Condiff Crew

Our boxer... Mason!

2009-02-16T14:18:00.004-06:00

Yep, we have another ALL boy on our hands! We have a hanging punching bag in our basement and now even Mason is using it! Chris put the gloves on him one day and we say "Box! Box! Box!" really fast and as we do he just jabs away! He hits really hard and loves it! So now he's been bringing the gloves upstairs and will go "Ba! Ba! Ba!" really fast and starting anything. (He does it without gloves too, so if you child is in nursery, I'm so sorry come the end of March!)

Mason with the wind up....

And the follow through!

You can see he really lays his body into it as he's beating up my cabinets! I hope he doesn't want to be a boxer?! haha

A year... really?!?... and Pinewood Derby

2009-02-05T12:20:00.005-06:00

I can't believe that I've been blogging for a YEAR now!.... CRAZY! But that said, I CAN believe that I haven't blogged in over a month...CRAZIER! Basically December and January took off somewhere and most of it's a blur, but time to get my butt in gear and try to catch up a little or least update what and where I can. So if there are lots of post, sorry. And if there aren't very many posts, sorry. Here are a few events I am hoping to catch up on: Christmas, parents in town for Christmas, Hockey (always hockey), snow days and sledding in MO, pinewood derby and Beck's latest (leave it to me!).

Let's start with pinewood since it was just this past weekend. Tanner is no longer in cub scouts, so it was just Parker this year. They did double elimination this year instead of racing everyone on every lane like they've done in the past. Let's just say it was a very fast race and lots of sad boys who only got to see their cars go a few times and not race their friends. Parker got the "Hat Trick" award because of the design of his car. Of course... Hockey. Last year it was black and green and was the Dallas Stars. This year he painted it three colors and it was for his three favorite teams: St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, and the Chicago Blackhawks. Here's just a couple pics....

Parker getting his "HAT TRICK" award
Getting ready to race

Parker happy to have the race over with

Another round of the Tooth Fairy

2009-01-02T23:46:00.004-06:00

Who in their right mind would have thought our little "bird", Evan would lose a tooth so soon? NOT ME! It was only 3 days ago it was barely loose and by today it was really loose. Well, if a tooth is even kinda loose in this house, it's coming out! With a handy-dandy paper towel, and a little muscle from daddy, out comes Evan's first tooth! He lost his lower left tooth and thought it was "cool"! He immediately wanted to call his best friend, Andrew, but it was 10:15pm and we knew Andrew would be asleep, so I said, "Who else can we call?" He got just as excited and said "grandma and grandpa" so we got on the phone and gave them a call. He was so excited to tell them. He made his envelope and has it under his pillow all ready to go (hopefully the tooth fairy can do her part and remember :)... she's been out of practice for a while. He thinks he is big stuff now and as big as his brothers. Way to go, Ev! We're so proud of you!!! (Now if we can just get you a haircut?!!!)

Tan and Park playing hockey on the pond

2008-12-30T23:37:00.004-06:00

Last week before Christmas (I know, Christmas will eventually get posted) it was really cold for quite some time. That means... POND HOCKEY!!! The boys love when it's cold enough they can take their skates and go skate on the pond. They had a great time and all their friends who were just trying to run on the ice were jealous that the boys had skates and were skating. It was cause for some serious brother-on-brother brawling, but they had a good time. Tanner didn't want to take his nice sticks so he just took one Chris' extra ones.

Parker chasing the puck.
Tanner is in gray and Parker is in the 33 jacket.

Nice little brotherly contest.

Parker on a mission...

At the end of the day, they can still stand side by side (the next picture I didn't post was Tanner pushing Parker out of the way... so much love :) Until next time....

Mason and TUBES!

2008-12-21T15:50:00.009-06:00

So before you all are in shock that you haven't heard from me in a bit, I'm going to try to get you updated. Let me start with one of the more recent events... Mason getting tubes.
Mason has had over 8 ear infections and at least 4 ruptured eardrums all in less than year resulting in every drug given to the poor the kid from the easy "pink stuff" amoxocillin, to a shot with over a 90% rate of getting his ears cleared up called Rocefin?. Anway, for only being one, it seems like he's been sick as much as he's been well. So when he got his last ear infection, mean mommy came out and said, "I'M DONE!" (i really didn't, but doing tubes with Parker, I knew i wasn't going to do this any longer... and went proactive!) So I called the ENT, Dr. Park (not to be confused with my son, Park) and got him an appointment the next day. Sure enough, he agreed to tubes and a week later, we went for tubes.
This past Thursday, December 18th, we took our 14 month old for MINOR surgery. We had Evan sleepover a friends house (Thanks, Carlton's) and figured Tan and Park were big enough to get up and to the bus on their own. We had to be there by 6:30a.m. so we were out the door by 6. We got there, filled out the paper work and then went back to get ready. The following pictures are OUT OF ORDER, but i wasn't going to try to fix it (sorry).
Mason and I walking laps. He was all rigged up with what he needed, but is like his mom in that he doesn't want to just sit in one place to long...always has to be on the go! Plus you can tell it's an early morning as he's still in jammies and I'm sporting the glasses and hat.... before 6 is just too early!!!

I love this shot! We just kept lapping the nurses station and the poor kid had all these wires poking out everywhere that we were trying to hide them so they were "out of sight, out of mind." That is the true joy of a 14 month old. Easily distracted.

One of his favorite toys was the bell. They had a bell in there in case we would need a nurse for something, but he just loved it!!! He would concentrate so hard on getting his cute litte finger on just the littlest part...PRICELESS!

This is a pic where you can see a few of cords poking out and one he kept tripping on (that we had to hide). They also put his ID badge on his ankle so he wouldn't fidget with it.

Trying to keep him occupied and not bored while we wait.... and wait.... and wait!!!

More cords! He had 3 pads taped to his chest, a pulse monitor taped to his toe, and a blood pressure cuff on his arm by the time he left... too much confinment for a Condiff boy!!!

His pulse monitor taped to one of his toes. We put the sock on it to cover help keep it off his mind.

As you can see he did really good and the surgery was successful. He cried and cried when he was done, but after we took off the sheet, the two blankets, the BP cuff, the toe monitor and chest pads, he was happy to go to sleep, slept about 2 hours and been great ever since! We are so glad we have this over with now!!! We hope for a much easier winter and happy, happy baby!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend...a little late

2008-12-01T08:22:00.004-06:00

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas will be here in 25 days?!! Where does the time go?!!! We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. As unusual as this might sound... I did not take ONE PICTURE :(. So I will just quickly recap the weekend in a summary.

The kids were out of school on Tuesday which allowed for a yep you guessed it.... sleepover. Tanner and Parker each had a friend spend the night (Josh and Nick) and then woke up to a pancake breakfast. Wednesday was just a lot of playing outside and enjoying the day "off".

Thursday was Thanksgiving and allowed us a moment to become grounded and really think of things we are grateful for and all the bounteous blessings we have. Our family was able to enjoy a meal that was warm, fresh, in a warm home, in clean clothes (mostly :) ) and with friends. What more could you ask for? (Don't answer that...those that know me are answering family, but I told you not to answer!)

We had some friends, Les and Kenny Wamsley come over for dinner. Their 2 oldest kids were in Michigan with family and so they brought their other 2 daughters, Nikki and Britney. Dinner was FABULOUS and then while the kids were all being good and entertained we were able to play Boxers and Briefs and just hangout and talk. We had some good laughs, were very full, and ate some yummy desserts!

Friday posed as Beck's annual "I don't know why I do this, but I love it!" day. Chris always makes fun of me staying up until 2am online shopping and then getting up at 4a.m. to hit the stores. His comment is "it's worth my extra $10 to sleep and I'll get it later". Well not this year! I tried to tell Tanner I would pay him to come be "cart boy". He was all over that, but Chris reminded me that then the surprises would be ruined. Although I could have gone with Lauri, or Brooke, or Holt, or anyone, HE volunteered to come! He said "I can get up early to duck hunt, what's the difference?" Well he learned the difference :) It was major chaos.... and I LOVED IT! I love bobbing and weaving in and out of people and most importantly I love to people watch. I like watching to see who's just really not going to have this be a positive experience no matter what. So Chris hit Walmart and Target with me and then he came back home for a quick nap and up with kids. I continued on.... Kohl's, Home Depot, Toys R us and made the mistake of hooking up with a friend to go to the mall..... WOW can this girl shop!!! It was the longest Black Friday in history, but only comes once a year and I loved it!

Even though I was gone, Chris took ALL the boys (even Mason) up to the ice rink to go ice skating. He had promised them and I was suppose to be back, but because I drove with a friend to the mall, I wasn't. Friday night was of course hockey and of course... another sleepover. However, this one ended in a ride back home around 11pm as Kyle took a hockey puck from Parker to the face. :( They were playing shinny's and using a real puck and Parker did a slap shot and nailed Kyle in the lip. Busted lip, loose tooth, sad kid. So he went home, but was fine and hooked back up with us on Saturday.

Saturday was sleeping in and the big boys going to a Blues hockey game. It was Chris, Tan, Park, Ev, and Tan and Park's hockey friend, Kyle Holt. They had a great time and got some souvenirs. Came home played some more and then Chris took all of them that night to the ice rink for a couple of hours to skate.

Sunday was just another Sunday.... church :). The best part was we did wake up to our first snowfall of the year. The grass was covered, but it wasn't cold enough to stick to the streets. My kids asked if church would be canceled (they have canceled church before because of snow) and yes, we had church. That was about it for our Thanksgiving weekend end. Thanks Chris, for all your time taking care of the boys and spending time with them. It was truly something to be thankful for!

Hockey Champs Fall 2008

2008-11-24T13:58:00.005-06:00

Tanner Condiff #3 (after his mom's favorite number haha)

Parker Condiff #1 (because he really thinks this! haha)

Back row: Coach Kevin, Coach Derek, Braden, Tanner, Parker, Brad, Marlon

Middle row: Kevin, Kyle, Drake

Laying down: Riley and our goalie, Noah

They did it again! I can't believe I didn't post this, but the boys and their hockey team won their division again this past month. They did a really good job and both boys got goals. Chris had ordered their jerseys for the from Nike and they love them! They are in a middle of a session right now, but they have BOTH been asked to play up this next session in December and play on the 12 and under advance team. That's really good news especially for Parker since he just turned 9 and should be on a 10 and under team. The boys have really improved over the past few months and really are putting their everything into it which makes it easier for us as parents. So this won't be the end of pictures and more info to come as we get it. We're really proud of them and can't wait to see what this advanced level can do for them!!!

