Seven Things Tag

I have been a little busy to blog as of late, with work and keeping an eye on Ryann. And well, the entire family getting the stomach flu. So here is my response to Anelisa's Tag. . .

Seven things I can do: Sew. Embroider. Laundry. Curl my tongue into a taco. Use the Internet to find any bit of useless info you wish. Remember odd movie lines, phone numbers and songs. Make my kids mad.

Seven things I can't do: Keep my house clean. Keep Ryann out of trouble. Play the piano. Read music. Sing. Draw anything non-cartoon looking. Diet.

Seven things that attracted me to Topher: His sense of humor. His kindness. He was a cop - I love a man in uniform. That way he put up with me when we were first dating. His silliness. The way I felt when he held my hand. The way he put me in my place - I was a bit obnoxious.

Seven Things I say often: "Stop it!" "Be good, and if you can't be good be careful" (my Grandpa Russell would say that to me. I thought it meant to use protection! (: "The Holy Ghost goes to ed at midnight!" "S**T!" "Uh-huh!" "Ryann, don't do that!" "Stop hitting your sister!"

Seven people I admire: My Topher, he knows so much about the Gospel and he is the best daddy to his girls. My mom - she went back to school and now has her Masters in Nursing. My mother-in-law - she raised 11 kids for heaven's sake. My Grandma Salt - she takes a licking and keeps on ticking! My boss, Ruth - she is just a super kind lady who always tells me how it is. President Hinckley- what a kind man who was so humble and loving to everyone. Jesus Christ - without him, I am lost.

Seven favorite foods/drinks: Pizza. Mashed potatoes with mustard and corn. Cream-o-Wheat. Cookie Dough - any kind. Carmel Popcorn. Ice cold water.Coke. (Nothing healthy - of course!)

Seven people I tag: Liz, Emily, Leslie, Jennifer, Tami, Mom and Ronda. (I may only know 7 people(: )

Anyone need a haircut?

Ryann has turned in to a master of the scissors.

Saturday night I fell asleep around 9:00 pm. Christopher had everything under control with the girls. He had set them up with a DVD in the front room. When he returned to our bedroom to watch the news, Ryann was with her sisters watching "Soccer Mom" on the couch.

Sometime later Ryann had crawled in to bed with me and fallen asleep. Christopher tucked the other girls in to bed, noticing a mess of hair covering Dylann's freshly washed duvet cover.

He comes in to our room, over to turn off my lamp, and laughingly says, "Shelly! Look at Ryann!" I try to pry my eyes open as I see him pulling a chunk of Ryann's hair off of her sleeping head. He is just laughing and laughing.

I wake up enough to see the horror that is now my baby's hair. As if it has not been crazy enough to have a daughter with crazy chick fuzz for hair - I now have this:

"MOOOOMMMM - Look What Ryann is doing!"

This is a phrase I hear about every 5 minutes at my house. By bedtime, I am so happy Ryann is ready to sleep. Even then she is still on one. There are times I fall asleep and hope she is still next to me as I scope out dreamland.

Last night was especially fun. From the moment I got home from work, Ryan was switched ON! She followed me everywhere. Was right there as I did the dishes, fixed dinner and went to the bathroom. She trailed behind me chatting away, telling me about the dog licking her fingers or that she is tired of wearing pants.

When I show frustration after tripping over her for the millionth time, she hugs my neck and says, "I love you so much mommy!" That is her new trick. If I start to get frustrated with her, she tells me how much she loves me.

So back to last night. Christopher and I were sitting in our room after the dinner clean up watching a bit of news. Then the yell from the front room. "MOOOOOOMMM - Ryann is peeing in the bucket on the couch!" I told Christopher I just could not deal with her. He laughed and told me to just look at it as fun.

I walked into the room hoping it all made it in to the bucket - Yea! Not a drop on the couch. And there sits Ryann so proud of her potty job!

She really is fun. I always thought Rylie was full of it. Dylann was a little more. Kendall - a whole lot. Ryan tops them all. So for those of you who have well mannered 3 year old, who obey and sit still in Church. Good for you! I'll take Ryann and her fuzzy hair any day! (Remind me I said that after the next round of craziness!)

In The News!

Randolph made the news again. It seems that we are a fascinating breed up here and the world cannot get enough.

