SPIDERWOMAN... I DON'T THINK SO! ARACHNOPHOBIA....YES!!

Note: Please click on the pictures so you can see just how big it is. It may look like a speck... it's not!

So if you know me well… you know I don’t do the spider thing! I’m a tough chic and can deal with lizards, crickets, snakes, things like that…. Just not spiders! So when I was on the phone w/a friend, I looked out the window to see this huge (in my account) spider going up it’s web. Now while you’re laughing and thinking…it’s outside stupid girl, just leave it alone…OH NO!!! I started the bribery at $1. Which ever kid kills it gets the buck. By now that thing was at the top of our 2 story house (from what started about 3’ off the ground). I felt my heart rapidly begin to beat and immediately up it to $2. As Tanner wants to throw a hockey stick at it and Parker wants to throw a baseball at it (it referring to the spider, but also my house) I said “NO!”. So, nervously not wanting this thing to get away, the ante goes up to $3. Parker grabs a basketball realizing after a few throws that he’s not going to make it all the way up there. That’s it. $4.00! Please get this down and kill it! So Park grabs a Nerf football and starts the attempt. After almost losing it on top of the house and making him dangle on his web, the goal was almost accomplished. At this point, I say “$5.00. My last offer! I need that thing down NOW and DEAD!” Park gives it one last good throw and it comes down and Tanner with shoes in HAND, not on FEET, slams it down dead. It was the biggest most disgusting thing I've seen since being this house about 2 1/2 years. I finally check my pulse to make sure my 11 year won’t have to call 9-1-1 and after some victory laps, it was dead. Now I know you’re wanting me to apologize for killing this beast, but I won’t do it! It was huge, was a threat to me and my family :), and needed to be a casualty of war. Good bye, Spidey! PS Evan cried because he wanted the spider to bite him so he could be Spiderman…oh the innocence! PSS Park and Tanner SPLIT the $5.00.

Quick update

So I got a little blog burned out after all the posts last week, but I promise to get some of the main events up soon :)

Just wanted you to know that my child has (and had) hit his weight plateau. I took him in for his ONE YEAR check up and he cracks me up!!! At 5 months, he weighed 24 lbs 5 oz.. Big deal you say? At 9 months he hit his peak at 25 lbs 3 oz and at a year weighs 24 lbs 8 oz. So he basically has weighed the same since 5 months old. He is now only in the 74% of weight. :) He was 31 3/4" long making him 89% height. So he's dropped from his 98% :). Not that it's a big deal, but people will comment on "he must have a big head"......NO! It's the CHEEKS, people! So just fir your info, his head was 69%.

So all in all, my chunky monkey isn't as chunky monkey as he's been. He is everywhere and has taken quite a few steps alone and then gets laughing and falls (it's really cute). I don't know what we can call him now, so if you have any good names, let me know :) haha

Happy FIRST Birthday, MASON!!!

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Mason, Happy birthday to you!!! I can't believe that one year ago today at 12:57pm, Mason Andrew Condiff would come to our family. He weighed 8 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. He arrived with some serious sized "paws" and feet and as handsome as the rest of the Condiff boys! (Only this one had a few of mommy's features...YEAH!)

This has been a GREAT year with our "Chunky Monkey". We first thought we would be calling him "big MAC" (for Mason Andrew Condiff and because he was big), but he very quickly became our "Chunky Monkey" or as the people at church calls him... "TANK". :) He just brings a huge smile to your face. He has the best personality and is so easy going.

The feature I love most about Mase are those CHEEKS! He has had these huge cheeks that even strangers will come up to me and comment about how big they are try to give them a squeeze. When he started to crawl and move, he “slimmed down” and his cheeks just aren’t what they used to be, but people still comment on them.

Another feature I just love on Chunky are his HANDS! Those paws on him are so solid and big… you just know he’s going to do something great with those hands. Evan had skinny, long finger hands, but Mason’s are huge and thick!

