02/2004

So what's up with the date??? Um, that would be the EXPIRATION date on the sore throat spray Troy has been using all week. Is that a problem???

My sister (aka the expiration date nazi) may just go into heart failure when she reads this. She is the type that throws things out BEFORE the expiration date just to be safe.

Anyhow, I think my house needs to be quarantined. Seriously. It was just a few weeks ago that I had strep throat and felt better for about two and half weeks before coming down with a major cold. You know the one that starts in your head and sinuses, works it's way down to your nose where you can't breath and then breaks up into your chest. Ya, that kind. Just about the time I started to feel like maybe I could function again Troy and the girls (ALL THREE OF THEM) start coming down with it. Hope and Hallee have managed to only get the mellow version, Caymbree worries me, and Troy...well deathbed is a very appropriate word here. He has been down and out for the past FOUR days with no end in sight. Ughhhhhhhh..... I need a vacation.

Okay, enough whining. On to a more positive note. My dad had meetings down here yesterday so my parents were able to spend the day with us and hang out. We went to Paradise Bakery & Cafe for lunch (Oh, so yummy!) and then stopped by our favorite dessert shop. You can NOT come down to this area without stopping by NOTHING BUNDT CAKES and trying one of their cakes. Oh my, oh my they are amazing. Check out the link to see what they really look like. It makes me happy just thinking about them.

Ute Gymnastics

We went with our friends last night to a University of Utah Gymnastics meet. It was fun to watch an amazing team compete and see how much support they get from the community.

Lucas and Hope - two personalities that couldn't be more similar!

Hallee and Anika

The kids were thrilled when SWOOP came right to our seats to give high fives to everyone....

....that is everyone BUT Caymbree. When we first got there we pointed out Swoop clear down on the floor and she was NOT happy about it. She just kept pointing at him and doing a little fake cry sound. Imagine her reaction when he came within a few feet of us! After practically crawling out of her skin with terror she finally calmed down once he walked away. However, she made sure to keep her eyes covered for the next three minutes JUST in case he happened to come back. What a whimp!

Thanks for a fun time Grimes!!! How are we doing so far at our goal to get together more than twice a year? Twice in two months isn't all that bad hey?

Saved by G&G

We are SO NOT a one car family. And yet, we often find ourselves in that particular situation. It all stems from my husbands inability to keep a car for more than about a year. Half the time he puts our cars up for sale, forgets to tell me and the first I hear about it is when someone calls with questions about "the car you have for sale."

Well, this last week he decided to put his car up for sale and within a few days it sold leaving us with only one car. This meant on some days I was loading the girls in the car at 6:30am to take Troy to work and/or loading them back in the car at 9:30pm to go pick him up. On days he had auction I would be left without a car all together. I'm not whining (ok, maybe a little) but I was a little worried about how long we would be able to pull it off. That's where Grandpa Tom and Grandma Diane stepped. They where gracious enough to loan us one of their cars for a while until Troy finds another one. I AM SO GRATEFUL!!!! It has made life so much easier on ALL OF US!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Grandpa sporting Hope's Hanna Montana wig

They also came bearing gifts for the girls. As if loaning us their car wasn't enough! The girls love their Disney characters and sleep with them every night.

TROUBLE

EXHIBIT 1

EXHIBIT 2

Caymbree has now figured out how to undress herself. So yes, we spend a lot of time RE-dressing her.

EXHIBIT 3

The stool. This small little object has become Caymbree's personal assistant in getting into trouble.

Sisters

And this is when having a sister makes it all worthwhile....

Delightful chaos

This past weekend I took the girls to Logan for my sister- in- laws baby shower and to meet my sisters newest addition...Baby Becca. This meant six kids under the age of seven staying at my parents house. Who knew chaos could be so much fun! :) My sister has a boy the same age of Caymbree who kept us in stitches and awe as he proved just how much he could get into, take apart, and destroy within a short period of time. Within a few hours of being there we had to go buy child door locks for every door in the house. And yet, he still managed to get into everything. All we could do is laugh. Case and point....
We left the kids with a babysitter for a few hours and came home to find that Bridger had found a tube of red lipstick that he applied all over his face and the carpet in my parents bathroom. Thank goodness for GOOGLE!!!! I typed in "How do you get red lipstick out of carpet?" and it came up with rubbing a bar of IVORY soap and warm water all over the stain. And surprisingly, IT WORKS!!!! Good to know...good to know.

