It's a Good Thing Children Sleep...

Because it is the MUCH-NEEDED reminder that they are sweet and that you love them with all of your heart.

Today Tianna has been such a monster!!! It's probably because she's recovering from a cold and she's just ornery because of it.
We have a fun little ward play group that we go to on Wednesdays. Right after we got there today she hit one boy (older, of course) right on top of the head with her fist....resulting in a small time out. Then later she was shoving a much older boy (old enough to not hit her back which she probably needed). I intervened before that one got ugly. Then towards the end one mom said "Tianna is pulling that girls hair." I turn around to see her pulling this four year old's hair from both sides of her head. I snatched her right up and we marched home immediately.

Then a little while ago she was playing in my makeup AGAIN. I got her out and shut the door to my room and left her throwing a fit in the hallway to go read blogs (my time out). I few minutes later I hear this faint snore-like sound. I go out there to see her curled up on the floor SNORING really loudly. You have to know, she does NOT just fall asleep places very often so this was certainly picture worthy.

In lighter reports, Conference Weekend was WONDERFUL..... except for Tianna and I being sick. It was so inspiring and very uplifting. I loved how the whole theme was to find hope in these perilous times by righteous living. It makes me want to be so much better!!!

Our good friend, Blake, came to visit for the weekend and that was really fun, as always. We've always said he becomes Tianna's leg extentions, but this weekend it took on a whole new meaning. He even did the dishes with her on his shoulders. He's obviously not a daddy himself yet because he would let her do whatever she wanted... he's too big of sucker for cuteness.


And I must say, she usually is cute, and sweet. But she can be pretty agressive when she wants something-especially when she doesn't feel well. I had to say that so you don't think she's always a beast. Just certain days, but I'm sure all of you parents out there understand..... at least I hope you do.

Tianna's Bedroom

The quilt is FINALLY DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! Between all of the stress of my stupid sewing machine and then the fateful handsewing of the entire binding... that darn thing took me forever. It was fun though, and sometimes relaxing. It gave me an excuse to watch a movie every few days and just chill while I stitched on the binding. Only problem was that in the length of time to watch one movie I could only get about a foot to a foot and a half sewn. So obviously, it was a slow process. But it definately looks cute on her new big girl bed.

The day before her birthday we set up her bed and it took several nights of laying with her until she fell asleep before she'd willinging stay in it. It does have it's perks though- she can wake up and come into my rom instead of me having to go get her. I like that part :D :D :D
Naps... well, they haven't been as sucessful, but some days they are.
Actually, a miracle happened twice in one day. I tried to lay with her while she took a nap (it was the picture day so I wanted her to have a nap unfortunately it worked to my disadvantage, but that was last week's post.) but it just wasn't happening. I needed to accomplish some things so i just gave up. She followed me out of her room, went potty, then went in and crawled into her bed and went to sleep. "Oh my heck," I know!!! Then that night when I asked if she was ready for bed she said, "Yeah" and then by the time I locked up the house I found her tucked into her bed by herself. Aw... now if only that'd happen every day.

Here's what the rest of her bedroom looks like. And yes, that bookshelf like thing is the changing table. It works I guess.




































(the irony of this post is that midway through I had to go lay with Tianna until she took a nap. Of course, I fell asleep first, but oh well. Who can't use a powernap?)














Do you think my child is OCD? Sometimes I'm sure of it. This is almost as bad as her refusing to eat broken Cheerios.

Family Pictures = "I Need an Asprin"

I've been looking forward to fall for months because we were due for a new family picture and as many of you know, Logan is a GORGEOUS place when the leaves change. Well, it always is, but even more so in the fall.

Since Jana, my trusty photographer sister, and Monica, Luke's trusty photographer sister weren't readily available we hired our friend from our ward to take them. DISCLAIMER (my complaints are not against her by any means. She did a great job)

After Luke got out of work yesterday we headed up the canyon to a beautiful place called Card Canyon. We were decked out in our spiffy pink and brown attire and the leaves were a luscious red hue- the makings of a perfect family picture.