All about MOMMY!

2008-11-15T16:26:00.004-06:00

My sister, Tam, had this on her blog and I thought it was a great idea. I thought it would be fun to see the kid's response about their mom! I asked them 25 questions at individual times so that they wouldn’t say what the other one was saying. It was so fun to see the things that they think of this old mom of theirs :). The responses are from T-Tanner who is 11 ½, P-Parker who is 9, E-Evan who is 5 ½, and the M is for “Mom” in this case, not Mason. I thought were applicable, I’d give the right answer. This is a long post, but was interesting for me to find out what I do as a mom and what my kids think I do as a mom!

1. What is something Mom always says to you?
T. Do your chores, T!
P. See Parker, “Easily distracted”
E. Like you and Love you!
M. Everyday….Everyday I will tell them each how much I love them in one way or another and try to give them something positive for the day.

2. What makes Mom happy?
T. chocolate
P. when I’m good and do my chores and homework
E. be good and stuff
M. They’re ALL right! I am happy with all of that and I’m most happy when they’re happy!

3. What makes Mom sad?
T. disobeying
P. when I don’t do chores and pout and get mad about it
E. don’t be good
M. Again, good answers! I try not to get sad, but make sure they know I care when they’re sad!

4. How does your Mom make you laugh?
T. by messing with me
P. when she puts those curly things in her hair (I did this ONCE and he hasn’t forgotten since… he really did laugh hard!)
E. tickles me and my neck
M. I am a nut! I make a fool out of myself and I’m really good at just down right being a dork! It’s a talent I have!

5. What was your Mom like as a child?
T. weird- you have this scar thing on your face
P. she was smart and good and funny
E. like me cuz I be good
M. Tan was referring to my birthmark and I can see how he thinks that classifies me as a “weird” child. I tried to be good and smart and funny, but I do know that I adored my brothers and everything they did. I played sports because of them and loved being with them.

6. How old is your Mom?
T. 34
P. 34
E. 14 (oh I wish!)
M. Yep, 34!

7. How tall is your Mom?
T. 5’6”
P. my guess is 5’9”?
E. 14
M. I think I’m shrinking, so I’m going with 5’7”ish

8. What is Mom’s favorite thing to do?
T. playing with Mason and us
P. eating chocolate
E. play games
M. all the above! Anything with kids and family is great! I will admit I do love my kids, but a good GNO is fun too! Gotta get the estrogen in sometime!

9. What does your Mom do when you're not around?
T. clean and watch mason
P. clean up what mason makes a mess of
E. make stuff like food and stuff for mason
M. Sadly, that is my life. I clean and watch Mason. (and talk on the phone)

10. If your Mom became famous, what would it be for?
T. dancing and cheerleading (oh I love you!)
P. being the smartest person in all of the world. I know for sure it wouldn’t be a bikini model! (Thanks, Park! I know that for sure too!)
E. cuz hers eats cake
M. FBI’s most wanted??? Hawaiian Tropics Bikini contest winner??? Woman folds her 10.000.000th pair of jeans before 35! I don’t know, not planning on being famous, sorry!

11. What is your Mom good at?
T. athletic sports like basketball, volleyball and soccer and dodgeball with me and friends. Just not hockey, she’s not good at hockey!
P. math, cleaning and volleyball
E. soccer
M. I take the compliment and go with sports/athletics. I used to be a pretty dancer too! (don’t be too shocked, I have proof!)

12. What is your Mom not good at?
T. cooking meat (he means grilling… that’s Chris’ job)
P. hockey
E. kickball (what? I rock at kickball!)
M. I can’t believe they didn’t say SINGING! I am not a good singer!

13. What does your Mom do for her job?
T. cleaning
P. cleans the house and takes care of us
E. spidergirl
M. I’m spidergirl who cleans the house and takes care of kids! That sums it up!

14. What is your Mommy's favorite food?
T. chocolate
P. candy and chocolate
E. chocolate
M. Ok, ya got me! I love chocolate!

15. What makes you proud of your Mom?
T. winning National dance stuff- that’s Nationals and that’s cool
P. that she’s always nice to me all the time and my friends
E. she feed my dog for me everyday
M. I need to get tougher on these kids! Doing THEIR chores!

16. If your Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
T. Minnie Mouse
P. Minnie Mouse
E. Batman
M. really? Goofy!

17. What do you and Mom do together?
T. we talk and stuff
P. we watch movies together and play sports
E. plays a game
M. Yes, Yes and Yes! As long as we’re together…love it!

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
T. we’re both athletic
P. both good at math
E. red, red and black, black (we both had black track pants and red t-shirts on)
M. All the above! I guess cuz they all did come from me, it’s only appropriate that they are something like me!

19. How are you different?
T. she barely eats anything to me… I can eat a lot!
P. she does contacts, and I don’t do contacts
E. she has long hair and I have short hair
M. I a girl who wears contacts and I eat just fine! The biggest difference… I’m a girl!

20. How do you know your Mom loves you?
T. she says she loves me everyday and gives me easy chores sometimes just to be nice
P. she cleans my room and makes my bed a lot and she says I love you a lot.
E. cuz you do my chores for me.
M. Dang! I gotta stop being nice! Haha I do love my kids a lot and try to help them out when I can.

21. What does Mom like most about Dad?
T. he’s a football player
P. that he’s handsome
E. he ride tractors
M. okay…what?!! Dad’s not a football player, he doesn’t ride tractors and everyone says the kids look just like him, so it must be handsome!

22. Where is your Moms favorite place to go?
T. mall
P. hockey
E. playground
M. Yep! Actually all time favorite place… the shower! I love to just “get away!” it’s my time where no boys are allowed!

23. What does mommy say to you everyday?
T. “I love you! You’re a special kid, T!”
P. “Good job! Nice work, Park!”
E. “Good job, Ev!”
M. I guess my kids are good and I love them. I hope they know this!

24. What’s mommy’s favorite color?
T. green
P. green
E. green
M. yep! Green!

25. What’s mommy’s favorite restaurant?
T. Chili’s
P. Chili’s
E. Red Robin’s
M. I love anything with a good steak…. Stony Rivers has the best steak, but for overall and quick fix…Outback.

So I guess all in all there a few things to know about me: I love chocolate, I clean to much, my kids have chores that I guess I do to often :(, and I love them A LOT!

Leaves are falling all around....

2008-11-13T08:12:00.002-06:00

The joy of backing up to trees in the fall time is taking some time to rake them and play. Parker, decided on his own one day, that it was time to start raking. Bless his heart, he raked and raked and raked until he got a decent sized pile of leaves. It was just too much fun not to share and have fun with them. He was a little sad when everyone started throwing them because "I worked really hard, mom and now they're everywhere!" So the next day, I went out, raked (only 1/2 the yard, it's a workout!) and got smart and got out the leave blower and made some huge piles for him..... to earn some money by picking up! He and Tanner worked hard and was happy he found out that you can work hard and play and sometimes even get rewarded! I think they ended up with something like 15 of those huge black trash bags full! (Not to mention we could do it all again today).

Parker in his pile of leaves!
Parker and Evan

Parker and Mason (who didn't like this at all!)

L-R Nick, Parker, Josh, Evan, Tanner
The boys enjoying some of Parker's hard work!!

Fall Weather that is CRAZY!!!

2008-11-11T14:15:00.005-06:00

We have started quite a few trends in the neighborhood. First, it was everyone came over for the tramp, then the basketball hoop or the Foosball table, but now we have most boys aged 5-12 playing hockey! We have one of those outdoor hockey nets where the guy stands in front of it. They love it!

Kids L-R Parker, Austin, Tyler, Tanner, Ryan, Nick, Evan, and Miles.

The boys on a "Beck Break". Snow cones for everyone...Yeah! It was so nice, I pulled the snow cone maker out we had snow cones.

K, I had to share this pic (and cut as much of me out as possible), but Mason looks like he has hair and it looks like it's curly. But, 1. He doesn't and 2. It's not curly, but I thought it was adorable that it looked like he has hair :)

My snow cone helper. Luckily everyone had one. He loved feeling the shaved ice and had a few brain freezes!

SLAM DUNK! He's getting ready for some basketball with the brothers!

Mason as the goalie for the boys....NOT! He kept walking in front of it and standing right here just like this every time. I hope he's not trying to tell me he wants to be a goalie!

The weather has gone from BEAUTIFUL in low-mid 70's to highs of mid 40's. It's definitely fall and is no longer shorts and t-shirt weather. Just wanted to share some fun outdoor shots!

Trick-or-Treat

2008-11-09T08:37:00.005-06:00

How cute is he??!!!!

Getting ready to go out on the night!

My "big muscle Spiderman" and his sidekick....Frog :) Evan was flashing his web sign everywhere we went that night! Totally cute!!!!

Another Halloween year has come and gone and before we know it will be Christmas and that's just crazy! The weather was beautiful to were the first time in I think EVER, I was able to wear a short sleeved shirt and pants most the night (the hoodie did come on, but NO JACKET!) Mason was a frog (that's been past down a few years) and Evan was "Big muscle Spiderman". He really wantedto spidey as his best friend, Andrew was also Spiderman. He put the mask on for the picture, but trick or treated with it off. Mason stayed on the porch passing out candy with Mason because he was just happy to be outside! I took Evan around and he LOVED it this year (last year about 10 houses his "feet hurt and he was tired"), so mom was glad to be getting the exercise, fresh air and some good one on one time with Ev. (Isn't that sad when one-on-one time is trick-or-treating?!) Tanner wore some scary mask and was going to "scare all the little kids" but had a buddy talk him into going with him. So my boy who was "too old" to go trick-or-treating last year and past out candy, went this year! Okay, whatever! And Parker went with his skating posse as a Dallas Stars Hockey player. He and his friends all had skates on so they could "get more candy". Ohhhh....children after my own heart!

