Happy Birthday Kole!!!

Kole had quite the celebration for his 7th birthday this year. We had a family party with Grandma and Grandpa Dillon, and Uncle Chris and Aunt Robyn on Sunday evening. The birthday dinner included bratwurst, mashed potatoes, asparagus, salad, rolls and of course, an icecream cake! Yum! Afterwards he opened his presents and was extremely thrilled with all of them. On Monday, his actual birthday, he got to go to the Jazz game with his Dad. Bryan said he got really into the game and they had a great time! Happy Birthday Kole! We sure love you.

Self-Esteem Booster

So apparently I have an uncanny resemblance to Cruela DeVille from "101 Dalmations" when I'm upset. This is what Kamden told a lady in our ward with whom he likes to "visit" during sacrament meeting. (She doesn't have kids of her own and Kamden just loves to sit on her lap at church.) Anyway, during his most recent visit with her, while looking through a Dalmations coloring book, he unabashedly announced, "thats what my Mommy looks like when she's mad." Wow! Quite the sentiment, don't you think? Bring on the Mother of the Year awards! Oh man...

Random Pictures...

These are just a few pictures of our household over the past several weeks. Note: an obvious obsession with Guitar Hero..and other random craziness. Such is the life of a family with 3 rambunctious boys!

Kamden-ism

So this morning Kamden said something that made me laugh partly because it reminded me of his cousin Adelaide. I don't know why, I could just picture her saying something like this:

Mom- "Kamden you need to put your shoes and socks on if you want to go out to play."
Kamden- "No, I'm just going to wear my feet."

Happy Birthday Laura!!!

Laura,

You are the best sister and friend that anyone could ever ask for. You always make people happy whenever you are around. You are a wonderful mother and are always an example to me. Hope that your birthday is as special as you are! I love you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


Danielle, Michelle, Robyn and Laura at Robyn&Chris's wedding


Bryan, Chris, Laura, and Jeff

Panther Paranoia

Okay, so I realize this video is really silly and stupid, but in light of the American Idol auditions we thought we would post our all-time favorite audition yet. This guy is so over-the-top its hysterical. You have to watch the video from start to finish to get the full spectrum of his "eccentricity."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r-YR5wZxp0

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas this year as we celebrated at home with our kids. Bryan's parents joined us, along with his brother Chris and his new wife Robyn. My brother Steve came for the evening festivities and we all enjoyed some yummy fondue and Christmas cookies. We watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" (animated version), read the nativity story and the kids opened up new jammies. Trying to keep the kids' excitment contained to a reasonable level was the predicament of the evening. The next morning we started opening gifts at 7:30 and the kids were so excited that SANTA had come! He brought Kole a remote-control airplane, a Razor scooter and a basketball. Kamden got a tool set complete with a workbench, a Razor scooter and a basketball. Logan got a fun push toy with gadgets galore. Overall, I think that the morning was a success. We ate a yummy breakfast that included sausage souffle, muffins and orange juice. Oh, and did I mention the snow?! There was no question that we had a white Christmas. Maybe the whitest I'd ever seen! I was afraid we might never leave the house again...which could have been a problem considering we were supposed to drive to Logan that afternoon. Nevertheless, we made it there safely and spent a wonderful Christmas night with my Dad, Sandy,and sisters Jessica, Madison and Nicole. We hope everyone had a joyous holiday and want to wish you all a Happy New Year!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Real Santa

So right before the Ward Christmas party Kole came to me with a very concerned look on his face. He told me that he knew that the "real" Santa was not going to be at the party. I asked him how he knew this and he told me that Santa can not be in more than one place at a time and that his friend from school had already booked the "real" Santa for his Christmas party. (Apparently this kid has some sweet connections.) I could tell that Kole was in need of a little reassurance so I said that he was right and that Santa sometimes enlists special Santa "helpers" to fill in when he can't be there. I told him not to tell the little kids though cause they don't know the difference. I could just see the wheels turning in his head as this sense of pride came over him that he'd figured this out. So funny!