The only time we make the Utah news, or any US news, is when we have a cold winter. But every year at election time we get visitors from far away countries. The latest was a group from the UK. They interviewed the local coffee drinkers at the "Station" about the Presidential race this year. You can read the article here - and see some of our town folk.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/3362430/Election-dismay-strikes-most-Republican-corner-of-US.html

Randolph does take some getting use to when you move here from the city. Honestly I was not a fan at first. It was very hard to get out there and to get to know people. Most everyone is related either by blood or by marriage. There are only a few different last names, unless you are a move in. And there are only about 500 people living here.

Now there is really no place I would rather live. Everyone looks out for one another. You never have to worry about the education your kids are getting. Kids are taught the value of hard work at a very young age. Everyone says hello. When there is a crisis, everyone is there to help out. Not to say that there are not problems here. Kids do cause trouble. There are even drugs and underage drinking - OOHHHH MY! But not like you see in large communities.

And we are not all backwoods crazy like some of the reporters make us seem. Well, some of us are! (:

It's Fall Ya'll!

It seems that fall does not last long here in the North. People think that because we do not have snow on the ground, we can't claim it winter. Let me tell you - it is winter. Randolph is where I have learned that it can be too cold to snow. We love it when it does snow, because it means it has warmed up outside.

Now that we are into November over a week, I thought I should post Halloween pics and whatever else I can download off the camera. Which wont be much! I am a terrible picture taker. Poor Kendall as a baby barely exists in photos because my camera was broken. Now that I have a fancy camera - which I have no clue how to operate Ryann has more baby pics than K-Dogg! And Ryann loves the camera! And red lipstick!

For Halloween we had Dorothy, Vampire Bat Girl, Pirate with a beat up face, and two little mermaids. I made Dorothy's dress and the mermaid costumes. Ryann did not understand that people are suppose to see the seashells, she wanted to wear them under her shirt. Once she was out with the other kids, she gave in and put them on the outside. The bat costume was mine when I was in middle school. Dylann found it at my parent's. And Kendall is always a pirate. Every year the same thing, different costume. She loves Captain Jack!

We did the 'Trunk-or-Treat' at the church parking lot. Then on to the standard houses. Judge McKinnon's for full size candy bars, the Telford's for marshmallow suckers, and up and down our street. We don't get very many Trick-or-Treater's at our house because our dog is gigantic. Kids are scared to steal our pumpkins too. Sometimes it is nice to have a horse for a dog. Christopher bought good candy this year and had a lot left over for him!

Kendall had a program at school for Halloween. It was so cute. She sang Halloween songs for the entire month. She is still singing them.

Last night the High School kids put on a after Halloween Spook House. They used the Elementary building for it. I had to stay in the car with Ryann and Payton, so the three older girls went in with a friend of mine. Halfway through my kids chickened out and came running to the car screaming their lungs out. The High School Principle came over to see if they were OK and told me I could walk them through and he would sit with my babies. My kids yelled "NOOOOOOOOO!" and begged me to just drive away. They slept on the front room couch last night due to the trauma they suffered.

And now for the monster in my house:

She loves her red lipstick. We have finally thrown it away because she colors her entire face with it. And her hands. And her neck. And her feet.

Today we had Stake Conference. Why I took Ryann and Payton I will never know. I took the two of them out for a potty break. Ryann was running down the hall and I told her to STOP! She turned to tell me "My legs just have to run!" Then I told her to follow me back down the hall. She was not obeying, so I told her that a monster was coming. She yelled at me, "No monsters live in this church!" I guess she would know, from one monster to another!

And yes, her hair always looks like that. We brush it and two seconds later - POOF!

Fossils and Guns!

Last Saturday Grandpa came up for a day of fun in the ..... wind! We took the 4-Wheelers, lunch and guns out for a day of treasure hunting.

Grandpa has a fossil finding kit (a backpack with hammers, a pic-axe, brushes and books) that the girls used for hours on the side of the hill above the Woodruff Reservoir. They had so much fun splitting rocks and searching in the dirt.

Christopher and I took Ryann and Kendall for a ride around the very low water. We found a skeleton of a cow, cow #88 to be exact, the ear tag was on the ground beside it. Ryann just knew it was a buffalo. She is in love with buffaloes. So we gathered up some bones and packed them back to the rest of the group on the 4-Wheeler. Ryann fell asleep on the way back. We hit a sagebrush ans her "buffalo leg" fell out of the bag. She woke right up and cried because her leg was gone. We had to back track to find it.

