Utah Man

I know.....I know....Jayson, it's horrible!

Don't worry buddy, we'll get that ugly sweatshirt off you as soon as mommy is done taking pictures. Great idea crazy Grandma had isn't it......

What a Stud!

Another successful Daddy-Daughters weekend! Last weekend (not this past one), Jessica spent three nights in Boise and left me and the girls home to play--with very few rules and "sleep-overs" every night. We call it our "weekend of YES".

We went swimming, went to Lagoon, prepared our garden, and watched "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" twice. Finally, the girls have discovered some princesses (Narnian Queens) with a little fight in them (and thankfully, a lot less "priss").

When Jessica came home, the announcement was made--"Rylee was Queen Lucy, Tayler was Queen Susan, I was the High King Peter, and Jayson was King Edmund". Unfortunately, that left only one main female character (sorry Honey). Jessica was the White Witch. Everyone in the kingdom was excited Sunday night when the White Witch and King Edmund arrived back in town. However, much to Queen Susan and Queen Lucy's dismay, the White Witch swept into town and put a stop to the sleep-overs. "Everyone back to your own bedroom!" she ordered that evening with an evil cackle (added for story-telling emphasis). "Don't worry," the High King quietly reassured them, "if we have enough hope, Aslan might return and bring sleep-overs back to Narnia".

Now, to the pierced ears. Queen Susan wanted her ears pierced. Even when I told her how much it would hurt, she couldn't be dissuaded. What a brave Queen. She thought it would be fun to surprise her mom (I think I will stop referring to her as the White Witch, lest I become permanently banished from Cair Paravel) by getting her ears pierced while she was gone. Jess had once told me that we would pierce Tayler's ears when she wanted them done. The time had come. So I made an executive decree, "Off to the Mall"! Queen Susan wanted her birth stone studs. So let it be.
She was brave.
Not even a flinch.
Queen Lucy, on the other hand, fearing for the safety of her own lobes, informed me, as she hugged the comfort teddy bear, "Me no want my ears pierced Daddy". No worries.

Jessica was surprised (well, sort of) and thankfully not mad. Lucy couldn't keep the secret. She tried to tell Jess Saturday afternoon on the phone--but I yanked it away. The secret safe for the time being.

But the first words out of her mouth when Jess got home were, "Tayler pierced her ears". So much for surprises.

Another Mormon Missionary "Chooses the Right".

Rise and Shout! Sure enough, Riley Nelson bleeds blue. Cougar Blue.

Yet another tough break for the hapless Aggies.

Maybe next decade...Probably not.

Family Night at Chelsea Park

Tay. Happy to have chicken nuggets and fries. Again.

Jayson, waits for another piece of french fry.

Jessica. Hurries home and crops herself out of the picture to ensure she avoids the posting. (Jess, you're the only one who reads it anyway).

Rylee--willing to pose (or do anything) to get out of finishing her dinner.

The Routine is Back

It's amazing how fast kids can develop good habits. Much faster than their parents. I was downstairs watching The Office tonight when Rylee came down and said, "Daddy, read Book Mormon". How could I forget that it was time to curl up with my favorite little girls and read Book of Mormon stories. We read about Nephi and his fam crossing the ocean in the ship. Like always, the Lord delivered them to the promise land.

When we finished I ask if they want one more story. OK, but Rylee has one condition--"We still sing songs?" Fair trade.

The usual selections...

Rylee: "I Love to See the Temple".

Tayler: "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree". Strategically selected. When daddy raises his hands to his eyes in order to "look out the window", Tay tickles him under the arms. Rylee joins the assault. The trick that works every time and never gets old (well, almost never). Of course daddy gets them back. Mommy runs in to quiet her three kids so we don't wake up the baby. Oops. Maybe we shouldn't do Book of Mormon stories right by the nursery from now on???

The read-sing-pray routine has started (again). An old habit has been retrieved from the pile of broken resolutions. Hopefully daddy won't ever be dumb enough (again) to break the routine.

Jess taught me how to play "kitchen dodgeball" after dinner tonight with her and the girls. It's really fun. Of course I'm the only one who doesn't throw like a girl. At least that's what I've been telling myself since grade school...

Scoooooorrrrre!

It finally felt like Spring on a Saturday again. Last week and the week before were freeeezing!

I played soccer mom again today (sans a minivan). Tayler is really starting to love soccer. She scores at least once every game.

Last week Rylee got the hang of kicking the ball with me. She wanted to do it again today. Had to keep her from going out on the field a few times. She kept wanting to score a goal while the game was going on.

Jayson watched the whole thing from his stroller (well, sort of) or cuddled up with his grandma Shayla. Grandpa and Grandma came to the game to see Tay play. She scored a goal for them right away.

Jess had to work this morning (I guess someone needs to bring home the bacon around here) so I was Daddy Day Care. Poor kids. It's much more fun when mommy is around.