Halloween, Halloween...what does it mean?

This year we did a little last minute Halloween dress up. We had originally planned on dressing up as each other, but later decided to be The Beckhams. Doesn't Dan make a beautiful Posh? Here we are at Shaun and Maren's Halloween par-tay...

You can't see his whole get up, but he is wearing leggings and high heeled shoes (that he practically wore the WHOLE night!!). He is actually lucky that after I saw him dancing around in my leggings (before the party) that I didn't require that we go as ballet dancers instead (hmm...maybe next year). Probably the most offensive thing of the night was that he was constantly getting compliments on his outfit (my outfit) now I don't know that I could wear it and feel that I do it justice. By the way did you know you can't cross dress at BYU for Halloween? LAME!!

Okay, enough about us...here is the real reason for Halloween at our house (or so we thought)...

Ellie had the most DARLING witch costume. She is wearing a skirt that lit up, and a witch hat with a veil. Really it was cute. As soon as I had her dressed, she swiftly undressed again. She didn't fancy trick or treating, but she did like handing out treats, and haunted houses (she definitely didn't get that from me!!).

Imaginary Spankings

When I find that Teeny Tiny Baby...she's going to get a spanking!! Look what she did to Ellie when she was trying to do her homework!! Man, I hate other people's kids...





When I threatened to give Teeny Tiny Baby a spanking, Ellie said, "Oh, mom it was just me...I was kidding. SHEESH!"

And We Were SCARED!!

Okay, so we really weren't...I have to admit that I didn't even notice that the "Frankenstein monster" Ellie had colored was hanging above the bed when I got up this morning. Oh well, Dan tried.

Now, I've mentioned that Dan hates Halloween, and I LOVE it (minus scary shows and Haunted Houses). Really, I hope our marriage works out, I'd hate to get divorced over this!! :P

The history behind Dan despising Halloween is this: Dan was not allowed to go Trick or Treating when he was younger. His family didn't celebrate Halloween at all, well except that ONE time...

Dan doesn't really remember how old he was, but he was home with his siblings one Halloween night. His parents left the kids at home, and while they were gone, Dan and his two older brothers Eric and Kimball decided that they were going to get some Halloween candy.

It is amazing how they worked together, and actually really touching. Eric and Dan designated Kimball to go (instead of fighting about it, heart strings already, right? Wouldn't you think they would argue about WHO would get to go?). Kimball didn't have a costume, and didn't want to go without one, so Dan and Eric scrambled to make him one. They used a football helmet and plastic garbage bags. Kimball went out the back door, jumped the padlocked fence, and went Trick or Treating in the neighborhood while Dan and Eric watched him from their little sister's room, cheering the WHOLE time!!

When Kimball got home he dumped out his pillowcase, and divided the candy evenly among all the siblings. Isn't that sweet? Really, it is one of those stories that make you laugh and cry...I know I did!!

Anyway, that was Dan's happiest Halloween EVER...The End.

Luckily we have some great friends that celebrate, and we are looking forward to the party Halloween night, and yes, we are dressing up...TBA.

Sometimes I feel like a bad mom...

I've been asked on several occasions when I'm going to "pop" out another kid. In so many words, it isn't that I don't want more kids (even though I constantly joke about only being a good mom to one...we all know our limits, right?), I just feel that I'm neglecting Ellie by going to school, and then I am going to teach the next year...if I add another kid on top of that I feel that we will be in therapy by the time she is 16.

or now?

Ellie has an imaginary friend, Teeny Tiny Baby. I'm really not a huge fan of the little one. She constantly complains, she never sits in her carseat, she has been known to jump into Ellie's mouth on occasion, and I have sat on her before. In my defense, it is hard when they are little, and don't exist!!

Even though my teacher (okay, actually professor) told me that imaginary friends are a sign of creativity and intelligence (I told you she was a genius), Teeny Tiny Baby didn't really appear until I started getting busier with school. What breaks my heart more is when Ellie is doing her "homework", and she tells Teeny Tiny Baby to leave her alone, because she is busy (Do I really say that?).

