I'm a Single Parent...

I'm a single parent, well at least for a week. It's that time of year were Brian has to fly back to Nebraska for one of his week long study sessions, leaving me with the kids. So, I have been very nervous for this time, because I know that I depend on him for many things, plus he is my best friend. I didn't realize how sad I was when it was his time to come home from work and he wasn't here, well only 5 sleeps and he will be here, but who's counting. Well, wish me luck on my adventures for the week.

Wheeler Farm Fall Fun

We took the kids to Wheeler Farm to participate in their Fall Fun Activities. It was fun, the kids got to feed the ducks, ride the wagon pulled by the tractor, go through the corn/hay maze and pick pumpkins. Grandpa Garry and Neeners were babysitting Carter today so they joined too. Here are some of the fun pictures from the day.Audra Lynn 4 Months old today!

Coly picking up more pumpkins

Audra's Pumpkin

Cute Boys on the Tractor

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Day

Yesterday, people from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens made their annual stop at Access Development (where Bri's mom works), so the employees and their families get an exclusive event with some animals from the parks. It has always been neat, last year there was a camel, hawk, and kangaroo. The year before a reindeer, hedgehog, and birds. Sometimes, you get to touch some of the animals and they always have at least one animal that you can get your photo taken with. So, this year, I took Coly and Audra down to Access, where Dustin and Carter also joined us. Debby was great and saved front row seats so the kids could see the animals up close. Once, the show actually started it was so neat, and I have a new respect for some animals.

This year the SeaWorld staff brought an armadillo, something I learned was that not all species of armadillos can roll up completely in a ball, but the one that they brought yesterday can. He was so cute!

They also brought a bird called a Screamer and this bird has giant feet the pictures don't do it justice. This was an ugly bird as he was a juvenile so his pretty feathers have not come in, but this bird has a bone in his chest and horns on his wings which links him to the Dinosaurs. Can you guess who thought that was neat?

Then, came out the cute and cuddly little Baby (no, really that is what it is called). He is from Africa and roams the earth in the night. Doesn't he look like you could just hug him? But apparently, he is not a good pet because he paints a ll over with his own urine, yuck!

Next, was the Spoonbill Bird. Now, normally this bird is not pink, but because of his diet he is pink like flamingos due to the same mineral.

Lastly, they brought alligators, that's right 2 of them to be exact. Now, I am not one for reptiles. They freak me out, snakes, lizards, gators, you get the picture. But I developed a new appreciation for this animal. The world really needs these animals, they help keep the world at a balance. Without them, deer and rabbits (animals I do like) would not have water, therefore dying. So, believe it or not, I touch the alligator. His skin was so soft I was shocked. I thought that it would be rough and scaly. Coly thought that this was neat too, but instead of calling it an alligator he called it a "dinenor."

"Dinenors"

Last night, I was not feeling well, so I jumped into the tub to see if that would help. Coly decided he wanted to have a tub too. After a bit, I washed him and he got out so I could relax. Bri was cooking dinner, so he was very focused on that, when I hear. What is all over your leg? Coly have you been drawing on your leg? Sure, enough he had. So, much for a clean little boy. Bri then asked him what he had drawn. "Dinenors" he said. Are all of these dinosaurs? "Dinenors, Barney!" So, here is the masterpiece of "dinenors".

Charlie

Yesterday, while Brian and I were celebrating Neeners and Grandpa took Coly Kai for us. They went down to The Reptile Expo down at the fair grounds. I am told that Coly had a good time. When we went to pick up Coly, we found out that we have an addition to our household, we now have a goldfosh named Charlie. Let me tell you how thrilled I am not. So, now I am trying not to kill the fish, because Coly loves his Charlie. Thanks Grandpa for the fish.

8 Years - The Infinity Year

Today Brian and I celebrate our 8 year anniversary, which is called the infinity year because if you turn the eight on it's side it creates the infinity symbol. Eight years have gone by so quickly and so many things have happened during that time, I wanted to put down some of the things we have done in 8 years.

2002 - Brian worked his tail off while the Olympics were here

2003 - We made it to Virginia in March and I graduated from the University of Utah in December

2004 - Went to New York and Washington DC this year

2005 - Brian graduated from University of Utah and was accepted to Whitter Law School both in August

2006 - We made it to Hawai'i in June and became pregnant after years of no luck in August

2007 - Our little Colin Kai was born on May 1 after a long battle with preeclampsia

2008 - We made it to Yellowstone National park in May and became pregnant with Audra Lynn in September

2009 - Our little Audra Lynn was born on June 17 and we bought our first condo

There is many more but these are just some of our highlights during the first 8 years of our journey together.

The Witching Season

Many of you don't know how big of a kid I am. I love the holidays and look forward to many things that little kids do. I love pumpkins, whether it is carving or painting (I would do this before kids even), I love dressing up on Halloween and I love the candy, okay so that is not so much a kid thing. Halloween is the kick off holiday for me, it seems like once Halloween is here the other holidays are just around the bend. So, in order to make the most of our holidays I try to start the activities at the beginning of the month.

On, Friday I asked Lindsey and Carter to come over and paint pumpkins with us. I thought that the boys would love this activity, however I found out that Lindsey did not love this activity so much. She said that it causes her stress to have the boys make a mess, I am just so glad that they had a good time. Coly could have kept painting his pumpkin till there was 60 coats of paint. Carter had fun for a little bit and then want to get up and do something else.
Today, Mom, JD, LD, Audra, and myself went up to my Uncle Larry and Aunt Julia's to have a grown up pumpkin painting day. It was so fun to sit with the gals and giggle as we painted pumpkins. Tonight, Garry called and asked if we wanted to go with them to witches night out at Gardner Village. So, Brian and I load our kids and picked up Carter on the way. There were so many things to do the kids danced on the stage, looked at witches, and rode on the ponies. Grandpa bought the boys spider balloons and Neeners bought Audra a crown and wings for Halloween. I don't know who had a better time me or the kids.