School Picture Day!

I was actually kind of scared to get these. I thought I had wasted my money when I asked Kadie if she smiled with her pretty teeth for the camera and she said "I smiled like this mom..." and exposed all 20 of her teeth in one VERY LARGE angry looking grin. So, I was pleasantly surprised! Good job Kadie. She even chose her outfit herself.

Officially in his 30's!

I have been warning Josh this would happen for a year. He would turn 30. I don't know why people make it sound so bad. Haven't they heard that 30-45 is the peak of most peoples lives and careers? So I have been excited about it. I still have a few years to catch up, but I think our 30's will be a great time together! We will have our family and Josh's career further along, and hopefully buy a HOUSE in our 30's. Who wouldn't say YES to that?

In Honor of my uber-successful and handsome husband (so what if I am a little biased?), I tried to put together a party to celebrate this momentous occasion. Since he loves climbing and doesn't often get a chance with his busy work schedule, we went climbing with friends and family, and it was so much fun!

My sister Morgan (Spiderwoman) and her Boyfriend Kade (Spiderman) spearheaded the entire party, teaching people to climb and gearing everyone up so they were nice and "safe".

There were competitive moments, especially after I tried a route harder than Josh. Of course he tried to beat me, then another tried, then another. Finally the only person who could make it was my sister Morgan - hence the name Spiderwoman.

Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with us. We had a great time, and I think Josh feels a little better about being in his 30's! :)

2 + 1 = 3

Guess what?

911

I just read my friend Melissa's blog, and thought that it was so great of her to mention something about 911. It seems like it was a different life when it happened.

Josh and I were newly married, and I was in a computer class up at BYU-I when I found out. Our teacher put the news up on the big screen and the room was silent. I remember thinking, "How and why does someone fly into a building?" and then the worry of my Dad who was supposed to be in New York came to my mind. When I called to talk to my mom I was thankful he had canceled his business a few days before. I remember my mom being really upset and when she heard about the plane that flew into the Pentagon saying something like "What if they hit every big city in the nation"? I really was worried.

I thought it was the end of the world. Even thought I was happy being married, I suddenly wanted to be back home. It really was the first time I had been scared of terrorists.

The amazing thing was how it brought our country together. Everyone seemed to agree on how precious life was. I love how Melissa wrote that for a small time it was okay to mention God. I remember that, and EVERYONE seemed respectful of God. I miss that feeling, and hate that I try to "watch" what I say sometimes because I don't want to offend someone. Rarely do others watch the use of taking the Lord's name in vain. I am proud to believe in a Heavenly Father and his son. I shouldn't ever have to feel shy about it.

Now we are back to normal life just 7 years later, and everyone has begun to forget about it. The main thing on the news now is the stupid housing crisis. Can I just say I am so sick of hearing about the housing crisis...soon to be followed by the car-loan crisis. Blah.

I just want to mention something to a lot of people I know. So many people have said that you aren't even going to vote this year. Honestly, I think it is really immature. Someone is going to be elected whether you vote or not, and that gives our country two different outcomes. I think that this is a great event to be able to use the power of prayer to get a feeling on who would be better for our country and the standards that we want for ourselves and our children.

Sorry for that LONG memoir...I meant for it to be short and sweet. Not long and irritating. :)

Kadie's Caterpillar

I found this little guy in a husk of corn I got from the store. Instead of freaking out and throwing it in the garbage right away...I showed Kadie.

Kadie took her little caterpillar for a "walk" in a caterpillar sized stroller, and let him play on her tiny pet shop playground. Later that day she found Mr. Caterpillar a very nice home in a very nice plant at the park.

I think she will be a good mom. :)

Monster Messy Laney

No, not blood.

RED. NAIL. POLISH.

And the very worst part, it wasn't even at my house. It was at a friend's house, and Laney being the mischievous girl she is found red nail polish within the first 20 minutes and tried to paint her toes. What was that question you just thought? Oh, the answer is yes...she did get it on the CARPET! Can I bring you some more jewelry Mindy?

The Waldron Bro's

Over Labor Day Weekend, we had a fantastic fun-filled time with the Waldron Brother Quad.

Left to right, Sam the returned missionary (went to Australia Mate), Spencer the entrepreneur/law student, Josh the sexy CPA, and Jake the Master Graduate Engineer.

The stars of the show were baby Morgan (Jake and Andrea's cutie patootie), and Laney. They look so sweet in this picture, although Morgan didn't particularly like Laney squeezing her so tight. :) Check out Morgan below...I love the top middle silly face, and the top left scrunchy nose smile. Such a cutie!

Kadie and Laney had a BLAST with so many people to play with. Uncle Jake started off the first day bouncing the girls off of the beanbag chair and playing Mr. Horse.

Uncle Sam was so awesome to play BARBIE'S with the girls. I would say he is definitely marrying material for any of you single women!

We went swimming on the HOT weekend too, and it was quite the party. With Laney jumping in to Aunt and Uncle Debbie (Spencer and Debbie), and Kadie being thrown back and forth from Aunt to Uncle, Mom to Dad...we were all worn out by the end of the day!

Since we were all tired at the end of the day from swimming extravaganza, Laney had to come up with her own entertainment. That included pushing and pulling a chair twice her size over to the bean bag, and then twisting and turning and jumping from it! Look at that form!

Of course, Sunday included the infamous game of Settlers. The returned missionary won the game of course. Congrats Sam!

Thanks everyone for coming, and sleeping wherever we could fit you. The girls went through withdrawals all week because there were not multiples of me around! See you all in December!