My Baby is 5

Yep, it's true El Lynn is 5 today. I hate to think that she's that old already but at the rate she's been growing and the things she says to me, I am not surprised. I think that I should share with you 5 things that I love about El:

1-She's a "lova"-she ain't afraid to give hugs and kisses and say how much she loves you
2-She forgives quickly. She'll be so mad at you one minute but she'll give you a big hug and a kiss the next
3-She's a total girl. She loves to wear dresses and shoes and loves to give me jewelry for gifts, and then she'll say, "Mom, don't you love that beautiful necklace I gave you for your birthday?"
4-She is strong willed. She knows what she wants-she tells Steve at 1 in the afternoon, "you know what Dad, I never got my morning candy"-he'll cave-she's got him wrapped around her finger
5-She is a teaser. She likes to hide when she hears me come in from the garage at night. The other day Steve was being silly at bed time. He told El to smell his armpit, she said okay and then pulled a hair from his pit.

What would I do with out my little one?

I just don't know.

I just love you El Lynn Smith!

*El is also a quick learner, if you recall her last birthday her hair caught a little on fire. Tonight she said, "Mom pull my hair back so it doesn't get burned."

Gingerbread Sister, and Santa Claus

 Gingerbread Sister

 What can I say about that one??

 Ki was thrilled to be with Santa

...If I must...

 I am very comfortable with this Santa

unlike my sister.

Let's chat again soon.

On Saturday we ran some errands and got a ginger bread kit from trader Joe's. The girls made it their "Gingerbread Sister".  We also went to our ward party and Santa Claus made an appearance. Ki and El were in line and Ki walks up to me and says, "I am not sitting on his lap!" I said, "Yes you are and I am taking a picture of it." She did but you can tell how she left about it-never one to hide her feelings. Ki told Santa that she wanted a picture of his reindeer playing hide and seek. El said that she didn't care-you get what you get and you don't through a fit. I think she might really believe that! She was very comfortable chatting with Santa. It is not shocking to me anymore how different my girls are. They make me laugh!

Sept-Oct-Novemeber

The past few months have been a blur! Here are a few highlights:

Steve was willing to help as long as the girls "gutted" the pumpkins, neither of them enjoyed that process.

*Note to self, when it's still 90 degrees in October your pumpkins mold the day after you carve them, therefor don't carve until the 31st.

Ki was excited to carve said pumpkins-until she found started gutting it. Then She had second thoughts.

A few years ago, when I had time-like I said, a few years ago- I started the tradition of making the girl's costumes. This year Ki's request was a parrot. All I have to say is, "all things are possible with felt." I ended up cutting out most of the feathers while on my lunch break at work, otherwise the parrot would have been bald.

El wanted to recycle a costume this year (I was so glad!) She wanted to be a candy corn again. I was so glad that is still fit! I made her a hat this year but it was too hot for it, so we just opted for ribbon in the hair.

 With Halloween falling on a Sunday, we had Trunk-or-treat on Saturday night. So I told the girls that they could hand out candy but not door to door trick -or -treat. They were content to just pass it out.

 Uncle Caleb came for a visit. He is applying for Dental School and had an interview here at Mid Western. We are secretly voting for him to come here. It would be awesome to have him and Annie in Arizona.

Steve completed another Amazing scratch art picture! He still doesn't claim to be an artist but I think he's an amazing artists. He is already planning the next one. He also got his Driver's License back. That means that he has been seizure free since March-we are ecstatic! He loves driving again! Last weekend he flew to CA to drive back his SUV. Now he gets to help with the car pooling. I know that Nicole is heart broken that she doesn't have to do it all by herself anymore.

 We were able to make it to our Ward Camp out in September. We went up in Munds park and it was beautiful! We haven't been camping in a long time. We used to go at least once a month in the summer months. My work schedule doesn't allow that so we've missed out on camping.

El also started Pre-School. It was time for her to hang out with someone besides her dad. She is with him a lot and I wanted her to get used to being with children her age. She loves it!

That about wraps it up!

A True Pink Lady

My grandmother Mildred Nell Sanders loved the color pink. Although she washed in the violet die to her white hair, she loved pink. I didn't ever see her wear the hat but I am sure that she did back in the day. I remember that Grandma had pink carpet in her bedroom, and her bathroom. I thought she was kinda crazy-but cool for having pink carpet. We used to spend a week or so each summer with Grandma and Grandpa Sanders in Kalispell, MT. Their property led right down to the river where we'd get to have a winner roast and play in the water. Grandma also spoiled us with Schwan's ice cream and fresh picked raspberries. When Ki was looking for dress up  clothes at my mom's last summer, she found the pink hat and was wearing it. It made me smile because I like to think that Ki and grandma spent some time together on the other side. I miss Grandma.

