficulties that your child has, it was so comforting to realize we are not alone in the hearing impaired world.





These two loved watching the horses. Lance in typical Lance fashion was scared to death if they moved too close to him but as you can see in the picture below Luke was not scared at all and even went for a little ride. That is until the particular horse he was riding got angry and through his head back, trying to buck Luke off. Good thing Eric had a good hold on him or I cringe at the thought of my little Lou flying through the air.



This boy seriously has no fear, he laughed his head off the entire time and even wanted back on after getting the boot from the horse. I find it so funny how my two boys are so completely different. Lance is so timid and shy and Luke has no limits, he loves all people and tries all new things. We have decided this is a wonderful thing for these brothers. Lancey watches over Luke like a hawk, he is always quick to tell me when Luke is getting in to something he shouldn't and Luke let's nothing get him down. I truly believe he will thrive in this program, he doesn't have the personality to back down from anything and has great faith in himself. He is only 19 months but he already amazes me and I know in my heart that my little guy will go far in life.

Yellowstone/Jackson Hole

We went on a little mini vacation with the Smith's these last few days to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We had a great time just getting away even if it was for only three days and surprisingly for all the driving we have done the boys did great and had so much fun with their grandparents and Uncle Greg.

Posing for a picture with one of the many geysers at Yellowstone National Park, my boys cooperate so well for pictures. Luke really was genuinely interested in the geyser, Lance was just being a pill and refusing to look at the camera.

We drive all these miles to see some of nature's coolest elements and Lance refuses to leave the car without his giant "Pixar" storybook.

Poor baby he's exhausted after a long car ride with every few minutes one of the adults shouting "look boys there is a buffalo, or a moose, or a deer". Lance would get somewhat excited but Luke would just look out the window like for the life of him he could not figure out what the rest of us where going on and on about.

Now I am normally not one that takes a lot of pictures of nature or historic monuments and even when I do I have a tendency to zoom in really close and only focus on whoever is in the picture along with the scenery. I like seeing them in person but it really holds no interest for me later when I am looking at the picture, I would much rather look at a picture of my little ones cute little faces. However I could not pass up this gorgeous picture of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, it doesn't do it justice but it really was a take your breath away kind of moment.

I think have mentioned that Eric is the oldest of five boys. When we had Lance he looks so much like Eric that everyone always comments that Lance is the sixth Smith boy and I love it. Though I will admit I was always a little sad that nobody could ever see me in Lance, I was quite thrilled when Luke came along looking more like me. Here is a picture of three "Smith" boys and Grandpa.

A moment of relief for the rest of us when the boys would fall asleep, we could have a few minutes of quiet without the two of them fighting over who gets the Leapfrog.

The boys always love Hotels and this one was extra special because it had a big giant jacuzzi tub, they loved the jets. And Eric and I loved that they wanted to "swim" for a long time so we could watch the Olympics without them driving us crazy.

The next day we drove to Jackson Hole, Wyoming one of my very favorite places to visit. Growing up we went to Jackson almost every year on vacation with all of my extended Williams family. It was so much fun and I haven't been there in almost ten years. It was great seeing all these places that I remember from my childhood, it would have been fun to stay a few more days there, I never get tired of good old Jackson Hole.

Our little cowboy Luke, he was loving life in the cowboy hat. It wouldn't be Jackson Hole without all of the many shops loaded with cowboy attire and leather goods. Some of the things they are selling are a little out there, but fun to look at nonetheless.

It's tradition every time we would go to Jackson Hole we would go to the candy shop and fill up a giant bag of jelly belly's. I so wanted to introduce my kids to this fun tradition and of course Lance was in love with it the second I mentioned candy to him. I think it's so funny how something so simple as getting Jelly Belly's can produce so many happy memories of earlier days. I guess that's what makes family traditions so fun, the memories that you are making with your children. I can't wait to see what my children remember as they grow up and make traditions of their own.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith we had a great time and so needed these few days away from real life before it drastically changes for us. The boys had a great time as well and our sound asleep with their stuffed Moose's you bought them. Let's do it again some time!

Happy 75th!

What is becoming my traditional birthday post, I thought I would post my top 5 favorite things about my Granny O seeing how today is her 75th birthday! I feel very lucky to be able to have spent the day with my little Grandma, not that she had much of a choice seeing how we are living with her and all. My aunt Tammy, Cousin Jill and her little girl Hallie were taking Grandma to lunch at Maddox today so lucky me got to tag along. A trip to Maddox like anyone could pass that up. We had a great time, thanks kids for the fun day and little Granny for giving us a reason to celebrate.