Another favorite feature on Mason are his EYES! He got his momma’s big brown eyes and I love that! Not that I don’t love Evan and Parker’s eyes, but I just love his brown eyes! (Tanner’s eyes are brown too!)

And of course, I just love his DIMPLES! He gets to laughing and he has the cutest dimples! Or when he’s trying to be shy (or flirt with the other hot babies at church) he does this really subtle smile, but his dimples just kill you!

Here are a few pics from his first hours to his first week. Of course I wanted to post about 100 pics, but that's not happening today.


Oh, how sweet was this!!! This was about 4 or 5 hours after he was born. Check out that dimple! (Note to myself: My fingers were so fat and swollen that for the first time ever after already having 3 kids, I had to take my wedding ring off :(. I've never done that before, and hope I don't have to do it ever again!)


Getting ready to go home. He loved the carseat.

Some mommy and me time. I can't believe that he was ever this small. It only lasted what seemed to be days and before I knew it, he was a month old and HUGE! lol

This was taken when he was 6 days old. Pretty content at that point, but oh has times have changed..........

Busted again.... and again...AND AGAIN!!! SERIOUSLY, MAS!

No lie!!! About an hour after I posted Mason in the kitchen drawer I couldn't find him... and it was QUIET! HELLO!!! Major red flag there! So I'm calling him and calling him and finally hear something in the laundry room. The door is shut and thinking that Evan shut the dog in there I go to look. NOPE! It's Mason!!! He had shut himself in the laundry room and had pulled out my pedestal on my washer and was just hanging out helping himself to some dusting products! He is SOOOOOO on the go and I can't keep up! My sister was commenting how Blake is moving and crawling now and inside I'm so evil that I do this little evil laugh to myself and think "oh she doesn't know what's coming!" (Actually she knows, you just forget between kids.) The best part is AS I WAS POSTING THIS.... the little turd was behind me... had taken the metal vent cover out of the floor and was "stuck" with one of his thunder thighs in the vent! I mean seriously, Mason....Serious?!!!

Everyone loves a sleeping baby

You just sometimes need to be reminded that they are so cute and precious when they sleep :) Plus, you gotta love those thighs! Thanks for letting me cherish the little things, Mason!

A wordle for Mason!

For my "Week of Mason", he gets his own "wordle". On the right side of the page you'll see it. Click on it and you can read all the things I think about when I think of my Mason! The words I had together like "Thunder thighs" or "brown eyes" are separated, but you get the picture.

Busted....AGAIN!

My little punk son thinks it's cute and funny to pull all the stuff out of my drawers and climb in them. For some reason...mommy's not laughing, honey. I've lost any chance of organization (which kills me) and I've had to put certain things up (like the V shaped slicer by Pampered Chef he's holding and about chopping a toe off with!) So although I love you being "little" can you grow up just a little bit and listen to Mommy when she says "NO!" ?!?!

A WEEK OF MASON!

My baby, my little chunky Monkey, is turning ONE on Friday!!! I can't even believe it's already been a year...where does the time go? This week's posts are dedicated to him. We love you, Mason and you're our "baby"!

A Relationship Tag... really??? Fine.

So I don't totally understand these things, but I'll give it a try. I got "tagged" to do this, so I'll fill out and don't worry, you're safe. I will not be "tagging" you, but will uphold my obligation?!

