It's a Miracle!

I was starting to wonder if we were ever going to get our front yard done--so were the neighbors! I suppose it is not "done" but I am so excited to have a lot of the dirt covered up with some cement and lawn! Projects seem to take much longer to accomplish than I orignally thought, but I was not willing to say we had lived here three years and still didn't have the yard done!! So, it's only been two and a half years since we moved in. To our credit though, we started with the backyard since that is where we prefer to hang out so it isn't like we were doing nothing (or so I justify our timeline!) So I am happy, Kade is tired and we owe a big thanks to our neighbor and a friend for helping out with the sod!

The Family....

I love to check out people's blogs, but I am terrible at my own. So here's a "what we've been up to" post.

My girls love to color and paint. I hate to clean up the paint messes, but every once in a while I give in and score some major points!

We had artwork spread all over the counters by the time they were done. Good thing paint and markers can be washable!!

The rodeo's a big event at the Bringhurst's. Addy didn't want to be left out when she saw the others getting ready. I thought she looked cute in the boots.

Grandpa Doug invited the kids to ride with him on the Village Bank float during the parade. They were supposed to be cowboys and cowgirls--not too hard at our house! They rode in a covered wagon. It was pretty hot and by the time we saw them they looked worn out!

Kick's Soccer has started up again. Rhett is still enjoying soccer (although his new love is basketball) and he is on a team with most of the same kids from last year. Kade is working hard with getting him to be more aggressive. Last game he scored a goal, we were all pretty excited, but he just acts embarrassed when we cheer him on.

Addy turned two last week! She seemed to enjoy the whole birthday experience. She was great at opening presents and for the most part Rhett and Laynee let her open them herself. She got a trike, baby stroller, coloring paraphernalia, clothes, and a bedspread. Addy is a very entertaining little girl and often makes me tired! She is also very stubborn--Kade blames me and I say it is his fault!! Addy is always looking out for Laynee and I am glad they play together now since Rhett is at school all day. She can frustrate Laynee when she won't leave the barbie stuff all nice and set up. Now I see why my older sisters said I was always got into their stuff and was breaking things. It just happens. Good thing the girls are having fun since we are having another one....

Grandpa and Grandma's House

Kade has been out of town and by that I mean on a hunting trip with a friend in Alaska. A completely unavoidable trip. So since we are bored and confined at our house we went to stay with my parents for the weekend. We don't do this, well ever, since we live so close. The kids had a blast. We introduced them to chicken--Rhett was a HUGE fan (sorry Kade), had a Hannah Montana party for the girls, and played with cousins. We all had a great time. On Saturday one of the cousins showed my kids a geode rock and informed them that these rocks are worth $1000! My kids have been learning the value of hard earned money this summer with all their chores and they thought finding a geode was a great idea to instant cash. Grandma humored them and let them smash rocks with her hammer all afternoon--even providing them with protective eye wear. Some of the glasses were deemed the hitters (those with the hammer) and the others the watchers (those just observing). Grandma even planted them with an actual geode to break open. It was hilarious. And Rhett is very trusting in what seven year olds say. We cannot convince him that his rock is NOT worth $1000!!

Rhett was all business, after all we were dealing in big money. And Laynee....she just loves to have a good time. She was mostly just a watcher, but does know how to make anything interesting!!

Back to School

So summer (vacation) is over and we had a great one. Not that I could prove that since I never got my camera out. I carried it everywhere and forgot to "capture the moment" every time. I think subconsciously I was trying to save myself lots of scrapbooking time. We went camping a couple times, had a family reunion, played with friends, swam and hung out with the family. The months went by fairly quickly, but now our lives have screeched to a horrible stop and I am wondering if time is passing by at all?!!

Rhett wasn't as opposed to the first grade as he had been to kindergarten. I guess he realized there is some value to recess and now lunch at school. In keeping with tradition, I forgot to take a picture of him on the first day of school, so we tried again on the second day. The first day, I drove him to school and asked if we could walk him in. I suppose me and his entourage of sisters seemed embarrassing because he refused and practically jumped out of the car and was off. After school, I attempted to see how it all went and get all the details. In keeping with Bringhurst style (I blame Kade entirely) he didn't want to say much. I play 50 questions and get about 6 answers. He could only confirm that recess and lunch were the only good parts of the day. He didn't seem to be too tired or ornery after the new longer days, so I am happy. Laynee likes being the oldest and in a little more control while he is away. But really, Addy is always the one in control. Really.