Happy Birthday Logan!

Well, its hard to believe that 1 year ago our youngest, Logan was born. Time goes so fast. He is such a sweet boy and is so much fun to have in our family. I remember how rediculously sad I was about not being pregnant with a girl our third time around. To look back at that seems so silly, especially since I wouldn't trade our Logan for a million girls! He is such a joy. He makes us laugh all the time with his super cheesy grin and unabashed appetite. He must get that from me. My mom told me that when I was a toddler I would hoard food. When my parents moved from their home in Long Beach, California I would have been around 1 1/2 or 2 years old. Apparently they found little stashes of food hidden all around the house. Ya know, a few cheerios, some crackers and stuff. I guess I was very concerned about a food shortage and wanted to be prepared. Anyway, here are some cute pics of Logan eating his chocolate birthday cake. Bryan has to work tonight so we celebrated last night instead. Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had such a great time sharing a delicious Thanksgiving with family. I was so grateful to be here in Utah and be able to share this holiday with so many people I love. We went to G&G Dillon's house where Bryan's sister was in town with her family and my brother Steve even came to eat and spend time with us. I was so thankful for a beautiful table that was set so gorgeous and all my favorite Thanksgiving fixins that tasted soooo good! It was such a wonderful day and really reminded me of all my bounteous blessings. We truly have so much to be grateful for. Here are just a FEW of the things I am thankful for:

1. My family. I have 3 beautiful boys and a great husband that does so much for us. He was even willing to work an extra job for awhile so we can put more money in savings. He is a wondeful example to me and to our boys. Love you honey!

2. My extended family (including siblings, and in-laws.) I have so many people who love and support me. I am so grateful for my brother and sisters who have babysat on many occasions without asking for a thing in return. I am also grateful for the many phone calls and visits from people who just want to check up and make sure I'm doing okay. You don't know how much that means to me.

3. My testimony. I have a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the incredible knowledge I have of the Savior and of his plan for us. It is this knowledge that has kept me going through many tough times in my life. I don't know where I'd be in life without my testimony.

4. An income. In this daunting economy we are all struggling to live in, I am indeed grateful for Bryan's jobs and for mine with Lia Sophia. I know that there are a lot of people that have not been as fortunate as us and I am so grateful to have an income to take care of my family.

Love to you all and hope that your holidays are filled with joy!

Congrats Chris and Robyn!

Bryan's brother Chris got married on Saturday to Robyn Hanks. They met at BYU while both being a part of the ballroom dance team. We have had so much fun getting to know her over the past several months. She is a wonderful person and she brings out the best qualities in Chris. They are such a great match for each other and we were so happy to be able to be a part of their wedding. They got married in the Salt Lake Temple and had a beautiful reception at The Old Meeting House. Afterwards, they headed off to Moab for a few days before going to Albuquerque, New Mexio to be with her family for Thanksgiving and more wedding festivites. Congrats! We love you both!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Discovery Gateway

Last Friday the kids and I (minus Kole who was in school) went with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law and my niece and nephew to Discovery Gateway in downtown Salt Lake. It was soooo much fun! The kids had a ball and I can't wait to go back and take Kole. Kamden's favorite part was the helicopter. If you are ever in the area, you should definitely check it out. It has plenty for the kiddos to do and when you're done, there's lots of great restaurants and shopping right there as well.

This One Came Out of the Vault...

This is a picture of Bryan and his sister Laura in the Canary Islands when they picked him up from his mission. (Also pictured: Jessica Hernandez, a friend of Bryan's.) We had to laugh at this one for 2 reasons:

#1. Look at what a twig Bryan was back in the day.

#2. This is the Laura we all know and love!

Don't you just love old photos?

Our Little "Helper"

Logan is quite the busy boy these days. In to everything! I really have a hard time keeping up with him. I have finally come to grips with the fact that with 3 busy boys my house is just not going to be clean sometimes. It has taken me a long time to accept this but I have learned to succumb to the beast which is my house. Oh well. Maybe someday it will be clean again..until then I give up!

