Happy Cinco de Mike-O

Yesterday we went to lunch with some of Mike's co-workers because Mike is switching jobs. I was surprised at how many people showed up! It was nice to meet everyone and fun to have lunch. Dave even brought his maraca (unfortunately, not pictured here) along to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!















One side of the table full of co-workers. I told you there were a lot of people.














Dave and Chaunte of MHMR and blogspot fame. Dave loved the hoop earings!!















Dave playing with the blinds as per usual. His favorite "toy".
















Everybody!! Have fun at your new job as a lumberjack Mike... or was it at the check cashing place?

We were awakened this morning to the trumpet stylings of Freddie Hubbard. Under normal circumstances this might not have been so offensive, but it was 5 am and the result of power outage and power... restoration?? I think these were my exact words... "CRAP! MIKE! I CAN"T GET THE THING TO TURN OFF!!!" I don't think I had really even tried to turn the "thing" (ie: CD player) off yet. I don't think I was really out of bed yet. I think I had my arm outstretched from where I was sitting half on the floor, half in bed punching buttons on anything I could feel around me because my eyes were still sealed shut. It was so loud, and not the kind of thing you want waking you or your sleeping child at 5 am. Luckily it only scared the pee out of me and Mike. Dave slept like... well... a baby.

In other commentary- how does Dave find the most dangerous possible thing to play with all the time? I'll give you some examples from this morning: a screwdriver, nail clippers, a paper trimmer, the bottom of a shoe (not necessarily dangerous, but definitely dirty). I didn't even know where these things were, but he manages to find them. Maybe I'm a bad mother and I should do better baby proofing... I think babies have some sort of homing device in their little hands for anything they shouldn't be touching. Like yesterday- we were in the store, Dave's in the front of the buggy and I swear he is an octopus. No matter how good I think my blocking skills are he manages to slip in there when I'm not looking. He pulled a bottle of salad dressing off the shelf and broke it. Now he is trying to eat my toes... Time to go eat breakfast... oh no, no toe jam on the toast, thanks.

It is hot here. Why am I so hot all the time, even with air conditioning? Maybe I should ask stupid why I can't cool off. I swear I can't take two steps, even inside, without feeling like I'm roasting. Am I getting used to the frigid hospital perpetually-50-degree weather, or am I going through early menopause?? Why am I hot flashing in my child bearing years?!?

Also...

We drove out to Azle the other night to visit some 'kin'. The area from where we live to Azle is pretty much country. Since we are looking at purchasing some land in the near future this is one of the areas we are 'scoping out' you might say. I think Mike is a little afraid of moving somewhere a little more countrified. He thinks our front teeth might fall out and our kids will start marrying cousins. I can't say I'm too big on it either, but I think it might be nice to have a bigger peice of land in a less crowded area. Trying to figure out where to build or buy a house is very difficult, because, as a wise man once said, There's what's right, and there's what's right, and never the twain shall meet. (huh?)

Hey- does anyone know where I can find a really huge gaudy statue of a heifer? Oh wait- nevermind.

My favorite house in Texas. Well... ok- my favorite house on the way to Azle. I think it has a maid's quarters...

Sunscreen Heads













Jen and I took the kids in the pool today. The water was a little deep, but these kids are natural born swimmers. Fish in water I tell you! I think I noticed Morgan teaching Dave the breaststroke at one point. I can't verify that with any real proof, though. Just trust me when I say that these kids are tiny geniuses. I think I'm gonna go get Dave some baby swimming goggles tomorrow to help him develop his talents... or maybe I should work on some trunks first... a speedo?? hmmm...

Zoobies

We went to the zoo today. It was fun. It was hot. We saw lots of animals. Look at the pictures, please. Goodnight.





Gazelle butt.
















Dave loved the koi pond. Funny thing, out of all the animals there- the oversized goldfish were his favorite.



Zebra butt.





























OK little bird, just stay calm and eat the seeds on the stick. We promise we won't scream or call the cops.

Hippo Butt.