I made him smile for this picture. I think boys must learn early about "mug shotting" it for the camera. I am excited to see this years school picture. Last year, I had never seen such a weird look. Out of ANY child. Ever.

This is "cold lunch" and surprisingly he is eating it all not just the treat. Unless he has learned early on the art of tossing the remains so mom can never know the truth......

Good Times

Rhett started T-ball in May. The league we are playing on is in complete chaos. His team has been re-named about five times, had two cancelled games and were the last ones to finally get a uniform. But, despite it all, Rhett is loving it. They get three tries to hit off a pitch before they get the tee out. He is doing pretty good and can hit the ball a lot. He's been playing first base and may not catch all that often, but he is getting to be a very fast runner!! After t-ball is over, he has informed me that he wants to try playing basketball.

It must be ingrained in boys to look serious in there athletic photos.

Rhett lost his first tooth at the end of May. He kept telling me it was loose, but I didn't believe him. Loose to most kids is that it is hanging by one last disgusting thread of skin. One night he came in to show me his tooth. He was "sick of it being loose, so I pulled it out!" I couldn't believe it. The tooth fairy left him a dollar bill and four quarters (I know, a generous fairy) and Kade is working on convincing Rhett that knocking out his teeth could be very lucrative. Great.

I know. She is nuts. Addy has got some serious personality. Most days it exhausts me. She is way entertaining to all of us though. The kids have been swimming and not to be left out, Addy wanted to wear the goggles. She is just more creative in how she uses them than we are.

Crazy!!!! Maybe, just maybe....

Dance Recital

Laynee has been taking dance since last summer and they finally got to do a dance recital! I was so excited to see it all come together and for her to get to finally perform. This week they had to have practices every morning and a dress rehearsal the night before. It was suppose to get these littlest girls ready to be on the stage and not get scared. They don't get to bring their costumes home until the second performance (tonight!) is over and I think she is most excited to get to keep it!

Getting ready for the recital. Laynee loved getting to put a little makeup on.

Purple is her favorite color lately so she was very pleased that it was the color of the costume. I think they had the cutest costumes of all the groups--although we also paid the most for their costumes!!
She wasn't a bit shy. She told me that her sleeves were tight on her arms so she couldn't stretch her poses as much as she was supposed to. They practiced on this stage all week with no one in the audience. When they did their little routine they came over to a corner and laid on a star pillow to wait for everyone to finish. When the audience started to clap they all looked up with such wonder. I don't think they realized people --or how many-- were out there watching this time. Afterwards, she got some flowers and it made her day! Thanks to Daddy, Rhett, Addy, Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jewell, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sandra and Grandma Ellen for coming and supporting Laynee!!!

Rhett's Birthday

Rhett turned 6 this year. His birthday was on a Monday and it just so happened to be a fieldtrip day at school. His teacher knew we had a few animals and had asked if the kindergarten could come and see them during their farm unit. They sent a permission slip home to all the parents (a lot who know us!) and said they were going on a fieldtrip to the Bringhurst Farm. I just about died when I saw it. We have a dog, 2 horses and some chickens--most of which all of our neighbors have. I don't consider us a farm. Though I was told that to some kids it was like a farm. But others thought it was as funny as I did. I had to quiz Kade down for some info on the animals Monday morning. I really don't know (care?!?!) much about it. I asked Rhett if he was excited for the fieldtrip. Not so much. For some reason, it wasn't that exciting to get to walk home to see the animals you have to feed as a chore every day. But, he did seem to like getting to tell his friends about them and even said, "This is going much better than I thought," to which his teacher got a good laugh. So we had 120 kids come by and check out the animals and have a Popsicle between the AM and PM kindergartens.

AM Kindergarten kids. They were everywhere. Good thing we have room to roam.

Then on to the birthday party. It was the only nice day that week so we were able to play outside. They had a spiderman party and got to practice some superhero skills, mostly with water. I think they had fun and most importantly, it is in the past.

Classic pinata game. Takes lots of time and candy is never frowned on by kids.

Rhett had a good time with his friends. There are lots of boys his age right here in the neighborhood.

Easter

I can't keep up!!! I had all kinds of pictures I wanted to post, but I never find the time. So here's the brief re-cap and then we will just have to move on.

