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

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