YOUR RELATIONSHIP
What is his name? Chris
Who eats more? Chris
Who said “I love you” first? Chris... it took a long time and a lot of me saying "I'm in great like with you", until he caved and finally said the "L" word.
Who is taller? Me...sorry honey :(
Who is smarter? Me...sorry honey :(.... JUST KIDDING! Actually...street smart and the smarts to just take stuff apart and put them back together and things like that... Chris for sure (and history...he creams me in history)! But I think I've got him on book smarts... teenagers and homework will tell the test of time.
Who is more sensitive? Sensitive??? really??? There is no sensitivity in this house. Okay. Me. Chris is NOT sensitive. He might be aware, but he's not sensitive.
Who does the laundry? Me (and now the 2 older boys help out and fold and put their own up)
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? laying in and looking up at the ceiling, he does.
Who pays the bills? I pay the bills.
Who cooks more? Domino's I guess. Seriously, I suck at cooking and he's awesome at BBQin' so I'd say it's probably about even. I guess I would cook more, but he's good to always do the grill and we do that A LOT! He's also great with tacos and spaghetti and makes some mean guacamole.
Who is more stubborn? lol...I would love to say me and I can be pretty stubborn (he says I get it from my mother), but I think again it would be a tie. He can hold his own pretty good too.
Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong? Well since we're both so stubborn it usually ends in Chris saying one of his favorite line from "Everybody Loves Raymond" when Ray finally gives in and says, "You're right, I'm wrong. I'd like to take this opportunity to go to my room and think about what I've done." He loves to "give in" because he knows it makes me more mad! He doesn't "give in" to be sweet or nice, he's doing it totally sarcastic and to piss me off.
Who has more siblings? I DO! I have 5 siblings (1 sister and 4 brothers) and he has 3 (1 sister and 2 brothers).
Who wears the pants in the family? He does...as he should! I would say I wear capris :)...very long capris.
What do you like to do together? watch TV/Movies, eat out... A LOT, spend time with the kids doing anything, time at the lake...with the kids, vacations...with the kids, play sports....with the kids and just being adventurous. I love it when we're just spontaneous and just do it rather than figure out if it "works" in the schedule or not. I'm anal enough that I like things planned out, but LOVE surprises and spontaneity.
Who eats more sweets? ME FOR SURE! I'm a sweet tooth, choco-candy-cookie-brownie-holic! Doesn't matter... just give it to me! Chris could care less...take it or leave it.
Guilty pleasures? the above list of sweets, Pepsi, Mt. Dew, DP, chocolate, etc!
How did you meet? this can be found early on in the blog, but we met when I was teaching Chris' roommate from Switzerland how to swim. We all hung out and later on it went from 3 to 2 and eventually Chris and I got married.
Who proposed? Chris (remember...he wears the pants!)
What is his best feature? his HANDS! No that's not what first attracted him to me me (although my roommates made fun of me when I noticed them...EJ). Yes he has nice eyes and a cute smile, but I love his hands. They are so knobby and scarred, but they can fix ANYTHING and they work hard for what he has and although can be rough and tough with the kids in sports or things, can be gentle and kind in upholding his Priesthood to performing ordinances such as a Father's Blessings or a blessing to the sick. I really just love his hands!
What is his best quality? Determination. If Chris gets any idea in his head what-so-ever whether it's something he wants or whether it's something that just broke and needs to be fixed, it will bug him so bad until he either gets it or fixes it... if it's important to him. If it's just something I say needs to fixed or done, he might get around to it, but when he decides it needs to happen, I am 100% sure it will get done (or bought).


Babe, I love ya! We have somethings that will always need work on, but you're awesome! Thanks for being so great and for being so handsome and making it so we have 4 handsome boys who look like their daddy (even though they don't look alike, everyone thinks they all look like you).

This "relationship" tag seemed more like a Father's day thing, but oh well, it's done. I have kept my end of the bargain. If any of you feel like doing this or being "tagged", let me know. I'd love to read about you!

A little taste, Evan?

