It's A Lot Like Laundry

The laundry at the Roberts' house is NEVER done. I swear I wash at least 2-3 loads every day and yet I still never get caught up. Just when I think I have it all done I discover towels behind the door of Keaton's bathroom, or the socks behind Klayson's laundry basket because he missed when he was "shooting" them in. As I load the clothes into the washer I look at what I'm putting in and sometimes I even discover that Kennedy has been too lazy to hang up something she tried on but decided not to wear so she threw it in the basket instead. It's so much easier to have mom wash it, dry it, and fold it again, rather than just hang it up. Don't think for a minute that Olivia isn't as guilty as the other three. She uses every sleeve of every shirt as a napkin AND changes outfits as often as any teenage girl. My point: Laundry is overwhelming and never really done.
How does this tie to blogging? As you can see I have fallen a bit behind (My last post was May 23rd, only 8 months ago and Happy Birthday on that day, Mom). I often think I should try to catch things up, but like laundry it seems a bit overwhelming. A lot has happened in the past eight months. When you think about it, a whole pregnancy only lasts 9 months. Heck, too bad I'm not pregnant I would be about ready to deliver! NO, I AM NOT pregnant. (Just still fat from having Olivia three years ago.)
So, I will ever so slowly try to catch up. Kids keep us busy with piano, dance, scouts, YM, activity days, school events, sports, extended family, and of course homework. We are enjoying the moment and I guess blogging about it just hasn't been on my list of Top 100 Things To DO. I guess in my head I'm thinking that like laundry, a blog will never really be caught up because life goes on.

I Flop ... At the District Pentathlon

For the past few weeks Kennedy has come home from school reporting on how she has been doing on the Pentathlon events. She was pretty excited because she was the second highest at the high jump. She told us she thought she might get to go to District. Well, I hate to admit that we didn't think too much about it. When all was said and done Kennedy placed 2nd Overall in the Girls' Senior Division at the school level.

Thursday I got to spend the day watching Kennedy participate in the Pentathlon events at the District level. She did a great job! No awards here ... but I she has bragging rights. Adri is pretty jealous. The only time she got to go to the Pentathlon was as a record keeper for my dad. If I'm guessing he probably gave her $50 to do it, too.

I didn't have my camera on the right settings so I don't have any pictures of Kennedy doing the High Jump, but her height was 3'6".

1/4 Mile Run -- Time: 1.31

Long Jump -- Distance: 9'2"

Shot Put -- Distance: 15 ft.

40 Meter Dash -- 6.6 sec.

Way to go Kennedy! We think you're a ROCK STAR!!

Dancing Drama

If you were to ask Kennedy she would tell you that I forced her to take dancing this year. I guess to a degree that might be true. Last year when she signed up for dancing I told her it had to be a two year commitment so we could get our money's worth out of the costumes. So this year there was whining every Wednesday night when it was time for dance class.

Well, we made it to the end and she had the dance revue this past Tuesday. For a girl who complains alot, she sure is a good little dancer. I love to watch her do ballet because she is very graceful. She's not one who has a really "cheesey" smile, as a matter of fact she is a pretty intense dancer. I occasionally have to tell her to put a bit more "umph" into her jazz and hip-hop.

At the end of the dance revue she informed me that she would do dancing again next year. That remains to be seen because I for sure will not deal with the whining for another year.

$MILE

We knew it was coming. It was inevitable. He was born with the Roberts jaw. As soon as he lost a few more teeth the braces would go on. The day finally arrived on April 7th. Only the top teeth for now, but eventually the bottom ones too. He's looking more and more like a teenager.

Kennedy Bliss

After a very long morning of teaching fifth grade, I called CJ at lunch and expressed to him how I was definitely ready to have this baby! She was only a couple of days late, but I was over it. CJ just happened to be in Logan working so he stopped by my doctor's office and asked if there was any way he would consider starting me. The doctor said that he would if a delivery room was available at the hospital. I was called to the office for a phone call at about 2:00 and it was my doctor asking me if I could be in Logan by 3:00. I told him I'd give it my best shot. I immediately called CJ and told him to hurry home and get my stuff ready because as soon as school was out we were headed to the hospital. I practically skipped back to my classroom and told the kids I wouldn't be back for six more weeks because I was having a baby that afternoon.

