Swimming in the Big Bath

Mary has been taking swimming lessons every Tuesday and Thursday from her expert swimming coach Auntie Sarah. She loves going to the "Big Bath" (pool), playing with cousins, trying new things in the water, and eating "lot-li-pops"(Otter Pops) after she's done!


Here is Mary and a few of her cousins getting prepped for their 2-3 year old class to begin.


They have their lessons on the ledge of the pool and are fixated on Sarah's every word!


Look at her mad back floating skills!


Mary is now putting together all her new techniques...reach pull, blow bubbles, and KICK! Way to go!


A special thanks to Auntie Sarah and her helpers, whom Mary adores!

Lost....and FOUND!...or was it really lost at all?

I am not sure if this disease is genetic (because I think I've seen it manifested in Aaron's twin before) or just male in nature. The typical symptoms begin with your husband not been able to find something that he should know the location of. This is followed by the question: "I can't find ___; do you know where it is?" This usually results in the wife finding the item in warp speed.


Yesterday, Aaron asked me where a cleaning bucket was. I should have gotten it for him, but instead I asked, "Did you look right outside the garage door?". He replied, "Yes". I said, "Really?". He said, "Uh, not that well". So, I went and got the bucket located two inches from the garage door? Hmmm. I'm getting a little suspicious. But really, he was using it to clean our porch, so I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining. Plus, he is always helping me around the house, more than he should in fact. I guess I can only say something when it's related to food that's EXTREMELY visible in the pantry.

Don't tell... but, I really don't mind being the finder in the family...it's fun to feel omniscient! And who could ever get mad at someone who looks this good anyway?

I've been tagged...and so have you!

My dear friend Jen tagged me the other day and I didn't really get it until late last night. So, according to the rules, you have to take a picture and post the following ten things when you get tagged (scroll down to see). You're not allowed to clean up or stage. Disclaimer--this was first thing I did this morning, so don't look too close, especially at me!

Emilee Carruth, Dianna Boyce, AnnDee Nadauld, Val Davies, Makell Boyd, and Kristy Swenson... you've been tagged (be sure to tag 6 more victims when you post yours). Note: You have been selected because I want to get a glimpse of where you're living--especially you Dianna--who never posts any pictures of her new house!

1. Your closet (This is a combined picture of both my side and Aaron/some of Allison's side in our walk-in closet. Notice our new hanging method--drape clothes over rod. The hamper is just one foot away from where our clothes are laying, under our shoe shelves on the left, but we still can't manage to put our clothes in them.)


2. Your laundry room (with swimming attire hanging)


3. Your fridge (I was told to show the outside of the fridge, if it's inside, that could be scary! Maybe you're a little braver than me.)


4. The kitchen sink (Yes, that's zucchini bread from a missionary discussion last night--that zucchini is coming out my ears!)


5. Your favorite room (hard to decide...but our great room really is pretty great-- cooking, eating, lounging (area not pictured), watching tv, reading, and "working" in our office" (where I blog and pay bills) all together in one. Sometimes I even take a nap on our cooshy sectional, making it universal in things I like to do, except soaking in the tub, hmmmm. It also leads to our backyard, with nice french doors, windows, and light. Some kid asked us once why our couch and TV were in the kitchen. Okay, it's not great in the "size" sense just in the "things to do and enjoy" sense).

6. What the kids are doing right now

When I first started doing this Noah just woke up in his crib, by the time I was done, Aaron was headed out the door for work and Noah was hoping to follow.


This is Mary watching Dora with her bed head. Mary's hair is usually curly when she wakes up 'cuz it gets all sweaty, but yesterday I had put in a bunch of product and pulled it back so it was straighter than usual, however, just as crazy.

7. Bathroom (Almost all of it is pictured. The sun was strong on the one corner, so I couldn't get a picture of the end of the tub and the toilet. Notice that the messy vanity is mine.)


8. Favorite shoes (Here are three I like probably the most--I couldn't choose just one.)


9. Dream vacation (Pretty much anywhere with this guy and in warm weather. I've been everywhere I want to go (Bahamas, NYC, & Europe), except Hawaii, maybe some day.)


10. Self-portrait (Okay, remember this is first thing in the morning. I rarely show anyone my glasses too, so enjoy. Poor Aaron.)

Feelin' Groovy

Okay, I had to join in on the fun (Thanks Sarah and Tiff). And by the way, watch out Donny and Marie!

Also, I'm trying to change my blog background a little bit. I loved the blue pattern from my old template, but the middle portion was too narrow and I want something white so my pics will turn out better. I think Dani has this background already on her blog, sorry. I will be changing it very soon. I also took off my "Music for Sailing". It was floating me towards the loony bin.

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Swing Addicts

Mary got a new swing set for her second birthday in April (Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Damian, and Sarah). She can stay on the swing for hours on end. In fact, every time we go to the park, she needs to spend at least one or two hours on "her" swing. This makes taking turns a little difficult. Noah just eats it up too. He's such a fan of whatever Mary's doing, and Mary loves to push him as well.