After the hockey game Friday night I had bought Evan a Fun Dip. Because Tanner and Chris went on a Scout camp out and Parker was sleeping over at friends, it was just me and Ev and Mas going home for "our sleepover". It was about 7:45pm which was not quite late enough for Mason to go to sleep, so I told Evan, "It's your job to do whatever it takes to keep Mason awake until we get home and can get ready for the sleepover, okay?" He was so sweet and said, "Okay mom, I can do it!". So I could hear Mas cry and then Evan say "it's okay, Mas we're going to have a sleepover. Here buddy." and then Mason would make a sound and laugh and get excited. Well it was dark and I couldn't see what he was doing... until I got home.
YEP! My 5 year old was entertaining my 11 month old with GREEN FUN DIP! It was so cute to open the car door and see these big brown eyes guilty as charged. I started laughing and because we had the camera in car from hockey it was easily accessible to get it out and snatch some pics really quick! Evan was so proud that "he even didn't fall asleep, mom!" and that we could all go get our PJ's on for our sleepover! I was so impressed that Mason didn't look worse than this and that Evan could make it in or close to his mouth that well. Way to be a good big brother, Ev!

Parker playing GOALIE?!?!

We've ventured on a new path...hopefully only for one day! Our goalie's grandma had passed away and we needed a sub. Couldn't find one and so the coach asked if anyone would want to do it. WELL.... my good, sweet, adventurous little Parker says, "I'LL DO IT!!!" with a big smile on his face. So they had a 10 minute practice where they all took shots on him so he could "practice". (Our original goalie has done this 3 or 4 sessions now, so Park had a lot riding on his shoulders). The game comes Friday night and I've now gone from the cheerleader in the stands for the whole team to Parker's main cheerleader about ready to pee my pants because I'm so nervous for him. Every little save and block the first half was me pounding the glass and screaming. If it was safe for him to look over, he'd look over and with a big cheese wave his blocker or stick or something. He of course was fine, but when you put the youngest player at 8 on a 12 and under team where he's in 3rd grade and the next oldest is in 5th grade, that's a lot of pressure for my boy (or come to find out...just mom!)

He did AWESOME!!! I was so proud of him! He did his best and really truly did do a great job. After the game all his teammates were giving him "high 5's" and "bumps" (knuckles) and he had a grin from ear to ear. We did win so that was nice to not have to worry how a lose would affect him. He came home and said "I could do that again!" I said, "It's OK, Park. Noah will be back next week." He then informed me to tell the coach he wants to be the sub in case they need him again. He's such a good kid and I'm glad he was able to have this opportunity.

PS Not the best picture, but when you're taking it through the glass with a baby, it's just for the memory :)

Remember when??? I remember

Do you remember where you were on 9/11/01? I remember where I was. I was at my parents home in Bountiful, Utah. I was downstairs in my old "pink room" asleep. I had Tanner who was 4 at the time and Parker who was almost 2 there with me. Chris had gone home to St. Louis earlier in the week for meetings. I remember being asleep and my mom coming in and saying "The Twin Towers have been hit!" Me, being the not good morning person that I am, turned with eyes shut and probably very onry said, "What?! What are you talking about and what are the Twin Towers?" After I put some clothes on to come upstairs to see what she was talking about that was on CNN, I was able to see them replaying the plane hit the first tower. I was in shock and as I continued to watch (and wake up) I could not believe what I was seeing... the reporters showing a second plane heading for the second building. I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES!!! I was in shock and immediately my mind started to go a hundred miles per hour thinking of so many thoughts.

The first thought was about the people who were in the building, on the plane, in the streets that they were showing running for the their lives, and they talked about the daycare on site. Wow, my heart broke. Then I came to my own reality...I'M SUPPOSE TO FLY HOME ALONE WITH MY 2 KIDS TODAY!!! So with the help of concerned parents I started to call the airlines and of course a huge wait to talk to them, but then the results... YOUR FLIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELLED TODAY, CALL BACK TOMORROW. I was actually relieved, but Chris wanted me home with him and he was not happy. We started to talk about if dad would drive me 1/2 the way home and meet up with Chris somewhere or let's wait and see what happens with the airlines. The other huge concern at the time was I was teaching preschool and was suppose to have started school on 9/11. I had gotten a sub for the first day of school, but what now? I called them at let them know I wasn't going to be there. The next day comes... YOUR FLIGHT IS CANCELLED. I was still okay with that, but again, Chris said, this could be days, come home. We gave it one more day and I was able to come home on the 14th. The security at the airport at that point was CRAZY... especially alone with 2 kids. We made it home and Chris was glad to see us, work was glad I was back, and I was grateful for what I had.