I start field next week, and even though I am excited to get going on it, I'm also nervous. I've never left Ellie with anyone, but family (and Meagan's cute sister Maddie for an hour on Wednesdays). I know she'll be in good hands, I am just realizing what a change this is going to be for us. I'm looking forward to her social interactions with other kids, but I will miss our daily interactions (she is at her best when she first wakes up in the morning). Who knew that I would like being a stay at home mom, even though I really don't like little kids that much? I guess it is different when you have your own...

Anyway, I didn't mean to turn it into a blubbering post...I hate school.

I do love this though...



and this...

I was awarded for being nosey, and you can be too...

You can only honor five people with this award...the first four are dedicated to being a reader of your blog. The fifth is an out of state (or country)...Jessica honored me with this award, and it really touched me...

Jessica, my blogging buddy, highschool friend, old co-worker, and Dan's ex-girlfriend, (what I can adore Dan's exes!!) gave me an award for being a good and faithful blog stalker...what can I say, it takes time, effort and nosiness (I thought I made up a word, apparently it isn't, and it is spelled correctly). I would like to thank my babysitter...Spongebob (what mom did you think it was going to be you?), without you I would never be able to stalk nearly as many blogs...

My awards go to...

Kristy: Kristy may be my favorite cousin of Dan's, why you ask? When I was searching high and low for my Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses, Kristy noticed (not that I didn't dedicate my blog to the searching for them or anything...), and she left me a message (two weeks ago) saying she had two bags with my name on them. I shed a tear. Now, you all probably thought I jumped on the chance to get those sent to me (I kind of actually forgot about them), but I didn't. I still wanted to find them for myself. Yesterday I posted another little something about them. Kristy texted me, and asked for my address. Kristy is a good friend, I would have devoured both bags by now, she hasn't. Oh, and did I mention that she has the cutest, identical baby boys?

Stephanie: Stephanie is a dear friend from UVU. She doesn't comment much (I guess she might think she is above it or something). How do I know she blog stalks me then? Well one day in class she was asked what the was the most beautiful thing she had seen that day, and she said pictures of Ellie (I can't wait until she spawns some beautiful kids!!). I sometimes try to tell her stuff, and she says she already read about it on my blog...maybe she just doesn't want to talk to me or something, maybe we aren't friends. Stephanie and her husband are fun, outdoorsy people, and they actually look like they could be twins...

Mom: What your mom doesn't blog? Well that's a shame. I can't really count on any one else reading my blog, but I know my mom does...She has a blog, and not only that she is a bonafied blog stalker (I would dare say she is worse than me). She hates when I have friends that go private...how is she going to check up on them? So friends...give an invite to my mom. Thanks.

Meagan: Meagan and I are low maintenance friends, so this blogging business is really good for our friendship. I know she checks my blog, because I always check hers. Not only that, but I have heard that I have some followers from her family. I hear that Mike can do a really mean (and by that I mean good) impression of Ellie's temper tantrum. Hopefully one of these days I'll get to see it.

Moravia: Her acutal name is Jenny, she's great and very smart and it makes me feel good when he leaves comments. She is living proof that you can be LDS and liberal (I would use myself as an example, but some would probably disagree, especially since I don't like kids). She used to live in Utah, but now lives in Pennsylvania with her cute family (she is celebrating her nine year anniversary this weekend).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of blog stalking cousins...Angela, you should totally get a blog so I can stalk you too...

My list of 3

3 Names I answer to:

1. Katy (Ellie usually refers to me as Katy when we are playing together, I don't mind...it is a little less formal.)
2. Moooooom
3. Wifee/Wifey

3 Restaurants I like:

1. PF Changs
2. Jaxies
3. Old Spaghetti Factory

3 Trips I have planned for the rest of the year:

1. none (sad)
2. none (WAY sad)
3. none (are you crying for me too?)

3 Things I REALLY want:

1. A bigger house
2. Better time management skills (lesson plan, due tomorrow...I still have all night, right?)
3. Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses

3 Pets I have/had:

1. Flower
2. Bob
3. Winky
(these were all at my parent's house, luckily Dan and I share the philosophy...the only good pet is a dead pet, or a monkey.)

