The "No Fly Zone"

Grandma Gucci has a beautiful living room called the "No Fly Zone." So named because grand children are NOT allowed in it. This room has many beautiful things that are not for little hands to explore. Let's face it, I was rushed. No big surprise that I was cramming as much into a day as one could possibly imagine, so I was running a bit behind. I brought the kids into the house and ran downstairs to hurry and get ready to drive to WVC to teach dance. I was just putting on my hat when I heard a crash on the wood floor. I raced upstairs, into the no fly zone, only to find the evidence that William had come, Conquered, and fled.

Evidence #1. Little finger prints on the beautiful coffee table.

Evidence #2. Broken Venetian glass. Broken Venetian glass!!! Are you kidding me. Gucci is going to kill me, then you, and then me again.

According to big sister, he wandered in picked up the beautiful expensive piece that Gucci has had for a billion years and chucked it like a football right onto the wooden floor. I spanked him. Don't judge me, but I did. I am so sorry Gucci, this boy is exhausting, and mischievous, and I am not used to it because his sister isn't. Looks like there is only one glass left. I joked and told Gucci that William was merely trying to help her forget that there were once two of them and now there is one. Not so sure she found it funny. At least I tried right. Thanks for not killing me Gucci.

My Schnoz

This is Maricela, she has perfect skin. Notice how it is blemish free. Let's face it she is beautiful all around, but that skin....amazing. While shopping at Sephora's Mari told me of her awesome Philosophy Micro-blah blah blah face exfoliator. I knew at that moment that I had to have this face wash if it made your skin as beautiful as Mari's. So I bought some, not just some, but the 32oz. sized bottle so that I too could have zero flaws on my pores. I went home and straight away began to use it. I really thought that it was starting to work until....................

my nose developed this huge Rudolph rivaling red bump. Ouch! I have never been in so much pain in my life as this volcanic cone of whatever is going on inside my skin. Beautiful, NOT! 2 weeks later and the blob remains. Mari encouraged me by telling me to just keep using the stuff. I told her it was just a ploy to make me uglier, joking of course. I am going to keep using this fine 32oz. product I purchased. I have been reassured that it is in fact better than the rubbing alcohol that I typically use. We'll see. I am determined to have skin like Mari's and I do appreciate her awesome tip on the stuff, I am sure that it is great. The red bump just goes to show how filthy my pores were in the first place.

10th

Year number 10 is the year of the diamond. I can't even begin to believe that we have been married for 10 years! Where has the time gone? I swear I am still only 21. John and I have been through thick and thin together, but the important thing is that it has been together. For our 10th, he bought me this fabulous new band. I have wanted a band for years, but....good things come to those who wait right? Let's be honest, John picking out a ring for me would be like me picking out a computer for him. Big mistake. It would never have all the bells and whistles on it that he would have wanted. Similarly, I love the man, but he has never experienced success in buying me a piece of jewelry. The fine butterfly ring he bought me for Christmas went right back to the store. I loved this band because it had a Victorian Era flare and a lattice design like the sleeve of my wedding dress. Yay. No more scratching sweet Willie's legs up while I change his bum from my highly set diamond. Thanks Johnnie, you rock!

Long Horn Beetle.......

Great big nasty!

We found this little treasure just outside of Gucci's garage after the big windstorm on Sunday. I just couldn't resist making Addie hold it for a picture. I know, I am a crappy mom, but I had to show the size of the thing compared to the size of her hand. It is HUGE! It was of course dead when I had her pick it up and hold it. I honestly thought that bugs like this were siting in collections somewhere and extinct everywhere else. Wrongo.

Obviously annoyed with my antics :)

My "Goodbye Bowling Friends" Lunch Date

Have I ever mentioned how much I love bowling? Okay, let me clarify. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the people I bowl with? This would be the true reason I love bowling, although I do love to chuck that ball down the lane and watch the pins go a flying. The women I bowl with have been with me through the preemie birth of Willie John, family struggles on John's side, and family struggles on mine. They have laughed with me, cried with me, and eaten artery clogging bowling food with me. I think we talked more about what types of fat we would have sucked out of our bodies and relocated than we actually bowled. We always laughed hard, really hard, and I always left feeling cheerier than when I arrived. These women are strong, outstanding, competent, capable, and beautiful women. I will miss their friendship and examples so much. I will however be emulating all of the wonderful things that I learned from each one of them. Thanks ladies for leaving a positive impression on my life.



Jen Goodfellow, Candace Winkleman, Natalie DuPaix, Me, Megan Bunch, Natalie Knight, Lynn Howard. We were missing Alli, and missed her we did.

The new baby elephant- at the Zoo

We went and picked up Emma since the bigger kids were in school and met Gucci, Great, and Shammy at the zoo. None of us had seen the new baby elephant yet. Soooo adorable. We were amazed how clever a 1yr. old elephant could be. The animals were as active as I have seen them at our sparse and somewhat pathetic zoo. All together it was a nice day, cool enough to go out. The piggies enjoyed themselves, and I kept thinking about the baby elephant being the only redeeming quality to not asking for my money back.