Not so much. Tianna was so uncooperative!!! She is usually such a ham for the camera (you've probably noticed by the pictures I post) but she would not have it last night. She had woken up grouchy from her nap and I thought it would pass by the time we got up there, but no. So, after great struggles and many failed pictures, it soon became too dark. We ended up with a few that were good enough to work with. Thank you Chandra for being smart enough to bring a bribe. (a SUCKER)

Being the good friend she is, she volunteered to take some more of Tianna today in a field of flowers. So, she and her daughter, and Tianna and I, treked a few blocks to this field to find that it had the sprinklers on. Dang. So we headed back up the canyon to make a second attempt at some cute pics of the crazy child in the fall foliage.
We did get a few, but I was still disappointed. She's really usually SOOOO good at posing for the camera but she still didn't want to today. Thus, family pictures= a big headache. The end.


























































By the way, family, what pics do you want a copy of?

I met one of the three Nephites!

Okay, just so that everyone doesn't get confused...this is Luke. Yesterday I had an interesting experience when I went with the Elders Quorum President to visit some less-active members in our ward. When we came to the door of the first house we went to we were met by an old guy with a long white beard and wearing overalls, cleaning out an empty house. He said "I'll bet I'm not the person you were expecting to find here." He wasn't and we asked what happened with the family that was living there and he said quite firmly that they were evicted. But he continued to tell us that it was our lucky day and told us that he was one of the three Nephites! He then asked us if we knew how we could tell he was a Nephite...he then explained that you could tell a Nephite by his beard and they wear overalls. By this time I was laughing hysterically inside, but then he pointed to his wife who was cleaning behind him and said that she was one of the three Nephites too and told us, "I'll bet you didn't know that one of the three Nephites was a girl did you?" I could hardly keep a strait face by that point. Anyway for the next 1 1/2 to 2 hours we stood there on his porch listening to he gab on about different doctrines...some of his own and some of the LDS church. He was actually very knowledgeable on our doctrines and said that he had read all of the 20+ (I can't remember exactly how many) volumes of the Journal of Discourses, and I think I believe that. He talked about Joseph Smith and other Latter-day prophets..and I won't share what he said about them...I'll just say that it wasn't all favorable. Surprisingly he wasn't really contentious in his ravings, a little offensive, but he didn't try to fight with us like others do, but maybe it was because we could hardly get a word in the conversation, but he did have some pretty weird ideas. He claimed to be a prophet and prophesied about the end of the world...it's going to be in the year 2033 and it's not going to be by any man-made means. Apparently it's common knowledge that the ocean is full of methane hydrates that are being contained by the cool ocean temperatures, and as we all know that is changing. But what we don't know is that this warming will release these methane hydrates in one big burp that will surround the earths atmosphere and all it will take is one lightning strike and BOOM!!! The earth will be a cinder floating in space. So get prepared everyone! Several times we tried to get a name for this "Nephite" and all we could get out of him was Grandpa Country. Anyway, it was an interesting visit to say the least, I just thought I should share.

Two Already?!?

Yesterday was Tianna's 2nd birthday. I can't believe it it's been that long since our little princess came into the world. She was born on Sept. 16, 2006 and 6:43 am. She was 8 lbs 5.5 oz and 21 inches long.
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At her 2 year doctor check up this morning she weighed in at 24.11 lbs. and was 33 inches. Going off the whole "double their height at 2 and you'll get their full grown height" she will be about 5'6 when she's all growed up. The doc said she's healthy and is doing great! She's even big enough to pick out her own distinct style as you can see)

Saturday we had a huge birthday bash for that spoiled little girl! Anyone that knows her will know that she's OBSESSED with Princesses and anything girlie so of course we had to throw her a princess party... featuring her very favorite, Cinderella. (I wonder why she likes Cinderella so much. hehehe)


We had a blast though. Almost all of her cousins came and even some 2nd cousins. They were encouraged to dress up and it was so cute to see all of the costumes the kids had. Even baby Jocelyn had a fluffy dress and Aden had the cutest little prince outfit! Tianna was fully decked out in Cinderella attire and she LOOOOOOOVED that! Here's a pic. of some of the royals.


We played "Cinderella Rewound" which was a game I made up. It started out at the Royal Ball with the kids dancing to music and playing with hula hoops and such then when the clock chimed (car horn honked 12 times) the kids had to put Cinderella in her carriage (red wagon) and whisked her across the driveway to get their magic pumpkins (orange balloons). They had to crawl through a tunnel which was the "Transformation tunnel." Once they were on the lawn they had to smash their pumpkin (pop balloon) and then play "Fairy Godmother, May I?" (mother may I) across the lawn. Then it was time for them to do Cinderella's chores by sweeping a little path and then played "Stepmother Says" (Simon Says). Next we played "Put-the-shoe-on-Cinderella" where Monica had drawn the COOLEST Cinderella for us!!
After that the kids had time to just play in the backyard before we did the pinata`. Then we had cupcakes and opened presents. It was chaotic but really fun. I'm just not sure being in charge is nearly as much fun as participating.



