Strange Coincidences?

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I try to be politically correct most of the time.  I do not like jokes in bad taste…normally.  But this is my borderline inappropriate blog:

I have a professor that I am having a very difficult time figuring out how to get an A from him.  So far I am a solid B to B+ and it’s not for lack of hours put in.  I will not, however, divulge his name or even what the class is called for fear of……repercussion? A guy in my class sent me this photo of my professor and his twin:

I am not a Simpsons fan so I have no idea what this characters name is but look at the VERY strong resemblance!

I am not a Simpsons fan so I have no idea what this characters name is but look at the VERY strong resemblance!

Another strange coincidence that we’ve noticed in our lives lately is the race of our coaches this year.  Now I know this would not be strange if we lived anywhere other than Draper UT – but I am pretty sure we’re working with the few:

So far their team is winning again. Fourth year of TT playing and fourth set of new coaches. He seems to land on winning teams. TT is getting a lot more play time in this year. He's 1st string offense, defense and special teams.

So far their team is winning again. Fourth year of TT playing and fourth set of new coaches. He seems to land on winning teams. TT is getting a lot more play time in this year. He’s 1st string offense, defense and special teams.

 

This is B's trainer he's been working out with the last few months. He seems to be working miracles in B's arms. I didn't think his arms could ever get as big as they are right now. I will have to snap a photo to show you. Mike came out to watch TT's game last week but sadly left just before TT made a great interception. I will have to replace this photo at some point because B does not like it.

This is B’s trainer he’s been working out with the last few months. He seems to be working miracles in B’s arms. I didn’t think his arms could ever get as big as they are right now. I will have to snap a photo to show you. Mike came out to watch TT’s game last week but sadly left just before TT made a great interception. I will have to replace this photo at some point because B does not like it.

 

Ari's coach and his daughter photo bombing...I was going to try and crop her out but I think it's one of the funniest I've seen.

Ari’s coach and his daughter photo bombing…I was going to try and crop her out but I think it’s one of the funniest photo bombs I’ve seen.

I thought this post would be the appropriate place to end with a joke I heard this week:

A guy died and went to heaven and went through the pearly gates.  There was a massive wall of clocks behind St. Peter.  The guy asks what the clocks are for. St. Peter says everyone has a clock and it only moves if you tell a lie.  There was a clock that had never moved, so the guy asked whose clock is that?  Oh that’s Mother Theresa’s.  Another clock had only moved twice and he asked whose clock that was? Oh that’s Abraham Lincoln’s.  So the guy asks “where’s Obama’s clock?” And St. Peter said “Jesus hung it in his office as a ceiling fan.”

 

 

 

 

 

Lelu & Chan-Man Are All Grown Up

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Is there anything wrong with living a little vicariously through your children?  Oh my, did I have so much fun! Warning: a whole lot of photos in this post.  Cherie and I have been friends for going on 15 years.  Lelu and Chandler spent a lot of time together growing up.  Now that Lelu can date, she really wanted to go to homecoming.  I didn’t realize how much I wanted her to go too!  So here’s how it all went down;

On a Monday night at about 10:15 there was a very loud knock on the door and this was left on the doorstep.

On a Monday night at about 10:15 there was a very loud knock on the door and this was left on the doorstep.  The next morning I got a text from Cherie with the super disclaimer that Chandler came up with asking her on his own and obviously made the poster on his own – she would have made Lelu sugar cookies (her absolute favorite).  I think It is way more fun this way – sorry Lelu no sugar cookies – but I love that neither of us moms orchestrated their date.

Here's her answer filled with marshmallows (she liked that better than rice)
Here’s her answer filled with marshmallows (she liked that better than rice)

Inside the marshmallows were these little power rangers because all Lelu remembers playing at Chandler's house was power rangers - she was always pink. And we thought Bridger and Kenzie would like them too. Dropping this off was hilarious because we took the twins and Madison to answer and Chandler was in the garage working on his jeep and Cherie was in the driveway talking to her parents in their car and my kids thought they could somehow still pull it off in stealth - needless to say..they were totally caught and I had a very good laugh!

