Life is GREAT with Miss Olivia Kate

The TERRIFIC TWOs began today!! Our whole family was so excited for Livie's birthday. I don't know why, maybe it's just because she's the baby, but it seemed like an extra special birthday. Kennedy and I blew up balloons last night and this morning before she woke up I put them all over her bedroom floor. I wasn't sure if she'd like it or if it would freak her out. She liked it!

We sang to her the moment she woke up and she just joined right in yelling at the top of her lungs. Throughout the day, whenever we'd sing she'd clap her hands and do a little dance.

We had her favorite dinner, pizza -- lucky me no cooking tonight--oh yeah-- a real birthday dinner would be if I did cook :)

Grandparents came over later for cake and ice cream and the opening of a few (very few) presents. Oh, as I'm typing this I just realized we forgot to give her her big girl panties. I guess the gift giving can continue in the morning. Here's a side note . . . when I sent CJ to buy the panties he said there were only two packages her size so he bought them both (Grandpa Daniels). The problem is that one pack is cute girly pink and the other is boy blue. He didn't seem to think there was a problem since on one will see her underwear anyway.

Liv was happy as a two year old can be about her gifts but cried when the candles on her cake were blown out. You know, it's my party I can cry if I want to -- apparently she wanted to.

I don't mean to steal any of Livie's thunder on her birthday, but I have to say I was a complete ROCKSTAR when it came to the cake. It was the CUTEST cake ever!

We used to think of 9/11 as a sad day, but it's a great day for a birthday!!

Sweet Livie Kate

Freakin' Awesome!

Keaton's playing Little League Football again this year and as much as I dread the amount of time practicing takes, it sure has been paying off. It is so much fun to go watch him play in his games. He has had some terrific plays so far this season! His team is doing great! I think they're all just on top of the world. They've really got it together and work as a team. They've won three out of four games. I hope their winning streak will continue because previous years have not been much to boast about.

Back to Fun & Friends

I guess I'm just not the sentimental type because I did not cry when my kids walked out the door on August 25th to head back to school. I was happy to get back to a routine and have something to keep my kids busy. They were excited too, to be going to school to see new teachers and old friends. Yeah, I miss the company and the conversation throughout the day. But, now that the kids are gone Olivia is talking a ton more. Yes, my days are a lot less chaotic and sometimes even boring. And yes, my house stays clean until 3:30!!! But once they walk in the door it all goes back to mess and mayhem.
We seem to be off to a great start, let's hope it stays that way.

Summer Fun 2008

Whew!!

Another great summer is quickly drawing to a close. Here's our top ten list of:

Roberts Family Fun

10. Building the shed -- If you ask CJ he will probably say it's #1. He is so happy to have a place for all of his stuff. The kids have a great time playing in the top of it.

9. Swimming Lessons -- Olivia and I took Moms & Tots while the other kids had their lessons. We had a great time playing together in the pool.

8. Scout Camp/Activity Girls Camp -- This was Keaton's first overnight campout with the Scouts. He had a great time, but I think the 50 mile (not sure if it was 50 or maybe only 30) bike ride, from Malad Summit to Hansen Park, pretty much did him in. Kennedy had a blast at day camp! She came home teaching us all kinds of fun songs.

7. 4th of July -- The town celebration is always lots of fun, especially the candy drop. After ward we headed to Bear Lake for some fun on the water.

6. Box Elder County Fair -- It's always fun for the kids to go to the parade, see the livestock, and ride the rides. This year was a bit different. CJ, Keaton, Klayson, and Ryan (my nephew) were all in the parade because our ward's Deacons were the pooper scoopers. Not so much fun. Klayson and Ryan just went along for the ride. Kennedy helped pass popsicles for Kent's. It was just Olivia, Granny, Adri (my sister), Lizzie & Andrew (her kids), and I at the parade. My kids were bummed because we didn't ride any rides. We can go to Lagoon for less than the dirty, unsafe rides at the fair! They each got some $ for school clothes instead.

5. Keaton's 12th Birthday -- We had a great time taking some friends of his boating at Willard Bay. What a fun group of boys! CJ and I had even more fun that night when we scared them all with his coyote caller. I've never heard such a tough group of boys scream like such little girls!! Good Times!! Keaton was ordained a deacon by his Grandpa Firth (my dad).

4. Boating -- It doesn't matter where we go, we always have a great time! We had fun with the Roberts side at Bear Lake. It was great to have some of CJ's neices come up and stay and spend a couple of days with us. Even Grandpa Roberts put on a swimming suit! We met my cousin's family and aunt & uncle at the lake a few times and had tons of fun with them. We hope this will continue every summer from now on!

3. Staying at the Cabin -- We love every chance we get to go stay at Bear Lake, but it doesn't seem to happen often enough. Life's crazy sometimes. It is always so nice, cool, calm, and quiet at the cabin.

2. Oregon Coast -- We love it here!

1. Spending time with Family -- It was so great to have my sister and her family come out and spend some time. Ashley came up quite a bit to join in the fun. We met with cousins and Craig's sister for fun at Bear Lake. All in all it was a great way to end the summer!

Puppy Love

I've kind of been having thoughts of getting a puppy lately. My house will sure be quite all day once Keaton, Kennedy, and Klayson head back to school. I think Olivia will get bored when it's just the two of us. I'm sure a puppy would entertain her and be lots of fun for the whole family. But, my brother-in-law, Craig, pointed out that in a way Olivia is a lot like a puppy. Now, most people would be offended by this, but when I gave it some thought I had to agree.

If a door is left open, Livie is outside playing before I know it. When a drink or food is left on the bar, she climbs right up to help herself. She loves to play in the water, she'll steal anyone's shoes the minute you take them off, she DOESN'T drink out of the toilet but she will go in the bathroom and turn on the tub to get a drink, and she's even been known to bite a person or two. I hate to say it but when I start to potty train her next month I'm sure we'll even have our share of pee and poop on the carpet. But you don't have to worry, I won't hit her on the head with rolled up newspaper or rub her nose in it!

She's a very busy little girl, but we love her so much and wouldn't have it any other way! Now we just need to teach her to come running when we whistle!