Carving the Pumpkins

2008-11-05T12:50:00.005-06:00

It's so fun to have big kids who could care less about carving the pumpkin other than it gives them another opportunity to play with knives. Tanner hated the pumpkin patch because he's too cool and carving is "stupid" until he realized he would get to be the master carver. Evan was very serious with drawing on his face this year. It was soooo cute! Parker just couldn't get enough "goo" and thought that getting in a pumpkin seed fight would be "awesome" :) (I pulled out mean mom and wouldn't let that happen!) So here are just a few pics from our carving event!

Tan going in!
Evan's scary pumpkin face...for him and his pumpkin!

This picture should have been first of him scooping guts. You can see his drawn face on this side. Pretty good, Evan!

Parker with a little pumpkin soup ;). The boys had a really good time.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-11-04T09:24:00.006-06:00

I can honestly say this was a very bittersweet pumpkin patch visit for me! We always hit the pumpkin patch by mid October, but with Chris constantly out of town and various activities, we hit the pumpkin patch at 1:00PM ON HALLOWEEN DAY! I mean, really?! To top it off, the weather was PHENOMENAL! It was almost too hot for Halloween (did I just say that?!). I usually make sure the kids are bundled up and look cute on the outside, but as you can see it was a free for all and anything goes this year! I had pants and short sleeved shirt which was one extreme all the way to Mason who had on shorts and T-shirt. No socks, no shoes, no jacket....nothing! Chris of course was sweating in shorts and T-shirt, but then again...what's new! Here are some pics of our pumpkin patch visit ON Halloween!

Parker, Evan, Tanner and Mason on the hayride.

Park, Mase, Tan, and Ev in front of the big bale of hay spider. You know me and spiders...this was close enough. LOL

He's so stinkin' cute! He was so happy just doing whatever! He was entrigued by the witches and bats they had hanging in the trees.

By far his favorite thing to do the whole time we were there and not doing something else was to go and push over the pumpkins. If they were standing up, no matter how big or small, he'd go over and push them over. I was having flashes of football practices in the future and plowing things over. I would go and put it up and he'd go and push it over...it was really cute (and comical!)

This is one of my favorite pics and is GREAT in black and white. He loved the tractor and this was a perfect shot!

Happy 9th Birthday, Parker!

2008-10-29T07:02:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday, Park! I can't believe he's 9!!! Where does the time go??? Parker had a great birthday this year. The best for him was going to the Blues hockey game and seeing the Dallas Stars. And as great as that was... He also loved getting presents, eating at HIS favorite restaurant, Chili's (he always gets the ribs), mom's homemade chocolate cake, and the never ending sleepover with his friends and his trademark..."midnight snack"!

These pictures are out of order, but you'll get the idea.
Grandma and Grandpa Thompson got Parker 4 new additions to his Webkinz collection.

Nanny got Parker the Iron Man DVD with bonus Ironman cartoon.

Of course a birthday would not be complete without SOMETHING new for hockey! He's been wanting this 195 Hockey stick that brother got for his birthday and has had to wait so long that he gave it a big hug and a kiss...literally! He was very happy!

The real mini hockey set or "shinny hockey" as the boys call it. Now they each have a real goal rather than mom's laundry baskets to use as goals. (Chris' fingers were in front of the flash that's why a few pics are shadowed.)

And his first present... the official NHL mini stick for the St. Louis Blues. He's wanting to collect all the NHL teams and hang them on his wall in his room. I guess we'll see. (Oh and as a side note to these pictures.... the scrape above Parker's right eye is where the puck hit him earlier in the day. They were playing outside without their helmets on and took one in the face. Needless to say...He loves it and thinks it's so cool!)

All in all, he had a great birthday! Tons of hockey stuff (stick, mini hockey, trading cards, mini stick), a few DVD's and PS2 and DS games, and as always, Parker's favorite....cold hard cash! Happy Birthday post (a little late), Parker! His birthday was on Saturday, October 25th.

It's spelled E-V-A-N!!!

2008-10-27T13:08:00.006-05:00

I got a lesson in spelling this week. Evan was hungry and wanting a snack. So I gave him the bucket of pretzels and got back to the task at hand...cleaning out the fridge. I could hear him saying "Don't tell me I know what's next!" and start to laugh. He's known how to spell his name for years, but something got his funny bone going. After ignoring him as long as I could I finally turned around to say, "What's so funny, Evan?" I didn't think that spelling "Evan" in pretzels could be so funny...but he did! And it only got more funny for him as he then tried to spell Tanner and Parker and Mason and found out his name was the only one that looked completely normal (come on people...use your imagination and try to make a "round R" or a "curvy S" as he called them)...it doesn't work and apparently to a 5 year old... that's hilarious!

Seeing Stars???

2008-10-24T11:50:00.000-05:00

For Parker's birthday, he wanted to go to a hockey game and see his favorite team, the Dallas Stars play. The Stars are only playing at the Blues game twice this season, so we had to go the week before his birthday. As we all walk in and are sporting our St. Louis Blues apparel (NHL Hockey for those of you already lost) or just our blue and gold...Parker has on his Dallas Stars jersey and some green mardi gras beads and is already for this game. My poor soon to be 9 years old is getting booed by random drunk guys and thinks it's great as he's yelling "Let's go Stars!" in the middle of a Blues game. (I'm not kidding...he's my wayward child, i swear!) We had such a great time though! We made sure to get some nose bleed seats so he could "see the whole game and not miss anything" and he got to bring his best bud Nick and I got a babysitter for Mason, so it really was a great evening. Of course we spent just about as much money on concessions as we did the tickets, but he was so happy....they all were really lovin' it! The sad news was that the Blues WON 6-1 and his Dallas Stars lost. He was sad, but when the Blues score 5 goals or more, you get a free blizzard at DQ and he forgot all about his Dallas Stars! Thanks for an awesome birthday party, Park!
Parker at his soon to be 9 Birthday party! He was SOOOOO happy!

Parker and his best friend, Nick at the game.

Mom and Parker enjoying some rivalry time! "GO BLUES! GO STARS!"

I wasn't kidding we were in the nose bleeds! This was the last minute of the game and where they were so far ahead, the place had cleared out, but was really full.

The 4 boys enjoying the game. Evan really got into and asked before we even left "When are we going to a Blues game again?" He's so cute!

Parker's field day to the ZOO

2008-10-23T13:31:00.000-05:00

So only 3 days after hitting the pumpkin patch with Evan, I then was able to go with Parker and his class to the St. Louis ZOO. I get to his class at 8:30 and just as walk in, again this oh great feeling comes over me. I figured we'd each have about 4 kids to watch and I had my 4 picked that she'd give me. Of course, the worst one in class, the next worst one, Parker and then another kid who's pretty good, but COMBINED with Parker and these boys would be not so good. So before she even started telling the groups I whispered to Parker who I thought and he didn't have a clue. The teacher reads the names. All the other parents have 4 kids so I knew I was right on....or was I? Well I was hypothetically speaking because I guessed the right 4, but she gave me 5 boys! Why do teachers do this?!!! You've already given me your 2 WORST kids and then I'm the only one with 5?!! And as a teacher would say to help you feel better, "you're a mom of all boys and I figured if anyone could handle this group it would be you." Are you KIDDING ME?!!! I haven't recovered from my group 2 days ago let alone ready to deal with 5 third grade boys at the zoo where they can run wild. Luckily I had a couple tricks up my sleeve and we did see a few other groups at times that no was lost (for more than 10 minutes) and everyone survived... i hope! I'm starting to see why they only have 2 field trips a year.

We saw lots of great animals: bears, pumas, gorillas, tigers, monkeys, snakes, zebras, penguins, all your great zoo stuff.

I'm just wondering if they teach the teachers to say that or if it's the best excuse to say SUCKER they have or why they do that? I don't think they'd give the best girl in the class only the other best girls (actually, yes they would). Oh well, I do love my boys and I guess I can "handle it".
This was my group and one other group. Of course you say, "Sit so I can take your picture" and they all sit on each other and immediately have to let me know to "rock on", so here they are. Parker is on the back row in the center.

For one quick second we were able to take a picture with one of the girls groups. Parker has (and has had) a thing for Faith who is second from the left in the red sweatshirt. She's almost as tall as him and is so cute. You can see the kid top on the top right not posing...he was "buddy" all day.....allllllll day :) Love ya, Casey! (and now you're "famous like Parker")

Evan's kindergarten class at the Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-22T17:31:00.006-05:00

I got to go with Evan to the Pumpkin Patch and I'm not sure what it is that attracts me to the "bad boys" of the class. I went with Evan's class on Tuesday and since I've volunteered in his class before, I knew most all the kiddos. Well when I get there, I get this "just give me the bad kids" feeling. It happens on EVERY field trip. I used to think it was because Parker was a little hard to handle, but by now, I'm used to it. So yep, got the "handful child" right off the bat (and no it's for sure not Evan. He's one of the "good ones".) When Evan's teacher handed me the info for the field trip and the names, I smiled and said "thanks" with one of those cheesy I know who you've given me smiles. We laughed and she said, "I figured with 4 boys you can handle him." Of course needless to say, we had a great time and he only got lost once in the maze and only had to pee like 4 times and wasn't hungry for lunch and fed "the birds", so I guess it was a success?!?! We had a great time though.
Evan thinking he is SOOOOOO big....cute!
They had this tire horse swing thing that bounced and it was really hard to get
the kids to share and get off! Stay tuned for Parker's field day post!

Cardinals Baseball Game with the boys

2008-10-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

We took the boys to a Cardinals Baseball game the end of September and I forgot to post about it. We had a great time. Although we spent a lot of money by the time the night was over, the kiddos had a blast! We were on the 13th row between home and first base (closer to home plate though). Parker thought for sure he'd catch a fly ball :) (didn't) and Evan was infatuated with breaking the peanuts out of the shell and getting them all ready to eat for us in his cotton candy bucket. The night was awesome.... perfect weather, perfect seats, no baby to hold and fight the whole time, it was GREAT!!!! I hope the link will connect you to a few of the pics from the night. Click on each picture to get the full view or do a slide show :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/CondiffCrew/CardinalsBaseballGame#

You and me goin' fishin' in the dark

2008-10-16T14:32:00.000-05:00

One of our boys favorite things to do is hit a pond by our friend's home and go fishing. Our friends had said they hadn't had much luck lately, but like days of old... the Condiff boys come and there WILL be some fish to catch. :) I didn't get any pics of Mason hanging out in the stroller or Tanner and all the little tiny crappies he was catching, but tried to get the majority of Evan because he was having a blast!

