The Adventurous Life of a 2 Year Old

As you can see - Krystal is a joy to have around! She is so full of life ... even when she crashes on the livingroom floor (the only way she'll take a nap now). She thinks she's as big as the other kids - or one of the grown-ups if necessary. She has taken to stomping her foot when she doesn't get her way - which we are trying to put a stop to ... but it is quite entertaining, nonetheless. Whether she's painting toe-nails, writing in her journal, or playing at the park ...what a fun age!!! I love being a Dad.

Is it time yet?

Perhaps it is to early, but with the Jazz season all but over, it seems appropriate to look forward to the fall.

My brother and I were at the game when they renamed Cougar Stadium to Lavell Edwards Stadium, and I must admit a tear came to my eye (not that it takes a lot... I guess I do have a little Miller in me).

Enjoy the video.

Love Tyler

I'm Paused, Mom!

My second baby has finished pre-school. I am proud and happy ... but it's such a bittersweet moment - my kids are growing up so fast! Hooray for my sweet Aar-Bear! I wish I could just push pause on this sweet part of his life right now. As Aaron always says when we're playing any kind of superhero game, "I'm on pause, Mom!" He is my SWEETIE PIE!

"Baby Names: Why Cool Is Hot"

I just read an article about "what your child's name says about you", and I got a kick out of it. So I thought I would share parts of it with everyone. Apparantly "traditional" names are pretty much becoming void and "uncool", because "more and more parents are after a name that stands out." Furthermore, many parents think that certain baby names say that they're hip and haven't lost their sense of style. (Puuuuu-lease)!

On the other hand, according to the article - only about 10% of boys and girls have been given a name that is found in the top 10 names. ... But wouldn't that mean that the top 10 names shouldn't BE in the top ten?! Anyway - names like Jaden, Jaiden, Jayden, Jadon and Kaylee, Kailey, Kayli, Kayleigh have leapt in the top 1000 names over the past 13 years ... Ethan has made it to number 5 in this same time period (Way-ta-go, Kristy and James - you cool dudes, you!) - whereas, traditional names have taken "3 decades to move up a few hundred places."

Tyler and I have somewhat decided on the name Justice, if we have another baby boy. This article claims that when parents choose unusual, distinctive names like Petyon, Jordan, and Justice - they raise the stakes of making unusual names typical. (Oooo - kay). THEN - the article goes on to offer a solution to this "problem" ... "just avoid cool entirely".

What a hoot! So to all those COOL parents out there that are deciding on names for their kids - name away ... we're all in it together!

H.P. QUIZ ANSWERS

Okay, all - here are the correct answers to the H.P. Horcrux Quiz ... Melynda was the winner, by the way - with 6 correct ... although Dad gets the most points for most creative effort and still missing every single one :o)!! That was fun - it got me way stoked to finish reading books 5 and 6 again so I'm READY!

1. Which Horcrux did we see first in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"?
   THE RING
   
2. The diary of Tom Riddle is the very first Horcrux that we encounter in the Harry Potter series. Who was the last person to have this diary?
   LUCIUS MALFOY - HARRY GAVE IT TO HIM IN THE SOCK THAT MALFOY THEN THROUGH TO DOBBY!
   
3. How many galleons did Marope Gaunt get for her Slytherin locket when she sold it in Borgin and Burkes?
   10 GALLEONS
   
4. How many handles did Helga Hufflepuff's golden cup have (the one Voldemort stole for a Horcrux)?
   TWO
   
5. The way that Voldemort acquired three of the objects he used to make into Horcruxes is very similar. Which three were taken in the same way?
   THE RING, THE CUP, AND THE LOCKET
   
6. The diary Horcrux was responsible for reopening the Chamber of Secrets in Harry's second year. It was given to Ginny by Lucius Malfoy inside of which one of her books?
   TRANSFIGURATION
   
7. "To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your SECRET. I have stolen the REAL Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face DEATH in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B." What goes in the blanks?
   
