Blah.

So, we have had a long day. We went to the petting zoo at Gardner Village, Barnyard Buddies. It was a really cool and inexpensive place for the kids. We will be going back. But I have to say that I really don't feel like bloggin more because of the heat! My goodness! I took my usual two hour nap half dressed today. It felt so nice to strip down!!! Sorry if anyone just got a visual...hee hee. I really hope I don't have to endure another month of this. Gripe, gripe, gripe. It really is what I do best! Maybe if I get motivated in the future I will post the pics from Barnyard Buddies. Maybe not.

Birthday time!

Alora's birthday ushers in our birthday season. She had her birthday on Tuesday and was cranky as all get out. We could not believe it! Now, she normally is difficult in the afternoons but she is fantastically pleasant in the mornings. Not on Tuesday! Someone must have sent her a memo that she turned two.

Dan and I bought her a bike and helmet/pads. She was so excited until she realized she couldn't pedal. It quickly became the least favorite gift. How does that always happen? Grayson bought her an annoying Barney guitar that they both love. Grandpa and Grandma Orme bought her a tea set (she thinks she is so cool!) and a puppy that goes inside a purse. Grandpa and Grandma Woodward got her a Little People doll house. The kids love it! She is currently very happy with the wonderful gifts she received!

Here are pics of the great day!

Oh, here are the 50th pictures that I forgot to post!

Pretty Princess

So, Grayson had been tagged by Savannah awhile ago and I figure it is time to give some attention to Alora! Here are seven fun facts about Alora:

1. Alora loves to dress up in pretty dresses. Yeah for mom! Everytime she wears a pretty dress she will say, "Oh, Princess!"
2. Alora was born the day after her Great Grandpa Baker and on her original due date.
3. She currently hates me doing her hair, but doesn't mind if she puts in her own headband.
4. Her favorite thing to drink is chocolate milk. She only eats dairy products and fruit. I don't think this is a fun fact, though. It is frustrating!
5. Alora idolizes Grayson. She copies everything he does.
6. Her favorite song is, "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock." She also really enjoys "I Am A Child of God," "Once There Was a Snowman," and "Violin" by They Might Be Giants.
7. She gets mad if you tell her she isn't funny. She will yell, "I Funny!!!" at you. She has realized over the past few weeks that we are teasing her and doesn't yell as often as she used to. It was funny, though!

Her are some photos of her and her recent hair cut. I couldn't stand how scraggly it was looking, especially since she won't leave her hair up when I do it. This cut is fantastic because she doesn't look like a ragmuffin all the time!

The 50th!

Last weekend was the celebration of my grandparent's 50th anniversary. My mom and aunts put in so much work for the weekend, it turned out fabulous! My grandparents were very touched...and a lot of fun! Dan and I will be 71 if we both live to our 50th. Holy Cow! I think we can make it!!!!
Here we all are...the whole kit and kaboodle of the Baker Clan. I will post some more cute candids from this event and prego pictures in the next blog.

Happy New Years!

Okay, so it isn't really the New Year but I am now ready to make some resolutions! I am feeling like a free woman since I don't have to work anymore. I really think I will miss it in a few months but I am ready to tackle some major challenges, so here are my New Life Resolutions!

1. Keep up with this blog!
2. Clean one thing in my house each day. This will break everything up so I will actually get things done instead of getting so far behind that I feel helpless. It is all ready going very well. I just finished dusting!!!
3. Work on my scrapbooks a little each day. This is a bit of a big goal and so far I have not been able to keep up with it. I have done something at least twice a week, however. I figure the main goal here is just to catch up (I am now working on Grayson's infant pics!) and then to stay caught up.
4. Read my scriptures each day. Focus more on my Savior. I have such a horrid tendency to get going in life without thinking of Him. How are my children supposed to learn from that?!?
5. Excercise each day for at least 20 minutes, yes, even now when I am the size of a blue whale. I went to Liberty Park and we walked for about 30 minutes. Go me!! I would love to get into my preGrayson pants. But wouldn't we all? I really need to just focus on being healthy and being happy with wherever that takes me.

That should do her! I know these are lofty goals but I figure that if I get started right now that I can do this. When these become more of a habit, I might throw in some journal writing too!

