Hun, Don't Take It Personal...

It's true.  I do have fantasies.  Fantasies about the good ol' days when this rugged, handsome brown Santa, in his short shorts and brown, knee-high socks would drop packages off on my doorstep on a weekly basis.  Sadly, those days are long gone.  Darn economy! (Well, that, and the fact that my credit card privileges have been revoked.)

**What's up with that DUDE wearing that t-shirt anyway??**

4th Grade Field Trip

Why do I keep signing up for these things?  Oh yeah... because if you sign up to go on one child's field trip, that means you HAVE to go on the other child's field trip as well (rule of thumb).  Tag's class went to the fish and game pond.  A little on the boring side, we were there for 3 whole hours and no one managed to catch a single fish.  We caught several tree branches, moss, each others' fishing poles, a dead rotten fish and a turtle.  But hey, "it's better than sitting in a classroom, right?" as Mrs. Pine said.

I also got a little lesson on ducky sexual reproduction.  I caught some of them doing the "humpty dance."  It wasn't a pretty sight.  I hadn't realized ducks get jiggy wit' it too.  I just figured the eggs somehow magically appeared in birds.  Don't I feel dumb! 

Blake, Tag, Brendan and Ben

I'm really realizing how much I need to invest in photography classes.

The big "catch of the day."  

This was the highlight of the day.  There was the cutest little family of ducks, minding their own business, when all of a sudden, these other ducks came out of nowhere and started attacking the mother duck.  They never went after the dad, just the mom.  We couldn't figure it out.  Bill the park ranger said they're just very territorial.  One of the mom's said it was a turn on, how the dad would protect the mom and told one of the chaperone dads to take note and protect his woman.

The babies were SO cute!  They got separated from their mom for a little while and kept swimming toward us, it was almost as if they thought we could help them.  We thought maybe the mama duck was dead or something, and then the next thing we knew, the mom and dad swooped in and she started quacking like crazy at them.  I swear, I think I understood every word she was saying... "I thought I told you to stay with me!  Don't you ever do that again, you hear me?  You just about gave me a friggin' heart attack!" (or something to that affect.)

The cute, little happy family.  I think that duck on the mama's back is the "Zachary" of the family.

Happy Easter!

We had a really great weekend.  The kids had Friday off so we partied it up.  Tag had a basketball game and kicked hiney, we went out to dinner with some good friends from Utah, and were able to just spend good, quality time together as a family.  Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give my dad a little birthday shout out today.  He's 63 years young.  Without making this into more of a Father's Day post, I'll keep it short and sweet.  Dad, I love you more than you'll ever, ever know.  I'm glad you're still here with us.  I hope you have a wonderful day today.  Maybe you can talk Mom into making you some "barbeque birthday ribs."  Wish I could be there with you guys to see your fancy new wheels.  Maybe we can sign you up for Tommy's next bike race.  You'd look SO hot in those bike shorts.  (and if you're lucky, maybe Mom will buy you some RED ones.)

Just look at him, looking at his favorite middle child with adoring eyes.

Oh, here he is again with his favorite daughter.

And since he wouldn't let me post the picture I really wanted to post, (which I am absolutely positive he would've cut me out of his will.  And since I get first dibs on all of his country cd's and leather chaps, I think I'm better off for not posting it.)  So I'll treat you with this one with the "Daisy Dukes."  Some people may not realize, but he is quite the gardener/farmer boy.  It's kind of a running joke in the family that he loves his birds and trees more than his own kids.  Well, maybe Kim and Andi.

Happy Birthday Dad!

My Little Birthday Girl

Our Swayze Jane turned 3 today.  I can't believe it.  We love our little babe so much.  She has quite the personality and we're ever so glad she's ours.  She definitely has her moments, like when she tells me, "Mom.  Just wewax!" (relax)  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Wheesy!

Yes Grandma, that's bubblegum in my 3 year old's mouth.

We opted out for a friends party this year, and ended up having the day off from school, so I took them to do some "big girl" things today.  

