Top 7 favorite days! (or I could label this "the evolution of Kristi's hair styles")

I was looking through some old photos with my mom last night and thought it would be fun to share my most important and memorable days with everyone. These are in chronological order so as not to reveal my true feelings! ;-)

1. Wedding Day
2. Birth of Samantha
3. Adoption finalization of Samantha
4.Temple sealing with Samantha
5. Birth of Alex
6. Adoption finalization of Alex
7. Temple sealing with Alex

I would love to see pictures from all of your favorite days so please post them! If I had a picture of me laying in bed for 2 weeks after my back surgery, that would have been number 1 on this list!! You all think I'm kidding, don't you??

Thanks Greg and Richele!! We love you!

Greg and Richele got a fantastic boat and so kindly took us to Utah Lake today for some skiing and good times. I haven't been skiing in over 4 years but found it was like riding a bike! We had a great time and stayed out much longer than I thought we would because the kids were so good, the weather was great, the food was delicious and we were just enjoying each others company. Here are some pictures (a lot!) from our day. Enjoy!

Kids swimming in the water with me.
Grammy and Samantha on the tube.
Shell and Nicole.The proud boat owner.
I'm sure my mom would kill me if she knew I put this picture up, but I think it's cute.
Andy flying in the tube.
Richele kept us entertained on her tube ride.
Greg the master skier.
Me trying the wakeboard for the first time. I know I look good like I know what I'm doing....But this is me like a half second later crashing.

I knew Andy was taking pictures, so I cheesed it.
More cheese.
Having a great day.
And we'd like to thank our driver for the day!

A few thoughts on a full leg wax

Asking if I want paper panties just doesn't put me in the right mood.

I think the reason the wax is warm is to lull you into a false sense of security with the whole experience. It starts off all warm and comfy and then....

Waxing the lower leg by the ankle is just....just....wrong.

The whole serene Enya/Josh Groban music playing does NOT take away from the fact that hair is being ripped out by its roots. It does however make me need to pee.

When you give me a huge bruise on my upper thigh and only give me a slight sorry, your tip goes WAY down!!

Telling me with all of that pain that you can't get every single hair is just unacceptable.

For real, this time, it's the end. No more green wax, no more skin pulling strips. No more. Really.

Driving me absolutely insane today

I had to pull up this picture from last Saturday at the Farmers Market to remind myself that even though this kid makes me question what is so great about being a mom, he still is the cutest thing that has ever lived and how much I love him. Now snap out of it Alex and stop being so 2!!!!

Smells like Chlorine

We've discovered the joy of the pool here at our complex but found the trick to be going in the early morning. I usually take the kids around 8 am and we usually have the pool to ourselves. The water is warm and the morning sun hits the pool as well so we have no problem with the temperature. The kids are so good with their life jackets on and both just doggie paddle around by themselves. It's fantastic because it leaves me to swim and have a good time myself! Imagine that!! A mom being able to enjoy herself and do what SHE wants to do!!!!! Amazing! The spa is great as well and I've never seen Alex sit so still as he does on the steps of the warm spa. It's like he's in a trance. He's found his happy place. I kind of want to install a spa in our backyard and throw him in whenever he's being wild. It's like toddler sedative. Andy goes with us on Saturday mornings and yesterday morning when he had the day off. He asked Samantha if she wanted to be thrown in the air and land in the water to which she tentatively said yes. She let him do it once but decided it wasn't for her. Alex watched with wide eyes and quickly decided it WAS for him. He let Andy throw him way up in the air and had no problem landing in the water and popping back up without inhaling water. I think that was Samantha's problem - she kept inhaling water and sputtering. It made for a great morning.
In the afternoon we went up to Park City to do some birthday shopping for Andy and went to Braza Grill for dinner. The kids did well even though we stretched their capacity to stay up late. I'm paying for it today though and I smell 10.30 naps all around!

It's a good thing...

It's a good thing I've been swimming in the mornings with the kids because I made a batch of peanut butter cookies and I've eaten almost the whole batch myself. Which means I've eaten almost a whole cube of butter. Am I your hero or what!!??!!!

Happy Birthday Andy!