   
8. A Horcux, by definition, is a receptacle in which a Dark wizard has hidden a part of his what in order to attain immortality?
   SOUL
   
9. At Hogwarts, Horcruxes are a banned subject. Hermione searches the entire library for information, but is only able to find a slight mention in which book?
   MAGICK MOST EVILE
   
10. How many Horcruxes did Voldemort create?
    SIX - THE 7TH PIECE OF SOUL IS IN VOLDEMORT, SO IT IS NOT A HORCRUX. TRICK QUESTION.

GOOD JOB, EVERYONE - THAT WAS FUN!!

Harry Potter Quiz

Okay all - let's see how ready you are for book 7 to come out. Please take the short quiz on Horcruxes ... try to do it without help from outside sources. Post your answers in comment form - we will blog the correct answers in 48 hours or so. Ready .... Begin:

1. Which Horcrux did we see first in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"?
2. The diary of Tom Riddle is the very first Horcrux that we encounter in the Harry Potter series. Who was the last person to have this diary?
3. How many galleons did Marope Gaunt get for her Slytherin locket when she sold it in Borgin and Burkes?
4. How many handles did Helga Hufflepuff's golden cup have (the one Voldemort stole for a Horcrux)?
5. The way that Voldemort acquired three of the objects he used to make into Horcruxes is very similar. Which three were taken in the same way?
6. The diary Horcrux was responsible for reopening the Chamber of Secrets in Harry's second year. It was given to Ginny by Lucius Malfoy inside of which one of her books?
7. "To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your _______. I have stolen the ______ Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face ______ in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R._.B." What goes in the blanks?
8. A Horcux, by definition, is a receptacle in which a Dark wizard has hidden a part of his what in order to attain immortality?
9. At Hogwarts, Horcruxes are a banned subject. Hermione searches the entire library for information, but is only able to find a slight mention in which book?
10. How many Horcruxes did Voldemort create?

Can't wait for Harry Potter 7!!!!!

Proud Parent

Today Marissa did her big, HUGE presentation in class, and she did a spectacular job. I'm glad she's done - I've been the nagging queen for 3 weeks now :)!

Anyway - her teacher pulled me aside and told me how wonderful Marissa is - how she is the kindest person she knows. Apparantly 4th grade girls can be pretty mean - and she just wanted me to know that Marissa is always putting her arm around someone who is feeling left out - and always has such nice things to say to the people around her. She went on to tell me that Marissa has a "generous heart" and shows love to everyone - and that she never is a part of mean gossip.

THEN - to top the day off - Aaron recieved a letter in the mail from a lady in Primary telling him that she is thankful for how well he sings and listens during Singing/Sharing Time.

These were very proud moments as a parent today! It really IS the little things that count in life - the simple hellos, smiles, warm comments, or hugs that make life worthwhile. I need to remember the wonderful qualities my children possess - ESPECIALLY when I'm in "nag mode". These were great reminders.

Beetle Battle!

How about the japanese beetle battle going on right here in North Orem, eh? We are actually part of the quarentine zone. Apparantly these bugs have no predators and are destroying everyones' gardens and plants. Spraying begins next week.

Also - does anyone know anything about the locust infestation in Boxelder? Crazy bugs!!

2 Months to Go!

We are SOOO excited to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonex!! It plays June, Friday the 13th - exactly 2 months from today! Woo-hoo! Even more exciting is that book 7 comes out the following week. Can't wait!

Good Reads!

Anybody know of any spectacular books that I could hook up with while I wait for Harry Potter and Twilight 3 to come out? For those that have not started the Twilight series - chop, chop. Them is GOOD reads!!!

Love, Michelle

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Morning Madness

So, I tried that Seasons Drive Thru Market off of 1600 N. today, and I have to admit - it was quiet convenient.


Aaron had to have his teeth worked on this morning at his dentist out in Draper. Needless to say - it was a very difficult morning. Aaron drank an oral sedative at 8:30 am and had to wait until 9:45 for it to take effect (although he couldn't walk and had slurred speech within 15 minutes). That didn't keep him from getting up to try to go places, and he had a couple of bad falls while I was trying to deal with Krystal. I finally had to just hold Aaron and let Krystal throw a fit on the floor next to me. (The choices you have to make as a parent!!! SHEESH!) Aaron couldn't eat anything this morning and was crying because he was SOOOO hungry. Another kid in the office had a baggie of Fruit Loops, so Krystal spent forever saying, "My cereal. My cereal!!" THEN - when we went back for the procedure, Aaron yelled and cried for the first 15 minutes or so that the dentist was starting ... THEN, Krystal started sobbing - I mean, SO - o - o - bbing, "My Aya ... my Aya cwying!" So, I had to take her out and just let Aaron cry.