My kids were absolutely smitten with baby Becca and constantly wanted to hold her. Hope even more so. She would do just about anything to get to hold her and would just sit and rub her head while saying "Oh, she's soooooo sweet."

The girls got lots of dress up time with their extended cousins and felt it appropriate to do a fashion show in the middle of the baby shower. Sorry Rachel :)


Hope and Adi were constantly in grandma's play make-up and Hope would come up with quite the masterpieces. After taking the picture below I finally said, "Hope, make-up is suppose to make you look pretty not like a monster!" Whoops!!! Way to go mom. I crushed her soul and as the tears started to swell she said, "I was trying to make it look pretty." Ya, I had some making up to do. (And no, this picture is not Hallee. It is Hope. Scary isn't it?)

Bridger and Caymbree were so cute to watch together. He is ALL boy and constantly wanted to wrestle, chest bump, and tease and Caymbree is pretty much all girl. However, they squealed with delight everytime they saw each other and started giving kisses on demand to one another.

It was such a fun weekend, I just hope my parents and their house survived. The crazy part is that we only had 8 grandchildren 2 boys, 6 girls. With the birth of Becca a month ago, Rob and Rachel's baby girl due in a few weeks and Kory and Kristie's baby girl due the end of May we will be at 11 grandchildren 2 boys and 9 girls. YES, NINE GIRLS!!!!! We haven't even BEGUN to know the meaning of chaos. At one point of heightened craziness I looked at Rob and Rachel who had glazed over eyes and said, "just think, you will be contributing to all of this in just a few short weeks." I think I may have scared the tar out of them. All Rachel could say is, "I didn't think it could get any more crazy than this." Gotta love it.

Martha Stewart wannabe's

My mom, my sister and I threw a baby shower for my sister in law Rachel. It was so much fun but absolute CHAOS at times. Trying to keep six kids under the age of seven entertained, clean the house, prepare the food, and get ourselves ready proved to be no easy task. Luckily my dad stepped in and took the three oldest girls on a grandpa day for most part of the morning.

With about 45 minutes to go until guests arrived the kitchen looked like a tornado, I still did not have any make-up on, and we were still putting the last finishing touches on the food. Eeeekkkk!!! However, it came together like it always does and it was a fabulous day!

Need a fun idea for a party??? This strawberry topiary was a huge hit. We purchased the topiary from Hobby Lobby, then put toothpicks all over and then applied the strawberries stem first. We covered a cannery can with scrapbook paper and put the topiary in, add some tissue paper and ribbon and whaaaalllllaaaa---- Here's what you get.

Oh SO HOPE!!!

I think I lost a few brain cells while I was sick resulting in a number of almost tragic mishaps and blunders. Last week I forgot about "wear your pj's to preschool day" until I went to pick Hope up and saw all the kids in their pj's. My heart sank and I braced myself for the scene that would have followed had this been my firstborn. I bravely walked up to the door and explained to her teacher what a dunce I was and asked if Hope was okay. She laughed and said, "she was fine." "In fact, she walked in, looked around and said, "Why are you guys wearing your pajama's? Don't you know your not suppose to wear your pajamas to preschool?"

And that was that.

Hello world...I'm back.

Whew. Glad this week is over. It's been a little crazy. It all started last Saturday when I started feeling like something just wasn't quite right. I figured I was coming down with a cold but by Sunday morning I couldn't even get out of bed. I hurt all over, had a fever of 102, and had swollen glands the size of Texas. I was MISERABLE!!!! I am still claiming I caught it via the blog world :) I was down and out Sunday and most of Monday before I could drag myself to the doctor to get medicated. Troy gets the husband of the year award and was super dad while I was sick. As fate would have it he had both Saturday, Sunday AND Monday off which was a HUGE blessing. Between him and my friend Tara I didn't even lay eyes on my girls for three days. Troy waited on me hand and foot. Now, for those of you in tears of jealousy I will just tell you that it has not always been that way. The last time I was on my deathbed and Troy was less than stellar HE ended up coming down with the same thing and apologizing profusely for not being more sympathetic.

