Old-Time Fun

I have an obsession with photo booths.

Yes, I know they're cheesy, and it's rare that you actually get a decent photo, but I love them. I love the bad quality. I love the expressions caused by the mis-timed flashing light. Afterall, when else is it acceptable to take such an utterly nasty picture?

I was made more aware of my obsession as I sorted through old photos yesterday afternoon. I have photos of every summer beach trip with my friend, Sarah. Actually, I only have half of the photos because we split them evenly. Friends do that, you know.

And since we've been married, I've periodically dragged Kevin off to capture our goofiness in a tiny photo booth.

However, these vintage booths are hard to come by. I'm not talking about the ones in all of the arcades. I'm talking vintage, original photo booth. Strangely enough, Kmart seems to be the place to go. The best part? They still charge the vintage price: $1

So in 10 years, if you happen to be strolling through Kmart and see some crazy lady shoving her entire family into a photo booth, it'll probably be me. So stop and say hi. I promise I won't make you get in.

On this day...

23 years ago, my brother Scott was born.

I can still remember that day, waiting eagerly for my new baby brother. I can even remember the time of day he was born, because we waited and waited all morning long, and finally, after lunch, at about 1 p.m., my dad called to tell us he'd arrived! And what a lucky girl I am to have him.

Kyle loves his Uncle Scottie, as we all do. He's a jokester, and loves to
push your buttons, but we all know he does it out of love. Right??!

I particularly love this picture of Kevin giving Scott an airplane ride because it
demonstrates the fact that he's really just a kid at heart. Actually, they both are...

But this one's my absolute favorite, taken right after Kyle was born. Because even though he's big, and he's tough, I know it's just an act. Inside he's actually just mush.

He's tough and sarcastic, but he's also kind and gentle. He's smart and hardworking. And I love him to death. Happy Birthday, Scottie!

Also on this day...

9 years ago, Kevin and I went on our first date.

This picture wasn't actually taken on our first date, but a year later, when we got engaged. But our first date basically consisted of the same old fun in the snow.

Those of you who know us well are well aware of the fact that it wasn't love at first sight. In fact, I wasn't quite sure who he was. But we had a good time. Really, we did. So I'm not sure the reason for these "After-date" responses:

Kevin's buddy: Did you have fun? Are you going to ask her out again?
Kevin: Yeah, it was fun. But no, I probably won't as her out again.

Ruth's roommate: Did you have fun? Are you going to go out with him again?
Ruth: Yeah, it was fun. But I probably won't go out with him again.

Go figure! At least it was unanimous. Luckily, something sparked, we changed our minds, and here we are! I couldn't ask for a better man and I'm so lucky to have him.

This picture has nothing to do with this post - it's simply reciprocation for some good friends who shared their old dance pictures with us awhile back. Ours isn't from high school, so it's not quite as good, but I promise to find some of those, too!

Daily Events

Here's what we've been up to the last day or two:

In an attempt to curb Kyle's chocolate craving and his frustration over having a pie for Kevin's birthday, we made a chocolate cake. Just for fun. Not a good thing with a pregnant girl in the house, but it was delicious.

The base bowling alley offers a great lunch deal. If you spend $5 on food, you get two free games of bowling. They have some decent food, so Kyle and I have some lunch, then he gets to bowl his little heart out. All for $5. I think this will become a weekly occurance.

Cleaning the car. I'm driving some gals to the L.A. Temple tomorrow, so I figured I'd better purge the car of all its dirt and nastiness. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but now it's sparkling clean!

Reading!!! After being spoiled with the Salt Lake City, I've gone though some serious withdrawls since moving here. I'm telling you, this avid reader thought she was going to wither away and die! Lucky for me, some Christmas money came my way and I just received a FAT shipment of books. Hurray! I think I'm in heaven...

The Mom Test

I don't want to offend any of the men in my life, but I still thought this was pretty funny. Funny enough to post on here, I guess!

"I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

'Why?' my daughter asked. 'Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs,' I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, 'Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart.'

I was thinking quickly. 'All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mom.'

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information.

'OH...I get it!' she beamed. 'So if you don't pass the test you have to be the Dad.'

'Exactly,' I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Happy Birthday Kyle - Oops, I mean KEVIN!

Today was my man's birthday. The big 3-1. Sheesh, that's old. But he doesn't look a day over 29, don't ya think? Kyle must have gotten his dates mixed up, because he seemed to think it was his birthday. Which meant...

Kyle got to open presents.

Kyle got to blow out the candle.
(He was quite peeved that we weren't having a chocolate Spiderman cake.)

But at least Kevin got to lick the candle off.

Happy Birthday! to the most patient, kind, generous, faithful, smart, and funny man I know! It would be a sad and lonely existence without you and we love you!