What joy Kennedy has brought to our family from the minute she was born. Life is never boring with Kennedy. She has such a fun personality; just a touch of attitude, a smidge of stubborness, and a heap of humor.

Kennedy is a great playmate for her brothers and little sister. I love that she is always willing to play dolls with Olivia and is usually up for a bike ride, basketball, or football with her brothers.

Kennedy has a lot of natural talent. She is a very good student, a great dancer, quite an athlete, and a natural at playing the piano.

She is a great friend, sister and daughter. We love you, Kennedy!

The Big Guy Turns 37

Yes, today we celebrate our dear husband/dad's birthday. It's always an exciting day for me because now CJ is only one year younger than me , rather than two. It was a pretty uneventful birthday, but I think that kind of happens with each passing year. Instead of a cake he wanted cinnamon rolls so I spent my afternoon doing that. Birthday dinner consisted of hamburgers on the grill and a shrimp salad.
Later we met with some friends and the missionaries for a discussion. Kim (not me) brought a chocolate cream pie and the missionaries brought balloons. CJ really appreciated their thoughtfulness.
CJ and I started dating when he was sixteen, so WOW, that's quite a few birthdays together.
I hope he had a great day because we think he is a pretty great DAD!
CJ has always been really good to pick up the pieces when I can't. When I was teaching school he always went on the field trips with the kids, he took the birthday treats to their classes, and one year he even sighed up with the PTA as a Room Father. He was really great to help with laundry and cleaning the house. Our first year married he even packed me a lunch every day!
He is a very hard worker and expects the same from those around him, whether it's his employees, his kids, or his wife. I would love to sleep in on Saturday mornings, but he's always up early doing something and out of guilt I get up, too. He loves to work outside, whether is mowing the lawn, fixing sprinklers, shoveling snow for us and all the neighbors. . . whatever, he would rather be out than in. He's done a great job with his electrical contracting business. I appreciate all he's done so that I am now able to be home with the kids.
CJ pretty much embraces everything whole-heartedly! Whenever he does anything he goes all the way. He not a man of just talk -- He's a man of ACTION! Because of him we have GREAT food storage, a cabin at Bear lake, water at his dad's farm, two cows and "some" chickens in the backyard.
CJ is definitely dedicated to his family and the church. He loved his mission to the Philippines and loves missionary work, in general. He would do anything for his family! He thinks his kids are the best around (which they are) and likes to see them excel. CJ loves to watch Keaton play football. Kennedy has him wrapped around her little finger. I think he's thrilled that Klayson is his "cowboy" and that Keaton has taken quite an interest in "farm animals", too. Of course, in his eyes, Olivia can do no wrong.
As anyone can see, I've got the best guy around and my kids have the greatest dad!
We love you CJ! Thanks for all you do!!

Happy Birthday CJ

It's All Fun & Games Until Someone Gets Hurt

When CJ put his hand in the air I knew the race was on. As soon as his arm dropped we sped across a field as fast as we could. The next thing I knew I was lying on my back wondering what the heck just happened. Come to find out, the ski of my snowmobile hit a wheel of something that was buried in the snow. Luckily I hit the wheel with just one ski and not head on or I probably would have killed myself. (Well, not really, but I would have had a few bruises.) Putting his scout skills to the test, CJ tied the ski back on and we rode back to the cabin.We loaded that sled into the trailer and got out the spare we brought. After riding for about three hours CJ offered to trade me so I could ride a more comfortable, faster snowmobile. I was perfectly content on our little Phazer, but we traded anyway. I headed off down the trail, but soon noticed we wasn't right behind me. I stopped to trade back (his goes way too fast for me). When he got to me he said that he had no idea how I had ridden for so long because there was no steering.

After checking things out and finding there was a missing bolt, we towed the Phazer out, about 30 miles, and took it to the nearest Yamaha dealer. Because of the busy weekend they didn't have time to fix it so we rented one for the next couple of days.

Darn our bad luck! Two snowmobiles down on the first day of our trip!

In spite of the trouble we had the first day, we had such a great time in Island Park. Our Group -- Ryan, Jordy, Mandi, Lee, Sherri, Eli, CJ, Kim, Craig, and Brady

We couldn't have asked for better conditions. The days were beautiful and we got new snow every night!This is one of my favorite spots -- Big Springs -- It reminds me of one of the Three Little Pigs' houses.