Sisters of Mine

I have finally taken time to scrap one of my favorite pictures from last summer's family gathering. In light of some recent family news I have been thinking a lot about how important these relationships are. I am so blessed with 2 amazing sisters.

Brandie, the amazing mother of 5, is 18 months older than me. I shamefully admit that we haven't always gotten along. I was the bratty little sister that was always trying to keep up with her. It wasn't until her senior year that we finally started enjoying each others company. When she left the Stott house to go to college I was sad! She was my best friend. She came home her sophomore year of college and we were sharing a room again. I enjoyed sharing my secrets with my big sister once again. We had bunk beds and we'd talk late into the night. It was during one of those late night chats that she told me that she was falling in love. I wanted to be happy for her but that meant that she'd be leaving and our relationship wouldn't ever be the same. I had just graduated from high school and my family was moving to Idaho. A few months later she did get married and thankfully her husband was attending RICKS College and I was going to be too. That made it all bearable. I saw her quit a bit and Jere and I worked together for a semester before he graduated and they left for northern Idaho. I headed back home to prepare for a mission and was only 2 hours away from them. I was there when she had her first baby. I stayed with them most weekends and loved on my nephew. Several months later I too found myself falling in love and was going to get married and moving to Arizona. That was the furthest I'd even been from home and my sister. A few years later Steve and I packed up and moved to Kuna, Idaho. That is were my sister was of course. My dreams of being close to here and raising our children was a reality for at least half a year. It was awesome to be close to Brandie again. Then she told me that Jere was taking a job transfer to Virginia. I cried, cried some more and then said goodbye to my big sister once again. She's been in Virginia for years and I've seen her a hand full of times. I adore my sister and I am sad that I have to see her move again-and now it's even further away. I will miss her much, but I might actually see her more often, not because I will be visiting Taiwan but because she'll get to come to the states at least once a year-more that I see her now.

And then there is the other sister of mine-Long legged Hailey. She is the baby of 8 and knows it! When I was 15 she was born and she was the coolest "doll" ever! We all adored her-we still do. When she was about 3 years old the Disney movie Pocahontas came out and she-very white, very blond girl-was convinced that she was Pocahontas! She'd tell people with conviction that she was not Hailey but that she was Pocahontas and that my dad was John Smith. She made us all laugh and has always been a cute, loving girl. She was sad when Brandie got married, but mostly b/c she wanted to marry Jere. She shared my bed with me sometimes when she'd get scared and when I got married she was upset too. She was angry that her sister's were leaving her. It was hard to leave her too- she was a good friend to me. She is so good to my girls and I am so glad that she is  home still. I knew that when Brandie and I left that Dad was a bit crushed. I knew that Hailey being at home would give him joy in at least having one of his girls with him. She gets the sweet kisses, the tender hugs and the whisker rubs-that I have missed so much.
I hope that my girls will be able to love each other as much as I love sisters and that they will realize that they can be a worst enemy at times, but mostly the best friend that they will ever have!
I love you my sweet sweet sisters!!!

While on Vaction...

The most important thing to remember is to have your camera battery charged when you are going to going to the water park. Because if you don't have a camera battery then you have no pictures to prove that you had SOOOOO Much fun! All you have is a bit of the sun burn to show for a fantastic day of family and water, lots of water. My mother is such an awesome grandmother! She was riding along with us and having a great time. My awesome brother and his wife, my other awesome brother and his friend, my other awesome brother, and my awesome sister- made day so much fun. My dear friend Princess E joined us too. I learned that Ki and El both, love water parks. El was just tall enough to ride most of the big tube rides with me. She was a bit hesitant at first, I assured her that I'd be with her and that it would be fun. I'd watch her face on some of the rides and she'd look so afraid, but when we'd get to the bottom, she'd have a huge smile on her face and say, "that was awesome". She'd make sure that we rode the ride again just to solidify that she loved it. I think that we have a new stop to add to our Idaho trips.
This is the 2nd year that I had to do all the driving and I am not sure if I will be able to let Steve drive in the future. I have kind of gotten used to being the driver-maybe I'll be a terrible front seat driver when he drives again. I also realized that my kids are really great travelers. We have always driven between AZ and Idaho each summer, even when we lived in Idaho we came to AZ. I hope that they will continue to be great road trippers. We had a great time with my family and had a hard time leaving them. Unlike last year we really did have to come home. Now we get to look forward to Chrsitmas when my family will come stay with  us ;0)

Ki the 2nd Grader

Ki started school on the 9th of August. I know some of you think that is so early, but the kids get out in May, so it's all relative. She missed the meet your teacher night b/c we were in Idaho on vacation. Her teacher is Mrs. Neese, a former kindergarten teacher. So, Ki knew who she was. She had a great 1st week of school and really does like school-I hope that she'll be saying that in 10 years. She has a few of her friends in her class but not at her table and she's a bit worried about that. I know her and she'll make them friends quickly. It is amazing to think how big she's getting and how much she's learning right now. It's so fun listening to her read and she's taking piano lessons too. I sure love my Ki girl.

