Diving Lessons

Chansey and Eathan are taking diving lessons this summer and they are loving it! They are both fearless, and love the water, so this is a fun new skill for them to learn. It seems like only yesterday that we had to bribe Eathan with $5 to get him to go off the diving board by himself... and now look at him...

If you look between the diving boards in this picture, you can see Eathan trying to perfect his back dive. He is jumping off of the side of the pool instead of the board because the board was too high at first. The board is so far from the water, that he couldn't control his momentum when he first tried it off of the diving board. So he actually did an over-rotated flip and landed on his back. I guess you would call that a flip and a quarter?!

Chansey is doing a pencil dive in this picture. They were taught how to dismount properly off of the diving board, so she got really high off of this jump. She is actually on her way down... I shot the picture a fraction of a second too late!

Bella is also in swimming lessons, but I have to be with her in the water, so I didn't manage to get a picture. She is finally starting to grasp the concept of actually moving water and swimming instead of just sinking when the water gets deep. She brings a whole new meaning to the word "fearless". While all of the other children cry for most of the lesson because they are scared of the water, Bella is doing head-first dives into the pool. And then she turns around and grabs onto the side... I told you she was "loco"!

Pilates Anyone?!

The other night when I was doing my Pilates workout, Eathan came in and inquired about what I was doing. It was late, but he had taken a nap that day, so he wasn't interested in going to bed yet. Anyway, Todd told him that I was doing my exercises... and he proceded to explain that if Eathan did these same exercises everyday, he would be the strongest kid in school. (True... perhaps) Anyway, last night I heard Chansey and Eathan talking to what sounded like someone else. I couldn't figure out what I was hearing or what they were doing, so I checked on them and this is what I found. They were doing pilates!!! ... And the other voice I heard was Mari Windsor, the instructor on the DVD!! I was seriously shocked... and amused... and impressed. They were actually doing a pretty good job. So, now I feel even more guilty if I don't work out every night... if my kids can do it, shouldn't I be able to?! Oh, the pressure! :)

Happy 4th of July!!

I saw this picture and I thought it was awesome, so I decided to post it. It is a picture of 18,000 soldiers during World War I who posed in the shape of the Statue of Liberty. I think it is amazing!



We had a really fun 4th of July this year. I brought my camera, but didn't take even one picture... how dumb! Anyway, we had a great day because Todd was off work and we did nothing but play together all day! First we went to the summer movie Mr. Mogorium's Wonder Emporium. This was such an excellent movie. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it! It is the best kids' movie that I have seen for a long time. And, it was especially wonderful because I didn't have to leave the theater even one time. The kids were all good! YEA!

After the movies we went to Peter Piper Pizza. The kids love going there and I think the pizza and salad lunch buffet is pretty good. Later, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Jacobson's house. We swam and ate and played games and had a great time.

I was taught from a young age to be very patriotic and thankful for this great land we live in. I think we too often take it for granted that we have so many freedoms. Our country was founded by men who were inspired by God to put certain theroies into action so tht we could live in peace and harmony with each other and the rest of the world. I pray that our country continues its legacy of democracy and justice and that our next president keeps us on the right track.

GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

Loco Bella

As we all know, "loco" means "crazy" in Spanish. And that is exactly what Bella is... CRAZY! Just so everyone believes me, I had to post a couple of pictures from the last few weeks...

This picture is funny... One day the kids were playing in the sprinklers and on the water slide we borrowed from Grandpa. We usually take our suits off right when we get done, but this time, we had some friends coming over to play outside, so I let them leave their suits on. I asked Chansey to go put some shorts on over her suit. So, Bella decided to do the same thing... except the shorts she chose were actually Eathan's boxer briefs! They looked like shorts to her, so she put them on. And she is so little, that they could actually pass as shorts on her (except for the opening in front and the "Hanes" label) I laughed so hard!

I can't say I was laughing when I took this picture. It is funny now, but it really wasn't funny then. Spencer was down for a nap and Bella was watching Barney while I changed the laundry before putting her down for a nap. When I was done in the laundry room, I couldn't find Bella. So after searching for a few minutes, this is where I found her. She climbed in the crib and woke up Spencer and was just laying there playing with him. The picture also shows her naked because she took her clothes off (like she always does when she is bored). And the last point to note is the fact that there is marker all over her leg because she got into Chansey's art box and colored on herself!! FUN TIMES!!

One more story about Bella... The other day I was talking to Eathan and I said the words "cheese crisp". Bella was listening and must have thought I said "Jesus" because she proceded to proclaim "Jesus?!... Jesus is my friend!" How cute is that?!

Better Late Than Never!

We have had a great month since the end of school. I have a lot of things to write about, but I have been really busy, so I haven't posted anything for a while. I thought today (Sunday afternoon) would be a great time to update my journal (aka: blog). So, I got out my camera to download all of my pictures and to my dismay, the battery is dead. And, wouldn't you know it... we are out of AA batteries! So, my post today will be short and sorry... no pictures.

