Fugal 182 reunion!

On Saturday my freshman year BYU rooommates and I got together for the first time in years. I can't believe how quickly it all came together -- and I can't believe how wonderful it was to see these amazing gals again. We were only missing Lexie (and missed her very much!). But she now lives in Denver with her family, so we hope to all get together again when she visits Utah.

Back row: Me, Allyson. Front row: Kelly, Jodi, Barbara.

We met at Allyson's house, and she was so nice to host us with all of our children. And we have multiplied! Just think if Lexie were in this picture, too, with her 4 children. Jodi has 4, I have 3, Barbara has 3 (4 in May!), Kelly has 2 and Allyson has 2. Beautiful, beautiful families. And great husbands, though they are not in the picture. They were the photographers.

Andrew also liked Allyson's backyard swing by the way.

The kids all got along and played like crazy. It was hard to leave at the end of the night. I just couldn't have asked for better roommates for my first year of college. They helped me grow and learn and laugh and just blossom.

We read some predictions we all made that year. They were so darn funny. I wish I could go back to my 18-year-old self and tell her, "Don't worry! It will all turn out so great!"

Until next time, ladies.

More outside

We can't help following this boy around with a camera. He LOVES to be outside. He can explore, and eat stuff like pinecones.





These following pictures could be in a different order, and you would see the process of climbing up to our deck or back down to the ground.




Oh come here, little bum!

Status Updates

-You know it's a good dinner when it makes it into your son's bedtime prayers (in this case, JB's homemade pizza).

-If I ever quit working full time and JB goes back to an office all day, I may have to learn how to cook. But JB is sooooo good at it!

-But if I did quit, I could watch shows in the evening again instead of having to go to bed early. Right now I catch up with the DVR through a couch potato night on Friday.

-I'm a terrible procrastinator. I also forget things I mean to do. Like visit teaching, planning vacations, scheduling (hair, doctor) appointments, answering emails/voicemails, deciding about BYU football tickets and putting away laundry.

-Laziness rules much of my decision making.

-By the time I finally get around to watching Downton Abbey or The Voice, making a garland or wreath, decorating with Chevron stripes or wearing Toms, the fads will be over.

-Pinterest is my obsession. But the boards I follow make me want to have a baby girl and sew EVERYTHING for her, pin my hair up in elaborate braids and twists, and decorate cakes.

-I should use Pinterest for other uses.

-Chocolate chips from Costco are the best snack.

-I never want to move. We have way too much stuff to ever pack. And JB and I like this neighborhood too much.

-With most things the boys ask me for, I'm easy-going or non-committal. "We'll see." "Hmm, that would be nice." "Maybe if you still want that robotic singing hamster Jedi truck by Christmas you could get one." But when they ask for a dog I say, "Nope. Never. Not going to happen. Not no-how no sirree bobby." I don't care how many times they say they would take care of it, I know I would end up taking care of even more poop around here.

-My boys are cute when they beg. Mwuahahahahaha.

Outside

Every day we go for a walk after dinner.

So about 4:30.

We have to remind the boys (mainly Benny) of our walk rules before we set out.

Every day.

The rules: No racing, whining, crying or refusing to pedal any farther.

But look at that face. How could he give anyone any trouble?

Max is very patient and lets Benny "win" to each corner. He also likes to do tricks like no hands, standing up or riding side-saddle on his bike. He needs a taller bike because he won't stop getting taller.

This face makes me want to stop the stroller and kiss his cheeks. But I try to keep a good pace going so I refrain.

When we have made our rounds of the neighborhood and make it back to the garage, sometimes Andrew grabs a basketball.


Sometimes he tries to palm two at a time.

And often, his biggest brother helps him out.

It's how we roll.

Validate me

(That's a line from the movie Sneakers. You really don't have to validate me. Unless you want to. I am one of 12 children after all, I like attention).


Anyhow, as I try my hand at sewing and making things, I like to get feedback. The little boys in my house aren't the best at this, so I take pictures with my phone and text them to my sisters and mom for their thoughts.

Here are some of the projects I've done recently in the form of my phone pictures.

Hats for boy baby showers.

Scarves for me or for others.





Gotta love poor Andrew on my hip. He had had enough of my inattention. That flower scarf took hours. I kept throwing snacks and toys at my children: "Mommy's working on something!"

Ice Show

Look how close I got to Mitt Romney! Only thousands of people between me, on the second row to the top of Energy Solutions Arena, and Mitt on the ice for the special "Stars on Ice" 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics Anniversary.


I got 6 tickets through work. I took Max, Ben, my friend JoLynn, her daughter Katie and friend Haylie. JB and Roger stayed home to watch sports and let Andrew go to bed on time. It was a late night! Benny fell asleep on me during the show.



I had so much fun though. Thankfully Benny woke up in time for David Pelletier and Jamie Sale -- remember them? The silver then gold medalists in 2002? I went a little nuts with my cheering.

Remembering the Salt Lake Winter Olympics made me smile as I went back in time to those early days of living in the city after graduating from college. Going to events with Autumn, walking around downtown -- it was such a good time.

Work it!

I kid you not, Andrew's favorite toy right now is the vacuum. If we leave the closet open after getting a coat out, he goes right to it and pulls out the vacuum.

That smile, that pose, that cheese! As soon as JB pulled out the camera Andrew looked up, flashed his 6 pearly whites and crinkled his eyes. I just noticed he also matches the vacuum in that outfit.

I can't believe how grown up this 14-month-old boy is becoming. He just got his second hair cut by the way. I don't think our other boys had hair like this one!