After lunch, we did a little target practice. It is the first time my girls have shot guns. When I was little my dad took my brother and I out all the time. I have not shot a gun since just after high school. Even with Christopher being a cop we never went out shooting. I did the best with the .22, next to my dad.

Then it was on to a great ride up above the Reservoir. Rylie is a big chicken and wont let us go fast or over bumps. But since she got into trouble before the ride, Ryann got to drive - big mistake for Rylie. Ryann loves to go as fast as the machine will go. She laughs all the way! My kind of girl!

It was a very fun day.

Man Tag!

“The rules: Each Person answers questions about their sweethearts.At the End of the post, the person then tags people and posts their names; then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged.”

What is your husband’s name? Christopher Ryan a.k.a Christopher Robin, Topher, Tuffer, Tuffily Puff, Tiff Piff, and anything else I can come up with. His girls call him “Fuzzy Cheeks”!
How long have you been married? 12 years, 8 months on the 29thHow long did you date? 6 weeks.
How old is he? 35
Who eats more sweets? ME! He has to be in the mood! And he is always in the mood for sugar, just not the eatin’ kind(:
Who said I love you first? I honestly cannot remember. Probably him. I was mean to him at first.
Who is taller? Topher – he is 6’1”.
Who can sing the best? He can, just ask him. He gets very mad when I sing in the car!
Who is smarter? Book smart - it’s totally me. Gospel things, it’s it most definitely him.
Who does the laundry? Me. Only because I am obsessive compulsive and have a fit if the laundry is not done the right way. He would totally do it if I let him.
Who pays the bills? Me, he never even sees his paycheck!
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Him. He could sleep anywhere.
Who mows the lawn? Our ‘Lawn Boy’, or me.
Who cooks dinner? I try to do the cooking. But ask him and I never cook.
Who drives? Do I have the choice to drive when he is in the car?
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Not me!
Who kissed whom first? Topher kissed me while lying on his mom’s couch watching the Princess Bride. We were on the sectional couch, lying in opposite directions with our heads touching. He leaned over and kissed me upside-down.
Who asked whom out first? We met on a blind date. He got my number, but I called him first.
Who wears the pants? MEEEEEE! But I let Christopher think he does when I need something from him.

I tag Emily! Lets see if she is out there!

What is ---- in Spanish?

Kendall has become obsessed with the Spanish language. She has two little boys who speak Spanish, Michael and Jose, in her class at school that are her top two boyfriends. They are tied at #1 most days.

Michael joined the class last year and knew no English. By the end of the year he was a pro. All through Kindergarten Michael was Kendall's #1 boy. Jose arrived at the beginning of this school year. Kendall's heart had to make room for him too. Some days he and Michael are tied, other days he is top of the list. They are both so cute - how could she pick just one? She has no plans to marry, just flirt. And at almost 7, she is very good at it!

The boys have been trying to teach the first graders a few Spanish words, like 'orange'. The teacher said that the class was trying to help the boys say 'yellow' instead of 'jellow', so as a class they would learn to say 'naranjo'. Kendall is so frustrated because try as she may, she cannot say it.

The boys laugh at her and told her that if she could not say 'naranjo', she would get kicked out of Honduras, which is where Michael is from. Totally heartbroken Kendall has asked for my help. And I am absolutely no help. I asked Michael and Jose for help. I asked Jose's mom, even the waiter at Don Pedro's Mexican Restaurant. I cannot get my tongue to work right.

I think the boys have given up on getting her to say ' 'naranjo' correctly, so they have been teaching her other words.

Yesterday I went up to lunch at the school. Kendall and Michael move down to sit by me. Kendall, beaming with pride, says: "Mom, guess what I can say in Spanish?" "What?", I was waiting for the correct was to say 'naranjo'.

"Caca", Kendall yells out with pride. Michael smiles his big, cute smile. His face also beaming with pride because Kendall finally could pronounce a word. I start to laugh. Michael looks at me,"Caca means poop!"

I still chuckle thinking about how proud they both were.

Freankin'!

Freakin' crap! is all I can say. I finally decided I should change the background on my blog and it is driving me crazy! (Not that I was not CRAZY already Ronda I know!!!!!)

So if I ever figure it out, I will change it. If not - UGGGGGGGGG!

Help me if you can! Where do you all find cute layouts?