Inside the marshmallows were these little power rangers because all Lelu remembers playing at Chandler’s house was power rangers – she was always pink. And we thought Bridger and Kenzie would like them too. Dropping this off was hilarious because we took the twins and Madison to answer and Chandler was in the garage working on his jeep and Cherie was in the driveway talking to her parents in their car and my kids thought they could somehow still pull it off in stealth – needless to say..they were totally caught and I had a very good laugh!

I did her hair....I still got it...yes? We had to show off the very cute back of the amazing dress - that I would totally wear if it fit me.

I did her hair….I still got it…yes? We had to show off the very cute back of the amazing dress – that I would totally wear if it fit me.

My friend, Ann, who is amazing at make-up came over and transformed minimal make-up Lelu into something quite spectacular without making her look like she had on too much.

My friend, Ann, who is very talented at make-up came over and transformed minimal make-up Lelu into something quite spectacular without making her look like she had on too much.

All ready to go, proud dad!
All ready to go, proud dad!

Ari was a little bit envious of all the attention - but I assure you when her day comes - I will just as excited!

Ari was a little bit envious of all the attention – but I assure you when her day comes – I will be just as excited!

TT didn't think it was that big of a deal and wanted to know why he had to pose for a photo

TT didn’t think it was that big of a deal and wanted to know why he had to pose for a photo

Um she didn't know how to pin it on, I made an attempt and poked him with the pin and then Madison's mom made it work.

Um she didn’t know how to pin it on, I made an attempt and poked him with the pin and then Madison’s mom made it work.

Lelu and Chan Man all grown up and ready to hit the town

Lelu and Chan Man all grown up and ready to hit the town – Okay so honesty moment, Cherie and I did orchestrate the outfits and went shopping together and picked out Chandler’s outfit too.  One of the perks -that I don’t think will happen again

The group: Lelu and Chan, Tanner and Maddie & Tanner & Maddie - Honestly!

The group: Lelu and Chan, Tanner & Maddie and Tanner & Maddie – Honestly that’s their names! The night was a huge success.  They are all friends so it was totally comfortable, had a great dinner, the dance was super fun and then they went swimming in a pool that was heated to ninety degrees and then Cherie made them all delicious hot chocolate.  First date – TOTAL SUCCESS!!

 

My house was the last stop so all of the parents showed up here to take photos. I think I had as much fun as Lelu did.

My house was the last stop so all of the parents showed up here to take photos. I think I had as much fun as Lelu did.

 

 

 

Birthday Extravaganza

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I am a month behind.  Such is life.  The last three weeks I’ve been in dodgeball match with lemons being pelted at my head.  This is the truth about blogs and my blog is no different really:  They just don’t tell the “whole truth”.  How can they?  I love my life overall, that is true! But I am not immune to the downs, I am working on being resilient – but that is another blog for another day, when I am actually caught up. If ever.   But if I am going to leave a written legacy for my children about my perspective on our life – I want to remember the positive.  The ego LOVES the negative and happily replays those stories over and over especially when a lemon comes hurtling at your face – that lemon carries the weight of all the past and it hurts more than it should. And as such (that’s for you, B)  I am sick to death of lemonade and therefore I will be creating quite a compost heap.

Lelu turned SIXTEEN!  And it was a big deal.  I wasn’t writing my blog when Aub turned 16, but we went to Hawaii for her birthday and then Master D had the big limo party.  I’ve set myself up for creating big events.  But Lelu is different and this was a challenge.  She didn’t want a big party, or a surprise party (heaven forbid), or a limo and school had just started so we couldn’t go on a big trip. She is my most frugal child (B’s prodigy) and so I had to get creative:

First stop - hair being done at 7 am - yes SEVEN AM for the drivers license photo.

First stop – hair being done at 7 am – yes SEVEN AM for the drivers license photo.

8:00 am DMV then home to get SS card - back to DMV - late to school and breakfast through the drive thru because she had a test.

8:00 am DMV then home to get SS card we forgot – back to DMV – late to school and breakfast through the drive thru because she had a test. (This is a photo of an instagram screen.  I lost the original photo of this on my old phone and for technical reasons that I have no patience to figure out, cropping out the instagram part is not taking)

Friends decorated her locker and the hallways

Friends decorated her locker and the hallways

40 of them distributed around the hallways - that the administration decided needed to be taken down. Alta didn't have that stupid policy - what the heck is wrong with party poopers in the schools??