His poor little Pirates of the Carribean fishin' pole wasn't sure if it could handle this "BIG FISH". (Total man with his hands as far as they could when he told you he caught a fish "this big".) His award winning fish. The pole just couldn't hold the weight of this "big fish" so Chris was teaching him to hold the line.
Evan's award winning bass! Way to go, Evan!!!

Parker with a cute little one on his pole and Tanner was getting about a 5 incher off his line. It was fun and as always the boys had a blast. As you can sort of tell from the picture it was getting dark. They fished until they couldn't see anymore and until lines started to get crossed and we called it good. We're glad we've got some great friends we can call and say "WE'RE COMIN' OVER" and they're flexible enough they can roll with the punches! Thanks, guys!!!

At the carwash...

2008-10-15T08:34:00.003-05:00

What a nice man I have to wash AND wax my van... with a lot of help from Evan and little help from Mason. (And yes, I'm sure this was his unconscious effort to get out of the dog house :) haha) It was BEAUTIFUL weather on Saturday that it was screaming water and fun. I don't know that washing the car was fun, but Evan loved it. Mason, OF COURSE, loved the bubbles and was just as happy to play in the bucket of suds. It was so clean when Chris was done, he said "Let's go sell it and get you a new one!" I laughed and said, "Are you ready to start the INSIDE?!" So, YEP! I'm still the owner of one certified M3 Vehicle.... (Mormon Mommy Minivan).

Mason's First Steps

2008-10-10T12:57:00.000-05:00

Chunky Monkey has decided that it's time to grow up and start walking. He took a few steps when Chris was out of town last week and by the time he got home on Sunday this is what he was doing. It's so fun to see how excited he gets just standing there clapping for himself. He will walk anywhere for as long as you want him to as long as he has one finger. Once the finger is gone he'll do about 10 steps and start laughing and fall. He's growing up sooooooo fast. He is officially my slowest to walk and yet he's just past his one year birthday. Good job, Mase!!

Mason's Presents/Toys

2008-10-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

To finish off the night, we had a few presents for Mason to open. I think he was so excited it had nothing to do with cake, he would have been happy to just go to bed (it was close to 10 pm by this point and half his problem was that he was tired). He didn't understand that he was to open presents and toys because of course they come in a square box with so many security measures to get through! I swear! Do we have nothing better to do that twist each one of those metal things on and have an average of what...10 a package? And don't even get me started on the zip ties!
He did like the wrapping the paper (after the kids gave him space and a chance to try it himself.)
Those looking onward to see what the next new toy was going to be!
Someone a little happy about that vacuum? You know you vacuum way to much when your one year old immediately knows what to do with it and the sounds it make. After Evan, Chris swore we would never have another vacuum (Evan was the only one thanks to some neighbors who had one and got Evan hooked), but I knew how much Evan loved it and figured Mason would too!
Our little muscle man. He was so proud of this vacuum that night. He didn't want to go to bed after getting this toy. Thanks to all who helped make his birthday special and thanks to our friends, the Dawson's for coming over and helping us celebrate! (oh! And introducing the vacuum and many other "girlie" items to Evan!) The End.

Bathtime AFTER the cake!

2008-10-09T05:00:00.002-05:00

Bathtime is Mason's all time favorite thing in the whole wide world! If he's crying for any reason, he will ALWAYS stop and do a 180 and be so happy for the bathtub. How can you not eat up those eyes?!!
He loves the bath! He got more icing on his face from crying and rubbing his eyes than anything else. He loved getting all cleaned up for his "party". Bring on the fun!

Mason's 1st Birthday... the CAKE!!!

2008-10-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

Wow things have been crazy with Chris gone over a week and also realizing it's been OVER a week since I've posted. The worst was realizing I haven't posted Chunky's First Birthday.... what a bad mom I am! So here's a few of the classic pictures with his cake:

Why is everybody looking at me?
What should I be doing with this big thing on my high chair?
Nope!!! I don't like it! It has too many calories and will make me fat!
As you can see from Parker's reaction shot in the background, we were all surprised when our Chunky Monkey, Mason, decided to chuck his cake OVERBOARD instead of eating it and playing in it like most one year olds like to do. (By the way, nice action shot, babe!)

More cake!

2008-10-08T07:50:00.000-05:00

So he finally looked like he might just like this after all.....
As he thinks to himself... WHAT IS THIS???.... (Now starts the music......)
Oh YES he did! He hated it so much that if you notice in the picture we had cake flying everywhere! So much for trying to save "around" the highchair with a tablecloth on the ground. Ohhhhh no! We had it all the way behind him on the counters - to on the carpet ~10 feet in front of him! He went ballistic over this cake thing. (again to Chris... great action shot!)
We gave him one more shot to try to eat it or like it and he just wasn't having it.
So on that note... Birthday cake is officially over! He kept crying saying "momma, momma, Momma" and reaching for me as I was an awful mother saying in a nice motherly voice, "This is fun, Mason. It's okay, honey! Play in your food :)" Now that he's chalked me up to the devil himself, I did redeem myself by putting him in his favorite place... the bath tub :)!

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

2008-09-30T17:19:00.005-05:00

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

2008-09-29T14:24:00.000-05:00

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!!!

2008-09-26T08:26:00.010-05:00

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!

2008-09-25T17:17:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-24T16:42:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-09-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-09-22T08:15:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-09-22T07:50:00.000-05:00

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.

2008-09-18T05:12:00.000-05:00

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?

2008-09-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

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?!?!

2008-09-15T07:07:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-11T00:01:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-07T17:12:00.000-05:00

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

2008-09-05T06:41:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-03T05:00:00.006-05:00

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

2008-09-01T06:28:00.001-05:00

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!!!

Evan's Mohawk

2008-08-30T11:18:00.007-05:00

Evan's hair-do was inspired by 2 things. He thinks his "Tony Hawk" shirt makes him "tough". :) Then he saw a picture of his cousin, Blake sporting a stylin' mohawk at 9 months. (You can check out Blake's on Tami's blog at http://www.thedickamores.blogspot.com/ ) So although it only lasted for one day of Kindergarten, here's Evan and his ATTEMPT to be TOUGH! (PS Tam, I tried the link thing and couldn't get it, so maybe next time :)

Just say NO!... to DOLLS!

2008-08-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh a true Condiff boy :)! So although Mason DID pick up one of Grandma's dolls, he knew exactly what to do with it when he figured out it was bad. He kinda threw it down and covered her face and you can tell by the look on HIS face that he didn't like it. Way to go, Mason...we're so proud of you :)!

Bestest Friends!!! and more Best Friends!!!

2008-08-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

So to basically to finish off my Utah trip, I couldn't not talk about seeing all my friends. I'll start with my best friend, Kelly (aka Kelly Nielsen, Kelly Crawford, KellBell, and KellBell from Hell :) ) Every time I'm in Utah I make sure that Kell and I hook up and treat her to lunch at "our spot", Robintino's. I don't know why we always go there...it's not that great, but it's just something we started about 15 years ago. We always get the same thing and nothing has changed. I'm part of her family and she is for sure welcomed to mine. We've been through happy times, sad times, exciting times and even death of a great friend times. We've laughed A LOT, cried a little, hugged as much as we can when we're together, danced too much together (between drill and the Bay... what were we thinking) and all-in-all we've stuck together. We both have 4 kids, she has 2 boys and 2 girls and I just love her to peices! Love you, Kell!

I was also VERY fortunate to hook back up with one of my bestfriends from Jr. High, Kathryn Wilbur Christiansen. We played soccer growing up and were locker partners and had a good time hanging out and going to dance clubs before we were of age (actually that was only time I went to any dance place was... illegally!) I remember listening to Poison and Guns'N Roses and when she colored her hair in her bathroom sink and ALL her brothers and sisters :) and the fun times we had together. We ended up going our seperate ways in high school, still staying friends until just after college. It was sooooo nice catching up with her and seeing and hearing about all the things we've missed. She's a single mom of 3 and Kat, you rock! I don't know how you do what you do, but you're awesome! Keep going, girl! She does Interior Design in SLC and Park City areas and so if you need a decorator, I know one ;)

Utah was a great time to visit friends and see a lot of long time friends at the Bountiful July 23th (celebrating July 24th) parade. It was fun to see Molly Cash Davenport, Steph Ridges, Katie Johnson Dana, Brad West, Sarah Moore, Joe Russell, Carrie Nash and old friends from my ward.

I must say, I had a blast in Utah!!! It was so much fun seeing my family. Thanks for their sacrafice in getting together while I was there. Thanks again, honey! I owe you big time, but next time... let's all go!!! :)

BUSTED!!! GUILTY AS CHARGED!

2008-08-20T07:43:00.000-05:00

Yep, it's true. My chunky monkey has learned that drawers, cupboards, cabinets, and anything else off limits, is where all the action is! Since Mason is our last, we've decided not to "baby proof" the house. The "no" and "no-no, Mason" aren't working :) I've actually given up. My once used to organized drawers get thrown out and played through and now I just throw it all back in any random drawer. I had a friend over asking for where she could find a measuring cup and a spatula... I replied "any one of these 5 drawers". It is driving me CRAZY (for those of you who know me well) to not have everything in order and in the "right spot", but I have given up and given into my 10 month old! I surrender! So please don't come looking for organization... it's gone out the window (with about 10 other things I'm anal about). LOVE YOU, MASON!

Man in Trees

2008-08-15T10:11:00.000-05:00

Parker has found a new love trees this year. He has learned to climb them like a monkey when there are no branches or climb up a limb to get to where he wants. This is one of his favorite things to do and loves to take "snacks" and read in the tree. The best part about this particular tree is that you have to have the upperbody strength to pull yourself up and he's the only that can do it. Way to go, Park!

How you too can have a CHUNKY MONKEY like mine!

2008-08-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Many people have asked me what I do to have such a cute, yet fat baby?! Well here's my secret... SAND! We go to lake and while I take pictures of the kids on the jet skiis or whatever, he eats sand. It's filled with all the vitamins, minerals and E-coli you could ever imagine. Results will vary by individual. Not recommened for 12 months of age or older. Consult your friend you asked to watch him while you took pictures and give her a major guilt trip for finding your child like this! Still love ya, Mar!

