memory lane

Each night before bed, Troy tells the kids a story. He usually tells a story of his childhood... growing up on Harrison street (out in Gilbert when it was nothing but fields and farms).

So after conference we took the kids and Troy's parents out to the old house on Harrison.

It was fun to see the old prints in the cement and have the kids recognize so many things from the bedtime stories. (They kept trying to find "the mean dog named Butch")

Life sure was different "back then"... with all that space and no safety concerns. (climbing on electric fences, burning the weeds with blow torches, underage driving, playing with matches... yes my kids are learning some real gems from 'ole dad!)

It was a lovely stroll down memory lane.

reverence tent

We tried the "Reverence Tent" idea for General Conference. I love the idea of teaching about King Benjamin and how the families turned their tents to face the prophet as he taught them.

But I think, aside from the photo op, I was the one that spent the most time in the Reverence Tent. All those pillows were just calling my name!

But I was reverent!

april fool's day

Dallin & Ella were fooled by their milk that started off white, but changed colors with each bite!

Having a hard time drinking your juice, Dallin? Gotcha!

public transportation

We decided it would be a fun family activity to take the kids to try the Light Rail that runs from West Mesa into downtown Phoenix.

Dallin and Ella loved the ride and entertained all the passengers with their squeals.

We got off and walked down Mill until Allison started throwing up all over. We chose to forgo dinner and get back home. Allison had another "incident" all over Troy on our way to the train. And then again all over me on the ride back. I was trying to contain it in a bag in my purse, but not doing a great job. I was dying of embarrassment as all the other passengers were just looking at our mess and enduring the smell. I hopped off with the baby at the next stop and sent Troy and the other three alone to ride back in to get our car then pick me up. Thank heavens for cell phones because I had no idea where I was when I hopped off and just sent the rest of my family on their way.

Allison eventually fell asleep and I started walking toward home (another 15 miles). After a mile or so (in three inch heels) Troy and the rest of the crew found us and we all made it safely home. I don’t think public transportation is for us yet.

the original pancake house

Whenever we get together for breakfast with the Farnsworths.. it's ALWAYS the Pancake House out in Scottsdale. The place looks like a dive at the base of a Motel 6, but the apple pancake that you have to call in and order an hour before arrival, is heavenly! It's becoming more and more of a circus to get us all together, but I'm sure the waitress is well tipped! (And Grandpa didn't even have to fight for his fresh squeezed orange juice and hot maple syrup. Do I miss that? Hmmm.)

lucky guppie

We got a fish last weekend and already I want to flush it down the toilet. The bowl gets too dirty too quickly and grosses me out. But today I walked in and Allison was sitting on the kitchen island (still no idea how she got up there) stabbing a butcher knife into the fish bowl. Luckily nobody was hurt, although, secretly, I wouldn’t have minded the fish’s tragic death. I guess his name proves true. Lucky Guppie.

a + a = trouble

These girls are just something else!

This is pretty typical of Allison and Auburn. I will get one out of the tub and dress her and by the time I go back to get the next one… they’re back together in the bath.

The twins had their 18 month check up and waiting for the doctor had me in stitches! The girls were running around and under the exam table, pulling the paper off the table etc. They were just giggling their mischievous giggles and I was desperately trying to think of anything to keep them off the floor yet out of all the drawers and cupboards. I couldn't think of anything.

Allison and Auburn LOVE to empty out my dirty clothes basket. Auburn came out last week with 8 layers of clothes she had adorned herself in… dirty T-shirts, underwear, garments, and pajamas. Lovely.

This is our daily life.

tea parties

My girls love to dress up! We gave Ella a tea set for her birthday and I think every sip of water she had for the next week was out of her little tea cup. She had some friends over a couple days ago and they had a ball getting dolled up for their tea party.

Happy Birthday Ella!

mamma

Allison wanted to help make the cake.

Happy Birthday Mom!

all you need is love....all together now

This Valentine's we had fun making lots of treats for those we LOVE!

And of course, ended with Troy's sweet treat for the kids.

let the rain fall

I love our family tradition of making sopapillas on rainy days.

nag nag nag

To Mom, (pretty much the only one who reads my blog) I am trying to put up my pictures from the last couple months. (back-blogging) So you'll always see this race post (becaue it's the most recent). Just scroll down and see if anything new is posted after the race. OK.. so can we please stop the "when are you going to update your blog" phone calls? :) I love you! Sand

she's goin' the distance, she's goin' for speed...

Last year Karen impressed me by finishing the London's Run half marathon, a charity race to benefit children fighting cancer. So this year she tried dragging me into it. Which, actually, wasn't too hard of a sale, I've been wanting to run a marathon for years now, but my knees haven't had the same goal. But I started training at Christmas time and was really enjoying it. The weather on Saturday morning long runs was ideal and I think it's the longest I've ever been alone post twins.

Unfortunately, Friday I came down with the flu and I was bitter...really bitter. Dad and Troy gave me a blessing and the next morning I drug myself out of bed and out to Queen Creek.

The race started and I ran and ran and ran. I felt pretty good and made a goal to not let anyone pass me after mile one. I think I'm a little more competitive than I thought and kept trying to get ahead of whoever was next in front of me. (The same way I drive.) I felt bad if it was a guy next in line for me to pass, (for their male ego) so I would give them about 30 seconds to pick up the pace... and if they didn't they had to deal being passed by a girl. (When you're running 13 plus miles you have to think of something to pass the time.)

It was also touching and motivating to see the posters of the children fighting their cancer battles encouraging us to "keep going". I think I choked up a few times just feeling how lucky I was to actually be running and in good health.

The last mile I was ready for the race to be over and then I saw Troy. I thought he was staying home with the sick kids, but there he was cheering me on the last leg. It felt so good to round the corner and have the energy to sprint home and see Karen & the kids.

I looked at my finish time and was instantly bummed. 1:50. I had wanted to finish right over 2 hours... (120 minutes). So when I saw the clock I was thinking 150 minutes. Then Troy informed me the clock said 1 hour & 50 minutes... ten minutes faster than my goal. Ooops! I was now thrilled. Instead of a 9 minute mile that I was used to, I had been running an 8.3 minute mile. I think because I was sick I couldn't gage my pace very well... wich turned out to be quite advantageous. I'm glad it's over, but so glad I did it. Now I'm looking for a Saturday marathon and time and energy to train for it.

We had so much fun celebrating Chinese New Year.

We all dressed up in authentic Chinese costumes and made delicious Chinese food.

Dallin was the pro at eating with chopsticks!

Rub Allison's Buddha for good luck!