Allison is the best, Here's why...... posted by Aaron

So as many of you know I decided to take the kids on a little adventure for the weekend to see Grammy and Papa-Steve in St. George. I thought this would be a fun weekend to get away and we could spend some time with the grandparents, swim, go the football game, participate in the Dixie run etc. Let me tell you what I learned while on my "vacation."

Top 5 reasons why Allison is the Mom and "in charge" of the kids.

1. I knew full well I was going to have to buy some diapers upon arrival in St. George, but of course I tried to do everything possible to make the small supply in the diaper bag last all weekend. It was a huge success until I made it home Monday afternoon when Allison asked why Noah's bum was red. I of course had no response.

2. I had a very hard time figuring out what to feed the kids. It seems like they were always needing something to eat. All I could find was some bread. I wasn't about to make something and actually breaking out the baby food and finding a baby spoon was just too much work. I am amazed at how Allison keeps us all fed and happy.

3. I am not sure how to get ready when the kids cry when you leave the room. In order to take a shower we had the whole family in the bathroom. I would peek from behind the shower curtain to see Mary flushing one of Noah's toys down the toilet or to see Noah trying to dive into the bathtub. Allison seems to get ready everyday no problem, I need to get some advice for my next adventure.

4. Swimming with two kids that don't know how to swim was a challenge. Mary wanted to constantly jump to daddy and Noah wanted to crawl into the hot tub which felt like a few hundred yards away. When I would run to save Noah from diving to his death Mary would be getting into her diving position with her little arms over her head. As soon as I would save Noah I was back to the pool to save the next drowning child. I guess that is why they invented floatation devices, but only Allison would be smart enough and prepared enough to use a floatie.

5. Candy!!! Need I say more. when I came home both Allison and I agreed that Mary really needed to brush her teeth. I used candy a lot last weekend to bribe Mary into sleeping, sitting still, putting on her seat belt on the plane, being quiet in church etc. Brushing her teeth was too much of a chore and I figured I would be home in a few days anyway.

As you can tell this was an eye opening experience. I feel like I am a hands on father, but I think I might be kidding myself. I admire how Allison is able to get it all done in a day. At the end of the day I couldn't even get out of my clothes to go to bed, I would just lay down fully dressed and before I knew it Noah was crying to get out of bed at 7:00 AM.

Allison, thanks for being such a great mommy. We love you!!!

The Name Game?

I still love the name Noah. It's just that when he does something he shouldn't, like rip the plug-in out of the electrical outlet and insert his finger in it's place while you scream "No!" and make a mad dash for him, you're not sure that he gets it. "No!" and "NO---AH!"...so close...he either likes the attention from doing something naughty or he thinks you're playing with him. He just laughs hysterically and shakes all over (not from the electricity but from excitement...I hope!).

Missing My Family

So, it's a little after 1:30 AM and I can't sleep. It's so quiet, not because everyone's asleep, but because I'm the only one here! Aaron has single handedly taken the kids to visit his parents for the entire weekend. I had been planning to spend Friday night and Saturday morning at a Relief Society retreat, when Aaron announced that he was taking the kids to St. George. What an amazing husband!

He boarded the plane alone, walked three miles from the terminal with Noah in the stroller, Mary walking behind, one car seat awkwardly positioned on his back, and another dangling off the stroller, suitcase and diaper bag in hand, and then boarded bus to shuttle to car rental. Wow! I don't think I could have done it. Even though it's tough doing it all alone, I know he's loving the time with the kids and his family...and I'm sure they are too! I wish I could just watch them from a bird's eye and see how darling they are together.

Now, it's very unusual for me to be experiencing insomnia. Typically, I can knock off in seconds. Perhaps it's because I got nine hours of heavenly sleep last night. Today (technically yesterday now) was very productive. It was filled with errands all over town (you know the kind you dread to do with children, like returning stuff), perfectly balanced meals for one, a great uninterrupted work out, and housecleaning galore. Now all I'm missing to enjoy it is my family.

I just keep thinking about this funny face Noah makes. Isn't it cute? He reminds me of a little leprechaun.


HURRY HOME!

A Fun Tag

My cute cousin Lana tagged me. Here it goes...
All About My Aaron


1- Where did you meet? In our BYU ward. We were in the same FHE group.
2- How long did you date before you were married? Friends for 5 months, dated for 1 yr, engaged for another 4 months (about 1 1/2 yrs)
3- How long have you been married for? 4 years
4- What does he do that surprises you? Aaron is always doing something thoughtful for me...calling on his way home from work, bringing me flowers, or taking the kids for a walk when I need a break. He hears things that I say I want or need and doesn't forget.
5- What's your favorite feature about him? His eyelashes, dark coloring, and overall handsomeness
6- What's your favorite quality about him? He works hard. He is a wonderful father and makes me laugh all the time.
7- Does he have a nickname for you? What is it? I think so. Honey? Why can't I remember? He's on a camping trip, it's been a few days.
8- What's his favorite color? Anything but red--dirty Utes!
9- What's his favorite food? Subway sandwiches
10-What is his favorite sport? He loves to watch soccer and tennis on TV and loves to water ski.
11- Who said I love you first? He did and then I said, "I do too".
12- When and where was your fist kiss? In his BYU apartment on his love sac
13-What's your favorite thing to do as a couple? Ride his motorcycle, play tennis, or go out to eat
14-Do you have kids? Two
15- What's a hidden talent that he has? He plays the piano and sings!
16- How old is he? 27
17- What's his favorite type of music? Anything.
18- What do you admire most about him? How quick he is at accomplishing things, how wise he is, and how well he remembers things I just don't-especially people's names.
19-What's his favorite past time? Looking at craigslist, houses, and cars
20- Do you think he is going to read this? Yes.


I tag, Jen Boyle and Cindy Larsen and Ambyr Nielsen and Christine Idiart (maybe then she'll put in a new blog entry-or Jared if you read this, you can do it about Christine)

Torture Chambers

Two places of torture...in my own home!

I love that zucchini bread sounds somewhat healthy since it has a vegetable in it...but it's really not at all...especially with the chocolate chips I added. If I didn't have this garden, I don't think I'd make it. Maybe no zucchini next year?

Notice that this comes after the zucchini bread picture...punishment!

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?