Road Trip

So we decided that we needed a UEA get away! Needless to say, road trips with four young children are challenging, but this one made the books. We left Thursday at noon and drove to Jackson Hole, Teton Village actually. It was freezing cold, but we were happy to be there. The next day we went into Yellowstone. We anticipated a 45 min drive to Old Faithful, but thanks to road construction, we were in the car three hours each way. Who can honestly except a toddler to stay in a car seat for that long? We did have a great time seeing Old Faithful and the hot pots, but it was way too much car time for me and the kids. Once we got back to the hotel, Josh threw up and three of the six of us were sick with colds and coughs. Saturday we ventured into Jackson and then decided the kids had had enough of that, so we came home. On the way home we had two barfers and a 16 oz bottle of diet coke explode all over the car. Jordan says we aren't taking a trip for five years!

Boys and Girls

So sitting in Church today, Josh leans over and whispers, "Mom, for your birthday I'm getting you a rat, a DEAD rat." Hannah on the other hand says, "Mom, for your birthday I am getting you something beautiful and sparkly." My boys often accuse me of spoiling her. I wonder why I would want to do a thing like that.

New E-mail

After a long and very stressful attempt to switch from Comcast to Qwest, back to Comcast, I am pleased to say I have a new e-mail address. It is melissalarson34@gmail.com. Send me a note to see if I am up and running. PS, sorry if you sent me a note and I haven't responded!

Quote of the Day

"Excellence does not require perfection" - Henry James

House News!

As most of you know, we have thought about moving and even attempted to move several times! At last it looks like things are going to work out! The best part is we get to stay in the same schools and neighborhood, even the same Ward. We are excited to have more space. My absence in blogging is due to the fact that my every effort has been spent to keep this house clean! Anyway, we are under contract and close on both homes at the end of the month. We are happy that Hannah will have a room and a real bed in time to start kindergarten! Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Moab. We had a great time. Thankfully, my Mom stayed home with Ben so we could all enjoy the trip. Thanks Mom and Marianne!

I will include pictures of both houses in my next post!

Top Ten Kid

Sam turned ten yesterday. I honestly cannot believe it. It seems like just yesterday we were making forts together and decorating cookies. I decided that the days of motherhood are long but somehow the years go by fast. I am so sad to see how fast time is slipping away from me. Is it too late to put them all in a bottle? Anyway, Sam had such a busy day that we couldn't even fit in a party (thanks to excessive amounts of homework...seriously a subject for another post). We are officially celebrating on Saturday with his friends. We did a "top ten" list for his birthday invitation. I think it turned out kind of cute.

Top Ten Reasons to Come to Sam Larson's Birthday Party

1. Sam will be 10!

2. There will be pizza

3. There will be cake and ice cream

4. We are going to Nicklecade

5. We will play games

6. There will be prizes

7. There will be friends

8. There will be presents

9. There will be sugary beverages

10. There will be adult supervision!

Happy Birthday Sam! You are the best son a mother could ask for!

Unexpected Enlightenment

I was at my kids' elementary school to accompany Sam's class on a field trip. On my way downstairs, I read this quote. Seriously, I am finding the best stuff lately.

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

That one is a zinger for me lately. To any of you who thought it sounded familiar (like me). Yes, it is indeed Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Gotta love JK Rowlings!