We are a happy fam-i-ly!

Memorial day started out pretty crappy (for reasons not worth mentioning here), but in the afternoon we got the chance to help the Young Women with a project they were working on. They were learning photography from a professional in our ward and were asking for families to come get their pictures taken so they could practice. The professional took most of the shots and the girls got candids. These are the results . . . Pretty good if I do say so myself! Dang I have cute kids!!

May ~ the month that got away

Ok, I know I've been a major blogger-slacker. Really? Over a month?! Well, now we're going to play a little game called Catch-Up. Exciting as they were (well, they were for me, but probably a bit ho-hum for you), these were the major events of May in the Wasson household. . .

I'm still not quite sure how it happened, but somehow 2 years just flew by and this bitty bundle

has become this !

I'm flabbergasted! Where did the time go? How did my baby get to be a 2 year old?! Considering that (at this moment) we don't anticipate any other newborns in our household (at least not from my tired loins), it's really quite tragic that my baby is growing so darn fast. I keep telling her to slow down, but she insists she has to keep up with the older kids. **Sigh!**

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The hubby and I decided we needed a family vacation badly. We were evil parents and took our kids out of school for as long as we could without getting in trouble with "the man". We packed up our meager belongings, and headed out on a fantastic voyage to the wild and wooley North (ok, we just headed up to Oklahoma, but it does get colder in the winter there). Once again, Chris's parents extended their hospitality to our rather large family of locusts and allowed us to come and clean them out of all food items (and I'm quite certain, Sanity). It was a wonderful break from real life. We just chilled a great deal. We spent a lot of time outdoors (unfortunately a lot of my pictures of the trip were corrupted, **Sniff , and Uber-Sigh **) . . .

We hit the neighborhood garage sales (Mimi and Pop generously gave the kids a wad to blow on previously-loved treasures). The kids each walked away with a ton of new books. How sad am I that they want to spend their money on books?!

We also had a fun (and messy) birthday party for Miss Zoe. (Please note the purple schmooze dripping from her arm. Yeah, my child is turning purple from her new strict Blueberry diet) As evidenced by these tongues, Zoe wasn't the only one who consumed blueberries with wreckless abandon.

I'm pretty certain we cost Mimi and Pop a fortune in Blueberries alone!

While there, we were also treated to a fun trip to Incredible Pizza (a favorite of my kids) and we played, ate, and had a ball. It was a fabulous trip. Well worth it and we came home sad to face the real world again, but feeling refreshed. Thanks again Mom and Dad!

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A week after we got back, Mimi and Pop then came to visit us for a big event . . .can you guess?

Yep! My eight year old got baptized! I've said it before, I'll say it again ~ I am so old!

It was a beautiful day! Kolbi's friend Mya was able to attend, as well as Mimi and Pop and several wonderful supporters from the Ward. She was so petrified of putting her head under water! It took a father's blessing, lots of prayers, and lots of practice before she felt somewhat ready. When the time came, standing at the font steps, she wore a terrified expression. But she took a deep breath, stepped into the water, and DID it!!!! I'm so proud of her and she's so relieved it's over.

I have some sad feelings about this day however . . . My parents weren't able to make it because my Grandfather (who is living with them) became ill and was in the hospital. As beautiful as the day was, there was definitely something missing. It turns out too, that the baptism pictures are some of the ones that were corrupted. AAaaaggghh!!!! Hopefully Mimi and Pop got some good pictures. Plus, this is a major step in a young life, I can't believe my babies are growing up so fast! Where's the pause button?!?! Somebody make it stop!!

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All in all, May was a real whirl-wind of adventures. Hence, the blogging break. I still have some catching up to do. Stay tuned and see if I actually do it . . .

Takin' a break . . .

In case you couldn't tell, I'm taking a little blogging break . I just need some time for some deep reflection and re-evaluation. Either that, or I'm just feeling too darn lazy. You decide.

Eight is great! Gonna eat chocolate cake!

I can't believe my Miss Kolbi is 8 today! (I feel so old!). She's been so excited! With her birthday money (yes, she already spent it) she bought a digital camera with which she's aspiring to be a photographer like her Grandpa Gary. When asked what she would like to do for her birthday, she most wanted a Daddy/Daughter date. So Chris is taking her to see National Treasure at the dollar theater and out for some dinner afterwords. She can't stop talking about it! How did she grow up so fast???

So in honor of her day, Here's a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my . . .
often Quirky . . .

regularly silly . . .

generally helpful . . .

naturally fancy . . .

occasionally shy . . .
exceptionally happy . . .
always a Treasure beautiful Kolbi!!

Happy Birthday Kolbi! I love you buckets!!

Heard in the Trenches IV (we have way too many silly conversations around here)

Jonah and I were asking Zoe what sounds different animals make. She wasn't being very accommodating. . . this is what we got out of her.

Jonah: "Zoe, what does a duck say?"

Zoe: "Kak."

Me: "What does a dog say?"

Zoe: "No dog!"