My heart aches for the people who lost their mom or dad, brother or sister, child or friend. For the moms (or dads) who instantly became widows. My heart aches for those who are living with the trauma that happened to them seeing and living this event first hand. For those who were able to escape the second building and are remembering everything about that day. My heart aches that it takes major events like this to bring a nation "under God" to come together to comfort others in times like this. Why does it take something like this to happen to have us come together? I will remember this day always and I'm grateful I was not more effected by this by having personal ties or a loved one dealing with this. I am grateful for being with my family, safe on this day in history. I still believe in "one nation under God."

Evan and Mason at Jump 4 Fun

We had a great time with some friends at Jump 4 Fun. It's a place that has those inflatables that the kids can jump in and slide on. Evan and Alex (his friend) had a blast running from place to place and when Mason wasn't busy crawling on the floor, than he was of course... in with the balls! They had some cool inflatables that kids would like: Batman, Tinkerbell (I think that's who it was... it was a girlie one) and some neat obstacle and slide ones too!

Tan and Park in the KAYAK

Tanner can be a lazy kid. He will do what you ask, but he's not going to go above and beyond just because. If it's something he likes, then he'll give it 100%. We went over to a local lake with some friends while they swam and trained for the triathlon. We took our kayak in case someone needed some "rescuing" (and yes I "rescued" someone) and also so the boys could try it out. It was 7 or 8 at night, so getting dark, but you can see that Tanner is actually working hard on this thing. He loved it! He would dig and thought it was great to see how fast he could go.
So of course... anything Tan does, Park is up for the challenge. Here's Parker glidin' by. He loved it as well and they both want to know when they get their own :) I'm glad Chris is helping to instill "fun" into them, but I know they're going to be sad when they get another ball of some sort at $20 instead of a kayak at way more than $20 :)

Evan helping wash Jet

Evan has decided that washing our dog Jet is "fun" because he's soft and he has lots of bubbles and feels good. I don't think it's fun... at all! It's worth my $20 to take him down to Petsmart and get him washed up. Please don't be offended (actually be offended, I don't care), but I don't really care for pets. Don't get me wrong, Jet is an AWESOME dog with the kids and is well behaved, I just hate having the responsibility of a dog. So before you judge me and say, "Then why did you get a dog?" please remember I have 5 boys in my life. THEY feed him, THEY play with him, THEY clean up his crap, THEY get to do everything. Let me define "THEY" as Chris and a little help from the boys. When Chris is out of town, yes I am nice and feed him, let him sit by me (after I've taken him to Petsmart :), let him in and out to potty, but the boys are in charge of the poop. We will have had Jet for 4 years in November and I can honestly say, I'VE NEVER SCOOPED POOP! (Nor will I!) But don't worry Jet, you have a 5/6 approval rating and that's good enough to stay around a little bit longer.

PS. I don't know how I underlined or how to take it off (no control U doesn't work), so I apologize :)

Hockey

Hockey is something that we just can't get away from in this house. Between the boys playing at home with friends, at the rink, watching it, trading cards about, reading about it, their dad also sells it, so it's literally EVERYWHERE! We haven't taken the camera forever and the rinks are dark and hard to get a picture of, but here's one of Tanner getting ready to intercept and actually take down to pass off for a goal. It was a great assist (of many) for Tanner. His best position is defense, but he handles the puck so well and skates so good, it's fun when he does get to play forward.
Again, not the best picture, but Parker is in the black in the middle of the skaters passing it up. He holds his own very well for only being 8 on a 12 and under league and being the youngest. He's in 3rd grade and there is one in 4th, but the rest of the team is mainly 5th with 3 in 6th. My kids just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE hockey!!!