CJ and I at Mesa Falls

Brady -- Just Chillin' (Yes! That definitely is where Brady should park!)

Craig -- Ready to Ride

Eli & Sherri -- Lovin' it up!

Ryan & Jordan -- Takin' a Break

Rednecks

I really don't think this post needs a lot of explanation. It's just the way we move our furniture from the upstairs family room to the downstairs family room.

The Year of the Ox

If you are at all familiar with Chinese New Year you will understand that at the Roberts house 2009 is the Year of the Cow, the Year of the Chicken, and the Year of the Dog.

Let's start with the cow. In CJ's younger days he was a definite cowboy. He wore nothing butt (not a type-o) tight Wranglers and ropers. He always raised a steer, or two or three, to show at the B.E. County Fair, the State Fair, and sometimes Spanish Fork or Grantsville. He was pretty good, too.

For the past couple of years Keaton has wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps. We were able to buy some land behind our house, get it fenced, and now we have cows. You can't by just one, according to CJ, so we have two.

On to the chickens. CJ proposed the idea of getting a couple of chickens so we could have fresh eggs. He found a cheap chicken coop on KSL and then discovered three chickens. We bought these and quickly became chicken fans. We were all so thrilled when we found an egg. Then it was two eggs, and finally three. The kids would rush off the bus to look for eggs. There is even one chicken who lays kind of a green colored egg. Dr. Seuss was definitely on to something. My parents were wondering what to get CJ for Christmas and I flippantly said that we had room in the coop for three more chickens. So that's what he got . . . three chickens and a cute little basket for gathering eggs.

Finally the dogs. We had three very smelly hunting dogs. He gave one, Maisy, to a contractor buddy. That left Elvis (I wish he had left the building because he stinks the most) and Jenny (I know her name should have been Priscilla). I thought Olivia needed a playmate so Santa brought the kids a puppy, named Roxy. She is the cutest mini schnauzer. CJ is not as fond of her as the rest of us because he is definitely opposed to house dogs. That, and the fact that she spent more time at the vet clinic than at home. I think the vet bills might have a little something to do with it, too. We're working through the potty training with Livie and Roxy.

' Twas the Night Before Christmas

I'm truly hoping a tradition has been started in the Roberts household.
For the past 14 years we have always spent Christmas Eve with the Roberts family. For the past 12 years I have wanted to change it up a bit. Maybe we can continue with an every other year thing. I want to have traditions with my kids that they will remember when they are grown.
In 2006 Olivia had her head surgery and came home from PCMC on December 23, so we definitely weren't going out and about that year.
In 2007 we went to the Roberts' again.
In 2008 my sister's family came from Virginia so we spent Christmas with the Firth side.
Ashley and Adri were the party planners, mostly Adri, she likes to be in control. (Sorry Adri, it's true.) The theme was Mexican Fiesta!! Ashley made delicious enchiladas. Adri and I did tacos and Mexican rice. Granny & Grandpa provided the drinks. Craig's sister, Cindy, and her family joined us in the festivities. I have to say we all had a great time. It was nice and simple!
That night Jayden didn't want to leave the fun and head back home, so Ashley, who I think had lost her mind, drove home loaded up Christmas and brought it here.
It was great to have all the kids and my sisters here for Christmas. Granny and Grandpa decided to get some sleep, so they went home, but they showed up here early Christmas morning.

A Visit From Peru

Last April CJ and I were able to take a trip to Peru. We had a wonderful time and made some great friends. (If you know CJ, that shouldn't surprise you!)

Our travel agent, Carmela, has two daughters that live in Utah and one of them was due to have a baby in January. Carmela told us, while we were in Peru, that she would be here for Christmas. We called her daughter, Melanie, and made plans to get together for dinner and see the lights at Temple Square.

It was so fun to see Carmela again and meet her son, Aaron, her daughter, Melanie, and son-in-law, Roy.

She became a new grandma on January 6th when Stephanie had a baby girl!

A Great Tradition

Every year, from the beginning of time, we have had "The Lasagna Party." This includes the Firth, Knudsen, Gephart, and Petersen families. The party is always held on the Sunday before Christmas. The menu always includes lasagna, garlic bread, green salad, and bring your own drinks. Tiffani added a new menu item one year when she made stuffed mushrooms. Then Lisa followed it up with some kind of sausage chip dip.