3 Things I did yesterday:

1. Running at 5 am (no worries, I think I am falling out of love with it)
2. Went to school
3. Did "cool tricks" with Ellie (jumping on the bed and such)

3 Things I ate yesterday:

1. Bagelful
2. Strawberries
3. One Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kiss (they do exist)

3 Fears I have:

1. Car Accident
2. Death
3. Cancer

3 Things I plan on doing today: (Considering that it is 10:20, we'll just mention what I did today)

1. Took Ellie to gymnastics
2. Grocery shopping
3. Met with the bishop of our new ward (Say hello to your new nursery substitutes!! Poor kids, I told them I didn't like little kids, but really where are they going to put me? I don't like teenagers or other adults either...)

3 Things I plan on doing tomorrow:

1. Give a kick-a presentation involving this video.
2. Go running
3. School

Holidays I love:

1. HALLOWEEN!!! This has actually been a struggle in our marriage, I LOVE Halloween, and as a kid Dan never got to celebrate it (well he did once, but that will be in a post all its own closer to Halloween day!!), so he HATES it!!
2. 24th of July
3. New Year's Eve/New Year's Day

3 Beverages I like:

1. Water
2. Orange Juice
3. Milk

3 People I tag:

PASS!!

Playground Bullies...do they exist?

Ellie: Mom, there was this mean kid at the playground. He pushed me, and then poked me in the eye, and then he kicked me.

me: Really, when (I was super concerned)?

Ellie: Oh Mom, it is just my CBS fiction hour.

Petti-Complaints

So, I admit I am a huge complainer, and you want to know what I complained about today? It was FREEZING!! Do you want to know what made me feel better? This coat:

So, Ellie refused to just stand there and pose (it looked SO cute with only her knees, knee highs and shoes showing)...I believe she is doing yoga in the back of our car...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other news...My friend with Leukemia (ya, know the one I hassled you all about with the free donor registry?). Well, it turns out they found a donor for him, and it was an amazingly, awesome match!! Hopefully he will begin his treatment in two to three weeks!! I never thanked all of the awesome friends, family members, and readers who registered (sorry, my bad), but THANK YOU!! Who knows maybe this came about because of you!! :)

Anniversary Love Letter

Dear Dan,

Today is our Fifth Anniversary. Did you really think we would make it this long? I bet you had your doubts especially when I pushed over your golf clubs a couple of weeks ago when we were in a fight. Yeah, you were pretty ticked, but after a couple of days passed you were able to laugh about it (phew!!). You have since vowed that you will stop by the grocery store on your way home when I ask you to, and I promise I won't touch your clubs if you do.

Our first date was funny (we had only known each other, what, three days?). I thought it was a pretty funny joke to pretend we were dating since my Uncle Brad was your boss and all, but don't think I didn't notice you holding my hand when we weren't "pretending".

Remember the time when we went to California with our buddies, and you dressed up in women's clothing that was funny, and you looked HOT. If you ever decided to be a woman, I'd be jealous. Some colors just look better on you (pink is one that comes to mind).

You know how Ellie always teases me and says that you are her boyfriend? I like that you tell her you are her boyfriend, but you're my husband. Thanks.

I liked when I worked at the bank and you would stop by to visit. You always brought me a treat, and put it through the drawer in the drive thru. That was back when we were in Logan, and had this RAD scooter. We would go grocery shopping with the scooter, and we had to get real creative with where we put the bags. You loved that scooter.

Even though I don't like it when you scare me (I know it doesn't take much). I like to see you scare other people. My favorite was when you scared that lady I worked with as she was getting soda out of the downstair's storage unit at work, I still laugh when I think about it, she screamed all dramatic and flailed her arms in the air. Classic.

I like to watch you play with Ellie, actually it melts my heart. Who knew you'd be such an awesome Dad? You know that it is your fault she wants to be a daddy when she grows up, right? Especially since she thinks daddies can breastfeed babies (thanks for teaching her how, that was a very valuable lesson).

But honestly the day that I remember the most is the day we were married. I was SO nervous, and I cried...A LOT. The most comforting thing was when the sealer at the Mt. Timpanogas temple told us that we were both worthy to be there. I was so worried about that, especially since I will be the first to admit that I am far from perfect. The rest of our ceremony really is a blur, but I know we received some awesome council and blessings. I also really enjoyed that we only had a luncheon. Ha Ha to those that didn't, we were done chatting with people at 3 pm, and were off to do "married stuff" shortly after.