Happy Birthday to ya Andy! I won't spill the beans about your age, but it begins with a 3 and ends with a 3.
We love you lots!
Kristi, Samantha and Alex

What are the odds that this mobile blogging stuff will actually work from my phone?

Sasquatch

Poor Andy. He has to deal with Miss Sasquatch for the next week. I know I wrote a horrible post about my horrible leg waxing experience, but I'm doing it again! Last time the waxing lady (Frau Pain) said she wasn't sure my hair was long enough to wax! Are you kidding me??? When I walked my thighs were starting fires! Little herds of deer had made homes in the forest that was growing on my legs. Not long enough?? So, for good measure I'm growing them a couple days longer this time. It's driving me crazy already and I still have until Friday. If you see me and my leg hair wraps around your ankle and trips you, I apologize in advance!

Stay tuned because I'm planning on taking Andy's fancy phone (with the keyboard on it) to the appointment with me and writing my post LIVE from the House of Wax!! If I can see through the tears that is.

Football

We've been watching the European Soccer Championship so I thought it was a good time to explain soccer to Samantha. We signed her up for the city's soccer program that starts in July and she always gets confused thinking soccer is baseball. So I showed her the game on the t.v. and said, "See Samantha, this is soccer. This is what you'll be playing soon.". She watched for a moment and exclaimed, "I can't play that. Those guys will run me over and knock me down!!". I explained that she wouldn't be playing with these big guys but kids her own age. "Oh, kids my age, well, okay.".

Glad we got that all straightened out!! I would have had to take out those Europeans if they would have knocked down my kid. We all know Europeans are no match for me!

Samantha displaying her picture of daddy drawn for Father's Day. Too cute, I know!

Month O' Hell may be over!

Andy is on an airplane right now coming home his last trip for a little while. HOPEFULLY! You never know, but as of now, yes. AND, the kids are in bed. Probably not asleep yet, but that's okay. They are in bed. I knew this month was going to be tough with all of Andy's travels but we made it! (Virtual high 5 from everyone!) We're going to celebrate with our usual Saturday morning walk to Macey's for donuts and then go swimming before the pool gets to crowded and before our faces melt off from the heat. We are all very excited to have daddy coming home and staying home for a while. He's even taking Wednesday off of work for his birthday! He's old.

An Ode to Jenny, Florrie and their mother Mar!

EAT YOUR CARROTS!!!!!!

(By the way, I totally said this about 6 times to my kids last night!! Ahhhh, the circle of life!!)

Conversation with Alex this morning.

Alex: "Alligators talk to me."

Me: "No way Jose!!!"

Alex: "Yes way Ho!!!"

Perceptive little guy, wouldn't you say???

It just may be a long summer!

It's hot outside. Strawberry Days for the city of Pleasant Grove started today and they had a children's parade this evening with all the local church groups. Samantha desperately wanted to go so I told her to nap and we could go. She napped. Good and bad. See, I HATE parades. I loathe parades! I especially hate parades in 90 degree weather. The kids whined and complained; Alex ended up on Andy's shoulders and I carried Samantha half of the way. It wasn't pleasant. Maybe they'll remember this for the future and never, ever, ever, ever ask me to associate myself with a parade again.
Oh, and check out that backyard! You'd think with a pool, a sandbox and a trampoline along with numerous other toys the children could entertain themselves all day; but you'd be wrong. They do love to swim and then lay on their towels and have a snack though. It is mighty cute. Oh, and did I mention the heat? Yeah, it's hot. You can tell by my dead grass!

The Promised Land

Why is it that every time a bug lands on me it happens to land down my shirt into my boobicles? Why not my leg? Or my shoulder? I was just outside with Samantha and when I came in I felt a little tickle. I looked down and sure enough there was some little beetle setting up camp in my shirt! I don't appreciate this!! I'm not sure if Ashly was in the room with me or not but she remembers in Jerusalem when a spider decided that was a cozy place to be and I flew 10 feet in the air screaming until he fell out and I stomped his little guts out!! They're really not that large or impressive little bugs! May I suggest finding greener pastures. Thank you!

Pwease!!

