Hayden has a horrible habit of getting out of his chair and wandering around at mealtimes.  We call him back to the table constantly through the course of the meal and encourage him to take bites of his dinner.  So recently when he gets out of his chair at a meal, he has to sit on the dryer.  One night he got down from the table prematurely, and Arthur was about to put him on the dryer when he said,

"But I just like to give you kisses, Dad." 

 And that's how a little quick thinking can get a 2-year-old out of a time-out.  Here are some other funny things I've heard him say or sing lately:

Calishmornia

He's my sister! and

Wedgie Tales Wedgie Tales!

Sean (about Sydney):  I just love her so much Mom. 

(he tells me this almost every day--it's so endearing.)

Sean to his friend Kade:  I just really love her.  Do YOU love her?

Dallin:  Well Mom, your two helpers are going to school today, and you only have one left.

The swing.

Yesterday, I overheard this make-believe game that I'm pretty sure was inspired by Sydney.

Daphne:  And then, let's pretend that she throws up all over you.

Sean:  No, it doesn't get on me.

Daphne:  Yes it does, it gets ALL OVER you.

Sean:  No, Daphne!  I'm not gonna play if it gets all over me.

I guess none of us are too keen on getting spit-up on.  Even in pretending.

Sweet and Sticky

Sweet:

Sometimes Sydney has syrup in her hair because she has sticky brothers who love to give her kisses, and can't bother with waiting until I've wiped their faces.

Sticky:

When we got back in town, our peaches were just about ripe.  As a result, I've spent the last two weeks up to my neck in peaches.  I've bottled them, frozen them, made jam and salsa, eaten them fresh everyday, and given bagfuls away to anyone who'll take them.  It's been a delicious sticky mess around here lately!

On August 12th, 1999. . .

We were sealed for time and eternity in the Oakland Temple.

 11 years later, I love you more than I did then, and am having so much fun with this life we're making together.  I didn't know what a great deal I was getting, but I'm sure glad Heavenly Father was looking out for me when our paths crossed. Thanks for all you are, Arthur.  Happy Anniversary!

First time with Five

Today was the first time I went out in public with all five kiddos all by myself.  (Without Arthur, that is.)  It's a landmark for me.  I am always a little scared of that first time when I take them all somewhere by myself--even when it was just Dallin, & Daphne was the baby.  I was meeting friends, so that is always reassuring, but still, I feel like I accomplished something big.

We went to see the last free movie of the summer, "The Tale of Despereax." It started at 10 and we got there a few minutes after 10.   Dallin told me he was not surprised in the least that we got there late.  I swear it's like trying to speed the rotation of the earth getting these kids to move!!!

Anyway, cute movie, and for the most part the kids were pretty good.  And it's hard to beat a free movie!  Afterward, I decided to take the kids to lunch.  We went to California Pizza Kitchen because they were donating proceeds of today's sales to MTS (Musical Theater Southwest--the theater company I did Secret Garden with.)  MTS recently suffered a devastating setback when their warehouse/rehearsal space burned to the ground.  They lost EVERYTHING--thousands & thousands of costumes and all their archives of video and pictures from every show they've ever produced.  So I figured, as long as we were out, and the kids were being relatively well behaved, may as well help a good cause.

My friend Amber and her kids came with us which made it much more fun, and Amber saved Hayden from walking out into the crowded parking lot a couple of times, so I was glad we were there together.  It ended up being so crowded, that we just ordered it takeout and brought the pizza home to eat.  Free movie, Delicious pizza, a good cause, and fun friends to share it with.  :)

All in all, not bad for my first time out with the five little Garietys.  And now I'm all tuckered out--any chance these kids will let me take a nap????  not likely.

Stonehaven 2010

Some pictures from our trip to California.  We spent the majority of the time in Northstar (Truckee area)  at my Grandparents' cabin, a.k.a. "Stonehaven," with my mom and all my sisters and their families.  (We missed Dad and Jacob and Nathan who were at the National Scout Jamboree!)  All the little Stone cousins were there and we had a fabulous time!

Carter & Hayden saying, "Cheeeeeeese!"

I found these two outside (with no shoes on) killing "spiders"  (ants) by burying them with dirt.

Beautiful Lake Tahoe

We spent two days at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe.  The kids had so much fun playing in the sand and water, climbing on the rocks, and going for rides in the rafts.  The weather was perfect and the water chillingly refreshing!!!  (That is one COLD lake!)

Fun at the cabin

Some of the kids put on a little dance performance for us with the help of their Aunt Melanie.  They LOVED IT!   (We did too.)

Caught this rainbow in a desert thunderstorm on the drive home to Albuquerque.  If you look close you can see another fainter rainbow to the right of the bright one.

We loved being with all you guys up at Stonehaven!  

We can't wait for the next time we all get to be together!

Sugar and Spice

What are little girls made of?

Gotta love accessories.  

My friend Rachelle made that tiny little bracelet.  Daphne likes to put it on her almost every day.

We call this look "Strawberry Shortcake"

 I love how babies look in white.

Little Ballerina

My cute piano student Lucy picked this one out.  It's one of Daphne's favorites.

Daphne thinks Sydney is a living baby doll.  She loves to pick out her outfits (the more changes a day, the better) and she even loves changing her diaper.  She gets a little peeved with me when I do it myself.  

What are little boys made of?

 This picture makes me laugh because Hayden put the helmet on wrong and it looks like Darth Vader is wearing a pioneer bonnet.  

Isn't it amazing how different boys and girls are?