It rotates each year as to who hosts the party. But if you host the party I don't think you have to prepare any of the food.

As kids we would always draw names for gift giving. The "moms" just bought gifts for each other. About 20 years ago the "dads" started giving white elephants.

Once the kids moved out or got married, we were no longer invited to come to the party. Many of us had issues with this, but that's just the way it was.

The the "oldies" realized the party wasn't near as fun without the kids . . . Soooo, we were invited back. Now we host the parties, but everything else stays the same. The great part is that just the parents exchange gifts with one another. It's nice that our kids get to go to a party where they see others "getting" and their "gift" is just being together.

This year the party was at the Summers' house. Tiffani and Layne were wonderful hosts. This year no stuffed mushrooms or sausage dip, but they added a new element: Chimes. Great Fun!!

It was so fun to get together with such great families and friends. It's fun to see how much our families are changing and growing. We definitely missed those who were unable to come, but it was fun to see friends who we've missed for a couple of years.

This is definitely one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

Let's Back Up a Bit . . . Quite a Bit!!

It seems that life during the holidays got a bit crazy once my sister and her family showed up. Craig, Adri, and the kids flew in on the 17th. Ashley (bless her heart) came up that morning to help me have a "house of order" and dip candy. Now I need to say that having the Sleights for Christmas was kept a secret from my parents starting clear back in October.
So the plan went down like this: Ashley and I headed to the airport at about 5:30 pm. When we left my house I asked her if we needed to park her car in the back, just in case Mom came down. Of couse we didn't do it. Who knew she would come back, especially after being here most of the day. Thus the lying began! I left that part to Ashley and CJ because I'm not a very good liar. It had something to do with Ashley and I going shopping, not telling CJ where we were, and CJ being fuming mad. (Sounds like reality, huh?!)
So . . . their plane was late. Poor Craig flew in with Adri and the kids then turned around and flew back home (on the red-eye) to work a few more days, then flew back out on the 23rd.
The next morning we all went to Grandma & Grandpa's. Ashley, CJ, Livie, and I all went in first to drop Liv off so we could go to a school Awards Assembly for Klayson. A couple of minutes later the doorbell rang. To Granny's surprise there was Adri and the kids singing Jingle Bells. My dad just sat in the family room wondering who the h _ _ _ was Christmas caroling at that time of the morning. :)
Quite honestly it was a great start to the holidays!! We kept asking Mom and Dad if they were really surprised because we had all slipped up so many times. I guess it's a good thing our parents are usually clueless.

Hot to Trot

So . . . last week at school the annual turkey trot was held. The older kids have to run a mile and the younger kids have to run 1/2 mile. Kennedy didn't want us to come and watch her so she wouldn't tell us what time her grade was running. We went anyway and got there just in time to see her cross the finish line. She came in 4th place for her grade! Way to go Kennedy!!

While we were there for Kennedy we asked what time Klayson's grade would run. We were told it probably wouldn't be until after lunch. So I went back to the school around 11:30 thinking Livie and I could have lunch with him and then stay for his race. When I got there he was already eating and told me that he had just finished his race. He tied for 2nd place in his grade and won a pumpkin pie! Way to go Klayson!! I was so sad that I missed it.

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

Usually after making a mistake you learn from it and it isn't repeated. Not the case with me. A few years ago I decided to buy myself some wax and one of those little heating pots. I figured I could save a few bucks and wax my own eyebrows, instead of paying the extremely high price of $5 every 3-4 weeks.

The first time I tried to do it I was quite successful waxing my armpits. So then I went for the eyebrows. Again, I was successful doing the uni-brow area. I was feeling rather confident in my abilities and tried to "sculpt" my eyebrows. At this point I had wax smeared all over into my eyebrows. I knew I couldn't put on the muslin strip because I would rip off half my eyebrow. I got soap and water and tried to scrub it off. I rubbed my skin raw, but no luck.

Then I remembered a time when my cousin's little boy spilled a candle on my carpet and that Thoro took it out. You guessed it, I found a bottle of Thoro and rubbed it all over the wax covered area. Yes, I do believe I gave myself a chemical burn. My friends at school were quite concerned for my well-being because it looked like CJ had decked me in the eye.