Okay - so it's been a rough morning, but we survived. Both kids slept the whole way home - so, I stopped off at that drive thru market - got Krystal some Fruit Loops, Aaron some ice cream, and a treat for myself - I DESERVED IT!

M's Interview Responses

Hope we passed!

1. Aaron says that Spiderman is a better super-hero, because Spider man is his favoritest ... and because he can do cool back bends. We all agree with Aaron. We think Spider man is better because he makes better movies!


2. Oceanside California is our favorite family vacation spot. We all agree over here that the beach is the place to be!


3. Greatest Accomplishments: Tyler = landing Michelle as a wife; Michelle = Marissa, Aaron, and Krystal; Marissa = 90% on Weather test; Aaron = rode in a boat; Krystal = potty training, of course!
4. Possible Pets: Tyler = gorilla; Michelle = NONE, no way, no how; Marissa = kitten; Aaron = bunny; Krystal = "no ... stinky!"


5. Favorite song (We couldn't agree on one - so here's each individual's favorite): Tyler = "One More for Love" by Five for Fighting; Michelle = "If You Believe" from Prince of Egypt; Marissa = "Do You Believe in Magic" performed by Ally and AJ; Aaron = "I'm Comin' to America" by Neil Diamond; Krystal = "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Popcorn Popping"


6. Favorite Foods: Tyler = baby back ribs; Michelle = tacos; Marissa = cheese pizza and baby back ribs; Aaron = ice cream; Krystal = rice.

Potty Power!

Krystal is about 50/50 on her 2nd day of potty training. She is SOOOO sad when she has an accident - and estatic when she is successful. She HAS run to the potty 3 times on her own - without being asked or reminded ... so, despite her many accidents today - I still think that is pretty successful. By the end of the week, hopefully, she will be accident free. It'll be a rough week, though - we have lots of places to go and things to do. We will definitely be having a Porta-Potty week ... ugh. Oh well - at least NO MORE DIAPEES!!!!!

Duck, Duck, Goose!

What a fun time we had out in Springville feeding the ducks and geese. We found an awesome goose nest under a big tree - see the picture with Krystal pointing to it. The kids had a blast. We love hanging out with Jeremy and Plonnie!

4.0!!

Even though my school days are over for a couple of years now - I DO think pointing out that I have received STRAIGHT A's for the last two semesters is noteworthy. Hard work that pays off is always very rewarding! Not rewarding enough to continue the hardwork immediately - but ... enough :).

I am planning on finishing when I can go during the day while the kids are ALL at school.

Love, Michelle

SCUBA... and the news

Today Jer's and I went up to the crater to do a little diving. Our first dive was incredible. We were the only ones in the water and the water was crystal clear. We could see from one end of the crater to the other. We swam around at about 40 ft. for a while and came back up. Our second dive was fun too, as the sun came out and lit up the whole entire crater improving visibility dramatically. We then had about an hour interval so we could conduct one last dive. We left the crater, and when we came back it was packed. There was some kind of a nursing school graduation taking place, and the Channel 2 weather guy was there, doing a story. We got to dive while channel 2 was filming. I even swam up to the underwater camera, and not knowing what it was, picked it up and examined it quite closely. Jeremy blew "smoke rings" around the camera. Anyway, tonight at 6 and 10 be sure to tune in to the channel 2 news weather, and see if you can spot us!

Workin' and Playin' in the Club House!

The Dash in the Bathroom

Okay - so ... the other day Aaron was on the toilet. All of a sudden he hollers out, "MOM!!!!!" I was busy with Krystal, so I hollered back "WHAT? Just a minute!" Then he preceded to yell, "ACTUALLY, I'M DASH!!!!" (from "Incredibles")

What is it with his 5 year old brain that makes him think he needs to change characters right smack in the middle of pooping? Does turning into Dash mid-poop make things move faster? I dunno - what a silly kid.