Home Coming Rituals

As this is Rich High School Homecoming Week, last night was the annual bonfire. Where children parade around the giant fire seen from space and nearly fall in with adults standing nearby. Christopher was suppose to help with the Volunteer Fire Department, but had decided that since attending meant taking the three oldest, he would not go.

So...my husband decided to finally have his movie night with his girls. 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' was on the schedule. They all nestled in and watched as Harry felt alone and then sprung to life as the secret teacher of the 'Defense Against the Dark Arts'.

Half way through the movie Ryann decided she had had enough and took me in to watch 'Bratz Babies' - a true horror film for grown-ups. Yet I rent it weekly from the Randolph Country Store because it is the only movie that will keep her attention so I can get something cleaned in my house.

As night fell, the sure sign that the bonfire was over made it's way past our house. There is a tradition here in Rich County, mainly in Randolph because this is where the High School is located, that when any event happens - taking State in sports mostly- you drive up and down every street honking your horn and screaming as loud as you can so every person knows the greatness that is Rich High School.

During the passing of our house the following conversation takes place:

"Dad, they almost crashed in front of our house."

"They almost crashed again"

"Dad, that car almost crashed in to our car."

In response, Dad says, "That is why you will not be allowed to go to the bonfire! Shelly, there were almost three accidents in front of our house. This is ridiculous!" I laughed my head off.

As a Cop, Christopher hated the "HONK-OUT"! He would get so mad that kids were allowed to hang out of the bus windows and scream, wave their arms and nearly fallout. Some kids even hung out the back emergency door. But no one would stop them. It's a tradition for heck sakes!

It has been the same every year we have lived here and it will continue on when our lovely rule following little girls enter Rich High. I am sure that before each of them go to their high school activities, their father will give the "Remember Who You Are" speech and then say "If I see you hanging out of the bus or rushing the bonfire there will be hell to pay!"

It has been too long!

Life has taken the fast track for us here in the North! I cannot believe that it is the middle of September. So I will do a fast recap of the latest adventures in the life of the Stapel Family - I know all have been waiting for an update!

August was the annual Russell Family Trip to Island Park. We always have so much fun. The kids play, the adults clean up and we party, party, party. We got up close with a mama moose and her calf. We floated down the Snake River. We rode our ATV's all over the place. We spent a day in Yellowstone, where we saw a crazy dingo. We spent a day in Virginia City, MT. Christopher and I are trying to figure out how we can live up in Island Park all the time. We love it up there.

Once we returned home from Vacation, it was Rich County Fair time. Rylie showed a pen of rabbits and Dylann showed rabbits and a lamb - Lola. She did very well - Reserve Champion in Showmanship. The lamb was a little scrawny, so she was one of the last to sell. But Wal-Mart bought her lamb for $4.50 a pound. Thanks to Wal-Mart of Evanston. Kendall showed a lamb for Clover-Buds and got a pretty ribbon. She also showed our new puppy, Chunky, at the Clover-Bud Parade. (Chunky has been now placed in a new home.)

School started August 25th for the three older girls. Rylie now rides the bus an hour a day to Laketown and back. I hate to think of her on the bus that long, but at least I know where she is!

Ryann and Payton started Preschool. A group of moms put together a fun little school. We each take turns teaching. It is nice for Ryann to go and spend time away from me. She loves being a big girl.

So now it is mid-September and it is getting cold. Winter is here for Randolph. I refuse to turn on the furnace, my children freeze! But they have electric blankets on their beds and I do run the pellet stove. I am not ready for the $350 Questar bills yet. But I am afraid I cannot put it off much longer!

Just another day!

I came home from work today to find:

I only worked for 3 hours today. I figured Rylie would be OK. She tattooed everyone. The girl's are covered in silly drawings and words. Good thing for washable markers. But if Rylie doesn't stop drawing on them, Ryann will never get a clue!

Also, Ryann was half naked. She had a swimsuit top on and no bottoms, jumping on the trampoline without a care in the world. Life would be so easy if we were 3 years old all of the time!

Dylann was doing tricks with Payton. She has Payton lay on the ground while she swings over the top of her in the tree swing. Payton just laughs and laughs.