When I was up at the Homestead visiting my dad I was speaking with a man from New Jersey who has spent the past 6 years visiting Utah in the summer. He told me that when he steps off the plane he looks straight up at the sky to see the blue. He told me that I probably take the blue for granted, but where he is from he never gets a blue sky. He is right, I have never thought twice about my blue skies here. I found that thought very interesting and so I decided to try to capture what was a particularly beautiful blue this day at the zoo. I am certain that when I am dying of rainy days in the UK I will find comfort in these pictures.

Swimming Lessons

I have mentioned before that I have been worried about Adessa finding "her thing." You can imagine the pressure that is placed on me by loads of people about Addie being a dancer. How could she not be a dancer when her mother is such a dancer? Well, very easily. Addie loves to not dance, but look at herself in the mirror during dancing school. Frustrating. I was beginning to think that she was one of those kids that lacked passion for anything, ugh. I was wrong. This piggie loves to swim. She dives, goes under water, wears goggles, and most of the time doesn't even plug her nose. I had to stop her from climbing up the diving board to jump off, a habit formed at Beth's pool. Here she is with her friend Emma at Swim lessons having a ball. I love to watch her in the water because she is so brave. Now we are on to guppy level 2, hooray!

Swimming under the water.

Blowing bubbles under water.


Getting ready to go under.

Teacher helping her with the floating feeling.

All in all we had a good experience at the rec. center, and Addie loved it.

Gucci's Disney Party

It's a Disney Party! Gucci kicked off our Disneyland trip while the Pearson's were visiting from Texas. Gucci spared no details in making sure that we were all fully equipped with matching jammies, and outfits for each of the days. This is why we love the Gucci. Not because she buys us matching jammies, but because she gets so excited about it that it is a pleasure for us to wear the matching jammies. For her. We love her and are super excited to get to spend this highly anticipated and saved for 60th Birthday Disney Spectacular with her. Gucci is the most giving and serving person I know, we are very blessed to claim her as our own :)

Addie's new Pooh Bear stuffie

The matching loot

The Dode trying to get one of the piggies balloons down from the ceiling. Addie finally just told him to lift her up. You know it is bad when the 5 yr. old is annoyed by your creative tactic, that isn't working.

Disneyland, here we come!!!

A Little Rough Housing

Sunday made for one of those serendipitous rough housing in the front yard days. Addie squealed as John tossed her around wildly while they wrestled. Willie decided that he too wanted in on the action with Queenie following shortly behind. John is an awesome dad. I love that he takes time for the simple things. Consequently, Addie has been asking each day since if they could wrestle. And speak Chinese. Who does she belong to?

Addie and Queenie

A couple of pigs and a hog.

Rolling down Gucci's hill in the front yard.

Whack attack, and Adessa waiting to see her leaves float down the ditch.

All ganged up on dad, he continues to reign victorious.

"Queenie"

Grandma Gucci finally did it, she caved in and bought a dog. She knew for a while that she needed the companionship of a little doggie woggie in her life, and guess what, with our move so did Addie. So the pair of them headed down to the pet store and bought a little Pekanese. I named her "Queenie" because she looks like the lap dog you see in the paintings of the royals. She is a sweet little dog and allows Addie (and Gucci) to maul her to death! Welcome to the family little sister.

Our Visit With Crappa

Crappa came to visit. It had been 4 months since we had last seen him.....so a visit was very much needed. Adessa LOVES her Crappa, and misses him terribly bad. She was starved for his attention and drove us crazy saying, "Crappa come here," "Crappa let's play Robert and Addie," "Crappa watch this." Yep. We met Crappa at the Homestead where we were able to spend a couple of days with him before we leave for London, and before he had to head off on his next business trip. We were able to squeeze in some swimming, a fine dinner at Dairy Keen, a little shopping, and a ride on the Alpine Coaster in Park City. Addie loved the coaster and wasn't the least bit afraid. Can you guess who she rode with? Crappa. Dode and Shammy were able to come up and spend some time with Crappa as well. There is never enough time to spend with those you love, but we made a pretty good effort. I mean zero offence by this, but divorce sucks. However, I feel like we are trying to make the best of it. We loved seeing you Crappa and definitely wish it were more often, but we understand that you have a very busy schedule. Thanks for a good time.

Dairy Keen

What first rate burger establishment doesn't have a "Men in Drag" softball poster in their restaurant? Come on!


At the Homestead with Crappa

Yeah, she was a little disappointed when he didn't turn into a Prince. Face it girl, that's life.

Always on the run

Playing at the Homestead

Getting hurt at the Homestead
Heading up to the Alpine Coaster


La La land

Imitating big Sissy

My little Maid

While his sister is negotioating chores for cash, William is helping. No strings attached. I think I know which of my kids is going to be the thinker, and which will be the doer. I love this little piggie. Willie is always staying busy, whether he is helping or destroying, he will be not be sitting around playing with toys or looking at a book.

Thanks for helping out Grandma Gucci my little William the Conqueror!