I can honestly say that I love you more now than I did that day (who knew that was possible?). Thanks for putting up with me, and you're welcome (for me putting up with you).

I love you WAY lots!!

Your Wifee

What do you mean smile?

Ellie, smart girl, has figured out how to avoid picture taking. I say, "say cheese", and she does this:

You've learned well my good and faithful student...

Yes we are still in our jammies, but only we know that it was 12:30. Nice face shot by Ellie don't you think? She caught my true self in a photo...

Wanna Know a Secret?

Today at gymnastics Ellie had a new coach. She's had three different coaches since we started a month ago (I don't blame them for quitting...I don't like three/four year olds either, sometimes not even my own!!). After they had warmed up, the coach brought them into a huddle on the floor (they were stretching their tummy muscles). To have them hold their stretch for a long time, she asked them all to share a secret.

Ellie was the very last to share, I didn't hear what she said, but I knew what it was after the I heard the discussion.

Coach: Oh, no!! Really?

Kids: You are supposed to go potty on the toilet!!

Coach: Yep, because you guys are big kids.

Ellie: I know, I can't watch TV now.

Ellie had shared that yesterday she peed on the floor in the office. I guess Ellie is like me and relates herself more to a camel than a pregnant lady (that would be Dan). She likes to hold it until it is absolutely impossible to hold it any longer. I wonder how long that will be the secret of choice...

When we got home from gymnastics, I was in the kitchen making her a grilled cheese sandwich. She casually walked in the living room. When I asked her what she was doing she said, "I'm pretending to watch TV".

So, there you have it, pretending to watch TV is still better than doing any thing else.

There Were 3 in the Bed and the Little One Said...

Ellie does fairly well going to sleep in her own bed, but by the time I wake up to go running her little body is wedged in between us. The sad thing is that neither Dan nor I can remember actually going to get her. She just magically appears in our bed every morning.

Last night, Ellie awakened around 11 pm, she was scared (from Halloween season until Christmas, she is a HUGE scaredy cat!!) and wanted to come sleep in our bed. Dan was still up watching a movie, and I was reading. She came in bed, and while I was reading about ESL methods, she was reading our family book followed by my PE book.

Finally when Dan came to bed, Ellie let out a huge sigh, and said, "I love my family".

We all stayed up a little longer chatting.

Ellie: Dad, you have A LOT of friends.

Dan: Really? Who?

Ellie: Tyler, and that black guy at the door...

Who was the black guy at the door you ask? A magazine salesman that Dan let in to use the bathroom. Nevermind that I had huge heaps of laundry on the floor waiting to be washed...

Me: Do I have a lot of friends?

Ellie: I don't know, you tell me...

Even though I am not a huge fan of having Ellie in our bed, I was reminiscing about my cute, snuggly, little girl. About two years ago I was in an early math class (7 am). Ellie had come to bed with us the night before and when the alarm went off, I opened my eyes and realized that Ellie had spent the whole night sleeping with her arms around my neck. Ellie had the most superb toddler body, meaning that she had a MASSIVE head and short, stubby arms. As I slowly moved away from her, I realized that my cheek all the way down to my neck was soaked. To this day, I still haven't figured out if it was from sweat or Ellie's drool!! I love that girl!!

Ellie Christmas 2006

WANTED!!!

Why can I not find these anywhere!!? My thighs NEED them!! Dan has searched everywhere for them to no avail. I love him even though he fell short!! :P

Peeing your Pants is the Coolest!!

Pregnancy, labor and delivery must have done a number on me. You see, I was able to "hold it" all day long if I wanted to, but that has been hard to maintain the last three years.

I peed my pants at school yesterday. I was running (I was supposed to be galloping), laughing, and saying gallop (because even if I was running, others would be more convinced that I was galloping if I said I was).

When I came home I told Dan what I had done...he was embarrassed for me, but lovingly reminded me of the time I wet the bed shortly after we were married (too bad I had already confessed that to the people in my class)...

On a less embarrassing note, I ran three miles today (and yes, I did pee a little then too...).