Magic Grandma

My sweet mom has been planning to make these for the kids for weeks. They are empty soda bottles she cleaned out, cut a slit down the side, and then filled with confetti shred and goodies for the kids. Then she put a big label with their name on it over the slit, and the kids have to figure out how to get their treats out, and how Grandma got them in. She must be magic!
Tyson grabbed the biggest knife he could find and started stabbing away before I could stop him.

Here's the link showing how she did it. http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Packages-in-a-bottle/cXGoJtdI6UKAoWi-ZlFDWg.cspx
I think my nieces might be getting these for their birthdays this year. You can actually mail them!

Definitely a big hit, Grandma!

Happiest Place on Earth (part 1)

For Christmas, Grandpa and Grandma R gave us all tickets to Disneyland. We got the kids duffle bags to use on the trip and put Grandma and Grandpa's tickets in them. Best gift ever! Best family vacation ever! It really is the happiest place on earth, and we can't wait to go back. Can you tell Kay doesn't quite realize what it is yet?

Disclaimer: Trent only sent me a few pics of Kay for her spotlight at preschool, so there will be more coming that include Cam and Tys! We went the end of January with the whole R family. It was the perfect time to go. Not too hot or too crowded.
Kaylee and Tink

Duffy is Mickey Mouse's teddy bear. I had no idea.

Stop flashing gang signs, Tyson!

Can you tell this girl is in heaven?! Aurora is her favorite. I've never seen her smile so much.

We also discovered on this trip that Kay has a very distinct running style (aka Phoebe from Friends). Hysterical!

Check This Out!

Check out this blog and then follow it! It is written my husband's cousin's wife. Confusing, I know, but she is great! She has been writing community pieces for the Daily Herald the last little bit. Give her a read. You will laugh and cry, then spread the word and become a M.E.A.N.E.S.T. Mom Ever devotee!

themeanestmomever.blogspot.com

New Cousin: Lucy Kay

My kids finally have a cousin on my side!Lucy Kay
Tys was really mad that the hospital doesn't allow kids under fourteen (even if they are immunized) to visit the Mother/Baby ward. The kids finally got to meet her the day she came home (she was three days old, because she was breech, poor Lissa had to have a c-section).

Grandma asked Tyson what he thought about Lucy, he said, "I love her!"

Cameron just kept grinning at her and Kaylee kept running up and kissing or patting her head.

So happy she is here and part of our family!

Cheerio, Trent, Old Chap! Pip, pip!

Trent has been working for the same company for nearly ten years. They make construction/insurance software. So, if your house burns down they have different softwares that can do anything from helping your contractor determine how many nails and sheets of drywall it will take to rebuild, to helping your insurance adjustor determine what your house was worth.

He started in the pricing department as a researcher, then did a stint in the training department about four years ago flying all over the US and Canada training client contractors and insurance adjustors on how to use their products. I went with him once and was amazed at how good he was. He knows his stuff, to be sure.

After a year in training, his old boss asked him to come back to pricing and start up the contents side (now they have a product that will tell you what the stuff inside your house is worth), then he became an ITV analyst. Don't ask me what that means. Something to do with spread sheets, and clients, and construction.

Anyway, a few weeks ago his boss asked Trent to apply for two new positions that were coming up. Either would have been great for Trent.

I have to stop here and tell you how great Trent's boss is. He has been very lucky to have several bosses at this company, all of whom have cared about their employees and want the best for them, in addition to what is best for the company.

After an hour long interview for the International Coordinator position last Thursday, and another hour long interview for the team lead on Friday, Trent felt good about both meetings, but didn't know which way the chips would fall.

Monday, his boss told him he was chosen for the International Coordinator position, and they announced it to the company yesterday. He will get to travel to London in a few weeks. It is a brand new position for the company, so he is back to creating his own position again (just like contents!). He will get to work with clients in Europe and travel, but still stay with the wonderful people he works with now in the pricing department.

We have been extremely blessed. I'm so grateful Trent is one of the good ones. He is smart, a hard worker, generous and sweet. He would do anything for his family, and I couldn't ask for a better best friend and partner.

Give him a pat on the back. He has earned it to be sure, and we are SO proud of him.

Fancy Foot Work

Kaylee had her first dance recital back in December.It was kind of an in-class practice recital for their big production in May. Besides being the youngest in her class, she is also the smallest, but she holds her own!
She loves all the ballet and tumbling, and is so good at paying attention to Miss B.

The double chin comes out when she really, really happy!

Daddy, Grandma Candee, and Aunt Jen came with Mom, so she was totally showing off her skills.

We couldn't be prouder of our little ladybug!

2011 is HERE!

Can you believe it? Another year gone. Kids celebrated New Years with Grandma and Grandpa in Bountiful, so Mom and Dad could go rock out with the neighbors!
Poor Grandpa wasn't feeling well, but Grandma always goes all out. They did poppers and glow sticks and horns and had themselves a fine time, right up until 9:30 PM when they went to bed! Way to party all night!