Ki the Swimmer

 

I managed to remember to take some pictures on Ki's last day of swimming lessons. She had to swim a lap before they got to jump off the diving board-not her favorite activity. She made huge improvements the last session of lessons and enjoys swimming. It is sad to say, but she's a better swimmer than I am. I think that I need to take some lessons myself.

Another one For the Fans

I am post happy today but what can I say, a two month absence would lead to this. Since we have moved back to Arizona in 2005, we have been out of town every 4th of July. This year was no exception. We spent an AMAZING weekend in San Diego, CA.

We visited La Jolla Beach, Sea World and the Mazda dealership

We had a great time in California. I knew that is was only a 6 hour drive to San Diego, but it never really occurred to me before to go there with the kids and enjoy the long weekend. We didn't tell the kids that we were going so that we could surprise them. I am afraid that Ki thinks that the whole weekend and the trip was her half birthday present-well she's wrong.

We enjoyed all the sights and sounds and shows. The girls talked us into going on a ride, the journey to Atlantis- a roller coaster/water ride.They didn't realize what they were in for-neither did we. They do a good job at keeping things hidden in the park so that you will be surprised. It was a bit scary to El, who was barely tall enough to ride and I was a bit nervous that she was going to fly out on some of the turns. But, we made it out okay and she looked at me and said, don't ever make me do that again. Trust me, I won't! I am not the thrill seeker that her father is. The Blue Horizon's dolphin show was great and the Shamu show was El's favorite. It has changed since we were there 9 yrs ago, but still a great show. It was not even 70 while we were there, and I was in a sweater and jeans. You could probably tell we were from out of town.

 The beach was amazing and so much fun, then El got tired an fell asleep.

When we were leaving on Monday the check engine light came on and we had to replace the thermostat in the car-super bummer- but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I think I have a new favorite place to spend a three day weekend!

Hello...Hello... Are you There?

Why Yes, I am but you would never know-it's been a while.  

(El on her 1/2 Birthday)

(yummy tomatoes)

( Ki on her 1/2 Birthday)

So, lets recap the last two months. El and Ki started taking swimming lessons back in May. Ki is now swimming on her own-but has a long way to go still-but she's doing great! El is learning and loves the water! El, Steve and Ki have celebrated their 1/2 Birthdays. Steve is an amazing Gardner-the corn patch is impressive-it takes up half our back yard and some of it is as tall as me. We have enjoyed the tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. The watermelon are growing but not ready yet. The lemon tree (very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet but,) oh, sorry I can't help but hum that tune every time I look at my tree, is finally producing-or at least they are growing, no harvest yet. Ki has a month left of her Summer break and we are getting excited to go to Idaho the first week of August, that is when the Stott family calendar was clear for the summer. Steve is working with an endocrinologist and making progress on trying to see if his seizures are related to blood sugar/glucose issues. I have been taking a water aerobics class at the city pool, twice a week from 8:30-9:30pm and I really like it. It is nice to a least get a little bit of exercise in my schedule .
We are a bit bummed b/c our ward is going to start attending a newly constructed meeting house next week. Steve and new buildings don't mix well so we aren't going to be attending our home ward for a while-boo hoo. All  in all things are moving at a rapid pace and we are just trying to enjoy each day that we get to share together.

Scrap, I Can

I haven't scrapped in quite a while and last weekend I finally took time to scrap.

I have several pictures from last summer that still need to make it on paper. I need to just take some time and get it done! It always feels good to finish a lay-out or two:

We love Grandpa Pops! because they live in Idaho we only see my parents a few times a year. Last year we were so LUCKY to get to stay with them for an entire month. It was awesome! It usually takes El a few days to warm up to my parents and this particular photo is towards the end of the month long stay, as you can see she was very happy and comfortable in Pops arms. We look forward to going there in August this year.

This beauty is Great Grandma Lois. She is Steve's Mom's Mom. Last July we drove almost into Canada to see her in Kettle Falls, WA. It was a LONG trip but it was so worth it to be able to see Grandma Lois. I am not sure how many more visits we will get to have with her and I wanted to make sure that the girls remember it. I never met my Great grandparents on either side. I hope they will cherish the few times we have spent with Grandma Lois and Grandpa Jack. We sure love them!!!