First day of SCHOOL... already?!

2008-08-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

Is Summer really over?! It officially ended this morning when I had to get up at 6am (which mind you I haven't done since high school drill team days forever ago). I had to get my new 6th grader up and ready for his first day of Middle School... yes, you heard me right. Tanner is officially in Middle School and let me just say "WOW". We had locker practice and orientation yesterday and I am officially NOT COOL anymore! I knew it was coming, but boy it hurts harder than I thought it would. I was glad to see that even though we were on the back row of the bleachers by ourselves, his friends came to him and wanted to be with him, so I went down to the first row. The "thanks for leaving, mom" I got later assured me although I'm not cool... I'm pretty cool:)! Tan was out the door to catch the bus at 6:45a.m. which left me 15 minutes to myself before I had to get up with Parker.

Parker was next! He was a little harder to wake up (surprisingly... he's best a.m. kid when it's not summer!) He was up and out the door for his new school in 3rd grade (the Elementary is split into 2 buildings a block apart...k=2 and 3-5 so this was all new to him too!) He was out the door and ready for bus at 7:45am. He was nervous, but found out last night that the girl he thinks is cute is in his class (Faith from an end of school entry in May) and so he was excited to say "hi".

Then we decided to change it all up! Park left for school, Evan woke up and we moved Evan out of Parker's room and in with Mason (he and Parker have been doing bunkbeds togeother). So now Park has his own room and Mason and Evan will share. We'll see how it goes, I'll let you know. So Evan was SO excited to go to Kindergarten and ride the bus. He was happy to hear that he gets to take a snack everyday and excited to meet new friends. He loved putting on his "fast shoes" and was so excited for his Hulk backpack that matches his best friend, Andrew's backpack. He was SO EXCITED he kept asking, "Do I get to go on the bus now? Can I meet my teacher now? Now is time, mom?" He gets the MOST ENTHUSIASTIC award.

Obviously I didn't get Tanner getting on or off the bus (remember, I'm not cool), but here's a quick one of Evan and Parker getting off the bus. They will ride the same bus home together. Everyone's first day went well and Tanner after only one day is realizing he's going to be tired. (and so will his mom!)

Abide by the law of the land???

2008-08-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

To give you a little insight into our family, we don't always follow by the rules. I will use myself as the example today. When I was 15 I stole my dad's car when he was out of town before I even had a learners permit (if I ever even got one :) ) Then when I was 19 I got my license suspended for too many speeding tickets in a short period of time (coming home from Ricks every weekend from Idaho to Utah can do that to a person). I won't even get started on Chris' issues!!! So why not pass this down to our children?! The law in Missouri is you must be 14 to drive a jet ski. OOPS!
As you can see, this is Tanner driving and having a blast! If we or our friends we went with weren't out, he was on and long gone. He hasn't wanted to ride with us lately because it was "boring", so being 11 and driving isn't boring anymore.
Which brings me to Parker. Almost everything Tanner does Parker can either do or it or figures out a way to get to do it. Point at hand: Tanner is driving the jet skiis, why can't I? My response was because you're 8, Chris' response was here's how it works, be careful and responsible and if you get caught, we don't know you. So now you can see Parker, who is 8, out driving the jet ski alone as well. Luckily no one was hurt and no one was arrested... this time. I will post more fun pics of Mason eating sand at the beach and Evan riding the tube later. We did have an AWESOME time once again at the lake and thanks to the Carlton's for supplying some good entertainment and fun once again!

Yes, my brother's adopted

2008-08-07T18:11:00.000-05:00

Although this is a dumb post, I've had a few friends ask if "by chance" Chuck is adopted or not. Yes, Chuck is adopted. My parents actually have a cool story about how and why they adopted him after 5 kids, but he came to our home as a baby from Costa Rica (maybe why I also want to travel there so bad?). Anyway, he fits in our family perfectly (as close as any siblings fit together) and will always be one of my best buds ever. He is our little "mono" and I give all my kids 3 squeezes on their arm for "I love you" like we used to do together sitting in church and why I teach my kids about "RRRRRRRenny's" (family inside joke). We love ya, Chuck!

MY FAMILY!!!

2008-08-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

This is the "THOMPSON FAMILY". This was who and what I got to grow up with :)! Top left to right: Chuck 26 (now goes by Christian), Ponch 43, (born as Jeff, changed on a school field trip to Mexico), Mike 38, Steve 41. Bottom row: Tami 31, Mom 39 and holding.... still, Dad, and Becky 34.

top l-r: Chuck, Rochelle and Ponch, Mike and Julie, Steve and Katie

bottom l-r: Tony and Tami, Mom and Dad, Becky (Chris was in St. Louis)

Dad with his girls

Dad with the boys

To finish off the "SURPRISE" night

2008-08-06T09:22:00.000-05:00

These are the babies born in 2007 (thanks to my editors for catching the date mix up). From left to right are: Blake 8 months old (Tami and Tony's), Jaden 16 months old (Mike and Julie's), Abby 14 months (Ponch and Rochelle's), and Mason 10 months (Becky and Chris'). To have 4 grandchildren in 8 months makes for a busy year.
This was NOT the best picture of all the grandkids, but it's the one that will stay and have to work. Here are grandma and grandpa with all the grandkids, except my 3 oldest (Tanner, Parker and Evan) who stayed home. The grandkids range in age from 15 1/2 to 8 months and there are 17+.
17+ leads me to the end of the night "Surprise". We had all given dad much heartfelt and time consuming gifts like photobooks, a personalized song or a DVD of his life or presents that the grandkids had made. Well my older brother Steve surprised everyone when he and his wife came down from Montana (they said they weren't coming because I wasn't coming, so I had to let them know early I was coming!). So the night ended on an exciting and happy note. See picture below:
So this very ugly baby is how my brother told my dad (hence the previous picture of emotions) that they are expecting their first kid (after time and trials). Steve took a current picture and added parts to his baby picture to get this very FUGLY baby! It was the cherry on top of an eventful night. Congrats Steve and Kate and may your baby be better looking than this!

Surprise dinner and a FLIPPER CROTCH?!?!

2008-08-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

To continue with the Utah trip, we surprised my dad with an adult dinner to the Mandarin in Bountiful. It's one of our families favorite Chinese restaraunts. We had a good time eating, laughing, and enjoying everyone's company. I was sitting next to my brother Chuck (Christian) and his girlfriend, Rachel and they were late and so I must not have gotten a picture of them. Sorry.

I must say though, get a girl from Shelley, Idaho (my mother) and the good times never stop. We got laughing so hard from something she had said the day before. My parents have a very big and nice garden in their backyard and have problems with the deer eating their tomatoes and vegetables. (They live on the benches in Bountiful by the Bountiful Temple.) So to "scare" the deer away, my dad gets this sling shot looking thing and because his aim (and follow through) sucks, he really doesn't hit them, he just "scares" the deer away. So my mom and dad get ready to get go to church and my mom spots a deer eating her tomatoes. So she's telling us the story later of how she had dad go get his flipper crotch to get the deer. I said, "dad got his what?!" half laughing, but wanting to know what old age was doing to my parents. She got laughing I'm sure thinking her daughter was weird for not knowing what a FLIPPER CROTCH even was. So I turn to Tami and said, have you ever heard of a flipper crotch? she said nope. So with all of us laughing, we had this lasting until I left 4 days later.

Which brings me back to dinner the next day at the Mandarin. When our family gets fortune cookies, we usually read the fortune and add the words "in bed" on the end (we really are a good, normal family, promise!). So tonight was new and more meaningful fortunes. As we read our fortunes, now we added "flipper crotch" and "in bed" somewhere either in or at the end of the fortune. My mom was so red from being embarrassed, but mainly from laughing so hard it will be treasured with us all forever. I can't wait until the day I get to read her journal about the "flipper crotch".

PS If anyone has HEARD of, or knows of the FLIPPER CROTCH, please enlighten me because I think my mom was brainwashed as a child in Shelley, Idaho!

Cousins and best buds FOREVER!

2008-07-31T17:42:00.000-05:00

This is Blake and Mason at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Mas is 2 months older than Blake, but I wouldn't be surprised that when they get older, Blake will be bigger than him. Chris and I hope we're about 5'8" (he's the tallest in his family and I'm the shortest) and yet Tami is 5'9" and Tony is like 6'5" (Blake's parents) so it's just for now.

Mason kept getting into grandma's cupboards and here you can see his innocent, "What I'm not doing anything!" pose.

4 WHEELIN'... YIPPEE!

2008-07-30T14:26:00.000-05:00

These are for sure not the most flattering pics of me, but we did have a good time. Tami's kids have two four wheelers (thanks, Papa Bruce!) that they share with the cousins when we get an opportunity to get together. I was privledge to get to take Aliya out for a ride, only she drove. By the end of going "jerk... stop... jerk... stop" from her hitting the gas and letting off, I had to bring us back home. She did a GREAT job for only being 3 and really did drive it whole time (see I was doing a "look no hands, mom". Then I took Mason for a quick spin around the block. I think he appreciated "the wind in his hair" vs. water in his face (when we go jet skiing). It was a fun family activity and Tam and Ton were AWESOME for letting (and trusting) A LOT of kids drive them on their own!

Happy 70th Dad!!! SURPRISE!!!