Me: "does it say 'Ruff!'?"

Zoe: "No ruff!"

Jonah: "what does a cat say?"

Zoe: "No cat say!"

Jonah: "does it say 'meow'?"

Zoe: "No moow!"

Me: "Zoe, what does Jonah say?"

Zoe: (looks at Jonah) "Mine!!"

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Zoe has really gotten in to the Ringling Bros spirit around here. After just about everything she does, she throws her hands up in the air and pronounces "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

For example:

-She gets out the step stool, carries it into the center of the living room (She's center ring material you know), climbs up on it . . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

-She finishes her meal and throws her utensils on the floor, throws her hands up . . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

-She falls down (none to gracefully I might add), lays there on the floor, throws her hands above her head and pronounces. . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

-She removes all of her clothes by herself, streaks into the room buck naked . . . "Ta Daaaa!!!!"

Ah, showmanship at it's finest!

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Zoe has been picking up entirely too much from the older kids. They, unfortunately are NOT a good influence. She walked up to Aiden during scripture study the other night and whacked him on the head with a book. Chris says, "Whoa Zoe, you need to tell Aiden sorry. We give loves not ouches."

Zoe replies: "I tan't"

Dad: "Yes, you need to tell him sorry."

Zoe: "I tan't!"

Dad: (suppressing a smile) "Tell him sorry for hitting him."

Zoe: (putting her hands on her hips) "I did!"

Dad: (kids are giggling) "No you didn't. Say sorry."

Zoe: (walks up to Aiden) "Torry Aid-n. I ya you (I love you)." (gives him a hug)

Then, as soon as dad turns around, she winds up her arm and bonks him again . . .

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Sometimes you don't realize that you say something a lot until your kids start parroting you. . . I was standing in the kitchen next to the counter, I leaned over to pick something off the floor and gouged my back on the corner. "Ouch!" I exclaimed. Zoe, who was sitting next to me, says, "It's 'Shoot!' Mama?"

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I got Zoe out of her crib in the morning and carried her into my bedroom. She began looking around and said, "Where Da-dee go?" I replied, "He went to school." To which she stated, "Aw, Man!"

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The following is a perfect example of why we don't go to fancy restaurants . . . EVER.

Kolbi: "Dad, what is your shirt made out of?"

Dad: "Cotton."

Kolbi: "Did you know you're wearing a plant? It's a natural resource."

Dad: "Wow Kolbi. Very good. (Playfully) Did you know that certain kinds of shirts are made from silk. And silk comes out of a worms bum?"

Kids: "Eeeww! Poop shirts!?"

Dad: (laughing) "Well, not exactly . . . "

Kolbi: (interrupting) "Dad, do you have a silk shirt?"

Dad: "Uh, No. . . "

Me: "He does have silk ties."

Jonah: (standing up in his chair, pointing his finger at Dad) "Eeeewww! You wear poop around your neck!!!!"

Kids: "Eeeewwww!"

Me: "Way to go hon!"

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Zoe's become quite the avid bird watcher. She loves to look out the windows at the birds perched on the fence. Her bird-watching sessions go a little something like this . . .

(Looks out window) "Wew (where) bird? Wew? Bii-ird? Wew bird?
(Spots one) "Der y'is!"
(Starts pounding on the glass) "BIRD! BIRD! BII-IRD!!"
(Finally makes enough ruckus and scares the bird away) (surprised) "Wew birdy go?"

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Aiden was in the other room by himself. I heard him singing and went to investigate. This is what I heard . . .

(a lovely variation of I'm just a kid by Simple Plan)
"I'm just a kid and i want some tre-eats.
I'm just a kid and I know that it's not fair.
I'm just a kid and I want lots of tre-eats.
I'm just a kid and you won't let me eat them. . . "

Check out the real video by the way, it's pretty funny.

Brett Dennen

An incredibly thoughtful gal that attends Parker Chiropractic with the hubby, sent him home with a CD of songs from this guy~ Brett Dennen. Apparently she thought I might like him. I just have to say ~She's brilliant! I'm totally hooked! Check his site out, you won't regret it.

Here's the lyrics to one of my favorite songs (that's saying alot, I like em' all!). . .

DARLIN' DO NOT FEAR

When I arrived in my own set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
And I was hunted by the wolves and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

Alongside my innocence I laid in bed awake
Conflicted in these chains with the impetus of age
But like a phantom she crept across the floor and out the window
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

From this place on the mantle my heart was taken down
Scattered in a thousand little pieces on the ground
And out below the streetlamp like an orphan with a halo
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

'Cause it won't last - your worries will pass
All your troubles they don't stand a chance
And sometimes it takes more than a lifetime to know
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

The confidence is full with your faith etched in stone
And I let clean comfort you from the wild unknown
So very auburn and hatred like a hatchet in snow
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

If you have a broken heart or a battered soul
Find something to hold on to or to let go
To help you through the hard nights like a flask filled with hope
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

'Cause it won't last - your worries will pass
All your troubles they don't stand a chance
And it always hurts the worst when it's the ones we love the most
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

Sometimes your path is marked in the sky
Sometimes you're forced to fit in between the lines
Sometimes all that you can do is say no
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

I said, when I arrived in my own set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
And I was hunted by the wolves and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know

I said, Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know
We said, Darlin' do not fear . . .