Music Mania

The piano has made a comeback in our home. Although I took lessons for years growing up, I haven't had many opportunities to play since. My grandparents, in their kindness, even gave me their piano a couple of years ago and still I can't seem to find the time to sit down and play. However, being a substitute piano player in Relief Society has changed all of that. Afterall, who wants to be humiliated every Sunday? I finally have the motivation to do what I've wanted to do all along: just sit down and play. Whenever I want. Everyday.

However, it hasn't come easy. Because, as anyone with children will tell you, the moment you sit down to play, they decide that they'd like to play also. And as much as you try to keep them at the top of the keyboard, their magical sounds soon migrate to your half.

But I've found a solution to this. Behold, Kyle's very own sheet music:

(Please ignore the repeat at the end. I'm retarded.)

I actually stole the idea from a friend, so I can't claim it as my own, but it's brought a whole new love of music to our home. He has several songs to choose from, with corresponding stickers on the piano keys (tip: put them on sticky notes first, then attach to the keys). He LOVES to play and feels so proud that he can actually play real songs.

Solution: Kyle gets his piano time, then I get mine. And he actually leaves me to play in peace. Most of the time.

Sunshine & Wintertime

Two weeks ago:

Today:

I think I could get used to these California winters.
(Just don't talk to me in 6 months when I'm dying of the desert heat!)

The FHE After-party

It's back! Straight from the 90's, with a 21st century facelift, it's "AmericanGladiators !"

Kevin and I remember watching this show when we were kids. We happened across old re-runs on ESPN Classic last year and went through a brief phase where we watched them in marathon-type fashion. Sadly, our son was exposed and immediately hooked.

So imagine his delight when we discovered that the old "classic" has returned to prime time. What could be better than jousting, wrestling, climbing and obstacle courses? Nothing, in his opinion.

And so it is that every Monday night, after FHE, we gather on the couch to watch the gladiators battle it out. And when Kevin and I start to get bored, Kyle's enthusiastic perma-grin buoys us right back up.

Standing Guard

Meet my protector.

This brave superhero stands guard in my master bathroom. Kyle received it as a Christmas present from a friend. But does it keep vigil in his bedroom? Oh, no. The light that glows from his bedroom comes from a plain, ol' nightlight. Why has Spiderman made his home in my bathroom, you might ask?

I'm really not sure.

Our conversation went something like this:

Mom: Kyle, why don't you put Spiderman in your bedroom and put the other nightlight in the
hall?
Kyle: No, he needs to be in your room.
Mom: Why?
Kyle: So when I come into your room in the night, I'm not scared.
Mom: Okay, but does it have to be Spiderman? Can't we have the other light in my room?
Kyle: No, we'll just keep Spiderman in there.

There's no use arguing with him, folks. I've even tried switching the two on the sly. But when I walk into my bathroom the next night, Spiderman's there to greet me. You'd think he'd be more comfortable in a manly room filled with sports & superheroes, but instead he gets an all-white bathroom.

Christmas Recap

Call me Scrooge, but I've been avoiding the Christmas recap. But my reasons are legitimate:

1. There was so much fun packed into a few short days that I can't go back and recall it all. It's kind of like scrapbooking - I'm so far behind, I've kind of given up.
2. I forgot to take pictures of 99% of the fun. And what good is a story without pictures? However, I did manage to get a few pictures of Christmas morning, so I'll delight you with Kyle's top-favorite gifts.

My favorite Christmas moment: Watching Kyle lay in front of the tree, oohing & ahhing over the presents - day after day, night after night. The excitement was contagious.

#1 Favorite Present: A Leapster!!! I think it was my favorite present, too.
Afterall, it kept him quiet on a 10-hour drive to Utah. Worth every penny.

A close second: "Robots." One of many movies, but definitely the favorite.
This was also very helpful during the lengthy drive...

And last, but not least: Father & Son Dartguns! This was actually Kyle's gift to Kevin,
but he considers one of them his. Seems fair, doesn't it? Let the battles begin!!!

Highlight

You'd think a friendship would fade over a few months and a thousand miles. At least in the mind of a 4-year-old. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

I think it's safe to say that the highlight of Kyle's trip to Utah was getting together with a treasured friend:

Nothing's changed!

Sadly, we're now going through friend withdrawl. Not a day, or a prayer, goes by that he doesn't mention his little buddy. And it's usually coupled with a "let him drive safe out to visit me."

No pressure, guys!!!

Freezing Fun

You would think Kyle hadn't seen snow in YEARS - that's how excited he was to play
in the white stuff. He begged and begged all day long, and was out the door the moment
his cousins arrived to play!

They formed a sledding hill in Grandpa & Grandma's backyard.

With good ol' grandpa guarding the brick post at the bottom.

Uncle Rob was even kind enough to play some tackle football
(while Kevin & I stayed toasty warm indoors).

No need to come in for a snack - icycles will do just fine.