2008-07-28T22:14:00.000-05:00

My dad had his 70th Birthday this past week and I was able to go to Utah and surprise him. I knew all my brothers and sister would be there and didn't want to miss out, but I've missed out on things before. So I told them I wouldn't be able to go because Chris had to work (which was true... he worked... just not in Chicago like I said...he'll be there tomorrow, a week later). Anyway, i didn't tell anyone i was coming, except my little brother Chuck (Christian) because he was my ride. He picked me up from the airport in his Land Rover and I dropped him off to get his other car. So he went out to mom and dad's first and I showed up at 10:30pm and rang the doorbell. Tami and Tony were already up from Pheonix, so mom answered the door, surprised and tam was shortly behind her. But it was truly the surprise on my dad's face when I walked in with Mason and he was shocked. It was fun and all worth it to see his face. I was able to see and surprise Ponch and Ro and Mike and Julie and their families on Saturday. It was so fun to just hang out. Saturday Mason was sick, so it wasn't what I was planning on, but we worked it out. He napped while everyone else was swimming. Then we had the cousins driving 4 wheelers. Sunday was church and a Luau. Monday was shopping and dad's big party surprise with dinner at the Mandarin (yum!) and "program". Tuesday was lunch with Kell at our traditional, Robintino's. It was fun surprising Kat Tuesday night and that was really great to see and spend time with both of them. Wednesday was lunch at Paradise Cafe' and the good old Bountiful Parade where it was really fun to see Steph, Molly, Kim, Carri, Joe, Brad and people I grew up around. Then I stayed up way to late (again) talking with my "big sis", Rochelle and left and came home Thursday morning. The flight GOING to Utah was great with Mason... he got his own seat and he did wonderful! Coming home SUCKED! The plane was full, he had to be on my lap, he wouldn't sleep, he peed through his diaper and just wasn't as pleasant. I'm grateful for a husband who let me go be with my family for a few days and take care of the 3 older boys at home. Thanks, honey.... YOU ROCK!!! :) PS Pictures to come soon.

Six Flags of FUN!

2008-07-20T01:19:00.000-05:00

We were able to go to Six Flags here in St. Louis while Chris' mom was visiting and let me just tell you we had a BLAST! After being pregnant last summer and missing out on all the "summer fun", we hit it full throttle. Thanks to a great friend, Brooke, for watching Mason so we didn't have to worry about him while we were there. Tanner and Parker were both big enough to ride all the rides by themselves and Evan was able to do a lot of rides and rollercoasters. His favorite was of course Scooby-Doo and his favorite rollercoaster was Tony Hawk. Tanner's favorite was Batman, Mr. Freeze and the Excalibur. Parker loved "The Boss" and Tony Hawk. I don't know if it's because I've been on those before and loved them, but I'll tell you my new favorite is the Superman ride. It takes you up 110 feet and you sit looking over the park and you just hangout there for what seems to be forever. Then you just freefall down super fast and your stomach goes into your throat so you can't scream if you wanted too and it's AWESOME! We are excited to go back soon! We're sad we didn't get time to hit Hurricane Harbor (the water park), but maybe next time.

Nanny came for a visit!

2008-07-18T00:32:00.000-05:00

Chris' mom, Carolyn came up from Houston, TX for a visit with her grandboys. We did something everyday she was here and the kids had a blast. We were able to go bowling, to the movies, Six Flags, swimming, and we ate out... A LOT! It was fun for Tanner to see that he only has about 1/2" and he'll be as tall as Nanny. I took her for her first pedicure and might have started her onto a little pamperin' she can enjoy at home. Thanks for the visit, Nanny!

An effort for a FAMILY PHOTO!

2008-07-07T12:59:00.000-05:00

So we tried to get all 4 boys together and of course the 3 oldest couldn't help but look at Mason as I'm trying to get him to laugh, but this was the best one we were able to snag.

We thought it might be fun to attempt a new family picture and this was the best picture we could come up with. The lighting was not perfect, but we can at least say we tried. We thought we'd go PLAID so that when we look back on this photo, we'll laugh and say, "That was so ugly, I can't believe we wore that!"

4th of July FUN!

2008-07-06T22:31:00.001-05:00

Our 4th of July and FIREWORKS!!!

2008-07-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

Needless to say we had a GREAT time this 4th of July! I will add more pictures later, but this is a "typical" Parker idea. We see lots of frogs, big and small, around our house and catch (and release) a lot. So he had caught a baby frog the day before and we were just getting ready to start our fesitivities. Parker yells, "WAIT!!!" and so we wait. He comes back with tape and his frog and a big smile. He decided it would be a great idea to send "froggy" into space :) Yep... you know the rest of the story. My 8 year old with a great big smile on his face, taped forggy to the rocket, lit it, and sent him to space. Don't worry, he did not explode, but I'm sure with the force of take off and the landing, that baby froggy didn't make it :( For all you froggy lovers, I'm sorry and you can report me to BPA (Bad Parents Association). It was the highlight of HIS night! PS click on the picture if you want to see "froggy".

Inline Hockey CHAMPS!

2008-07-02T01:47:00.000-05:00

CHAMPIONS!!!
In photo: Drake, Tanner, Parker, Kevin, Brad, Jacob and goalie Noah. (not pictured were Alec and Braden)

Both of my older boys play on what has been a 10 and under inline team. They played with this team for 3 sessions. The first sesion they went to the championship game undefeated and lost taking second. The second session they lost one game going into the championship game and again took second. They weren't about ready to let that happen to them again. So this session they played AWESOME and ended up WINNING!!! They were so excited to get bragging rights and do what the other teams had done when they got jerseys that said champions on it. Well the rink decided to give trophies this session. As a parent I felt bad for them that they got these cheap trophies instead of bragging right shirts, but the kids were okay with it because they really did do good and were just glad to win. Because they've been in the championships at least 3/4 sessions, rink rules are that they move up to the 12 and under league. So we'll see how they do. (This is now age appropriate for Tanner, but Parker's only 8, so he might decide playing 10 and under is just fine seeing that he could/should be playing 8 and under :)

SuMmER fUn aT mARk TwAiN LakE... KiNdA :)

2008-06-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

Pictured L-R Tyler Hudson 6, Eric Hudson 8, Evan Condiff 5, Tanner Condiff 11, Kaitlyn Hudson 6, and Parker Condiff 8. (Not in picture Bradley Hudson 14 months, Mason Condiff 9 months)

Same order, just upside down :)

Parker eating an apple on the "scooper".

We don't feed Mason enough, so he's eating a stick and just hanging out.

So because we hadn't put the jet skiis in the water yet, the kids were playing on them. I drove the big kids (no babies) around the parking lot. They had a good time and thought they were cool and now you can read what really happened.

We had the opportunity to take our jet skis up to Mark Twain Lake with our friends the Hudson's on Friday. Lake temperature was good, weather was good, everthing seemed good. We got up there (about 1 1/2 hours North) and found out because of the flooding the lake was so high it had wiped out the beach area for the kids. So not sure what to do, we had a picnic and let them play on the playground. These were a few of pics I took not thinking we'd be able to jet ski (that's what happens when you only have 2 jet skiis and 10 people... 6 kids and no beach to play at). Because I didn't get to go jet skiing last year because I pregnant, the itch was too bad and I just HAD to get in that water!!! So I finally said, sorry guys, I gotta get in that lake! So we put them in and the kids played on the dock (until they got in trouble) and I had a BLAST!!! I forgot how much I love jet skiing with the kids and family and spending time in the sun. Thanks, babe, for letting me "catch up" on my addiction and for being a great babysitter while I enjoyed them for a bit by myself (and wiped it so bad, we were done for the day!!!) Wish we would have had pictures of that to post, but when you're trying to watch a baby and kids on a dock and your truck is way up the hill, pictures just aren't as important anymore.... but we had fun at the playground :)

The Condiff Family PETS :)

2008-06-29T23:28:00.000-05:00

This is Parker's pet, a leapard gecko. He's had him about 2 1/2 years now and really enjoys him. His name is Peter. (He named him after another Spiderman had come out and thought that since he had his own room there could be a Peter and a Parker... for Peter Parker :) haha...) Oh to be 6 at the time and come up with that idea. He really likes his lizard.

The kids were wanting to know when our pets would "make the blog", so here is their big debut. This is our dog, Jet whom we got when he was just a pup and have had almost 4 years now. He is a REALLY good dog with the kids. His down fall is that barks at stupid things like airplanes and birds and squirrels. The boys love him and he's for sure daddy's favorite :)

A day in the sun at Raging Rivers!

2008-06-23T23:17:00.000-05:00

So I thought I'd try this collage, but it's not as cool as I was hoping for... oh well! We took the kids to Raging Rivers on Saturday. It was a chance of hit and miss as the water park is right on the Mississippi River. With all the flooding we've had here in the good ole' midwest, we weren't sure they'd be open, but they were! We had a BLAST in the wave pool, the lazy river, the Itty Bitty Surf City and the water slides. I added a couple of pictures I took out of the window of the car with debrie from the river coming up onto the highway. We're greatful to be far enough away from the flooding and yet are so close to see so many homes destroyed and families without. All said and done, we had a GREAT day at the park!!!

For my GIRLS who have GIRLS!

2008-06-17T22:50:00.000-05:00

Okay, Ladies! I know this sounds like a stupid thing to "blog" about, but I love it and if I had a daughter's who hair I could... I would.... but I don't..... and I won't.........SOOOOO.......... my awesome sister who has 2 beautiful girls (and one handsome boy) was telling me about this website for little girls hair. I checked it and out and I'm addicted! I just HAVE to pass the info on because this lady has great ideas and great tips and I promise it's worth clicking on to check it out. The website is: http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com . Hope you don't take doing your crying, whining, tangled little girls hair for grantide :)

Happy Father's Day, DAD!

2008-06-15T14:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day, DAD! This is a great memory I have with my dad on our Yamaha 100. We used to go riding together and I remember the one time we crashed and I got a big burn from the engine. When I was older (like 10-12) I remember taking it up the mountain by myself with my brother, Steve taking his Honda and riding along Bountiful Blvd (before it was Bountiful Blvd) and just opening it up across that stretch. I'm greatful for a dad who is able to provide memories like this one... and this only one of them.

Dad, I love you! Thanks for being such a great man who I admire and look up to so much and for always loving me... no matter what! Whether it was stealing your Honda Accord SE at 15, or charging your phone bill over $300, I always allowed you to learn more patience and understanding :)

Just wanted you to know I love you! You are the best dad and although I was really young, wanted to remind you that you're "My Daddy, M.D."

Mason's 1st trip to the POOL

2008-06-12T23:39:00.000-05:00

So I was a bad mom and forgot the whole camera thing, but at the end I remember this was Mason's first official summertime trip to the pool (besides Great Wolf Lodge in KS in February). So it's not the best picture, but wanted to get them on the blog. The reflection of the water isn't helping Mason, but if you compare and look at Chris' size and Mason's size, you can see he's a big boy :) With all his crawling around and climbing up things, he's maintaining weight (and could even be loosing weight!) Wait til our first trip to the lake with the Jet Skiis... that will be fun!!!! Stay tuned!!!