There is a down side to the hours of fun with the kids home alone. Ryann bit Payton. This is the third bite for the day. I do not know what to do with Ryann. She and Payton fight, Payton hits and Ryann bites. I put her in time out, to which Ryann laughs at me. Any advice out there? I guess she comes by it naturally. My brother was a biter, he was not allowed in Nursery because he bit the other kids. I have not had a biter before, so I do not know how to stop it.

On a better note, I finally have a flower! I grew it all on my own from a seed. Now those of you outside of Randolph will think that is a silly thing to be proud of. Randolph has a very short growing season. by the time we have our last Spring frost, we get our first Fall frost. This year I planted a million seeds in our front flower garden, and this is the first to bloom. Yeah!

Bubblegum, Markers, Pedicures and a New Kitty!

First, a disclaimer - yes, Ryann is always in her unders. I cannot keep clothes on her! I try to pick the photos that are discrete. I am not a bad mom! She just is a spirited 3 year old!

I am tired of Ronda yelling at me! I have been very busy lately and not able to update my blog. I am sure there are gasps of horror out there every time my blog is accessed because I am not an avid updater. Yea right!

Life is pretty much the same here. Busy, busy, busy. Summer is flying by. School will start in 4 weeks for my very sad children. I must say that I am looking forward to school, the kids are less destructive when they are not toiling around the house all day.

Thanks to Ryann, there is never a dull moment around here. The older girls ask Christopher and I all the time if they were as weird as Ryann is. With each child, they have gotten Weider! Rylie was silly and hated her hair done. She would leave the house with piggie tails and before we hit the car they would be history. Messy was best. She still hates to do her hair. Dylann was rolly polly silly. She had a belly laugh like a man at 3 months. She was in to everything. Kendall is just a ham. She loves to be watched.

But Ryann is all of the above! And not afraid of anything, except loud noises. She spends a lot of time with her hands over her ears. Recently she gave herself a pedicure. The other girls got out the polish while I was at work. Ryann stole it and made herself pretty. Good thing for swimming, it helps loosen the polish from skin.

The next fun came when her and Payton tried to color themselves with markers. Payton wanted to make herself chocolate. We had smelly markers and chocolate was her favorite.

The latest documented fun with Ryann was bubblegum in the hair. It started with her trying to steal the bubblegum at the grocery store. Then on the drive home she popped a big old piece in her mouth, got it all nice and gooey, and POW -- right in the bangs! We tried the peanut butter method. It helped get it from her scalp to almost the end of her hair, then it was scissor time. She now looks like a blond vol kin.

And our final fun is the new kitty - from Ronda - that is near death at every moment. Ryann cannot leave the poor thing alone. His neck is going to be an inch longer than a normal kitty by the time he figures out how to defend himself from her! If it does survive Ryann, it will have to hide from Christopher. He has been out of town for the past week and a half and told his girls "HECK NO!" to a new kitty! Tiger French Fry Stapel, may he survive the Stapel house!

My Grandma Salt

The past week has been a crazy mess of emotions. Grandma Salt, my mom's mom, who will be 92 next month, is in the hospital. I realize the days are numbered for her. 92 years is a long time to be here in this life, and she is so ready for the glory that awaits her in the next.

It is a major rush of emotion to realize that life is coming to an end. She had a bad gallbladder that caused a blockage which led to pancreatitus. She was at death's door, gave her last testimony, and SURVIVED! She is now in a rehab facility recovering her surgery until Friday. Then it is back to the "Senior Community".

My grandma is the most amazing little woman. She is, maybe, 5 feet tall, with a 10 foot tall personality. I love all of her silly-ness and spunky-ness. She has been through so much in her life. I love to listen to her talk about her childhood, and what it was like raising my uncles. She has such a strong testimony of the Gospel. I am so inspired by her.

Why am I a mom??

Sometimes I take for granted that I am a mom of 4 cute, silly and wild little girls. I have complained of the fighting and crying over nothing, the messes and - the fighting! But I am so blessed to have my girls!

I was watching a show last night with a mom who tried for 7 years to have a baby, finally having a baby boy. I also watched a very touching video of a young couple who lost their baby boy the day before he was due. I am going to be better about appreciating each moment I have with my girls.

I am blessed to have never have had a miscarriage. I did have troubles conceiving Kendall and Ryann. 4 c-sections were not a blast, but it was worth the pain to get my girls. Each baby had troubles when they were born: Rylie having pneumonia and a pneumothorax; Dylann having trouble keeping her body temperature and being as orange as a carrot for weeks; Kendall with worries of baby diabetes due to the fact she was 9 lbs. 5.7 oz. at birth (12 days early); and Ryann pooping in my uterus and breathing it in. But all are healthy and fun and, did I say WILD!