But a REAL THANKS to everyone who attended and thank you for all of generous presents for the birthday girl. It was a great memory that we're grateful to have shared with our loved ones.

This last picture was from yesterday when she finally got to taste that Cinderella cake. She was so anxious that she kept bugging her daddy who was doing homework before we celebrated. She'd go up to him and say, "Pake?....I-ceem?.... Please, Daddy...." It was soooo cute!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

This is another long, picture filled post butLuke turns the big 26 today. I know, I know... making a list of his 26 best qualities is kind of cheesy but I don't care. He's worth it! I could easily think of 100 reasons why I love him, so, at least you only have to read 26 of them. And they aren't in any particular order, just whatever comes to mind at the time.

1. He's so handsome
Looking hot on our honeymoon
2. Very caring
3. way smart
4. Patient with crazy and often emotional wife
5. Good at comforting said emotional wife
6. Best snuggler ever
7. Has a real playful and silly side that not everyone gets to see As Uncle Ricco from Napolean Nynomite Nite
8. Really spiritual
9. Dedicated and works really hard
10. Gives his girls flowers often

11. WONDERFUL DADDY
12. loves the outdoors
13. Constantly telling me he loves me (finds the cutest ways to do it too)
14. Loves his family and would rather spend time with them than do anything else
15. Has a lot of common sense
16. Willing to please me even at the risk of public embarrassment :)
Halloween 2006... Mary had a little lamb (and a BIG ONE!)
17. Righteous and worthy priesthood holder for our family
18. Quick to apologize and doesn't get mad easily
19. Really strong... physically, spiritually, mentally, etc...
20. Crazy enough to ask me to marry him
Our engagement April 28, 2005
21. Willing to help anyone, anytime
22. Gentle
23. Really positive about other people
24. Makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world
25. He's the best kisser

26. And he's mine for ETERNITY!!

Happy Birthday, Luke the Peacock

Kona, Hawaii Temple... March 2007

Lovin' Labor Day!!!

We had a great Labor Day this year! Before I get into what we did, I just want to say, God Bless Our Troops!!!

Luke went with his dad and brother-in-law on a horse pack-trip for the weekend. They had a good time but got drenched from the rain. One really awesome thing he experienced was bugling in some elk who returned the call all night long. So between the pouring rain on their tarp tent and the elk bugling all night... (and his dad's snoring and Chris' sleeping antics) Luke didn't exactly get a good nights rest... but hey. That's what campings all about, right? I don't even think he pulled his camera out... so sorry. No pics or at least none I'm aware of.

Meanwhile........ we girls decided that if they were going to go have fun without us.. We'd have some fun of our own. And oh, baby, we certainly did!
We spent Saturday in Salt Lake at the Hogle Zoo. It was so fun and SOOOOO busy. Apparently the busiest day of the year. It didn't hinder our animal observing too much though. Tianna an Aden had a blast and we saw some pretty amazing animals.






Afterwards we ate downtown at Ramano's Macaroni Grill--- YUM!!! Then headed off to our hotel. (Thanks Laura for getting us the awesome deal) At the hotel we treated ourselves to a spa day ... er.. night. We swam and took advantage of the hot tub then tried to get our wild children asleep. In the midst of that goal we even used face masks. It was hilarious-- Tianna was laying in her bed while I did my mask. She looks at me, giggles and says "Face funny, mom." Yes, yes, it is.

On Sunday we went to my brother, James' ward before heading home.
Monday we did power quilting... I had to borrow quilt stands and frames to do Tianna'a quilt and since we didn't have the whole weekend like I had kind of expected, we had to sew like mad! We did however finish (at 9 pm) and still had to get back to Logan.. which we didn't get home until 2 am. But I owe a HUGE THANK YOU to Grandma Peacock, Belinda, Monica, Courtney, and Luke. And thank you Bert and Chris for helping to wrangle the kids so that we could quilt! As soon as it's bound, I'll post the final outcome.

(Here's a slide show of all our zoo pics. I have both because I'm going to print out our blog pages and I don't know how slide shows will work. so.. if you want to check it out go a head. Some pictures will be repeats.)