and this...
What the crap! Every book off the bookshelf, and the entire contents of a bin of too-small clothes I had set aside for storage.
Mommy: "What were you guys thinking?"
Cole: "The Lamanites made me do it."
Thursday, April 30, 2009
5 minutes...
... that's all it took for them to do this...
and this...
What the crap! Every book off the bookshelf, and the entire contents of a bin of too-small clothes I had set aside for storage.
Mommy: "What were you guys thinking?"
Cole: "The Lamanites made me do it."
and this...
What the crap! Every book off the bookshelf, and the entire contents of a bin of too-small clothes I had set aside for storage.
Mommy: "What were you guys thinking?"
Cole: "The Lamanites made me do it."
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Aunt Laena!
There is an ongoing joke in our family that I married the wrong Saunders kid. Don't get me wrong, Josh is hot and smart but let us examine the other options: Morgan, Josh's little brother looks like Josh's twin so he is also hot! He is also hilarious, smart and an amazing dancer. Not to mention he is already rich and destined to be the wealthiest man in America!
However, he is no Laena... so on Laena's golden birthday (25 on April 25th) let us examine the 25 reasons why Laena would have been the best choice (or 25 reasons I love Laena).
1. She can sing harmony.
2. She loves to read and has single-handedly built my children's library.
3. She can quote entire episodes of "Friends."
4. SupposeBly.
5. She is overly-generous (to the detriment of her credit cards) and the best gift-giver.
6. She can make up cute songs about anything: continents, planets, seasons, senses, etc.
7. She is an amazing singer and a dancer.
8. After eating a cheeseburger she would rather top it off with another cheeseburger than have any dessert!
9. She makes the best spaghetti (which she has to make every time she comes to visit).
10. She laughs at me a lot, reminding me not to take myself too seriously.
11. She actually told me on a visit to Seattle that she was excited to see Josh and excited to see Cole but she was most excited about seeing me (I hung up and balled, she makes me feel special).
12. She is always RIGHT (in all sense of the word).
13. She has an amazing design aesthetic. Just look at this picture of her apartment in Florida. Not vinyl lettering but HAND-PAINTED!
14. She listens to my crazy ideas and then makes them happen. Most recently my harlequin diamonds and Cole's Star Wars party.
15. Naked Live Guacamole.
16. We want to live in Paris when we are old ladies so Laena is learning FRENCH! She already knows Spanish!
17. She's not afraid to take risks.
18. She works hard, often working multiple jobs to reach her goals.
19. She is loyal.
20. She makes mistakes and actually learns from them!
21. She doesn't know it but she is an incredible photographer, the candid pictures she takes of the family are actually my favorite photographs. I am grateful she loves to take pictures because I hate it! Here is a sampling of a series she did last summer.
22. She's a teacher.
23. She didn't become a teacher because she couldn't do anything else, she became a teacher because she truly loves the moment when one of her students finally "gets it."
24. She loves my boys more than anything. Especially more than her other nieces and nephews.
25. She loves me unconditionally and shows it with such an open heart that I still dont't quite understand what I did to deserve her!
So clearly she would be the best choice in a spouse... if only I believed in lesbianism or didn't adore her big brother so unabashedly!
I love you Laena!
However, he is no Laena... so on Laena's golden birthday (25 on April 25th) let us examine the 25 reasons why Laena would have been the best choice (or 25 reasons I love Laena).
1. She can sing harmony.
2. She loves to read and has single-handedly built my children's library.
3. She can quote entire episodes of "Friends."
4. SupposeBly.
5. She is overly-generous (to the detriment of her credit cards) and the best gift-giver.
6. She can make up cute songs about anything: continents, planets, seasons, senses, etc.
7. She is an amazing singer and a dancer.
8. After eating a cheeseburger she would rather top it off with another cheeseburger than have any dessert!
9. She makes the best spaghetti (which she has to make every time she comes to visit).
10. She laughs at me a lot, reminding me not to take myself too seriously.
11. She actually told me on a visit to Seattle that she was excited to see Josh and excited to see Cole but she was most excited about seeing me (I hung up and balled, she makes me feel special).
12. She is always RIGHT (in all sense of the word).
13. She has an amazing design aesthetic. Just look at this picture of her apartment in Florida. Not vinyl lettering but HAND-PAINTED!
14. She listens to my crazy ideas and then makes them happen. Most recently my harlequin diamonds and Cole's Star Wars party.