Rylie is so preteen! She just finished 5th grade and will be bussed 30 minutes each way over to middle school in the fall. Scary! She is not so fond of babysitting the others, but gives it a go when money is involved. She is so grown up.

Dylann is a total girl. She worries about everything and everyone. She copies down numbers off of infomercials on how to save the animals. She wants to join the Peace Corps and save the world.

Kendall is a tomboy. She loves to get out and get dirty, play sports and hang with the guys. She is a rockstar and a pirate. She plays the drums and writes songs.

Ryann is a nut! She has more fun getting in to trouble than staying safe. She loves dirt, being naked - outside where everyone can see - and can find a way to make me crazy at every moment! She is very 3.

I would never trade my life of being a mom. I know I take it for granted and don't always remeber the blessings they each are to my life. I cannot imagine my life without them.

Tagged!

Joys
1- Being a mom!
2- Grown up conversations!
3- Being with my family!

Fears
1- Loosing my husband.
2- Loosing a child.
3- Dying before I am a grandma.

Goals
1- Be a better member of the church.
2- Be a better friend.
3- Stress less!Current

Obsessions
1- Summer activities for my girls.
2- Counting the letters in peoples names – a new facet of my OCD!
3- Stitching.

Random Surprising Facts
1- I clean my house to the point of ‘ready to vacuum’, but I never vacuum! Let’s say it has gone on long enough!
2- I have many OCD’s.
3- I love sunglasses, but I cannot wear them. They make the spot between my eyes feel all fuzzy.

I will tag my mom. Although it may take her even longer than me to respond.

The Zoo

We bought a membership to the Hogle Zoo. Of course we live 2 hours from the zoo, but if you take the hord of children twice, you have paid for the year. And we are going to try and go a few more times this summer with Liz and the boys.

Here are a few shots from the last trip. I always wanted pictures like these . . .

Camping

A few days after the snow, we decided to go camping. We were not going to let a little snow stop us - or the rain that had been pouring down for 7 days straight. So we packed up the truck and headed up the muddy road. Dylann had a panic attack as we slid on the slimy roads. She just knew we were going to go off the road to our demise and no one would ever find us.

We tented it. Not so much fun in the rain, but we are always up for an adventure. So ... the fire would not start. The air mattresses all had holes. Kodiak was fit-to-be-tied, he is not a wilderness dweller. Dylann felt sick and just wanted to sleep. Kendall and Ryann were fascinated with the portapotty. Rylie just knew BIGFOOT was going to leap out of the trees and eat us alive.

At least there were no bugs!

The night was horrible. Good thing I brought a million blankets. We all cuddled up and tried to stay warm. In the middle of the night we were greeted with an ice storm. The tent leaked and all of our blankets were wet.

As soon as we could, Christopher packed us all up and we headed for home. He was not going to stay in the water. Kodiak seconded that idea. He was cuddled up in the back pf the truck as soon as he was allowed.

So much for adventure!

June is flying by!

I cannot believe it is the middle of June! What happened?

We have been frozen up here in the North for so long, it is hard to believe it is really June. On June 11th we woke up to snow. Luckily our end of Rich County only had a skiff, Bear Lake had up to 4 inches. I guess that is what happens when it is too cold to snow. We get a dusting, they get covered.

On a few of the warm days, the kids have gotten into all sorts of trouble. We no longer will purchase sidewalk chalk. It is not used on the sidewalk by our artists. When you add water to your piece of chalk, your sister's skin becomes the canvas! At least it was only washable chalk this time. It is usually permanent markers or ink pads. The blue chalk did stain Ryann's skin so she looked like smurfs had slapped her on the back for a few days.

Maybe Ryann will learn to put her clothes on! ---- NO WAY that will happen!

What can I do?

Ryann has been such a good little girl when it comes to going potty in the toilet. Ever since she stayed at her Aunt Liz's house while we were in Germany. Recently, however, it is a crisis!

She loves to go potty outside. The first time we made her tinkle on the side of the road she had a fit! Since most of our travels are in the middle of nowhere and 2 hours long, side of the road stops are common. On the way to Christopher's sister Susie's house about a month and a half ago, Ryann made her first outdoor piddle. By the time we made it to Susie's house, she had to pee again and dropped her drawers on the front lawn.

