Tiara Lady Wipeout

I know something must be wrong with me to get so much enjoyment from this clip, but I can't help it. It ranks up there with Michael wearing a woman's suit to The Office - I laughed that much.

Potty Forum

Aubrey has finally reached the point of no return (to diapers). I know some people feel the need to wait until the toddler wants to do it, but I'm pretty sure that would be a very long wait. So we started this week , and it's going pretty well. I thought perhaps I could share a few tips and if you have any for me, they would be greatly appreciated.

1. Potty training in pull-ups can be done, they just have to be changed immediately after an accident. Just this tip alone has cut out 90% of all my anxiety associated with potty training, not to mention how much we will save in property damage.

2. If your toddler hates the potty (just as mine did), it helps to have a basket with a few washable toys next to the toilet.

3. Not every child potty trains in the same way. I tried all my Chad tricks on Aubrey - I bought her toys and candy - she told me to take them back.

4. And for the greatest potty training trick of all: give them a bowl of warm water and water toys to play with. You know the warm water trick you play at sleepovers? Same idea. This worked wonders for Aubrey! Plus it entertains them while you wait.

So that's all I have. I will spare all of you pictures on this particular topic.

Utah

Thanks to all of our dear Utahns and their hospitality, we had a great trip! We wish we could have stayed a little longer, but I suppose it's best to leave when people still like you - you do still like us, right? Here are just a few highlights:

Chad drivin' the wagon at Wheeler Farm

Aubrey contemplating life at Wheeler Farm

Park City - Chad coming down a slide that pretty much drop kicks you. Very funny to watch, not sure why they kept going down it. Now If I could only figure out how to load a video...

Aubrey, Hayley, & Sam waiting for the fireworks to begin

Four little reasons the fireworks had not yet begun - Tyler, Zach, Justin, & Chad.

And then they did.

Denny's Grand Slam with the Huntingtons - good food, good people.

Thanks for the ride J.T.

A Head of Hair ... Gone (Mostly)

Sam had his first haircut! It felt wrong to cut his hair, when so many babies have nothing at all, but it was just too unruly and long. Even decked out in blue, he would get a few girl comments. People tend to assume babies with hair are girls, not sure why. So here's how it all went down, play by play.

So happy with a full head of hair!

Mid-haircut

Wash & Style

Finito!

Into the Wild

We had our annual trip to the zoo (way too much work to do go more often) and it was cold, again. But the kids had fun and loved the train ride. Notice that there are no pictures of actual animals? No time! Chad was way too excited for the train, so we kept a feverish pace until we reached the station. When asked what the kids' favorite animal was ... the squirrel!?!? In their defense, he was really fat and cute and seemed to really appreciate the Dorito chip. Perhaps next time we want to experience wild life, we'll go to the park and take chips - much cheaper.

Summer? What's Summer?

Alright, I believe we have enough rain to last us awhile. We just need a little warmth - like somewhere above 60 degrees. The kids are showing signs of boredom - Aubrey has been experimenting with hairstyles and we are not exactly sure what Chad was doing at the time this picture was taken, but when asked about the outfit he claimed to have nothing to wear (I was a little behind on laundry and try to ignore the disoderly appearance in Chad's room - we just got new bunkbeds). I know we have to break out the grill at some point, so here's a recipe for just such an occassion:

California Grilled Veggie Sandwich

Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 cup olive oil
1 cup sliced red bell peppers
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
1 small yellow squash, sliced
4 french bread hoagie rolls
1/2 cup italian blend cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them (Place veggies on kabobs, to avoid frustration and lost veggies). Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.
4. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with cheese, layer with the vegetables. Wrap each sandwich with tinfoil and place on grill until cheese has melted. Enjoy!

Moving On

He did it - Chad graduated from preschool (www.littlewarriorspreschool.blogspot.com)! And it only took him a year - we are very proud. While I was crying (I know it's only preschool, but I can't help myself), Chad was using his rolled up diploma as a whistle, causing a scene. I suppose he wasn't thinking, as I was, of all the accomplishments that lie ahead of him. I am excited to see what he becomes, but a little sad of losing my little boy. But as Chad reassured me the other day, he'll still be cute when he's five. After that, who knows.

And we caught Sam's smile while showing his cougar pride - thanks again Jef and Julie for the shirt!