Anyway, by Wednesday I had no choice but to be better because I had to drive 2 1/2hours to judge a Region Drill Team Competition in Richfield. I left at 1pm and didn't get home until 11:00 pm. Not the best way to recover from Strep but what do you do. Thursday night I judged a region at Cottonwood and I just got home from judging in Nephi today. I judge State next Saturday and then the drill team season is officially OVER.

Well, I survived the week and owe a HUGE thanks to the many people who helped out. I am so grateful for amazing friends who are my family away from home. Thanks for the calls, the food, and all the help with my kids. YOU ARE THE BEST!

Conversations with Hope

While eating lunch at Arby's yesterday Hope noticed a table full of police officers. When we sat down Hope said very seriously. "Mom. We better not stand up while we are eating." (Usually I say, "sit down girls" at least twelve times during the meal). And then the conversation went as follows...
Me: "Why Hope?"
H: "See those police officers over there? They have guns. And if we stand up, they might shoot us?"
Me: (Laughing of course). No Hope. They won't shoot you. Policemen are here to protect us.
H: "Ya they will. If you break the rules, they will shoot you."
Me: "I promise they won't shoot you Hope. (More laughing). Then I notice that she won't take her eyes off of them for too long. Better safe than sorry right? Then she says, "See that thing on their shoulder? You know what that is for? Then she pretends like she has one and she "radios" some information.
Me: "How did you know that."
H: "I saw it on Mall Cop."

Pretty entertaining.

Another favorite conversation....
H: "Hey mom. Who are you in love with?"
Me: "Dad."
H: "So you want to kiss him?"
Me: "Ya, I like to kiss him."
H: "I'm in love with Cody (boy down the street that she talks to once a year).
Me: "Really?"
H: "Ya, I'm gonna kiss him and marry him someday."
Me: Speechless. Okay. Speechless with a lot of laughter, and a little concern.

Conversation with Hallee

While dropping Hallee off at dancing yesterday the conversation went something like this....

"Mom, you need to go get ice cream while I am at dancing so dad can make us shakes tonight."

Me: "I'm all over it Hallee. I already picked some up today."
H: "What kind?"
M: "Vanilla."
H: "No, I know that but the kind in the box or the kind in the bucket?"
M: "The one in the box."
H: "MOM!!!! You need to think this through better. The one in the box only lasts like ONE time. It's a total waste of time and money!"

Me: Speechless.....

Junk Food Junkies

Houston...we have a problem. My children are addicted to treats. Mostly Caymbree and Hope. You know it's bad when your 18 month old starts to flat out refuse dinner and cries for candy and treats instead. It only takes a matter of seconds for her to hear the pantry door open and she is right there at my feet crying and pointing in the direction of anything containing an absurd amount of sugar. Then there is Hope. Hope asks for a treat (snack) at least 15 times a day and by the ninth or tenth time it becomes more of a whine then a request. Things have gotten out of control.

So here we are on day three of my junk food nazi routine. The girls are allowed a SNACK around 10:30am, 2:00 pm and again when Hallee gets home from school at 4:00. So far the withdrawal effects have not been near as bad as I expected but we do still have the occasional throw yourself down on the floor, roll and thrash around at the base of the pantry door from Caymbree and a few whiny tears from Hope. The great side effect has been that it has made me re-think the snacks that I buy and even makes ME more aware of when and what I am snacking on.

Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.

Oh, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Jess - Can I tell you again how glad I am that it is your birthday! Last night was a much needed-long overdue- girls night out of shopping and dinner. I got the giggles after we dropped you off thinking about the Neil kidney stone story, Tara's barfing birthday story, Josie's unbelievable memory and my lack thereof about my own child's birth. Thanks for a great night out girls!

Random Happenings

Just a few random happenings at the Hodges Home....

Hanna Montana came to visit. Yes, Grandma Larsen the Christmas money you gave her was well spent. She has not taken off this wig since she bought it and even went to play at her friends house tonight ....WITH the wig on.

Hanna Montana on drugs????