The Warmest Halloween Ever!!!

We haven't celebrated Halloween in Utah since 2003 and we don't ever remember it being this warm, even in all the years we lived here growing up. It was about 70 degrees when the kids started trick-or-treating. Crazy right?! I didn't even make the kids wear jackets or coats over their costumes like we always had to. Its funny these days because the festivities begin several days before Halloween. I swear that when I was a kid, you got to wear your costume on Halloween and you couldn't go out until it was dark for trick-or-treating...and that was it. This year there was a trunk-or-treat/carnival with our ward (three days before), and then Kamden had a Halloween party at preschool (two days before), and THEN the big day came. Kole got to wear his costume (minus the mask) to school and then of course trick-or-treating. We had Bryan's parents over for "Jack-o-Lantern" pizza (provided by Papy Murphy's), salad and sugar cookies (I made those.) Then Grandpa, Bryan and the boys went out while Grandma and I stayed back to pass out candy. The kids looked so darling in their costumes. (Don't tell Kole that though. He's at the age now where he doesn't want to be called "cute" or "darling." Only such words as "scary" "macho" or "awesome" are acceptable.) At any rate the costumes are definitely my favorite part of Halloween. After trick-or-treating my sis Jessica came over and the adults watched a scary movie. We had a great time!

Kole was a "Ghostrider" (like the movie with Nicholas Cage) this year. Of course I prefer the more cutesy costumes but he wasn't having it. This is the way he wore it to school since masks aren't allowed.

With the mask

Kamden the cowboy


Logan the lion...he was just a ball of fur..it was so cute!

Kids Eat Free!

So in my efforts to try and be more frugal in our dreary economy I have researched some websites that might be beneficial to some of you. There is a website where you can search by your city and find out what restaurants have FREE kids nights and you can also search by day of the week. Its pretty neat! The website is www.coupondivas.com There is another website called www.couponmom.com that is supposed to be really good for finding deals for groceries and other stuff.

Also, any of you with some money saving info/advice that you would like to share, please pass it on! I can always use more ideas.

Welcome Fall!!!

I have to say that fall is definitely my favorite time of year. I am always happy to welcome the cooler weather, changing leaves, yummy garden food, pumpkins and apple cider, and of course..cozy sweats and sweaters. We have had some new things happen since my last update:

Kamden is doing really well at potty training-yeaahhh!!! He hasn't gotten #2 down yet (sorry for the gory details..) but he's making steady progress in that direction and is wearing "big boy underpants" all the time. We are very proud of him. He also started preschool two days a week is loving it.

Kole has been off-track for the past 3 weeks and is going back tomorrow. I think he had fun for the first 2 weeks but now is just bored and ready to go back. He has been playing soccer and did I mention that Bryan and I have been coaching his team? The kids are so much fun and we have had a great time with them. Kamden loves "practicing" with the team and is actually a pretty decent player. Though he doesn't like it when he can't play in the games!

Logan is crawling all over the house now and somedays I have trouble keeping up with him. He does seem happier now that he can get where he needs to, so for that I am grateful! He is getting so big and it makes me sad to think that his baby days are numbered. Each stage they go through is fun in its own way, but I know that I will miss having babies around when they're gone.

Bryan and I are starting to get a handle on our calling (Activities Committee Chair) and are staying busy in that respect. If you have great activites that your ward participated in then please let me know! We would love some more ideas...

Kamden's 1st day of preschool!

Showing off his Elmo backpack

Logan taking a bath in the sink.

Kamden and Addie at the splash park when she came to visit.



The two of them at the "Jumping Jacks" place.



My Aunt Barbara and I at the Page Reunion at Reed Ranch in late August.

Horseback riding.

Kole and Nicole doing archery.

Kamden trying to fly his kite.

Uncle Henry and cousin Derek trying to help him fly it!

Kole on the pony...Look Mom, no hands!

Looks like no more smores for Kamden..what a mess!

Madison reading to Kamden...what a great Aunt!