Easter (I know that was forever ago!) was lots of fun. The kids got new clothes, I love that they think they are great gifts when they were also really needed for the spring/summer weather. Grandma Ellen spoiled them (as usual) with lots of cute outfits. My favorite is Rhett's spider shirt. I HATE spiders and he knows it which is probably why he tries to wear the shirt every other day. So everytime he wears it, I scream everytime I see him. He sighs and rolls his eyes; I am already such a lame mom--and I love it!

We got to go to picnics with all the Lemmon family in Hurricane and again with all the Bringhursts in St. George. The Easter bunny came, we went to church and had dinner with Grandpa Doug and Grandma Ellen and basically just made the whole holiday as long as possible. I am a huge fan of partying for the maximum amount of time. I make it very clear to Kade that I accept gifts for all occasions (including Tuesdays!) and 7 days prior and 7 days post the actual day of the the event (i.e. my birthday). I just like to leave lots of options out there! :) Note: All this constant reminding just ensures that the actual day doesn't get forgotten and most gifts or plans are made on the actually day, usually late in the day and most often are not wrapped or are duct-taped. And I am not complaining!!

The girls in their new Easter dresses. I guess I am fast becoming a fan of matchy-matchy. Never thought I would say that. Thanks Grandma Ellen for the cute dresses!

A Day in the Life...

We are predictable people. I like schedules and have lots of "routines." The kids must be catching on. If we ever have time to ourselves, you can bet Rhett will want to play his DS and Laynee is entertained by whatever (really, she is glad to have something to herself for a minute, the middle child seems to have to fight for things) and Addy--helpful Addy--will be going through the pantry and feeding herself-usually cereal. She made sure she was well-mannered about it all and sat herself down on top of the block bucket. At least we know she can take care of herself...I have to vacuum a lot.

Along with predictability, on Fridays the kids love to open up the bed in the couch and kick back for some TV viewing and treats. Laynee loves to sleep there and Rhett is only in it for as long as I allow the TV to be on. Of course, Addy won't be left out. She is getting pretty good and making sure she is literally in the middle of EVERYTHING!

Outside

We are chicken farmers, I guess. After we hatched some out we couldn't mix them with the big ones (yet) and we are going to need more space so Kade built a big coop. I thought it was a little backwards that the chickens are getting a place and Laynee, Addy and I don't have a playhouse yet. He owes us now. Addy loves to be outside, with the animals and with Kade so she had a great time building with Kade.

She found tools on the ground and would go in and pound on the walls--just like daddy.

The rest of the crew on hand found good times on the tramp bouncing all the shoes they could find and trying not to let the shoes touch them. They also were playing crack the egg. I love seeing them play outside and such classic games!

Laynee's Birthday

Laynee turned four this year! We were on the road for her actual birthday (I am usually very strick about celebrating on the day. We don't move Christmas, do we?) so we had a party for her when we got back. She invited 7 little friends and we had a princess party. We painted nails, made bracelets and necklaces, decorated wands and glittered it all up! I think she had fun! I have a new policy now of having friend parties only every other year. They are work! Thanks to the Grandma's and Aunt Jeni for saving me and helping out!

Let's just spit on our own piece!! JK They got to dress up with all their stuff and have little cakes and ice cream.

A kids favorite part-presents!

More Good Times

So we went to California, but not to Disneyland. We must be the only people on the planet to do that over spring break. I am still trying to convince Kade of the necessity of Disneyland in a child's vacation portfolio. Good thing we still have time. We did, however, go to Six Flag Discovery Wild Kingdom-or something like that. It had animals and rides and the kids LOVED it. I learned a lot about my kids while actually hanging out with and focusing on them. For instance, Laynee is hilarious!! She is so silly and totally willing to try anything. I come from a long line (well at least me and possibly my mom) of wimps when it comes to rides and I found out Kade doesn't really care for rides either--probably because he would just rather be shooting something, but Laynee she is game for any of them. She would've tried more too if there wasn't a heighth requirement! Rhett was more hesitant, but usually ended up loving the rides.

Not pictured: Kade- he is busy hiking the mile back to the truck to put his pocket knife away that apparently they don't want you packing in a happy place with lots of people around.

Laynee and her good time attitude. Sometimes we argued over who had to ride the rides with the kids. Me-scared, Kade-bored, Ben designated scapegoat--he really was GOOD to us!

Like I said Laynee was willing to try anything. She had no idea what she was getting into with this one. You would've like the face on the downside of this "roller coaster." Rhett and I were laughing from the side, but we wouldn't be caught on that one!