MaSOn anD DAdDy TiMe!

2008-06-10T17:29:00.000-05:00

Mason loves to stand at the back door and try to get the attention of whomever is outside. He sit and hit the glass and try to get Jet to care. When Chris BBQ's he'll sit and play with him at the door the whole time. It's cute to see them play for what seems to be forever as Mason will be totally content just standing and pounding away. He makes the best voices as he gets so excited. Way to be an awesome dad! (Plus I figured this was one to get Chris on the blog :)

Tanner ready for the DANCE!

2008-06-09T18:14:00.000-05:00

So I told you how Tanner was excited to be in "Middle School" now and he's "so old". Well I decided to give in a little and let him know that I trust him and his friends and respect his "old age". So one week after school was out was the big "dance". He had me come into his room one day because we needed "to talk". Well he wanted to talk about he was voted most fashionable at school and that he has a reputation to uphold in Middle School now and we needed to go shopping. WHAT?!?! Never in a MILLION years did I expect to hear my son tell me we needed to go shopping. So I took him shopping and this was what he came up with (with a little help from mom :) ) He told me to "drop him off" at the dance and that he'd be okay. It cost $3 to get in, so I asked him, "How much money do you need, Tan?" He quickly replied "$20." I said nice try and handed him a $10 (which he also was reminded it came out of his allowance... bad mom, I know) So I dropped him off, went back and picked him up. He had a blast he said. Of course he didn't dance, but had fun "hanging out." I'm okay letting Tanner do this, but I'm scared to death when Parker asks to go to these.... YIKES!!!

Tan mowing the grass

2008-06-05T08:51:00.000-05:00

So it's official! Tanner has been officially given the BACKYARD to mow! After dad could see that he could make straight lines and get it up a little hill, he feels that Tanner can mow his grass. Tan's not FRONTYARD worthy yet... that requires diagnal lines and precise movements. And although I thought I did a good job trying to surprise him a few times and mow the grass, I was fired from mowing. So Tan has a lot to hold up to. Now although I might be mocking more poor husband, by far we have the best and greenest grass in the whole subdivision! Thanks honey for making our grass and yard look so nice and thanks for letting go a little so a boy (boys:) ) can mow the grass! WAY TO GO, TAN! P.S. Parker's picture will appear soon I'm sure because now he's begging to do it! Stay tuned!

Splish, Splash, Mason's taking a bath!

2008-06-03T11:38:00.000-05:00

Mason LOVES the bath! He will have our bathroom floor just soaked! He's gotten so big and we thought it might be Mason's turn on the blog!

Lots of our MASON!

2008-06-03T11:25:00.000-05:00

Mason loves his bouncer/jumper but is getting too tall for it. I loved this big cheeser!

Now that crawls around everywhere like a pro, the past few weeks he's learned to pull up on everything. His favorite thing is to pull up on the front windows and watch his brothers play in the front yard. First thing in the morning, I walk around and pull up all the blinds!

I think this picture is hilarious because Evan had been a sleepover and brought his stuff in and just threw it down. I couldn't find Mason and finally found him laying on Evan's pillow eating his flip flop! He's such a sly character!

Of course as he saw me snatch the picture he wanted to come and grab the camera. I just love his big eyes and his dimpled chin he got from his Bapa (see lower entry for comparison).

ScHooL's OuT 4 tHE SuMMeR!!!

2008-05-31T10:57:00.001-05:00

Way to Parker! Since Tanner graduated 5th grade, "technically" Parker sort of graduated too! At their Elementary school it is divided into 2 campus. It has the K-2 side and the 3-5 side each with it's own Principal's and own schedules. So happy graduation to you too, Park! Here's Park at his Field day. It was so cold that right near the end the sun finally decided to show, but as you can see we both have pants and sweatshirts on! Parker's with 2 of his best buddies, Casey (on the left) and Matthew (on the right). The picture with the girls are the ones he thinks are cute: Faith (left), Madi (right), and Parker (embarrassed once again by his mother). The last picture is Parker with his teacher, Mrs. Hoffmann and his friend Casey. He had a great year, but was able to learn about the word "homework" and "schedule" from 2nd grade. We are very proud of him and can't wait to see what he does with 3rd grade!!!

My BiG bOY is All GRoWn UP!

2008-05-30T16:21:00.000-05:00

I can't believe today was the last of school! That's just crazy! Tanner finished off 5th grade and "graduated" and is already asking if he can go to a dance next weekend for those in Middle School. Some of you may not know it, but in Missouri you go to Middle School grades 6-8 and High School 9-12, so my oldest will start Middle school August 13th! He finished with some pretty good grades throughout his Elementary School life. Way to go, Tanner! These pictures were of Tanner and his other best buddy, Zach Gregory. This was at field day and they had a blast. It cracks me up because although Tanner looks like a total dork in these glasses... he was voted "Most Fashionable" by his classmates... go figure!!!

We miss you, Bapa!

2008-05-26T18:03:00.000-05:00

I know this might seem like a weird entry, but on Memorial Day we've been talking with the kids about what it means and the people who have lost their lives for us serving their Country and for people whom we love who have passed away. It had me thinking and pondering of those whom I love dearly who have passed away like my Grandma Beth and Grandpa Harker. These are 2 very special people in my lives, and I hope to honor them one day, but I truly got to experience the loss of a loved one when Chris' dad, Garry Condiff passed away about 3 years ago. It was something that at the age of 66 you don't plan on dying that young, but that nasty cancer can just take the ones we love so fast. He fought a tough battle and just didn't make it. He was a hard working man who provided very well for his family. I remember going to their lake house in Texas and going water skiing and the memories that Chris had as a teenager going with his friends every weekend to the Lake House. I remember their condo in Red River, NM and going every summer and it was soooo beautiful. We'd always be their for the 4th of July parade and spend time together as family. It was a great place to go snow skiing as well. No matter if it was at the lake, the condo, or his home, we always could get a good card game in before we left (and he could beat us every time!) The man ate out more than anyone I know and 3/4 of it was Mexican food. He was a very spiritual man who was Bishop at the time of his death. He knew how connect with his grandchildren even though every single one of them are "twits". They all called him "Bapa" and had a "rule" for everything (ex. Rule #21... no jumping on the bed.) It was always in a fun and joking manner. He always made me feel important and never once did I feel like I was an "in-law". I always had a special bond with Garry and am proud that he is my father-in-law. I think we're going out to eat Mexican tonight in memory of Gar! We love you and miss you, Bapa!

Evan's graduation from Preschool!

2008-05-22T13:59:00.000-05:00

Our little Evan has officially graduated from Magic World Preschool! His last day was yesterday and his graduation ceremony was last night. I am so upset because I went early and was taking all these GREAT photos of before they walked, then him walking in and singing all the songs and receiving his "diploma". Well... I forgot to put the memory card back into the camera after posting Parker's thing so I didn't get one picture!!! AND that was ontop of squeezing in by a friend on the front row while Chris watched all the rest of the boys in the back. But that was okay because just in case I had the video camera too... however... I didn't check the tape on it and I got about the first 2 songs and then "tape end" appeared!!! I couldn't win for the life of me! So needless to say, it was a good thing I paid and ordered these pictures a few weeks ago. Congratulations, Evan and we're excited for Kindergarten!!!

Life lesson learned??? I hope so!

2008-05-20T15:21:00.000-05:00

Oh my sweet and dear Parker... what have you done? I know I told you to keep your shirt on, but what does a mom know anyway? Apparently A LOT! This does not do it justice and he cleaned up nicely! Parker was racing down the hill sitting on his scooter (not standing) and was trying to impress the ladies by taking his shirt off. Well, he biffed it and got a pretty good road rash from it. He tried to be tough, but once he got inside the house, boy did he cry and scream. The effort of a bath about killed him and HE THOUGHT he was out of having to go to school. Stupid kid must have hit his head too because you have to have a very high fever or seriously ill for one of my kids to miss school. So I took him lunch today at school to check on him and his teacher made him go to the nurse to get the main areas covered with a bandaid. (Yep, I'm the mean mom who wants it to dry out and scab up so it can be over with!) He will live, but wanted to be on the blog.

i am SPeCiAL!!!

2008-05-15T21:50:00.000-05:00

So my mom and dad have told me my whole life how "special" I am. I thought you would all like to know that with a name like "Becky Thompson" there were 270 other names like mine is the U.S.. Come to find out I get married and now it's finally true... I am the only "Becky Condiff"... I'M FINALLY SPECIAL :)

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
0
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

{HaPPy biRtHDaY, CapTAiN eVAn!!!}

2008-05-12T22:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, EVAN!!! I can't believe my little swashbuckling pirate is 5!!! I must say, please be impressed with his birthday cake... I MADE IT!!! Now I know that may sound dumb, but if you know me at all then you know how lucky Evan was to get a pirate hat with gold money made with love by mom! He invited only boys and dressed them up in their pirate gear (click on the picture to get a better a view...Aargh!) We played pin the X on the treasure chest, cannonball toss, walk the plank, had pirate boats (hot dogs) for grub, and had a pirate pinata they were able to take a swing at. It was a blast and kids were really good and had a fun time with. Why do they grow up so fast?!?!

My trip to Arizona!

2008-05-12T22:35:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Arizona in black and white... color to come!

2008-05-12T17:13:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Thanks for coming, MOM/GRANDMA!

2008-05-08T21:56:00.000-05:00

So I had a chance to spend some time with my mom. She came out before my birthday to see the grandkids (and of course...wish me Happy Birthday...in person!!) Mom and Dad live in Bountiful, Utah and mom always comes by herself in the springtime and then they both return usually in December. It was great to have mom here and play the traditional games with the grandkids... Sorry, Monopoly, Harry Potter UNO, and GO FISH!. She was able to hit one of the boys hockey games where Tanner skated and played really good and Parker got a goal. She was here for my recipe club night and was able to see her daughter in a "different light" I think. We did a little shopping and a lot of excercises (for a hurt shoulder of hers) and watched the "Jazzies" (Utah Jazz NBA team) on T.V.. With all the fun we had the best part was by far the homemade chicken noodle soup (where she rolls her own noodles and everything is homemade and yummy) and the homemade chocolate cake... YUM! It was so good to have her out. I was glad to get the news that I was going to see my sister in AZ, but felt badly that it could have taken away some of my excitement that she was here. I love you, Mom! Thanks for coming and thanks for all you do! Happy Mother's Day, Sunday!!!