15. Naked Live Guacamole.
16. We want to live in Paris when we are old ladies so Laena is learning FRENCH! She already knows Spanish!
17. She's not afraid to take risks.
18. She works hard, often working multiple jobs to reach her goals.
19. She is loyal.
20. She makes mistakes and actually learns from them!
21. She doesn't know it but she is an incredible photographer, the candid pictures she takes of the family are actually my favorite photographs. I am grateful she loves to take pictures because I hate it! Here is a sampling of a series she did last summer.
22. She's a teacher.
23. She didn't become a teacher because she couldn't do anything else, she became a teacher because she truly loves the moment when one of her students finally "gets it."
24. She loves my boys more than anything. Especially more than her other nieces and nephews.
25. She loves me unconditionally and shows it with such an open heart that I still dont't quite understand what I did to deserve her!
So clearly she would be the best choice in a spouse... if only I believed in lesbianism or didn't adore her big brother so unabashedly!
I love you Laena!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What a day!
I love being barfed upon... can you hear the sarcasm in my voice? As much as we tried to avoid it, Cash has the yucky stomach virus that's been going around. It is heartbreaking when infants are sick and just a little scary.
So another Sunday at home for mommy plus one. To make it worse Josh tweaked his back, bad. He is on some heavy duty muscle relaxers and pain killers which he hates. He had to get up this morning to attend a church meeting at 7:00 am, which apparently was cancelled though no one told him, so he popped his pain meds on an empty stomach. HELLLLOOOO! You never take pain pills on an empty stomach, so my day also included a barfing loopy husband who passed out in the bed at 7:30am and didn't wake up till almost 11! He is in miserable pain.
What a barfy day! I am so glad it is almost bedtime. Only one good thing came out of today...
We got our Wicked tickets!
Oh, and here is a picture just because. Amazing how brothers can look so different!
So another Sunday at home for mommy plus one. To make it worse Josh tweaked his back, bad. He is on some heavy duty muscle relaxers and pain killers which he hates. He had to get up this morning to attend a church meeting at 7:00 am, which apparently was cancelled though no one told him, so he popped his pain meds on an empty stomach. HELLLLOOOO! You never take pain pills on an empty stomach, so my day also included a barfing loopy husband who passed out in the bed at 7:30am and didn't wake up till almost 11! He is in miserable pain.
What a barfy day! I am so glad it is almost bedtime. Only one good thing came out of today...
We got our Wicked tickets!
Oh, and here is a picture just because. Amazing how brothers can look so different!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I don't "go green"...
...except on St. Patty's Day! Cole and I have been studying Ireland and "the denigration caused by sterotyping a country through hurtful images like Leprachauns and green beer." Well, so we didn't study that but I laughed when I stumbled upon an Irish lesson plan that talked about America's oppression of Ireland through St. Patrick's Day... who don't we oppress nowadays (that was meant sarastically!). Back on track, we had a great day St. P-day! We made and set a leprachaun trap...
We had Irish stew and mini cheddar scones...
We watched Cole in his preschool St. Patty's Day show, he was the main leprachaun...
And we made Bakerella's Shamrock truffles. Cole said, "apparently these are my new favorite dessert." He's really into "apparently" before any sentence...
(Picture from Bakerella's site, I didn't take pics of mine but they turned out well)
We had Irish stew and mini cheddar scones...
We watched Cole in his preschool St. Patty's Day show, he was the main leprachaun...
And we made Bakerella's Shamrock truffles. Cole said, "apparently these are my new favorite dessert." He's really into "apparently" before any sentence...
(Picture from Bakerella's site, I didn't take pics of mine but they turned out well)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Finnegan McCool...
...is two years old. He turned two on the 5th and I am a terrible mother and I didn't immortalize it with a blogpost. I probably love him less cause he's my middle child... just kidding Nate! Better late than never!
Finnegan Douglas Saunders, born March 5, 2007. Came in an ounce shy of 8 lbs. He came two weeks early after I spent three months on bed rest, pre-eclamptic. I only had to push twice with Finn, I told my nurse "I really feel like pushing" so he said "Let's give it a try." I pushed, he yelled "stop pushing, stop pushing." The next push was with the doctor and out Finn came. Full head of dark hair, Hammond nose and stunning blue eyes with en eerie white ring around the pupil (which he still has, check it out next time you see him).
Today, Finn still has the same blue eyes and Hammond nose but now he has bright blonde hair that stands up in every direction. He loves "bow" (blocks), "da-da", "nandy" (candy), "meet-mee" (movie), and above all else... "ole" (Cole). Finn is speech delayed which may be attributed to the chronic ear infections he has, and will hopefully be remedied by an adnoidectomy and myringotomy scheduled for Wednesday.