Since we don't vacation ever, Kade usually only takes time off work for hunting, camping, or four wheeling trips--mostly without the family. So when he emailed his boss about time off the sarcastic reply came that he could go as along he was not going to be hunting or camping. Doesn't that look like the face of a happy vacationer?!? No really, Kade was awesome with us. We got to do whatever we wanted and he had a good time, too.

They had a few shows to watch. We were glad we didn't sit in the front. That, or we are just smarter than those other people.

We really did bring Addy with us. She is in the stroller enjoying all the views! The day we headed home was Laynee's fourth birthday. Every kids dream to spend their birthday in the car. We did let her pick where we ate--so nice, right?! I got to pick the rest of the time and I am satisfied to say that we ate out a lot! I still didn't get sick of eating out like Kade claims can happen so I will continue in my attempt of disproving his theory. We are so glad Ben let us come and total invade and destroy his space. We had a blast!

Spring Vacation

Our family actually went on a "REAL" vacation. Kade resents the fact that I don't count Kolob as vacationing. Growing up we always went to Idaho to see family every year and with our kids we've been to some family reunions and the cabins, but those don't count. Those are predetermined locations where activities (and food!) are decided for us. I'm not saying that they aren't fun. We always have a good time and we have lots of good memories, but I was WAY excited to go somewhere and do something totally new (oh, and eat out as much as possible.)

So we went to California--not Disneyland--where a good friend showed us a great time. Our kids haven't been on too many long drives so I was a little worried, but they survived the 10 hour drive just fine. In fact, they may have done better than me.

We saw the beach! We were in northern California and is was only March so the wind was blowing and it was kinda cold. But we still found lots of seashells and the kids got to get their feet wet.

We drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. Nice picture, huh?!? I didn't know how annoyingly touristy I dared to be and ask for too many stops and pictures.

Ben was really nice to find us some places to entertain the kids. We went to a science museum that was all hands on and the kids had a blast trying everything out. We didn't even make it through the whole place before it was closing.

Laynee really is that tiny! :) JK

We went to San Fransisco for a day and checked out Pier 39. The shops were fun to look at, but unfortunately we aren't seafood lovers so we weren't tempted with all the crab that was in season. In fact, Rhett thought he was going to die just from the smell.

Rhett-Man and Laynee-Girl

Just some random. Rhett has some legos Laynee got him for Christmas. We thought he would like them since he seems to love the legos games on the playstation. I guess they are somewhat different because he didn't play with them for a long time. Then one day he cracked open the bucket and built some of the things they had pictured in the instructions. It just has to make his father, the engineer, proud.
The boys went camping a couple weekends ago. Rhett packed up his gear including 6 pocket knifes and a hatchet and was off for the time of his life. (I know five year olds shouldn't have more knives than they are years old!! Or at all.) Kade knows how to show the boy a good time. They took four-wheelers, donuts and friends. Sooo, us girls had to get a movie and a bean bag chair. Don't those things come in pairs?!?! Laynee seemed to enjoy our fun-filled time at home. I think Rhett was awake for their whole adventure! ;)

Chickens

Every spring (well for the last three years) we have gotten baby chicks. They are so cute, but then again everything little is cute. The kids love having them and get so excited when they get some new tiny chicks. This year we got a few chicks from IFA, but the big project was to attempt hatching some of our own. For some reason I didn't take pictures of the big event. Suffice it to say that the kids and I (mostly importantly I) will still eat eggs. It was a little questionable at first. We borrowed an incubator and had to turn the eggs every day, but right on schedule those chicks began to hatch. We watched a few peck their way out and then we were good with our experience. When they hatched while Kade was at work, I saw the great learning opportunity for Rhett and let him take care of them!!! :)

Laynee was good with just petting the chicks and letting dad hold them. She named one Snow White. Creative, I know and oddly enough it was a black chicken.

Rhett, on the other hand, loved to be able to hold the chicks and get them in and out himself. Addy REALLY liked to spend time out in the garage looking at and touching them and Rhett was really nice to humor her.....a lot. He's named a chicken Han. Any guesses why?