Happy Day!

Okay, now is my time for a little venting. This weekend was our Stake Youth Conference and they had headed down to Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant. Unfortunately, I could not attend due to prior family commitments. I am so sad that they had such a rough experience! I started getting phone calls Thursday at 4 from the fireside speaker and I just had a pit in my stomach (for no known reason) until I heard from my 1st counselor at 8:30 ish that night. I am afraid to say that Snow College really let my leaders down. Thankfully, it sounds as though the youth all had a great time and were somewhat oblivious that the leaders were miserable!! It is so hard to not always be in control and to have to let others take over, especially when they do take over and get walked all over! I give a huge shout out to the Granger East Stake YW Presidency who did a fantastic job without their president being there. Sorry, guys. But, happy day....it is OVER!!!!

Copperton Park

So, I am a little out of order here on the events in our lives. Two weekends ago, we hung out with the Sells at Copperton Park. It was a blast for all...with minimal crying caused by Grayson. He just doesn't understand the workings of a young woman's heart (sorry, Savannah!). One day we'll convince him to marry you and not Alora!

Catching up!

Well, it has been a busy few days here in the Nutty Farm. Friday we took the kiddos to Kiddie Kandids for their yearly birthday pictures. What a time consuming experience! Both kids were pooped when we were finished. Later that night we had a family dinner with the Woodward's to celebrate Father's Day and Dick and Alice's retirements. We followed up the night by heading out to Connor's baseball game. Grayson just adores his cousin Connor. He keeps saying he wants to be like Connor when he is big. We had so much fun! The Woodwards are such a great family to be a part of!

Saturday Brian and Keaton and Grandpa and Grandma Woodward came over to watch Grayson in his T-Ball practice. He was so excited! Pam and Connor came over after to play the Wii Fit. We had a blast. Anyone who wants to have a fun workout, come on over!!! Later Grayson and Dan headed out to my parents house to give out Father's Day gifts. I had the joy of staying home all day to try my hand at potty training Alora. No such luck, everyone. I gave up after the morning. She showed no interest whatsoever. She really is a bit to young still. What can I say? I am a bit selfish to try to avoid double diaper duty (The terrible triple D!).

Sunday we hung out here. My sister, Megan and boyfriend Phil, came over for the evening to watch the kids. Here is my tribute to the Men in my life. Aren't they a handsome bunch?

Finally, we headed to the zoo on Monday. I am excited to be starting a play group! This was our first outing. I think this will be a blast as it gets going. Anyway, the zoo was fun as always. I was probably a bit more tired at the end of the outing (only two hours) than the kids were. They loved seeing the elephants and penguins. Grayson had fun playing with a rabbit that came right up to him. The carousel was open and we ended our day with a ride on it. Grayson is so timid! He sat on the Peacock bench because he was too scared to sit on one of the animals. I finally talked him into it at the end of the ride....notice the fear on his face! How different children are from one another. Alora has no fear at all. All in all, it was a fun time.

No!

I figured it out! Thanks a million, Evonne. Here is the video clip that I wanted to download earlier of Grayson and Alora dancing to their favorite song, "No!" by They Might Be Giants. They really are a fantastic group for children. Grayson and Alora go nuts whenever they hear a TMGB song!!!

I was just checking out some cute backgrounds from leelou (see the link) and wondered why there was the "I Belong" link with Angel Moroni on it. Well, apparently she is LDS and she had an article from Elder Ballard requesting that we post our beliefs on our blogs. Hmmm. now that is missionary work that I can do! Here is the article for anyone intersted in reading it. It is kinda cute! Onward, Christian Soldiers!
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/using-new-media-to-support-the-work-of-the-church

Okay, so I might have figured out some new things tonight!!!! It is so SAD that I am so slow at this blogging thing. Now that I have figured out how to post a blog, my next lesson needs to include pictures to a blog. Who would like to help with that? I also wonder if many people who viewed the blog earlier have left because they cannot comment. Bear with me here!

Okay, so I just found this little tab so I am writing on it, and hoping this might be the cure for my commentless blog. Everyone, cross your fingers!
Amber