I just wanted to write about something fun that we did recently. Last month, on a Saturday, we had a busy day and we were all tired. The kids were showered and in their pajamas, but I wanted really wanted to go somewhere (I get that way sometimes :) Todd was exhausted and wanted to stay home, and so did Eathan. So, Chansey, Bella and I decided to go hang out for a little while. We were all wearing our pajamas, but decided not to change and get all dolled up, we just left... the way we were. We didn't do anything exciting, we just ended up going to Someburros for a late dinner and then we grabbed some groceries at the store on our way home. we had a great time together. Bella was happy and fun and Chansey and I got a chance to talk and laugh together (while Bella was eating of course). I didn't care that I didn't have makeup on and that I was wearing a t-shirt with my favorite sweatpants, we just had a fun time hangin' out!

Chansey and I had another chance to hang out a couple weeks later. Todd ended up getting free tickets, so he took Eathan to a Diamondbacks game during the day. Since Eathan got to leave school early, I thought Chansey should too! So, we dropped Bella off at her little friends house (thanks Shauna :) and went and played! This time we were dressed!! :) We went to lunch and went shopping to get Chansey some new church shoes... who doesn't love shoe shopping?!Anyway, we got a chance again to hang out and talk and just have mom/daughter time. Chansey is old enough now that we can have fun conversations and I can get to know all about her little eight year old life and thoughts. I love that! We really need to do it more often!

Well, I have a lot more to write about, but I have to get my pictures downloaded, so keep checking back... more to come soon!!

Stages of Defiance

Bella has been learning some choice phrases from her older brother and sister lately. Even though I don't think it is funny now, it might be someday.
Believe it or not, my kids don't mind all of the time (shocking,... I know) But, even though this is probably normal, Bella watches and thinks she can do the same thing. So, when I ask her to do something, she has started to say some of the things she has heard them say...
First it was "I don't want to" then she started saying "Don't have to". Those were bad enough, but then the other day she pulled this one... "You boss me" That means "you are not the boss of me" which is something that my kids say to each other when one tells the other what to do. They don't say that to me because they know I am the boss of them... :)... at least until they are old enough to be the boss of themselves.
So, I know this stage will pass eventually, and I hope I react appropriately in order to teach Bella quickly that talking back is not a good idea. Then again, I think I talked back until I was about 17 or 18, so what do I expect?!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

All I can say is WOW! This was seriously the best birthday I have ever had. I turned 30 on May 17th and Todd really outdid himself with the grand party he threw for me. It all started with him talking about my birthday for a couple of weeks before it came. He tricked me into thinking that we were going shopping to buy me some new clothes the night before my birthday so we could go out on my birthday to a "fancy place". Well, the babysitter came and we went to leave and low and behold... there was a huge limo outside of our house!!! It was more like a party bus than a limo. And inside of it were all of my close friends, my family, and some of Todd's family. I was shocked!!!!! ... I even cried a little (I know you are all surprised)
After the surpise was over, the party wagon took us all to Ichi Ban (one of my favorite places) to eat dinner. It was delicious and so much fun. Ichi Ban is a place where your table is a cook-top and you choose your meal and then they cook it and do a big show in front of you. I even got to take a picture as a Sumo wrestler. (see below) After dinner, we all went to Coldstone Creamery. On the way there, we partied like we were teenagers. Dancing around and having a ball in the limo. We played some old songs to reminisce about when we were young! :)You should have seen the look on the employees' faces when all 35 of us walked in to Coldstone. It was yummy though, and fun to hang around and chat.
Next, Todd had planned for us to go back to my parents' house and he had a pinata and party bags and there were gifts for me to open. (how embarassing! :) But, first we went home and picked up our kids to let them ride in the limo for a few minutes... the limo driver was so nice to do this for us. We rode around with them for a few minutes and they had the time of their lives. We danced with them and let them jump around to some fun Disney songs that they love.
Then we finally went back to my parents' house. All the friends left becuase it was pretty late. So, I got to spend some time with just my family. That was so nice! I really appreciate them all and they are all awesome! And the gifts they gave were so creative and cute. (see below)
I can never say thank you enough to all of the people that came and celebrated with me. And thank you especially to my ever so wonderful husband who planned it all!!! He thought of it and did all of the inviting and planning. I was amazed at how creative he got... and thanks to those who gave him ideas :) I will never forget this amazing night.
Can anyone tell me how I can possibly beat this for Todd's 30th birthday?! LOL I think that it's impossible!

My brothers and sisters and parents all gave me '30' of something... like 30 candy bars, 30 roses, 30 cookies, 30 cans of soda, 30 ear plugs (with pajamas to get a "peaceful night's rest") and my personal favorite was the "30 reasons why we love Marianne" wall hanging. I love you all too!

Did I eat too much?

Eathan and Bella playing in the limo with Kristie, Jono, and Dillin.

My best friend Kirsten and my family... Scott, Heidi, Julianne, Russell, Emily, Deanne, and Lance at Ichi Ban.



More family... Robert, Kristie, Larry, Rosanne, Mom, Dad, and Leanne at Ichi Ban.

Todd's family... Brian, Allison, Carson, Jason, Deb, Lisa and Me at Ichi Ban.

My peeps... Aften, Nate, Sarah, Jared, Kelly, Melissa, Tami, and Jennifer at Ichi Ban.

The last four gals husbands couldn't make it, they were all at our ward scout outing. Bummer!

Todd and I at Ichi Ban.
My girlfriends and I in the limo.

Chansey and I in the limo.

Todd and I in the limo. Man, I love that guy! I am soooooo lucky to have him.