This komodo dragon was very friendly. I was afraid it might try to eat Dave, but apparently Mike has secret "Lizard Whispering" talents that I didn't know about.





















The flamingos, on the other hand, were quite aggressive- and this one was getting too close for comfort! Hurry and take the picture why doncha???




Finally!! An animal's head!!!

Stake Anyone??













Dave and Morgan kicking back after a loooong day at church.


















Fat guy in a little shirt.... Our handsome gentleman.

Today was stake conference. They split our stake, which has been rumored to happen since we moved here. There were over 6,000 people in the stake, and it covered a pretty large expanse of area. They usually split the stake conference into two sessions since there are so many people, but today they didn't. The church was crowded, hot and noisy and the natives were definitely restless. There were droves of parents in the hallway (which was kind of fun for us...) and the mothers lounge smelled like one large pile of poo. The talks were awesome though- at least what I heard of them. We got our first actual babysitter last night to go to the adult session. There were two general authorities there, and they were both really good speakers. My dad was an usher, he even got an official usher button! Before I had to take Dave out of the meeting this morning, my dad came to sit by us after he was done ushering. Dave is into this new headbutting thing now. I think it's a boy thing. The other day we head butted for 20 minutes before our nap, giggling ourselves to sleep. Anyway, when dad sat down Dave wanted to go to him. I handed him over and dad bent his head down to look at him. Immediately skulls bonked into each other. They did that a couple of times, in between Dave pulling on dad's official usher badge. I got kind of teary eyed watching the two of them. My baby growing up and my dad getting older. It was one of those moments that's caught like a picture in your mind. The two of them with their noses pressed together, smiling at each other, belly to belly- with an usher badge in between. And right then I thought how lucky we are to be alive. It was a good day.

One, two, three stikes- YOU'RE OUT...









Jacob with one of our coach's kids, cheering on the team.









Mike doing the victory smile after scoring.









Me looking nerdy with my knobby knees and big t-shirt.
They call that a third baseman?









Mike, looking pensive before he's up to bat.










Jacob with his first RBI of the night. What does that mean again?









Mike warmin' up the ol' swinging arm. When he got up to bat, he pointed out over the fence and said, "What do you wanna bet I can hit it over that mountain over there?".

So, because we decided we didn't have enough activities in our lives (cough and snort) we decided to join a city league softball team. It's pretty fun, but we have gotten pummeled our first few games. We did, however win last night!! I won't tell you the part about how it was due to forfeit (the other team didn't have enough girls:) We were so proud of ourselves that we even scrimaged the other team out of good sportsmanship (not because we needed the practice or anything). I got two base hits!! (which means I hit the ball both times I was up to bat- hahaha!) Even though I'm a better player than Mike and Jacob, I didn't rub it in. I'm probably the best player on the team... (like anyone could know that...). There was a really pretty sunset driving home.

Picnic at the Park


Rhiannon,
trying to
keep up
with Cameron:)




















Dave swingin' with sweet Adeline.
Dave's giving the rocks a round of applause.













We had a picnic lunch at the park today with some other moms and kids. The ants tried to carry all our food away, but we didn't mind. The babies enjoyed the swings, and we were just grateful that there were no head injuries after the bigger kids finished playing on the slides. It was a fun day, and everyone (including adults) cried when it was time to go home:)

The weather got cool here the other day. I was coming home from work and it was about 80 degrees and 190% humidity. I got changed, fed Dave and we were headed out to do our daily walk/jog and the temperature had dropped to 50 degrees. It has been a nice few days with the cooler weather. I guess it's just the "deep breath before the plunge" (...errr... heat!). I took these pictures the day it got cool. It was cloudy and drizzly outside, so I opened the blinds and let some light in. Dave loves it outside and he loves to stare out the window by our bed and watch cars go by.