Oh, How Things Have Changed

If we take a stroll down memory lane we would notice something has changed. When Ki was in kindergarten she was awarded for her demonstration of character of Responsibility. Well this year she was nominated again for responsibility-I would Love to say it's because we help foster that in our children-but that's not true. She is just a child who naturally is responsible. She loves her teacher Mrs.Tropea and she likes to please her teacher so that helps too. I was SHOCKED when Ki came into the cafeteria and saw us there-it's supposed to be a surprise for the kids and parents are invited. She ran over to us and was all smiles. Last year she was very shy and maybe even upset with all the attention. She was all smiles when she got her award and happily received her donut, which she shared with El.
 I can't believe the inches she has grown but also how much she has grown as a student and socially. She has an amazing imagination and she is always speaking her mind and crack'n me up. I love you Ki!

So Like Wednesday was Our Anniversary

I am not only in the running for slacker mother of the year, but I just may win for looser wife of the year too. I always have these great plans but I never quite get'm done. Steve is a patient and loving man, and that is a good thing. Our 9 year wedding anniversary was on Wednesday. I got home from work and Steve had lasagna ready-my favorite- and his dad was here to baby sit. We went to Clash of the Titans in 3D only it wasn't all that 3D (That is where I took this smashing photo-we look like two people who are desperately in love with one another). When we got home the girls were in bed fast asleep-Grandpa Homer is awe-some! I had bought Steve some T-shirts and I didn't even wrap them up, I just threw him the bag and said "Happy Anniversary." I am a lame-o.

I do love Steve and I am thankful for the last nine years that we've spent together.

*Note to self-next year is 10, that's a pretty big thing

so act like it, I mean, prepare for it

Just beacause it's Monday

I have a slight obsession with rings. The chunkier the better. I have learned the hard way, that glass rings break, and that me and gold-don't mix. So my original wedding band sits in my jewelry box and I have become a HUGE fan of thecarrotbox. A few years ago Steve found this site and we both love to see what Alice has in her store. I can always find a reason to own a new ring. So check out my newest purchase.

Life, or something like it

Wow, have I really let an entire month go by without blogging? Yep. I am a slacker in many departments these days. I don't see my family as much as I'd like to, I don't see my friends-or talk to them for that matter, as much as I'd like to, I don't get my check books balanced as often as I'd like to, I don't get to exercises anymore-my butt has an issue with that. But this is just a phase, right? I keep thinking that I can establish a new normal and I realized that it has been a year since Steve started having seizures. An entire year of chaos and unpredictability and anger and frustration and sorrow and life-I guess. When you are wrapped up in something so huge you don't see an end or a solution to the problem, but you have to keep on keeping on. So that is what we do. I know it could be much worse and we are getting by pretty good and we've learned a lot in the last year. I have an amazing family. Steve's family is great, and our ward and friends have been terrific. It is such a small moment in the big picture but sometimes I loose track of that big picture. I hope I can be better about that this year. I am most grateful for Steve, and all that he brings to my life. I hope that one day we can think back on this time and see how far we made it past this trial-is it a trail? I am not sure now. I think it may be life from here on out and we will get to the point that we will except it and continue to move forward. All I know is that the Lord does love us and keeps blessing us with the support that we need.
And, it's bed time so until next time-count your blessings and share the love!

Birthday Eve Surprises

I have a few sneaky friends, and you know who you are. You are the greatest! I was pleasantly surprised last night, on the Eve of my 30th Birthday. Steve said that we were going on a walk to the park to let the girls play. I had to work yesterday and I knew that the girls would love to spend some time with me and it was very nice outside. We were almost at the play ground and I thought I saw David Dean, and I thought I saw Reed and Lora's red car in the parking lot. It took me a minute to put it all together and then I heard Megan yelling and I realized that there was a gathering of friends and family at the park. I kicked Steve, and he said all he did was bring me to the park. I guess that was true.

We had a pleasant evening chatting and eating as our kids played in the park. I had a very nice time. I have been struggling with the fact that I don't get to hang out anymore with friends or my family for that matter since I've returned to work. But last night was a perfect gathering that made me remember I have amazing friends and a very supportive family that I love very much. Many thanks to all who joined me to Celebrate-as Ki has dubbed it, Birthday Eve.

My oh My, Ki is 7

When Ki asked for a blue horse cake I turned to Steve and said you are all over that.

And he was, and he did a fantastic job!

Notice that I was holding back her hair so that we didn't have another hair fire.

Ki sure does love my little ponies-the very little ones-that have gumball machine houses.

She's looking a bit crazed! El choose to give Ki a Littlest Pet Shop doll, they were both very excited when Ki unwrapped it.

Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Smith for being here and thanks to Kelli and James for joining in on the fun too!

I can't believe that Ki is 7. I clearly remember the day she was born and I hate to think that it was that long ago. She has lost 7 teeth, loves first grade and grew half and inch last month. I look at her sometimes and have to double take, it that really my child?

I am so grateful for my Ki girl. I love her very much and am enjoying watching her grow up.