Bubblegum Girl

I guess it is about time that I dedicate a post to the newest member of our family. After all, she is feeling a little sad that she doesn't really get mentioned. She's beginning to think she is my least favorite. Anyways, I actually don't really think that Bubblegum Girl is a "she", but Elle gave her that name, so it is what it is. I don't think that the fish will be offended either way...I mean she is reddish-purple and all, so if she's not a girl, she sure is sending mixed signals. I'm just glad the fish is still alive. I'm not a huge fan of fish, especially dead ones that have to be flushed. So lets just hope she hangs in there for a little while. But maybe she should be warned- we didn't have much luck with the butterfly!

10 Days and Counting...

Sweat and Cleanser

So tonight was spent cleaning bathrooms- don't they look sparkly! Not the funnest (I don't think that is a word) of tasks, I know. But compared to trying to accomplish this task during the day with needy childrens (also not a word I think), nighttime sounds like a pretty good option. Might as well try to make this not so fun chore as pleasant as possible. And I'll always take up any opportunity to break a sweat and smell like cleanser for hours. Wouldn't you??

Tori, I Think She Liked It!

Hurricane Season...Bring It On (I Guess)!

So here's to hoping we never have to use this stuff.

For one, it would take a small army to cart this stuff, along with my children and food over any type of rugged terrain (And for that matter, even getting it out the front door will be rough).

And two, I'm not particularly fond of the clothing items we have placed in the kits. Let's just say we won't be looking our best!

Oh how times have changed!

Married mommy of 2, Saturday morning, all before 11 a.m.

Got kids breakfast, went for a jog, said "bye" to hubby, put a Care Bear band-aid on a scraped knee, contributed to the childhood obesity and ADD epidemics by using the DVD player as a babysitter, cleaned up spilled chocolate cereal and milk from the carpet, tried to determine where that smell in the laundry room was coming from, threw a small load of laundry in washer and then dryer, swept floors, changed vacuum bag and vacuumed, unloaded and loaded some in the dishwasher, helped kids feed Bubblegum girl (our pet fish), ate breakfast, got kids and self ready for the pool, and packed lunch. (Now the order is not totally correct, but you get the picture!)

Same mommy, 5 years ago, before marriage and kids, Saturday morning before 11 a.m.

Probably still asleep!

Keep in mind that this is not usually my typical Saturday (I was extra productive this morning), but it is an interesting comparison. Much truth comes from the Johnson's commercial that "Having a baby (or two) changes everything."

Not Much June Gloom Here

I do have to admit that there is a very nice added benefit to taking my kids to the pool all of the time...a suntan! Got to get ready for Hawaii! Two weeks and counting...

Swimming Anyone???

The Screaming Banchee

So after viewing these pictures, this post won't shock you. My youngest daughter has a very creative way of disturbing the peace in public places. Her new idea of fun is to scream as loudly as she can really for no apparent reason. In the car, in Costco, wherever will do. It is this ear piercing scream. She's not screaming because she's upset; simply because she can. I don't know whether to ignore the behavior all together, or to continually tell her "Mya, no no" over and over again. Let's hope it's just a passing phase and not a permanent form of communication, or else I'll be investing in some serious amounts of Excedrin and Miracle Ear products!

The New and Improved Gruwell Home

So we finally made a jump into the year 2000! (Yes I know it is 2006, but Jake and I are probably still behind in a lot of things seeing that we are old married people and all.) I got a digital camera for my birthday! Thanks mommy and daddy! So now I can fill my blogs with something more interesting than just my random rambling and occasional pictures. So beware...you may be bombarded with way too many pictures if I get a little camera happy with my new toy. So bare with me!

Along with our big move into the 21st century, we made some very needed changes to our cute house. We painted like crazy people! By the end, I was feeling like if I never touched a paintbrush again, that would be okay by me. The three new colors we added can be seen in the bottom picture (sweet honey, pepper spice, and cracked wheat). An interior decorator might not approve, but I have to admit that, after a little uncertainty, I really like it. And the top picture shows our large improvement to our couch situation. Some of you may not see it as a large improvement considering the couches still are the hand-me-downs we've had since marriage (thanks Allison!). But to us, the improvement is huge! The new slipcovers give the room a whole new look! It is so great! And now maybe I'll stop begging for new couches at least for a year or so!