I really look forward to hanging out with Dave in the mornings, after I get home from work especially. It is such a de-stresser. Sometimes (ok- a lot of times) I get annoyed and irritated at work. When I do, sometimes I just think of him and something cute he does- or how precious his little face is- and, it sounds cliche, but it helps me feel better. Having a child helps me understand why God wants us to become like little children. He wants us to be happy and satisfied with simple things. He wants us to keep our eyes open and see the world without prejudice. He wants us to be daring and brave, but come to him when we need help. I hope I don't sound too cheesy, but I think Mike and I are learning just as much as Dave is right now. It is really humbling and neat!

Leave it to me and Mike to have a child who's third distinguishable word is "burp". The other night when Mike was feeding him- he got finished and then burped loudly. Mike said "Oh- did you burp?" and Dave replied "Burp" (which sounded kind of like "Buuuup"). Since then he has been saying it a lot and repeating it whenever we say it- which is more than I can say for his other first words "duck" and "bat" (or "datt"). Again, last night after he finished eating and burped, he said (on his own) "buuup"- and then smiled all big and cute. I think he kinda knows what it means. Am I over estimating his talking ability at 9 months?












Dave is also clapping now, which is new in the last couple of days. Whenever we get excited about something Dave starts clapping like a wild man and shaking it like a polaroid picture! It is very cute. It's funny how amazed you can be at the development of your own kids- even though you know all kids do the same things. It's a cool experience.

On a continuing slightly weird and gross note:)- I have to say that I like the smell of Dave's sleepy baby breath. When he first wakes up I just like to sniff his little mouth. It's weird cause it just smells like stale juice- or whatever. But I think it's really cute. Is that weird?? Ok I know it is... but i'm still willing to say it publicly anyway.

AAhhhh, Memories...

I got bored (imagine that!!) and was looking at old pictures- so I decided to post a few for your viewing pleasure (since I'm fresh out of new ones..).







Dave with his Great Great G-ma, Binky who is 99!












Mike, giving the ducks grief after his BYU graduation.












At the State Fair when we met Jerry Maren, the Lollipop Kid. Turns out he was the one who handed Dorothy the coveted Lollipop Guild lollipop.

















Mike and me playing with the camera a few weeks before Dave joined us.
















Mike, looking hardcore (cause you're not hardcore, unless you live hardcore...for you School of Rock fans) at the Utah Art Festival, singing with his group 6 Miles Ahead. I think this was on my due date.















My friend Katherine with her wedding gift:) (I made the cake) I miss you guys at Timp!!

















And me- last but not least, about ready to pop with child:) I kind of liked being pregnant if you can imagine that...

Well, that was a fun trip down memory lane. Thanks everyone!
I had to give a talk in church today. It was kind of fun but I'm glad it's over:) I get sooo nervous giving talks- and I don't know why. It's not that big a deal. But I swear I had some serious sympathetic nervous system juices flowing, cause my mouth was as dry as a bone. I could barely swallow the Sacrament bread. The talk went pretty well except I accidentally quoted one scripture and read another:) haha. It figures, huh? I thought I was going to pass out beforehand- probably hyperventilating. Then I thought If I passed out, I wouldn't have to speak! I tried locking my knees... holding my breath- nothing worked:) At least it will be another year (hopefully) before I have to do that again.

Just posted this pic so I could save it to my profile!!! I finally figured it out!!! I may be blonde and it may take me a while, but I get it eventually! We'll make one with Mike in it soon...

Can't Sleep... Must stand up....

One more day and it's the weekend!! And we even get to have a real weekend (kind of- after I sleep on Saturday). Dave is getting to the point now where I think he's waking himself up by standing up, which I've heard of other babies doing. The other night we came into the room when he was crying and he was standing up. I'm not sure which came first- the crying or the standing. Maybe he got my sleep walking/talking trait. Sorry Daze!

In other news... I am in love with Pat Green!!! Or at least his music... since I don't even know him or what he looks like... or anything... plus I'm married.... :) Ok- ya'll know I'm joking, but really- I heard this song called Songs about Texas by him on the radio on the way home from work this morn. Why do I love any song about Texas so much- I'm from Texas- I mean geez! You'd think I'd get over it. Plus he has an awesome raspy voice. Anyway- happy weekend everybody!!