For the past weeks she has run outside to pee on the lawn. At least we were not having any accidents. And I know mom, she should use the toilet like a human.

Last week she started having accidents. At my mom's last week she peed three times. Friday at the zoo was accident free. But......

On the way home from the zoo, I had to stop at Smith's in Evanston to pick up a prescription. We took a seat on the bench and waited our turn. All of the sudden Ryann yells, "I pooped!" Now we had just barely gone into the bathroom and went potty. As she yells, a special surprise falls on to the bench and she steps on it. Then she is trying to pull her dress off, screeching "I pooooooooped mommy!" Luckily I was right by an end cap of paper towels and Clorox wipes. So I hushed her and scrubbed the bum and the bench. As I was cleaning and convincing Ryann to keep her dress on my cell phone rang. Kendall answered and yells into the phone - "Ryann just pooped all over the store!" Now another customer is standing by the pharmacy staring at my situation. Finally it was our turn to pay for my prescription and we got the heck out of there.

On Saturday we were getting ready for the 'Testicle Festival" in Woodruff. Ryann was out swinging in the tree. As we all came outside to get in the car, Kodiak started munching on a little pile of dodo. We thought is was Tina Wigglebottoms dodo, my dad's tiny dog. As we were discussing how gross it was for Kodiak to eat it, Ryann informed us that it was her poop. Even grosser!

At the festival, we went over to hang out with Christopher while he sat with the ambulance at the rodeo. And again, accidents! Ryann peed her pants! Luckily she was outside of the ambulance. So she had to hang out in her went panties and was forbidden to climb into the rig. We ended up putting a red 'bio hazard' over her butt to get her home. I was a bad mother and forgot to bring a change of clothes.

By the fourth accident on Sunday, Christopher had had enough. All of the accidents have been outside, so minimal cleanup. But after each accident we find Ryann running around naked from the waist down, and not always in the yard.

He sat her down on time out and told her that if she did not go potty in the toilet like a big girl, she would not have a birthday party and turn 3. She was very upset. She told us she was not a 'bad girl' and 'not on time out'.

Well, the threat of no birthday does not work. She had two accidents yesterday and one so far today. When I was cleaning her up yesterday, she told me, "Don't tell daddy. Him said I not have hot dogs!"

**The hot dog thing is because all she wants for her birthday is hot dogs.

At this point I am lost. How can I convince her that she has to go potty in the toilet??

Ryann the Nudist!

Ryann made a run for it the other night after her bath. I was trying to get Dylann in the tub and forgot about Ryann for 2 minutes. I finally found her outside, naked, jumping on the trampoline.

She was so happy, freely feeling the wind on her nakedness. How mean was I to stop her? I let her jump for a few minutes. It was dark outside and no cars were passing by. She was doing the silliest tricks and jumps. I decided I needed a picture. But she needed panties on first.

Apparently panties hinder the creative expression of Ryann, so the tricks stopped. She was very angry with me.

Then she looked over to the Northwest and saw a giant dragon blowing fire into the sky. Some of us grown ups would call it a "sunset". But to this almost three year old, it was deffinatly a dragon!

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Field Trips

School is out for the summer here in the North. Before the end of the year we endured a few field trips. Rylie went to Clark Planetarium while Christopher and I were in Germany. She loved the 3-D movie about Black Holes. Alexa barfed on the school bus on the way to Salt Lake. All the kids sure enjoyed that!

Kendall missed her field trip to the zoo because we were in Vegas, so grandpa and I took her to the zoo the next week. She took a million pictures. Here are a few...











Dylann went to Antelope Island for her 3rd Grade Field trip. Again Grandpa went with us. He is good to tag along on our adventures. We had never been to the Island. It was a smelly drive over the causeway and the gnats were terrible. But the kids all had fun. We saw buffalo (we can see those in Evanston), antelope (see those everyday), bald eagles (again - everyday), and coyotes (see one or two every few weeks here). So we got to see the same old stuff, but in the middle of the Great Salt Lake while being eaten alive by gnats!

It was fun though. And the kids loved it. For lunch we had BBQ Bison Burgers. Never had that before. Dylann loves herself a good hamburger, but not so much the bison! She says it tasted different. I thought it tasted like a BBQ'ed burger.