I Really Could Have Been A Pioneer

Well, maybe not really. I'm not one for extreme weather conditions, battling wild animals, or drinking nasty water. Maybe I could have been born after we got to Salt Lake. But anyways, besides the fact that I really like to wear an apron (they were smart back in the days), something about the slower pace country life has such an appeal to me. We went blueberry picking yesterday morning, and it really was fun. I have to admit I was slightly worried that we would encounter a snake or something, but we all survived and took home 2 lbs of yummy blueberries (Some were squished, but we did come away with quite a lot of good ones)! Now I just have to figure out what to do with them. My kids weren't quite going for the blueberry pancakes I made yesterday (and might I add- from scratch! See I really could have been a pioneer! Amazing the lengths you will go to when Bisquick is low!) Any good ideas?

My Last Week As A Youngin'

Maybe I should do something crazy this week, like sky dive. I have already been bungee jumping and cliff jumping, so those won't do. Maybe I'll parasail or hanglide or go on a safari to Africa (I'd be freaking out unless we were in a car or something- I'm so afraid of wild animals) or a cruise to Alaska (would once again be freaking out because of my new found fear of polar bears). Or even better, maybe I'll dye my hair black and red or shave it or something. Anyways, I must have that gene in me that makes me want to do crazy things sometime. (I should go on Fear Factor- except I couldn't ever eat the nasty stuff!) And considering it is my last week as a 24 year old, I better go out with a bang.

Well, back to reality...I'll probably just do laundry, finish painting my house, redecorate, clean bathrooms, fix meals, do hair, go to the pool lots (fun fun- am actually quite enjoying that part of the summer), pick up toys 700 times, and try to keep everyone happy. It's not quite exhilarating, but it is my life, and I wouldn't change it- I love it (sometimes- ha ha)!

The Happiest Place on Earth

No, not Disneyland. That's too far away. So we'll just settle and call Wal-Mart the Happiest Place on Earth. The problem with that is that no one informed my kids that the name had been changed. Don't they know that you are supposed to be happy as you wander the endless aisles searching for goods? Anyways, my point is that this morning we took a little trip to this happy (or dreaded) place. This is not unusual for us. We unfortunately frequent this place multiple times a week- luckily it's close by. (Side note- I never was a Wal-Mart girl until I moved to the South. It's such a great place and has everything you need. But nothing will ever compete with my first love...Target!) Okay, so it started off bad because I forgot to bring my girlies sippy cups. Of course on the car ride there, one or both wanted their drinks. (It's not like we just hiked through the desert- we hadn't even been in the car five minutes.) I did have one water bottle in my possession, but that wasn't going to work having to be shared between my kids (have I mentioned they're both feisty?!) So right off the bat I spot a water bottle near the registers and buy that for one of my daughters- first time through the check out (keep track of this). So we go on our way shopping. The kids are at times being VERY loud. I use licorice to keep them quiet. Mya almost chokes on it twice throughout the trip- she also gets it on her face and shirt. She almost chokes on the water bottle lid. We bump into a Wal-Mart worker and water spills all in Mya's face, on Elle, and on the floor. After more shopping, we go to check out for the second time. I remember I forgot broccoli. After checking out, we head back for the veggies. Sometime during this I had given Mya a pen to play with. She, of course was sticking it in her ear and got black ink in her ear. Finally, we check out again- time number three. (Never a good sign when you leave Wally World with 3 receipts!) I get stopped by the DARE people outside the doors. Anyways, it was quite an eventful trip. Needless to say, I'm glad we are home. We hopefully won't have to go back for at least 24 hours!

You Know You Live In The South...

Only southerners can appreciate this one...

You know you live in the South if:

1- On your trip back from Louisiana, two alligators are spotted as road kill (actually happened on our most recent trip)
2- You find a craw-daddy in a hole when you are spraying for ants by the grass in front of you and your neighbor's houses (happened this morning- so disgusting!)
3- You can't make it from your front door to your car without breaking a sweat
4- You often find mosquitoes that have snuck into your house and have become very good at killing them by hand

Just a few little thoughts to make you smile. Welcome to my life!

A Few Wedding Pictures...

Cute, Yet feisty!

I think it is appropriate that after all of my complaining about my youngest on the Utah trip I share a really cute picture of her. She is the cutest! Anyways, along with the cuteness comes the feisty-ness of a budding 18-month old child. Tonight while at dinner (side note- PF Chang's...Not the best of places for small children), I tried to bribe her again to be happy with some M&M's and she said "No" and hit my hand or threw them down at the table (I can't remember which)! So it has begun! Also, she has decided that her ear is a good place to stick things. For example, q-tips, golf tees, phone antennas, chalk, and crayons. I'm just waiting for something to get permanently stuck in there. That will make for an exciting trip to the doctors, or worse, the ER! Not again!