Andy, please take me back to Brazil......soon! I am having a major Pao de Queijo craving!! And a Marriott hotel bed on the Copacabana craving. Minus the rain.

Hot Day

Today is going to be a hot day so I filled up the kids pool this morning so this afternoon the water will be nice and warm. Oh, and the kids have been naked all morning. I think they'll have a good day.

Happy Father's Day

We had a great Father's Day with both my dad and Andy's dad here for a BBQ. The food was great and the kids had a fun time, so that is a huge success. Poor Andy was swamped with homework and mid-term finals and then had to leave for the airport at 7pm so he really didn't get to enjoy his Father's Day too much. Sorry Andy!! We'll celebrate tonight when you get home!! (wink, wink)

Coldplay makes me feel warm

If loving the new Coldplay song Viva la Vida is wrong.......I don't want to be right!!

For Greg

A few weeks ago I posted one of the old Disney short cartoons, and now it's time for another one. This goes out to my brother-in-law Greg (whom I work with). He sent me a Powerpoint today with a flow chart full of squiggly lines and arrows. It totally reminded me of this cartoon (at the 2 minute mark) that I hadn't seen in 20 years - it's funny what you remember from your childhood.

Blah diddy blah

Alex likes to stand to pee now (he's such a boy!) and one of the first times he did this he looked up at me, mid-stream, and said, "That's fun to watch!". His father is SO proud!

Ice Road Truckers is my new favorite show. I think it comes on the History channel and it is fabulous. I'm thinking of getting my CDL, growing out my chin hair, buying some plaid and steel-toe boots and joining their ranks.

I had 3 break downs yesterday. Count them, 1, 2, 3. Does anyone else feel that is whole mothering thing is the hardest thing ever??

I want everyone on So You Think You Can Dance to win!! Although, the last 2 performances were my least favorite, so I'm cool with either of those couples going home. Go Thayne!!

And, a very random picture for your entertainment.......
Me shooting an Uzi in Israel in 2004. I tore that paper guy to shreds!!

Stephen Colbert for President!

I am currently watching The Colbert Report during my afternoon break from the kids (ie. they're in bed) and although I've always known Stephen Colbert makes me laugh, he just hit the nail on the head with his last guest!! This guy, I don't know his name because I wasn't that interested in him, was on for an article he wrote in New York magazine about the secret life of married men. His view is that we aren't made to be monogamous and therefore, a little slip up (having an affair) here and there is okay! He said he relates to people like Elliott Spitzer and because of our nature we shouldn't be chastised for once in a while having an affair. That was basically what I got from his interview. I did however write down word for word what Stephen Colbert said. And I quote, "Don't you think maybe this is just a sophisticated rationalization for being an ass-hole?". BAM!!! There it is!!! Once again, Stephen Colbert for President!!

Secret Formula

I've discovered that if I add "daddy's special" to anything, the kids suddenly perk up and become interested. Samantha asked for soda because she napped (praise heaven!), I told her she could have "daddy's special" juice instead and she was cool with that. Daddy's special pillow when you're sick. Daddy's special sauce to dip food in to make it taste better. Anything I think the kids might fight me about I just make it sound like it's daddy's special something and BAM, the kids are totally into it. Next I am going to try "daddy's special leave mommy alone time so she can nap in peace and, by the way, clean the house while you're at it". We'll see how that goes.

Blushing Brides!

All of us Loveridge girls got married in the Salt Lake temple (as did our parents) and here are our first pictures as husbands and wives coming out of the same door at the temple. Just thought I'd post these for fun.

First Tag I've done.

My friend Ashly tagged me and this one is much easier because it's about Andy mostly! And since I take every available opportunity to embarrass my husband, here we go!!!