And for those of you with weak stomachs...look away now. Troy just about cut off his thumb working on the basement. We were minutes away from walking out the door to head to Logan and he thought he would go kill a few minutes downstairs. Next thing I know, I see blood and a white faced husband. No need to worry. It's super glued together. :)

Happy Birthday Hallee!!!

Hallee scored big time this year with not just a birthday but a weekend worth of birthday celebrations. A few months ago when we were trying to decide what to do for her birthday she said that all she wanted was to go to Logan to celebrate with her cousins. So the day after Christmas I loaded up the car and headed to Logan for the THIRD time in seven days. We met up with some of her cousins at the Fun Park in Logan for a rip-roaring impromptu party. She had a blast playing on the soft play and the arcade games and watching her grandpa and uncles try to win "tickets" for her playing Deal or No Deal.

Also while we were there my dad invited her to go shopping with him to pick out a birthday present for my Grandpa at Cal Ranch. While they were there he told her she could pick out anything she wanted for her birthday. I'm pretty sure he didn't know what he was getting himself into. After carefully scoping out each and every isle she still wasn't sure she had found the perfect thing. He suggested a pair of pink cowboy boots to which she replied, "Na, my mom always makes me match. If those don't match, she would never let me wear them." Nice.

After some deliberation she decided just to wait. As they were driving home one of them (not sure on who) suggested Old Navy. Now, this may not seem like a big deal but have I mentioned how much my dad HATES to shop. Like break out in a cold sweat and get a stomach ache, HATES it. So he walked into Old Navy for the first time in his life to let Hallee pick out something. Apparently, she even knows her size. Too funny. What I would've given too see the two of them shopping at Old Navy. Dad, you're the best!

On the morning of her actual birthday we woke her up and surprised her by taking her to IHOP for breakfast.

During breakfast we told her about her second surprise! After years of begging, Troy had finally agreed to let her get her ears pierced. She was SO excited and a little nervous.

While unwrapping her presents she got her third surprise. Tickets to go to the Broadway musical WICKED with mom and dad. She has wanted to go ever since Troy and I went in California but we kept telling her she was too young. Aren't we tricky!

We ended the evening with a sleepover with her friend Trinity. They had fun playing High School Musical Dance on the Wii, making, decorating and eating cupcakes, and texting on the text messagers that Trinity gave her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALLEE!!! WE LOVE YOU!

Christmas 2008

Ya. Santa did it. He brought the girls a CUPCAKE MAKER. Ya, the one's that were advertised day and night on television, in every single add and in every single store. It even made the top ten toys of the season. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. One attempt at the cupcake maker and both girls said, "Uh...Mom? These do NOT look like the picture!" Now, that's an understatement. Not to mention that they pretty much taste like cardboard. Good thing Walmart has agreed to take returns from Santa. :) But he wasn't the only one that got suckered in. I ended up buying Hallee a "as seen on tv" nail polish mechanism that got the same response. "uh, Mom? These nails do not look like the pictures on the box!" Again, a complete understatement.

However, Santa did redeem himself on the music systems for the girls. Hallee got an I-pod, Hope got a stereo for her room and Caymbree got a kid-tough portable boom box. They were a huge hit and the girls have not stopped listening to them.

The extended family also scored big time with the gift of a Wii and all the accessories. We will be busy for the next few months playing Guitar Hero, Mario Cart, High School Musical Dance Edition and more. So much fun!!!

Christmas Eve party 2008

Christmas eve just wouldn't be the same without new jammies!

Christmas Dance Recital

Proud Parents

Scary how grown up they look isn't it?

And now for your entertainment, may I present Hope and Hallee's Christmas performances. Hope you enjoy! (remember to pause my playlist music first)

Keeping the tradition alive

For as long as I can remember Grandpa and Grandma Larsen have taken the entire family up to the USU training center each December. With the passing of Grandpa the possibility arose that the tradition would end. After some discussion and the generosity of some, the annual family gathering was made possible once again. Not having Grandpa with us this year definitely felt different and it was next to impossible to get him out of my mind. But nothing would have made him happier than to see us all together laughing and having a good time.

Sorry Rob but this picture was too funny not to post. Just thank me that I didn't post the picture from the gangster rap" .

It was a kids paradise with lots of crafts, yummy treats, the Wii, and a custom made sledding hill in the back yard.