40 of them distributed around the hallways – that the administration decided needed to be taken down. Alta didn’t have that stupid policy – what the heck is wrong with party poopers in the schools??

Since I got a new car (that B surprised me with for my bday - and will get brownie points for a lifetime) Lelu gets to drive the pilot - which I decorated and left in the parking lot at school.

Since I got a new car (that B surprised me with for my bday – and will get brownie points for a lifetime) Lelu gets to drive the pilot – which I decorated and left in the parking lot at school.

B and Jeff bright and early went to the round-a-bout in Draper and put up a banner which I accidentally went the wrong way to the DMV with her in the car for her to see. She didn't kill me

B and Jeff bright and early went to the round-a-bout in Draper and put up a banner which I “accidentally” went the wrong way to the DMV with her in the car for her to see. She didn’t kill me.

Michelle S recipe for chicken lime tacos - mmmm

Lelu’s dinner request…..Michelle S recipe for chicken lime tacos – mmmm

After football & soccer practice The family celebrated with at home dinner and strawberry shortcake including J, C, Landon & Wyatt

After football & soccer practice The family celebrated with at home dinner and strawberry shortcake including J, C, Landon & Wyatt

Final fun....one short night between tennis, soccer, volleyball games and practices - I took Britney, Madison, Madelyn, Aubrey and Lelu to stay in a hotel in Park City - they got their own room to hang out in with mom across the hall enjoying my own book and more sleep.

Final fun….one short night between tennis, soccer, volleyball games and practices – I took Britney, Madison, Madelyn, Aubrey and Lelu to stay in a hotel in Park City – they got their own room to hang out in with mom across the hall enjoying my own book and more sleep.

Was it as awesome as Aub and Master D?  I think she thought so.  Phew Good thing I have four years to plan for the twins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School’s In and I just Want to Sleep In

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08/19/13 New schools for everyone except me.  Not just my kids either, Jeff and Christina took the leap of faith to join us in Zion.  haha – that’s a joke.  But they up and sold their house in CA in one day and moved up here just in time to start the new school year with my kids.  They’ve been staying with us the last two weeks and tomorrow they are thrilled to move into their own house here in Draper.  I still can’t believe it and Continue reading →

Only One More Short Austria Post

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I bought the twins a dirndl and leiderhosen and I LOVE THEM wearing them. My time to dress them up is probably coming to an end soon so I will make as much of it as I can. Think I can talk them into wearing these for halloween?

I bought the twins a dirndl and leiderhosen and I LOVE THEM wearing them. My time to dress them up is probably coming to an end soon so I will make as much of it as I can. Think I can talk them into wearing these for halloween?

B found a great place to drown himself - what's up with the Mr. Incredible angle?

B found a great place to drown himself – what’s up with the Mr. Incredible angle?

The whole Austrian adventure loving bikers.

The whole Austrian adventure loving bikers. from the Left Saxtons, Seacrests, Sullivans, Saxtons (they aren’t related), US Zimmermans, Grangers and Lakes.  Our guides in the front row Dennis, Ron and Mirjam

When parents are away, the kids can finally play!

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Guest Blogger: Lelu

When the parents are away, the kids can finally play 🙂

This is our Utah-Arizona adventure extravaganza with some of our favorite people.

  • Michele: Our beautiful aunt. She is an amazing cook, crafter, and mom to four gorgeous little boys. 
  • Dave: Uncle Dave! He is very musically talented, he can put up with chick flick’s (if you ask me, that is impressive), and an amazing dad to his four boys! Oh, and his favorite food is watermelon turkey 😉
  • Tay Tay: The cutest 6 year old out there! All I can say is girls will be chasing after him. He is such a little sweetheart.
  • Christy: SO STINKIN’ CUTE! He loves TT with all his heart, tears were shed when TT left, such a sweet boy! And he can sing his little heart out!
  • Grant: Feisty. That little boy! Oh my goodness, he can put up a fight! But his little face… I can’t argue with that. SO CUTE! He still has such a sweet side to him… He is exactly like Ari.
  • Ryan: OH MY GOODNESS. Ryan is such a little chub. Apparently I was a baby hogger. But I couldn’t stay away! He is the cutest little thing ever!

Continue reading →