Hilarious!

So, during my nightly "blog stalk" (oh give me a break, you know you do it too!), I came across the funniest blog I have ever seen in my life (thanks Kimber!). You must check it out for a laugh.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com

Childhood Joys

This picture made me giggle, it's so over-the-top don't you think?

Call me old fashioned, but I'm having a problem replacing some of my "old fashion" childhood joys, with the new, hi-tech stuff they have out today. I've made my peace with the fact that Jayda and Skyler will most likely understand computers and the internet better then I do, that they won't be able to run the streets and stay out until all hours of the night, like we did, and that they will most likely own a cell phone before they graduate, unlike us. BUT, I will not have my kids growing up without understanding that the classic cartoons that I grew up with are way better then the lame computer animated stuff that they keep pumping out five times a year.

I LOVE the Disney classics, especially the older ones, like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio and my personal favorite, Cinderella (thanks Amber). And I just can't get into the computer animated stuff, it's just not the same! I want the good old fashion animation with the cheesy music and everything.

In the last few weeks, Jayda has become really interested in the Disney cartoons and to my own enjoyment, she loves them and requests them all the time. She hasn't seen many yet, some of them I'm reserving until she's a little older since they can get kind of scary. Right now her obsession is The Little Mermaid (my second favorite), and I catch her walking around the house singing, aaaaAAAAAAH, like Ariel, which, if I remember right, is something I used to do too...like while I'm vacuuming...yesterday.

I guess I like it, because the Disney cartoons are what I grew up with, and they may be one of the few similarities Jayda and I have in our childhoods. Life is so different for kids now, and it's fun to instill even the smallest reminiscence of my childhood into my kids when I can. What are some of your favorite childhood joys?

Things we are doing and such.

STILL NO CAMERA!!

I'm going crazy waiting for the battery charger, everyday I keep hoping it will come. I think when it does, it's going to be more exciting then Christmas. It's just hard to be going through so many changes, during an entire month, and not being able to take a single picture! Oh well, I guess that's the natural consequence of not being responsible huh, I don't like natural consequences!

We're adjusting pretty well over here. It's hard to believe that it's already been almost a month! Philadelphia is beginning to feel a lot more like home, and it's also getting easier to get around. There is so much to discover here that it's almost overwhelming. I only hope that in the four years, we are able to do everything we want to do!

Last week we took a trip to Atlantic City, the shore in New Jersey. It's the "shore," not the beach. We went with Jordan and her boys, and Mike and Amber, and their kids. Our kids were thrilled to be back at the ocean. Jayda had friends to play with, and Skyler was provided with a smorgasbord of sand to shovel into his mouth. The shore was really pretty, with a fun boardwalk and an air-show that lasted the entire time we were there. We were also able to meet a few other students who happened to be there the same day. It was a lot of fun. Now we can say we've been to New Jersey too!

Other then that, we've been spending the rest of the time getting to know the area and the people. I took the kids to a playgroup with the other moms and kids in the ward. It was a lot of fun getting to know the girls, and everyone has been so friendly. The great part about it too is that most of them have kids around the same age as my kids, which makes Jayda especially happy! There are quite a few parks just a few minutes away from our house, as well as a lot of other fun things for the kids to do. Hopefully when we start doing them, I'll have a dang camera!

Glenn went to his dental school orientation last Thursday, which was exciting for all of us. He was able to meet some of his fellow students, and recieved a bunch of instruments and supplies. It's so exciting to actually be starting something that we've been working so hard for, for so many years. I'm really proud of him.

Well, I could go on forever, but I'll end with that. I hope everyone else is doing well, xoxo!

Saying goodbye!

I know, this is so ridiculously out of order, BUT, it could not be excluded.



There were a lot of benefits to knowing so far in advance that we were moving. One of the biggest advantages was that I had almost an entire summer to say goodbye to my good friends, many of whom I have been friends with for over ten years. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures at all, but I did want to post the ones I got. I wasn't able to say goodbye to everyone, but I know I'll get a chance to visit in the future. I already miss my "western" peeps a lot, but fortunately the miracles of modern technology will help us stay in touch! Love you's!

Jacob, Suzanne, and their newborn babe, who is so adorable! We love you guys!!

Me and my long time friend Kristine. I'm going to miss our playdates!

Me, Kristine and Deanna, Dee was also a HS friend who was my Papa Murphy's buddy for a long time. Fun times!

Not-So-Caring Bear

...well, I guess it's not the bear's fault.

When Jayda was born, we got a Care Bear that looked similar to this one, only with a little drawstring that plays a sweet version of Twinkle Twinkle little Star. We've held onto it and kept it available for Skyler, with the idea that he would find the music soothing. We were wrong.