1. My Grandma has more friends than anyone I know. I have always known this about her but it is just recently occurring to me just how many she is. She has had about 10 visitors today bringing by birthday gifts and about 30 phone calls from family and friends wishing her a happy day. I don't even bother looking at the caller ID anymore, I just automatically hand her the phone. It's amazing to me the ability this little lady has to make friends, and every single one of them genuinely love her. It has been a privilege for me to witness how many people she has truly touched.
2. She is constantly giving to all around her. I feel as if I should be helping her more but she is always following me around asking what she can do for me. Example tomorrow we are leaving for West Yellowstone with Eric's family for a small vacation so I have been trying to get caught up on laundry all day and getting our stuff together for tomorrow. I was complaining that I would have to get up really early to be ready on time and I was saying maybe I would iron our clothes for tomorrow tonight. She says sweetly "oh honey don't do that, just give them to me tomorrow morning I will iron them bright and early". So sweet, and she is like this all the time. I have had the hardest time today convincing her to let me help her out and to go relax on her birthday.
3. I admire her greatly she has been through many challenges in life and I have been amazed how every time she has come out of them smiling and with a better outlook on life than before the trials had ever happened. My Grandpa was bedridden for pretty much my whole life and she took care of him every day in this home for as long as I can remember until he passed away almost 6 years ago. I know I am only a grand daughter and she probably wouldn't break down in front of me but I really can't remember a time when she wasn't laughing and smiling.
4. I love that she plays the same silly games with my kids that she did with me as a child. Her favorite little song to sing to the boys is "A Hug around the Neck and a Bushel and a Peck" and I am loving Lance mimicking her with "Delicious and Nutritious", one of her favorite sayings. Gran now with everything he eats we are hearing "delicious and nutritious".
5. I have always thought of my sweet Grandma as a second mother, she is the perfect person right now for me to be staying with. I am struggling with the idea of Eric leaving in a week and a few other challenges going on right now and she always has words of wisdom and advice for me that remind me of what my own mother would say. Of course I am sure my mom learned all she knew from her mother so it only makes sense now that I am getting the same advice from her that my mom would give me. Thanks my little Gran, you are an angel and I know I will look back on these days together and cherish the memories we are making!


Lance and Hallie, becoming fast little friends. I am so loving the opportunity Lance is getting to get to better know all of his cousins. These two were so cute together today, that Hallie girl is one of my very favorite little people!


"Hurry Grandma you are not going fast enough!"


Lancey got to come with to lunch while Luke stayed with Eric because he had some stuff he had to get done today. Lance is finally getting to the age that he is fun to take out to eat. He doesn't whine to get out of his chair, he doesn't throw food on the ground, he doesn't eat the crayons and put his hands in other people's food. Luke when you begin to master these small goals we will consider taking you out to eat in public again.

Fun, fun day friends, I loved spending time with all of you!

Cache County Fair

Aah......county fair season, possibly my most favorite time of the year. Dirt pavement, amateur country music blaring in the background, Ferris Wheels, country hicks dancing, an oh the smells ie: farm animals, scones, Carmel Apples. Honestly what is not to love about county fairs and the more small town the better. All my life I have grown up going to the Box Elder County Fair and since we have been married it has been my mission in life to convert Eric to being a Fair lover too. The Box Elder County Fair however is not until next week precisely the day Eric leaves for DC so we had to make due with the Cache County Fair (though don't worry I will still be making it to that one as well). I am pleased to say that this year Eric has as much fun as I did.... and the boys of course they had a great time!



Ready to go!
Jenny-- excited!
Luke-- ecstatic!
Lance-undecided.



Sigh, why does this always have to happen, wherever we go Lance is the designated driver at the rapid pace of .000002 miles an hour.




First stop the TRACTORS! This is a big crowd pleaser, costs no money and the boys have the philosophy they need to try each and every tractor before we can move on.

"THE BIGGER THE BETTER!"

Second stop the merry-go-round. Eric started out taking both boys on this ride that cost four dollars per kid. They are all smiles and ready to go and then right as the ride gets going Lance starts screaming his head off wanting off the ride. So of course I go and collect him and he is then all smiles watching Luke and waving at him each time he passes. I would love to know what his little mind is thinking "no mom I didn't just throw a huge fit, embarrassing my poor mother, I have been all smiles all night long".

Luke enjoying my $4.00 lemonade, sounds crazy I know but boy was it good well worth the $4.00. Eric doesn't agree but I figured he owed me after the coke incident on our date the other night.

Hooray! We finally found a ride Lance agreed with -- of course it would be the cars. We only gave the kids one ride each because like we can afford more at $4.00 a ride. It took a lot of convincing to give anything else a try; he wasn't too interested in the booths and art shows all the stuff that was free. I had to convince him that next week he could go on all the rides with Carson that his little heart contented. That's what happens when you go with good old grandparents to the fair, they can't say no to the grand kids.

Box Elder Fair here we come!