The one thing Swayze kept saying she wanted for her birthday was "Ewlings." (earrings)  GASP!  Yes, I know I'm a terrible mother and setting a horrible example by letting my daughter get her ears pierced before the age of 14.  Hopefully she won't come home preggers in the next couple of years because of my decision .

I love how big sis was holding her hand.  See... I think they DO love each other once in a while!  And our trip to Claire's wouldn't have been complete without getting some "Hubba Bubba wipgwoss." (lipgloss - her fave)

Getting her hair "did."

The big birthday/Easter party at Grandma's house.  We love us some Uncle Snackers!  And no Zach, the bunny ears do NOT make you look fat.

Gilligan, Ferris Bueller, and Bernie Mac... as their mother so lovingly calls these hooligans.

And just because I'm a little (ok, maybe a lot) vain and liked this picture of myself.

Can I Have An "Amen" Sista'!

I was watching good 'ol Oprah last night and she was interviewing several mothers on what it's like being a mom, day in and day out.  She wanted them to be brutally honest and discuss the nitty-gritty's of mommyhood.  While there were several funny comments, I found one lady's comment very hilarious.  She said, (and I'm probably going to butcher it a little because I can't remember her exact words,) "Driving to the minivan dealership is like a dog going to the vet to get neutered."  She said she was bawling her eyes out so bad at the fact that she was giving in and getting a minivan, that the car dealer thought maybe a family member had passed away or something.

Since the beginning of our marriage, Tommy has always threatened me after each new car purchase that if he so much as finds a Chicken McNugget on the floor of my car, that he would drive straight to the dealership and buy me a minivan.  My reply?  "You don't even have the cajones to drive one home! You wouldn't be caught dead in one." (little does he know my car floor is currently fostering several Goldfish, a few Cheerios, some ground-in chocolate milkshake from last week, and a Ring Pop stuck to the mat.)

Now, please don't get me wrong.  I know several babe-alicious hot mommies out there that drive minivans.  I know how practical they are.  My kids are constantly asking for one, explaining the captain's chairs and 3rd row, promising that they would never fight because they would no longer have to sit by each other.

But if I had to drive one, I think this '83 Chrysler would definitely be mine.  I wonder if I could find some after-market wood paneling at AutoZone?  I especially like the marketing in this picture.  It's like they're trying to make it look fast and powerful sidewinding down the road.  Maybe to make it more appealing to dads?

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For some strange reason, Tommy doesn't seem to find this all that funny.

El Tour De Phoenix

My Studly-Love-Muffin (that's what I call him when I'm buttering him up for something, i.e. my  Mother's Day watch) finished his 2nd race this morning.  He did it in 3:20.  I'm so proud of him.

I love that he wears his phone headphones so I can call him and find out exactly where he is and when he'll be coming around the corner to the finish line.

Craig, Tommy and Dave

(Sorry Mom.  They're not the red shorts you were hoping for.)

1st Grade Field Trip

So... somehow I got suckered into going on Keagan's field trip.  I know that sounds lame, but for 'rizzle.  80ish seven year olds.  FOR 3 AND A HALF HOURS.  We're talking 2 full loops.  Luckily there were so many parent volunteers, we only had 2 kids per parent.  Worked out pretty nice (except for poor Jason Fishbeck who got stuck with 4 boys, one of which is the toughest kid in the whole 1st grade.  Hopefully his mother isn't reading this.  Don't worry Jason.  I called Tanya and put in a good word for you.  I told her you needed some extra lovin' for getting "volunteered.")

I love these 2 little stinkers.  They look like twinners.

I'm absolutely certain my mother is foaming at the mouth right now, just looking at this squirrel.  She was the queen of shooting these little suckers on the ranch.  The entire floor board of the VW Rabbit was always covered with 22 casings.

It's too bad I didn't have a lock and key to this tower.  It would've made for a nice, relaxing field trip.

What's a trip to the zoo without a picture on the petting zoo tractor?

There was some serious stank going on in the goat section.  They loved the goats so much we came back for round 2.  I think I deserved an award for going back there.

My two little "pearls."

Ummmm.... Should I Be Worried??

No explanation needed for these two lovebirds.