The only other person Finn loves as much as "ole" is Momo (who doesn't love Momo?). When Finn gets in trouble and I put him in time out he cries "MOOOOOOOMOOOOOOO!" Like she will magically appear and save him from mean mommy. Anyway, Momo was gracious enough to throw Finn's birthday party. It wouldn't be a Denise Hammond event if it didn't have a theme, decor and delicious food. I give you Finn's "Block" Party.
Momo's centerpiece a Finn masterpiece
Finn and Momo playing playdough
Finn was terrified of his adorable block cake,
so he had Cole help him blow out the candle.
It was a wonderful day, he received an embarassing amount of gifts which Cole has loved as much as Finn. Finn brings much insanity to my life but I wouldn't trade him for anything...who wants well-mannered children right? He has laughing eyes that fill me with joy and I feel blessed to be steward of this choice and strong-willed spirit. One last item, Uncle Bryson sent a wonderful gift to Finn from a cool dessert boutique out in CA. I assumed it was a family gift since I ate most of them. Here is a picture, I just loved beautiful AND delicious food. Happy Birthday Finn!
Monday, March 2, 2009
"I am quite certain there's a jertain in the curtain"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS!
FREEDOM
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by themselves"
That little golden nugget comes from the opening title of tv's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I must say I am enthralled with Star Wars. I am just as excited as the boys come Saturday morning because that means a new episode. Here's why... it is teaching amazing lessons on bravery, valor, integrity and above all else democracy! For those who don't watch I will summarize some key points, the Star Wars Republic is in the midst of a war. The Seperatists are wreaking havoc throughout the galaxy instilling fear in the Republic which is defended by the Clone troopers and the Jedi. The episodes illustrate some brilliant ideas about war and peace. My favorite idea being how fear drives people to forfeit their freedom for false security. How quickly a people can become enslaved by their perceived saviors when they are willing to give up freedom in exchange for safety. Unfortunately, in the realm of Star Wars, we know the Clone Wars do in fact end with the Republic voting for one leader Chancellor Palpatine, thereby surrendering their freedom to a very wicked and cunning man.
BEAUTY
Here is a beautiful shot that Stephanie Kiester got of Cash. He's wearing my favorite outfit too!
TRUTH/LOVE
D&C 88:118
"seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom"
Tonight for Family Home Evening we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday. I believe Dr. Seuss was an inspired author and I love to read his books to the boys because they truly do offer wisdom. (Though I have yet to ascertain the lesson to be learned from "There's a Wocket in my Pocket!")
Cole with his "Cat in the Hat" hat and my centerpiece display on the dinner table.
Tonight we enjoyed our favorite Dr. Seuss books, a rousing game of pin the green eggs on the ham and then a brief lesson on choosing good books. The finale of the evening was the best part... Elizabeth's chocolate cupcakes, thanks for the recipe and thank you Trent for reading it to my answering machine while I was driving. I LOVE THOSE CUPCAKES!
FREEDOM
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by themselves"
That little golden nugget comes from the opening title of tv's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I must say I am enthralled with Star Wars. I am just as excited as the boys come Saturday morning because that means a new episode. Here's why... it is teaching amazing lessons on bravery, valor, integrity and above all else democracy! For those who don't watch I will summarize some key points, the Star Wars Republic is in the midst of a war. The Seperatists are wreaking havoc throughout the galaxy instilling fear in the Republic which is defended by the Clone troopers and the Jedi. The episodes illustrate some brilliant ideas about war and peace. My favorite idea being how fear drives people to forfeit their freedom for false security. How quickly a people can become enslaved by their perceived saviors when they are willing to give up freedom in exchange for safety. Unfortunately, in the realm of Star Wars, we know the Clone Wars do in fact end with the Republic voting for one leader Chancellor Palpatine, thereby surrendering their freedom to a very wicked and cunning man.
BEAUTY
Here is a beautiful shot that Stephanie Kiester got of Cash. He's wearing my favorite outfit too!
TRUTH/LOVE
D&C 88:118
"seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom"
Tonight for Family Home Evening we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday. I believe Dr. Seuss was an inspired author and I love to read his books to the boys because they truly do offer wisdom. (Though I have yet to ascertain the lesson to be learned from "There's a Wocket in my Pocket!")
Cole with his "Cat in the Hat" hat and my centerpiece display on the dinner table.
Tonight we enjoyed our favorite Dr. Seuss books, a rousing game of pin the green eggs on the ham and then a brief lesson on choosing good books. The finale of the evening was the best part... Elizabeth's chocolate cupcakes, thanks for the recipe and thank you Trent for reading it to my answering machine while I was driving. I LOVE THOSE CUPCAKES!
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