We Sure Do Know How to Grow 'Em!

Here's one of my favorite pictures from the trip:




These are all of the cousins on the Man's side of the family (my side of the family would have filled the entire backyard). They are by age: 14 months, 2 1/2, almost 5, 7 months, 4, and 14 months.

It's fun having the notoriety of having the oldest grandchild. Can't say I have the cutest (well, I could but what if my in-laws read this?) because all of these kiddos are adorable and simply bustin' with personality. This is also my only non-blurry picture of the other girl cousin (far right...like the hairdo wouldn't tip ya off).

The Sad Truth

I've learned something the past few days. Apparently, I like to torture small children while simultaneously inflicting pain upon myself. Who knew? I learned this while driving 1,200 miles with two kids under the age of five. Good times.

We didn't have a formal FHE tonight. It was more of a "Get Your House In Order" night - literally. We cleaned up. The hustle of getting ready for the trip to see the in-laws combined with the bustle of unloading afterwards makes for quite a large mess around here. Of course, I am hosting the preschool/play date tomorrow morning. And I have Activity Days here on Wednesday. AND I really got behind on the general housework while without my happy pills. So if you plan on visiting in the next couple days, please bring your mop and haz-mat suit with you.

Here in the Big City

There's a lots of fun things for kids around here! On Saturday, we went to a "petting zoo" that's really more than that. You could feed goats (either pellets or little baby bottles), pet goats, pet cows, feed fish, ride toy tractors, milk a fake cow, run away from your mom, pan for gold, tour a teepee, feed ducks, ride a pony, annoy your sibling, watch pigs sleep, play on one of several playgrounds, go fishing and get it first hand just how stinky animal poo really is. It was lots of fun! So fun, that I needed aspirin and a nap afterwards. Pictures coming.

Today, we loaded up the kids and headed up to Big City for more fun. Destination: Science City. I wish they had places like this when I was a kid! (And of course I forgot the camera...) During the first portion of our visit, the place was over-run with several different school groups. Soon enough, the groups thinned out and our kids got some hands-on time. They got to dig for dinosaur bones (also called "let's see how much of this stuff we can accidentally fling down Momma's shirt!"), make music with park equipment, try their hand at landing the Space Shuttle (which da Boo crashed rather spectacularly - twice), work with a water table, view live amphibians (ever heard of a glass lizard? Creeeeeepy...), slide down a sewer pipe (complete with flushing sound effects), make shadows on a wall, ride a Sky Bike (I was the only one who did this, oddly enough), puzzle out optical illusions, sit in lots of different simulators, and make all sorts of echoes. And lots more but I'm tired and haven't had nearly enough chocolate so I can't remember all the details. I liked that they reserved a few places specifically for smaller kids. There was one where I was once again reminded of the difference between the two genders: da Boo carefully built with larger-than-life building blocks and the Boy gleefully knocked them down.

Busy day. Need more aspirin.

So...whatcha been up to?

Introducing: The Co-ed

We've been trying to think of a name for the Man's little sister and have finally reached a consensus. She is now the Co-ed.

We tried to explain to the Co-ed about the different culture she would experience during her time at "The Lord's University." She didn't believe us. We told her stories of former roommates who were engaged after only two dates. She laughed. We regaled her with tales of odd guys that would be lurking in her Singles' Ward. She scoffed. We warned her of the crazy ideas some of these boys get into their heads once the get back from their missions. She stared at us silently. But you can't say we didn't try...

Then the Co-ed had a date this weekend. With her Chemistry partner. (Insert all sorts of great "chemistry" jokes here!) They had "hung out" before but this was the first real date. Then he came over on Sunday to watch General Conference with her and her roommates. So really, they've been on three dates - in BYU terms. That's a long-term relationship, right there! He's been trying to convince her that she would love to continue living in our great state. And he's asked her what her family would think of him. Well, we might have liked him okay until he went all weirdo on us! She starting to think that she might have to tell the poor guy that she's intent on serving a mission...that ought to scare him!

Any advice for her? Poor girl is too cute. She's doomed.

Home On The Range

So a few weeks ago, a business trip for the Man pops up. The location is only a short distance from his folks. We decide "Hey! It would be great to take the kids across three states and see the family!"

Somewhere during Day 2 of driving, he looks at me and asks "Who's idea was this, again?"

Not only are we far away currently, but the Man is working, so he's staying in a nice hotel, eating catered meals and not having to change diapers. I, on the other hand, am staying with my in-laws. Don't get me wrong - I have fantastic in-laws. I just really hate being the only one changing diapers.

Maybe they'll let me sleep in again...Anyway, miss me while I'm gone!