Now this is where history repeats itself. Keaton was feeling like he kind of had a uni-brow and wanted to shave it. No, no, that's not the proper way to take of it. Let your mother wax it. So I did. All went well!

The next day Kennedy asked if I would wax her eyebrows. Sure! It's good fun putting hot wax on your children's faces and then inflicting pain by ripping out their eyebrows.

Well, Kennedy was a bit squeemish and kept crinkling up her face. As a result, wax got into her eyebrows where it shouldn't have. Had I put on the muslin strip and ripped, she would look like a complete freak!

So, out comes the soap and water and as she cries I scrub. Don't worry, I learned something from my own mistake: Don't use Thoro, use baby oil instead.

Now doesn't she look much better without the uni-brow?! NOT!! I love you Kennedy, be patient with me!

I Want to Rock All Night

When our good friends, the Dotsons, moved we decided that our families would get together at least once each month. Well, Melanie held up her end of the deal, but it kind of died when it was my turn last Spring. I know, I'm a loser!

Sunday evening we invited the Dotsons to come for dinner and some games. To our pleasure, they came! The girls always have a wonderful time together. Klayson kept their boys entertained. Keaton is too cool to deal with any of us. CJ and I had a great time just visiting with Travis and Melanie.

We broke out the Wii and all had fun playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero. No one could top Kennedy's high score. (I think she might spend a bit too much time on the guitar.) The girls named their band the BFFs.

We're blessed to have such good friends in our lives. Thanks for coming Dotson family!!

Follow Me Boys! (To a cabin)

"I am not a camper." This is the declaration I heard from CJ a couple of weekends ago when he returned home from an overnighter with the Deacons at the City of Rocks. He is the Assistant Scout Master and father of a Deacon, so he will be doing a lot more camping and better become a camper.

That particular night CJ and Keaton slept in coats and two sleeping bags, each, and still froze. When they got home Saturday evening, CJ spent a good two hours on the internet and phone trying to find a good sleeping bag. He had to have one before Thursday.

This past weekend he put his new sleeping bag to the test when he camped out at Wood Badge, which was held at Camp Keisel.

When he came home I heard again, "I am not a camper, BUT I stayed warm!"

Taps Anyone?

So we heard the talk, by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, about good, better, and best. I think our family is pretty good at filling our lives with "good" things, but we've been trying to step it up a notch and do "better" or even "best" things.
Keaton is in beginning band at school and they were to have their first concert at the end of the term. Well, we found out that the concert was the same night that the Young Men in our ward were to go do baptisms for the dead. Dilema!! We wanted him to keep his good grade and knew that if he missed the concert if would have a detrimental effect on his grade. We also wanted him to be able to participate in the baptisms, especially since this was the first time they've gone since he turned twelve.

Thanks to Mr. Walton!! He said that Keaton could invite at least ten people and do a mini concert. So we did. His great Deacons Quorum, the Bishop and his wife, grandparents, and friends came to the "concert."

Keaton did a great job!! We really appreciate his teacher for being so cooperative, making it possible for Keaton to participate in those things that are the "best."

A Hunting We Will Go

When CJ and I starting dating...way back in 1988, he didn't hunt or do anything of the sort. I remember going the the farm with him and some cousins because the cousins were deer hunting, but not him. Over the past couple of years he has expressed an interest in hunting and bought himself a few guns.

Then we added the dogs. Up until about a month ago we had three bird dogs (Maisy, Elvis (yeah, really), and Jenny. Apparently they are good hunting dogs, but to me they are just another argument about who has to feed them. None of the kids want to get rid of them, but they don't like to feed them either.

Keaton also has taken an interest in hunting so CJ bought him a .22. But, before any hunting can happen he had to take Hunter Safety. So, as any loving, supportive mother would, I took Hunter Safety with him. Because Kennedy can't let her brother out do her, she signed up as well. Klayson was bummed because he wasn't old enough to take it with us.

(It was crazy hair day at school - hence the crazy hair!)
Last Saturday was our test. I admit I was a bit worried about my kids, because they didn't study as much as I thought they should and we only got about an hour of shooting practice in. But the good news is that we all passed! It was kind of funny to see how proud CJ was of all of us. I actually think he was more proud of me passing Hunter Safety than when I got my Masters degree.