1. What is his name? Andrew Christopher Higham

2. How long have you been together? Since 2001

3. How long did you date? 1 year

4. Who eats more? Andy, but I could probably kick his butt in the sweets department.

5. Who said 'I love you' first? Andy. I followed a month or so later.

6. Who is taller? Andy by 5 inches

7. Who sings better? We're both pretty okay singers.

8. Who is smarter? Andy for sure.

9. Who does the laundry? Me, but Andy's not afraid to help out.

10. Who does the dishes? Both. I stink at loading a dishwasher, so he does that part.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Andy

12.Who pays the bills? Me

13. Who mows the lawn? Andy

14. Who cooks dinner? Andy for sure. I take care of dessert.

15. Who drives when you are together? Andy

16. Who is more stubborn? I think we're equally stubborn.

17. Who kissed who first? Andy kissed me after I gave him "the look" for a while.

18. Who asked who out first? I asked Andy to the U2 concert. I'd heard he was a nice guy but mostly I just wanted a ride to Salt Lake to the concert. Worked out well if you ask me!

19. Who proposed? Andy, on his birthday, while he was deathly ill.

20. Who is more sensitive? Me, me and me

21. Who has more friends? We're both pretty slim in the friend department, but probably me.

22. Who has more siblings? Andy (2 sisters, 1 brother)

23. Who wears the pants in the family? The kids.

I tag the McLay sisters and Maile.

Ta Na!! (Samantha used to say Ta Na! instead of Ta Da)

Before

After

Andy's beautiful new teeth! This was just the day after so his gums were still a little inflamed and red but I still think they look great.

I wanna go back to bed.

Every morning it's the same crap! I go get Samantha from bed and she seems me and screams, "I wanted Daddy!! I called for Daddy! I don't want you!!". I ignore her as I lift up her curtains, "I don't want my curtains up! I want it dark!! I don't want my curtains up!". All of this after she woke up at 11.30 screaming because Daddy came in and she wanted Momma at the time and so Daddy put her in time out (go Daddy!). Yeah......these are our nights and mornings with this diva. I'm not sure how much more I can take. I guess a lot since I have no other choice!! I am going to choose to have the Pollyanna attitude that my friend Florrie talked about in her blog. Here goes..........at least I know she's not dead in her sleep (I know every parent worries about that, though it's usually when they're babies, but still) because she calls out a few times a night!! I think Pollyanna would be proud!!

The CLAW!

I had my hair pulled up into a "claw" today because I was lazy. I think all of the women out there know what I'm talking about but basically it's a claw device to keep your hair in place. Anywho, the kids decided to brush and play with my hair today and Alex grabbed the claw first and started to play with it. Once he figured out how it worked he was having a great time. I warned him that it could pinch and hurt so to be careful. He caught his fingers in it first and whined a little but kept it together. A few minutes later I watched him get it a little too close to his body and it clawed onto his little baby nipple!! And he let go. And it hung there. Just hangin'. Hangin' on his little boobie. I SO badly wanted to grab the camera but he started to cry and I figured it would be irresponsible of me to get up, go into the kitchen, get the camera all while he was crying. Still though, it would have made this post SO much better!!

A video of Alex's sweet lisp before he grows out of it.

A bunch of random thoughts from my VERY random mind.

1. This keeps my kids busy for at least 10 minutes which can be HUGE sometimes. You say "Give me 5 (kid gives you 5), on the side (5 on the side), way up high (you see where I'm going with this), way down low (hurry and pull your hand away before they can slap it), you're too slow". Alex cracks up every time which, if you've heard his laugh, is totally worth it.

2. When Alex forgets something he slaps his head and says "Oh no!" with such enthusiasm I'm afraid he's going to leave a mark. The other day he reminded me that we forgot to cut his fingernails with a quick slap to the head and a hilarious "Oh no!". I'm going to try and get it on film someday.

3. The best way to get kids to play with forgotten toys is to rearrange the location of the toys and POOF, they're suddenly interesting to play with again!

4. If parenting were like high school I'd get a 4.0! I've found a way to get in my "spa" treatments AND entertain the kids. Kids love to play with lotion, kids love to play with soap. Sooooooooo, I sit on the reclining chair with my legs up, grab a bottle of lotion and let the kids rub the lotion all over my feet. They love it, and if they aren't too rough, I love it too. This also works in the bathtub. I sit on the toilet and dangle my legs in the water, give the kids some soap and they wash my legs and feet (in fact, we did this last night and Samantha told me I had "gorgeous toes"). It's genius!!!