Thanks Janette. You were right. He's awesome!

Heard in the Trenches III (the mini-est monkey version)

Aiden's prayer over breakfast:

"Heavenly Father, Thank you for this food. And we will get big and strong. And be like superheroes. And this is a new day of our lives. . . "

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Aiden has a very active imagination. In fact, he's invented an alternate reality, with a new house and family~ he calls this his "House Dream" because it started as a dream. I often hear tales of what his other mom lets him do ("My other mom says I can have all the treats for dinner." "My mom says I can stay up tonight." "My mom says I can drive the car to the store." etc.). It makes for very odd conversations, I tell ya. The other day he was telling me this:

Aiden: "Mom, did you know my mom said I can marry you when I'm a dad?"

Me: (smiling) "No, really?"

Aiden: "Yeah, and I love to marry girls!"
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Aiden has been very fascinated with kissing and getting married lately. He thinks Hannah Montana is beautiful and frequently (much to his sister's distress) tries to kiss Kolbi's posters of said pop star. He went to my friends house one day and her daughter (who is a year older than him) dressed up in her fancy dress-up clothes then asked him to dance with her. This made quite an impression on him and he's been somewhat smitten ever since. One Sunday they passed love notes (pictures of them dancing together) back and forth. He hung them on his wall the moment he got home. He's been making big plans ever since.

This conversation was relayed to me by this friend who was watching Aiden for me again. Aiden announces, "Olivia, I'm going to marry you when I'm big as a dad. Then I'm going to kiss you." Olivia's mom interjects, "How about you go on a mission first." Aiden says thoughtfully, "oh yeah, that." Turns to Olivia, "Then I'm going to kiss you."

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Zoe's started to say prayers now. In fact she's very enthusiastic about it and the rest of us have to suppress giggles cause she's just so darn cute! A typical prayer goes a little like this . . .

Mom: "Heavenly Father . . . "

Zoe: (in a squeaky little voice, arms folded tight and eyes squished closed) "squeak, whisper, squeak, squeak"

Mom: "Thank you for. . . "

Zoe: "Tank goo . . ."

Mom: "Daddy . . .

Zoe: "Daa-yee"

Mom: "Mommy . . ."

Z: "Ma-mee"

M: "Kolbi . . ."

Z: "Bol-bee"

M: "Jonah . . . "

Z: "No-nah"

M: "Aiden . . ."

Z: "Aid-n"

M: "Please help . . . "

Zoe: "Aid-n" (giggles from the kids)

M: "Please help . . ."

Zoe: "No-nah." (more giggles from the kids)

M: (sees a pattern here, moving on) "in the name . . ."

Zoe: "Aid-n"

M: "Of Jesus . . . "

Zoe: "De-sus"

M: "Christ . . ."

Zoe: "Cri."

M: "Amen."

Zoe: "Maa-menn!" (Throws her arms out wide. The kids lose it in fits of giggles and she beams proudly).

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As we're driving about, Aiden, Zoe and I often jam to tunes. Aiden is very funny about the songs. As I'm scanning through stations, Almost every song he's slightly familiar with, he informs me that that is his "favorite song." He likes to assign parts to the family . . . "I'm playing the guitar, Dad's singing, Jonah's playing the drums . . . "

He also takes the songs very literally. We were listening to a song where the female lead was singing "Baby, something, something, something." He complains from the back seat, "She keeps calling me Baby! I'm not a baby!"

We also listened to Bon Jovi's song "Who says you can't go Home" and he started bawling in the back seat. "What's wrong?!?" I asked. He wails out, "They said I can't go hoooomme!"

He likes to make up names for the songs too. The other day we heard a song I wasn't familiar with, he informs me, "This song is called, 'Water, Water, I want a drink and you're not letting me'." As the chorus starts, he says, "SEE! He just said he's thirsty!"

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We like to eat Hummus in this family, sprinkled with paprika. Aiden was asking for some one morning and said, "Mom, can I have some of that white stuff with that red stuff on it. I want a lot, a lot, of red stuff, but not too much red stuff because that will SPICE my tongue off!"

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Zoe was walking out of her room and bonked her elbow on the door sill. She scrunches up her face, grabs her elbow and says, "Oh, dat's ouches!"

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Aiden was going through our pantry and bugging me for some spaghettios. I looked at the label to find that it was full of modified food starch and high fructose corn syrup. Not wanting him to be a spaz I told him no (repeatedly). He wouldn't take this for an answer however and kept whining and bugging for it. He kept asking why not. Finally in exasperation I said, "Because it's full of CRAP!" (I know, way to keep your cool mom!). His eyes get big and he says, "That has POOP in it?!?!"