Recipe Club FIESTA!! oLe'!

2008-05-08T21:49:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It's here at last....I'M COMING!!!

2008-05-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

So I'm off to pack my bags for my sisters house in Arizona... sick of hearing it yet? Well too bad! I'm excited and I'll be seeing her and the family soon! "HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!!!"

ONE MORE DAY... CAN I WAIT?!?!?!

2008-04-30T14:48:00.001-05:00

i will be leaving tomorrow night to see my sister and her hubby and kiddos in Arizona and I can't wait! I will be sad to see my mom have to go home, but it will be fun to see them too! YIPPEE!

See ya in 2 days, Dickamore Family!

2008-04-29T22:53:00.000-05:00

I'll be there in 2 days! I'm getting excited to see you, just busy getting other things done!

I'M COMING, TAMI!!! SEE YA IN 3 DAYS!

2008-04-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

So I wrote about it last night, but since have posted some things, so you'll have to go down the post on April 27 , Here I come, Tami and read what's going on, but in case you're too lazy...I'M GOING TO SEE TAMI AND HER FAMILY IN ARIZONA....YEAH, ME!!!! I'm so excited!!!!

Tanner Arrow of Light Award

2008-04-28T08:07:00.000-05:00

In the cub scout program you can earn your tiger, bobcat, wolf, bear, and webelos badge and then you advance into 11 year old scouts or boy scouts. Just like in Boy Scouts were you can earn your eagle, the cub scouts have something similar to that. It's called the Arrow of Light award. Tanner had earned that badge and it's the only badge that will be able to be worn on your Boy Scout shirt. He worked really hard to get this award and had a special evening for the presentation of this award and also for him bridging or crossing over into Boy Scouts. We are so proud of Tanner and hope it can progress into Boy Scouts. It was a great evening for him (and for the parents). WAY TO GO, T!

Tanner's Birthday party

2008-04-28T07:59:00.000-05:00

Tanner had his Birthday party at a local ice rink. We rented the sheet of ice for him and his inline hockey team. They had the whole rink to themselves. It was a great party and all the kids had a GREAT time! I had the cake be a hockey player and put his age number on the cake (he was also number 11 until this season, now he's number 3). They were able to iceskate, have pizza and soda and cake and they had such a great time that the pizza sat there for almost 2 hours until we made them come and eat because their parents would be there to get them. It was a blast and now Parker's already saying he wants a ice skating party too! We'll see!

TAMI, HERE I COME! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2008-04-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

Can I get a YEE-HAW! I'm am so excited I can't wait until tomorrow or find a fun picture I just have to get it out now! It's my birthday today and after I got an umbrella, a canister to hold sugar, a necklace and some chocolate from the kids, Chris (aka Tex) surprised me with the best of all... A TRIP TO ARIZONA TO SEE TAMI!!!! He gave me a little Tonka airplane with the itinerary tied up to it. I am so excited!!! First I get my mom here for my birthday and now in 4 days I get to see, Tami and Tony, Taeya, Aliya and Blake... YIPPEE! If you need me this weekend, I'll be in Arizona, sorry I won't be able to help :) What a great birthday gift... way to go, honey!!!

HaPpY BiRtHdaY, tAnNeR!!!

2008-04-23T19:17:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Tan! I can't believe he's 11 now! The kid looks a crop growin' farmer's son in his sleeveless shirt and hat. The poor thing got a brownie bite from Costco as his birthday cake because his real birthday cake he'll get for his party tomorrow. He wanted a hockey cake to go with hockey party. Don't worry... pictures are to come! Thanks to all who called or went out of their way in way to wish him a Happy Birthday! After a long day of MAP testing at school he came home, still had chores (easy ones though), homework, opened some sweet presents and then chose to eat at Pizza Pro here in Wentzville (he had said Chevy's and changed his mind). Then he got this effort of cake :) The funny thing is I was looking back at pictures with him and one year he had a candle in an ice cream cone, one year it was in a chocolate Krispy Kreme donut and now a brownie?! You can see why I need a recipe club!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAN!

OOPS! Why you don't leave a 4 yr old in charge!

2008-04-22T15:45:00.000-05:00

So I asked Evan to keep an eye on Mason while I say hi to the boys when they got home from school. I was talking with Tanner when I heard Chris say "Grab the camera and come here!" So I go upstairs to find Mason wrapped up in the vacuum cord. He had held onto the cord and rolled over to the other side of the room. Luckily we hadn't left him alone more than a couple of minutes and luckily the cord is long and fortunately he was fine. Another great lesson learned! Glad Evan will be 5 soon so he can "babysit better next time".

Where Chris and I began...COLIN RAMSAY!

2008-04-17T13:53:00.000-05:00

So I thought it would be fun to every once and a while update the blog with things of the past and I thought what way to start then when Chris and began! This is a picture of our dear friends, Colin and Julie Ramsay. This picture was taken LAST August when I WAS pregnant (no don't freak out... I"m not prego) when we were able to hook up for a night of fun.

Colin is from Switzerland and he and I met in Rexburg, Idaho at Ricks College (before BYU Idaho). Colin was dating a roommate of mine and in conversation one day I learned Colin didn't know how to swim. So I said, "I'll teach you!" So I went over to pick him up at his apartment and his roommate answers the door. Colin wasn't ready yet, so I got the chance to talk to his roommate. Let me first describe to you what I saw. A return missionary sitting on the couch watching CMT (Country Music Television) wearing a 10 gal. cowboy hat, a bright designed cowboy shirt, starched Wranglers with the white crease down the front, some cowboy boots, and big belt buckle that said "Texas" on it. When being my outgoing self I am, I said, "Hi, I'm Becky. What's your name?" He mumbled something I could figure out what he said (because was obviously more into the TV than me). I asked him again, "What was name, I didn't get it." He said something again and again, I DIDN'T GET IT. So I asked him where he was from and he said "Texas". By now Colin was ready and I thought it would be just Colin and I and he asked his roommate if he wanted to come and he said sure, so he came too. I didn't care that my makeup wasn't on and I wasn't ready because he was some small cowboy from Texas. So from then on (until we moved to MO) his name has been "Tex".

So after swimming we went to Little Caesar's for the soon to be come almost DAILY lunch of ours. We all started hanging out, the 3 of us and doing lots of fun and awesome stuff together. It was becoming obvious that 3 was a crowd and next thing we knew "Tex" and I started hanging out. We started dating (even though I had a missionary out I was SURE I was going to marry), but I just thought "hey, free food and fun, why not?!". So it wasn't very much longer and then Colin met Julie, his wife and we all became GREAT friends. Colin and Julie were married just a little over a month after Chris and I and lived in Boise for a while. Then the decided to move to Switzerland and have lived there about 8 years. Then about a year or 2 ago moved to London, England and live there now. They have 5 kids, Monica, James, George, Ben and Tim (twins). I am grateful I learned to swim when I was very young so that I could meet Colin which led me to Tex. Thanks, Colin and we miss you guys... TONS!!!

PS. The purse you see me holding is just a figment of your imagination!!! I had to carry a purse a few times because those dang maternity pants didn't always have pockets!

rUb-A-DuB-dUb...Mason's in the tub!!!

2008-04-15T16:34:00.000-05:00

Mason LOVES bathtime! He will sit in his seat and just splash and laugh! He looks like he's sporting some earrings, but it's just water. He has started to squinch his nose up when he laughs and it's so funny. When you get past his chubby cheeks, he actually has some very cute dimples.

PaRkeR's POSITIVE ReFFeRaL

2008-04-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

*You have to click on the image to make it larger if you want to read it*

Parker is so excited for everyone to see this! This is a positive referral that the kids can get at school for doing something good and they're actually pretty hard to get. He was on the way home from school and found $27 on the bus. He wanted to turn it in and thought he might get in trouble and thought that the bus driver would think he stole it. So he gave his friend $1 of it and basically said come with me and let's turn it in together so I don't get in trouble. The bus driver was so impressed with Parker that he would turn in the money and not keep it, that she wrote a positive referral about him (and not other kid after finding out the whole story). The principal gave him a copy of the letter and told his story over the intercom and gave him a certificate for a free meal at Red Robin's. He was proud that he did the right thing! WAY TO GO, PARKER! WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU, BUD!!!

YEAH, EVAN!!!

2008-04-14T13:45:00.000-05:00

Our Evan has learned how to ride his bike without training wheels... YIPPEE! He still needs to work on mastering getting on and a little more with steering and turning, but is doing GREAT! He for sure has learned to brake "just a little brake" and is proud to leave some "skidmarks" on the sidewalks. He's doing SUPER! The best was when we first started this, our neighbors nextdoor are selling their house and have a "FOR SALE" in their yard. Evan wasn't paying attention and turn to look at something else (his dad) and turned back in time to completely NAIL the sign! We didn't try to ride again.... But the next day we did and he's a pro!

Mason at his 6 month mark

2008-04-11T20:35:00.000-05:00

**IF YOU WANT TO HEAR HIM, YOU'LL HAVE TO GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FIRST AND MUTE THE MUSIC. THEN COME BACK UP AND HIT THE PLAY BUTTON. AND IF YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED OUR GUESTBOOK TAKE A SECOND AND DO THAT TOO!**

So we're trying something new and thought we would add a video. Mason has learned to get up on all 4's and when you say "GO!GO!GO!GO!" and cheer him on, he starts rockin'! You can sort of hear him laugh and see a quick smile. This one was a trial run. If it works, look forward to more videos! (if that's possible) The next video will be of our Evan who has learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Thanks for checking in our adventures in life!

Tanner's 5th Grade DARE Graduation

2008-04-11T16:09:00.001-05:00

Tanner had his 5th grade DARE graduation last night. He's standing next to one of his bestfriends, Jesse. Jesse is quite a character and makes me laugh so hard everytime I go to volunteer in the classroom. He reminds me a little bit of Chuck (my brother). Yes because of the way he looks, but also in the way he talks and carries himself. He's a "quiet crack-up" and a ladies man :) I'm glad that Tanner has such great friends and HOPEFULLY learned a little bit to help him resist drugs and alcohol.