This bear has the power to plunge Skyler into a deep clinical depression causing the saddest face, biggest crocodile tears, and loudest crying I have ever heard. He does not want to look at it, and he does not want to hear it. We have had several experiences (and maybe done a few experiments, so sue us!), to verify the fact that it is nothing other then the bear causing the horrible emotional trauma. I honestly don't understand it. Maybe if we need to find something to soothe him during hard times, we should find something less scary, like a creepy smiling clown!

Tiny Glimpse of Philly

I was able to steal a few of the pictures that Rachel took before she left. Most of them were taken in our apartment, but a few were taken at Fairmount Park, a gorgeous park that our apartment complex practically sits on. I wish so bad that I could show you more, hopefully it won't be too long until I can!

Jayda taking a picture of Rachel with her "phone."
I'm crazy!

Glenn and I at Fairmount Park. Do you like the black stripes in my hair? I told my hairdresser to put black in my hair since I was grieving the move. It's got me through some tough times... :-)
Nothing like a bear hug between a brother and sister.
Fairmount Park
Jayda sitting on Rachel's luggage. She didn't fit, sorry Rache!
Sitting in our messy living room. Now you can actually see the floor, thank goodness!

All that we have of the move...

As you all know, our dang camera died the first day we moved, and we are still waiting to recieve our battery charger. But, we do have a few pictures of the move. This was on our way to Laramie Wyoming. We stopped once right after picking up Rachel in SLC at a beautiful park. Our second stop was at a Little America in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Wyoming.

I love this picture, my kids have the cutest looks on their faces.

3 Years Old!

I can't believe I have a three year old! Sometimes I still feel like I'm still getting used to being a parent.

We decided to celebrate Jayda's birthday with my mom's birthday right before we moved. We kept the party small, with just family, but it was still a lot of fun, and Jayda still got all the attention she could handle! We had really cute cupcakes that my mom made, and Jayda got a lot of fun gifts, including her first Cabbage Patch Doll (memories!). The only problem is now whenever a birthday, a cake or gifts are mentioned, Jayda assumes that it's all for her! If only everyday could be our birthday.



Jayda has started covering her ears whenever there is even a slight possibility of a loud noise. I guess lighting candles qualifies as one of those times.
CUTE! She used jello molds as the cups, clever huh!
Jayda got the mini-special plate, along with everyone telling her why she was special.

Visiting Family

Before we left we visited Glenn's brother and sister-in-law and their four sons. It was so much fun to see them and we are going to miss our conversations, as well as how well the kids play together. Skyler was so cute that night, wherever the boys went, he went. You'd think that he was just one of them! We'll miss you Greg, Janice and boys!

Just stupid and because...

My dad playing with playdough with Jayda, and this is what he made. It was all around hilarity.

An Ode to Dirk

Jeremy, or Dirk, as we call him, is essentially my adopted brother, and it's funny the way we became friends. We met working on a graveyard shift together at a homeless youth shelter. We were doing chores, I told him to get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich, and we've been great friends ever since. Shortly after we met, we had all the staff and residents convinced that we were brother and sister. We've had such fun like taking the residents on hikes in waist high snow, and daring each other to eat an entire Boston Cream Pie in one sitting (I think he did it!). He already knew quite a few people in the family, and ended up getting adopted in, even as far as spending Christmas morning with us. He's a cynical, angry man, but he's hilarious and we love him.

Anyway, a few years ago he moved to Oregon for school, work and just to get out of Poky. But, I had the pleasure of getting to see him a few weeks before we moved at his brother's wedding party (which was amazing and beautiful, props to his mom!). Anyway, it was a lot of fun to see him again. Hopefully I will be seeing a lot more of him since he is planning on moving to Philly for graduate school. See you soon Dirk!

The rest of San Diego

Since I really can't remember the order of the rest of what we did, I'll just finish up with this. We spent a lot more time on the beach, which was probably Jayda's best time ever. She made some friends and got a lot braver in the water. Skyler could still only take the beach in small doses, but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's one and couldn't enjoy the water without nearly drowning! I became addicted to the beach and could have easily spend forever there!





















One of the last nights there, my parents took Glenn and I out to the Gaslamp District, which is rows of really nice restaurants in the city. We had dinner at a great Italian Restaurant where I was able to try lobster ravioli (I can die now!), and Glenn had a delicious steak. There are pictures of that somewhere, but I don't have them!

I had a really hard time leaving San Diego, I actually felt a little homesick when we left! Hopefully we'll be back soon, we had a great time!