I started telling Mary that the swings at the park down the street are all wet from the sprinklers when we go for our walks in the morning so I don't have to stop and push her forever. Sometimes I tell her that Daddy will push her when he comes home, just so I can escape standing in the hot sun. I can't wait until she can pump her legs on her own. That takes like only a year or two, right?

Mary wanted me to include the poem she wrote while swinging yesterday. She is becoming quite the poet, but really, it isn't too surprising since she's of course as advanced as they come:)

Swing Affair
by: Mary Nadauld

I love you Swing, I love you Swing.
When Mommy pushes me--I sing and sing!
You make me soar; you make me giggle.
And sometimes you even tickle my middle.
I'll visit you each day that I can,
At the park, in my yard, in the grass or the sand.
And when it's time to say goodbye--
I'll cry and cry and I'll cry and I'll cry!

Gardening 101

Take a look at these zucchinis from our first garden! Our garden is really blooming in the zucchini department. The strawberries are being eaten by the birds. The tomatoes are on their way along with the peppers. Who knows if the watermelon will ever turn out. I've been making zucchini bread by the dozens. Yum!

Summer O' Fun

Late last night we returned from an amazing pioneer trek experience, just one of the several fun activities we have had this summer. Here are some highlights from our four big summer events! I'll try to make them short since Aaron just called our home phone from his cell in our bedroom wondering where I was. This blog thing is so fun, but a wee bit addicting.

The Trek
I have learned that I could probably do only some of the things those amazing pioneers accomplished. Pushing a handcart about 20 miles over three days through terrible sand, wind, and extreme heat took all of my faith. I have also learned that I would have probably died had conditions been what they really were. The hardest thing for me would be watching my friends and family suffer and even die. We are such a blessed people. The Spirit was so strong the during the entire trek. I could feel the faith of the pioneers each step we took. What an incredible experience. The amount of planning and prep it took to make the trek feel genuine was worth it. We traveled through a small "swamp", ferried across a river, and climbed a Rocky Ridge. We even experienced all our men being called to participate in the Mormon batalion. The women were left to pull the handcarts up a pretty big hill. It brought tears to my eyes and my heart swelled up with gratitude for my husband, the Relief Society sisterhood, the priesthood and the youth on the trek. I can't even explain the physical exhaustion, the great spirit, the remarkable stories, the talks from our leaders, and the beautiful music...it was a very touching week.

We were Ma and Pa to nine of the nicest teenagers in our stake. Our family name was The Trekkies (The Chosen Generation). Our license plate said GO N WARP SPEED. Our chant was Zion: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the handcart companies. Our mission--to the follow the Lord and create a new peaceful civilization, to boldly go where no man has gone before. Our family motto was Live Right and Prosper. The entire trek theme was taken from Mosiah... "Remember and perish not." What an incredible testimony building experience it was for myself and our youth.

The only thing I didn't like was walking around in our pioneer clothing on our way to and from the camp (hello Polygamists!) and the hot VERY stinky bus.

Fourth of July
This fourth of July was just like the good old days in San Bruno, CA (my home) because some of our closest friends traveled up for food, sun, boating, picnicking, and of course Matt Vranes' firework extravaganza. Nothing feels more like home than do fireworks hammered onto wood, seven layer taco dip, and a lot of laughter. Plus, it was so nice not being the dorky kid, but rather, the mother of two super cute kids and the wife of a really handsome man.

Island Park
After traveling 15 hours with a two-year and eight-month old in the car while watching 15 episodes of Dora (something I don't recommend) we arrived at a little piece of heaven, a vacation with the entire Nadauld clan. We stayed at Hodge Lodge on Bills Island. We played all day on the boats, survived death tube, went four wheeling, caught frogs (Actually, I didn't do that), built crazy dangerous bicycle ramps into the lake, floated down the river, saw Hello Dolly (mostly girls did that), had a tennis tournament, ate, laughed, and played. We also got to catch up on each others' lives and watch our children play together. Mary still dreams about her cousin, Daner-doo (Dane). She wakes up calling his name at night. We love spending time with our family. Thank you Margaret and Steve for making this happen... we can't wait until next June!

The Bahamas
This trip was by far the coolest vacation I have ever done in my life, actually that's not true--Europe and New York were pretty awesome too. While it was hard to leave our kids (mostly me, since I am SO emotionally attached) we were happy to have Grammy and Papa Steve come and watch them. They couldn't have been in better hands. It was a great trip because I got a full night of sleep for an entire week and I felt like a newlywed again. It was almost like we went back in time. Plus, hanging out with my brothers and their wives for a week couldn't have been more entertaining. We went to Universal studios and Epcot Center in Florida and carnival cruised to the Bahamas for swimming, scooter rides, shopping, and a lot of good food.