Sick Day

This winter seems to have been filled with lots more sickness than usual. Or maybe I notice it more because I have three kids. Or because Rhett is in school now with hundreds of other kids. Anyhow, Rhett got the flu. He was sick from Saturday thru Wednesday. My rule is that they stay in their rooms for the duration. I will accommodate them in any way, but they have to stay put!! The two reasons for this are: no spreading of the germs and weeding out the fakers--it's not that much fun in their rooms, or so I thought. By the end of Rhett's sickness I was starting to wonder. He hadn't thrown up for a half of a day so I started by making him come out to have lunch--to which he told me, "Dad let's me have macaroni and cheese in my room." I guess with the video player and the new addition of a Nintendo DS (thanks Santa) Rhett can feel pretty fulfilled right there in his room. Great.

Valentines Day!

I love holidays. Any holiday--and to me any old Tuesday could be a holiday. I just like the excuse to do something fun and have sugar. My favorite memories of Valentine's Day are of delivering sugar cookies and taking around our friend valentines and RUNNING FOR OUR LIVES! We lived out in the fields and our friends houses were VERY HARD to get away from with out being caught. It was terrible to get caught and some of them would hunt us down! It was very stressful to me. So....every valentine's our kids get to--you guessed it--make sugar cookies and ring and run!! In all the valentines we delivered, we were only caught twice. First by Grandma Ellen (to be fair she hunted us down) and by GREAT Grandpa Bill. It's not that these people are necessarily faster than all the children we delivered to. They must just be a lot wiser to the ways of this particular holiday. Not everyone rings and runs anymore. To me, those are the GREATEST simple traditions that need to go on.

As usual only Addy ended up with a picture. Grandma Sandra and Grandpa Jim brought treats by for the kids. Addy got an entire box of Junior mints which Grandma just handed her (I wonder why they like the grandparents so much....) Addy would not let anyone have one or give the box back. If you held out your hand, she would possesively hug the box. Oh well, it was a holiday after all!!!!

**NOTE: Notice the fangs! All three of my kids have had their top front teeth come in like that! Too bad they weren't in at Halloween time!

More Trouble

It seems like lately all my pictures are of Addy. I really don't play favorites, it just that when things are going along nicely and I am usually trying to take advantage of the peace and get something done. When trouble (aka Addy) is lurking about, I have more reason to need the camera--proof of the stories Kade thinks I am making up!! Sorry Rhett and Laynee. I am hoping it is just a phase!!

Addy loves to play on top of the little table. Usually she is standing and spinning the umbrella around and around. I keep moving the table so she doesn't burn a hole in the carpet. (Would that be possible?)

WARNING: **DON'T USE THE KID PLATES OR CUPS**

At our house we put the kids dishes and cups in a lower cupboard so they could get their own drinks and set the table, etc. Genius, right?!? Not so much anymore. Addy is into everything. My mom was over one day and watched her get into everything to the point that my mom would say, "Do we need to wash this before we use it?" To look at it positively--she does know how to get her own cup and fill it with cereal for a snack.

Milestones

While we've been away from our blogging (I know I am terrible at this), we've accomplished some good stuff.

Rhett has finally caught the vision of reading. I decided he wasn't going to learn everything he needed to know in Kindergarten unless I helped (he's so lucky to have such a smart mom that could figure that out halfway through the year!) We started working really hard on our sight word and having him trying to read his take home books more. We also found a great section at the library of superhero books that he can actually read. He is really starting to enjoy it!

Laynee got to go into Primary in January! She was so excited to go. She had the dress picked out to wear the very first week of Primary two weeks in advance. She got to go to the store and pick out her own scripture bag and get a Book of Mormon with her name on it. And then...she got sick. Both she and Rhett missed the first week. But!! Week two she was still prepared and so excited. We did some extra primping and were ready about three hours before church. All through sacrament she keep asking how much longer. When we got to the closing song, she cracked! Suddenly she didn't want to go anymore, primary was boring and she started to cry. She ended up being convinced, going and loving Primary!

As for Addy, we made it big in the last month! I am happy and thrilled to report that we have her watching tv. Baby Einstein--so it is entirely educational, wholesome and DISTRACTING! She will watch for up to 8.6 minutes at a time which allows me options. It's amazing and I am glad to have a small break--refer to previous post "Deceptive Destroyer!"
And in other big news, I was able to gather together enough hair to make a "girl-do" and add a "clippy" so Addy can quickly be spotted as a GIRL! Although in the picture she is only wearing a white onesie because she is excellent with zippers and had removed her cute, purple sweater which may be the reason for the gender confusion problems.