Have you seen my Mother?

I'm sure that's what Rebecca & Mary-Gail have been thinking for the last 2 weeks. And I know Lovey has been thinking, "where is your Mother?" and "where is my Wife?"

My entire kitchen, including my dinning table (with the extension leaf) have become my hostages as Jo, Mom, & I work to complete several Christmas projects. My tile floor is covered in thread, material scraps, totes filled with finished & un-finished creations. JoJo & Mom have dedicated their precious spare time to help with these projects - and I'm happy to say we only have a few (maybe 4 more hours?) left until we're all done!

Soon, my little babies, you'll have a mom again. Until then, be good and please stop coloring on my walls :)

LOVES!

a decade...and counting

Tonight, at 5:00 pm, Lovey & I will have been married for 10 years! What the...?! 10 years. Wow. That's a decade. A decade of being with my Lovey who fiercely loves me, and I him.

Tony moved into our apartment two days before we were married. I was at the apartment hanging Christmas lights in the bedroom (spelling out "I LOVE YOU") when Tony came home from work. I remember that feeling - when Tony came "HOME" from work. He came home to our little 1-bedroom abode, and he came home to me. We layed on the bed, Tony holding me in his arms, and watched as my message spelled out in Christmas lights fell pitifully from the wall. I gave up on trying to re-attach it to the wall, kissed my soon-to-be husband goodbye, and headed back to my parent's house to get ready.

My sisters, Joanna & Carly, helped me get ready. That was also a feeling that I'd never experienced before - having someone completely dote on me. I wore a RED DRESS, one I'd made several years before for JoJo's Prom; I borrowed JoJo's red, strappy shoes, and her fashion jewelry. CarCar fixed my hair, and both of them swore I was beautiful. That night I felt beautiful. And I felt loved.

Lovey has taken great care of me since then. And even before, while we were dating, he brushed of my callous moods & "feministic views" and still took a chance. I often ask him why he asked me out that first time. He tells me he "felt 'froggy' so he jumped." I'm so grateful he jumped, and together we've been jumping through the years. Together. Happy Anniversary, my Lovey. I love you!

Due in May

So have you seen this post or what?

Twins...due in May. I couldn't be more excited!!!

Rebecca, the fashionista, and Cinderella

In addition to wearing my high-heel shoes, and being able to walk well in them, Rebecca also knows how to dress.

Becca loves to dress up and she's decided to incorporate my headbands & head wraps as her scarf accessories.

Rebecca, rockin' the faux-hoc

And I just had to add these pictures after I first posted this entry. Rebecca & Mary-Gail recently inherited more dress-up clothes from my sister Kristie's two girls. Reese helped them get dressed and Rebecca & Mary-Gail did a fashion show for Daddy. I was in the office working, and after the fashion show, Lovey brought MG down to show me her outfit.

Mary-Gail said she was Cinderella...and Rebecca was the Butterfly Queen.

Cinderella & Butterfly Queen

Plus Reese, the fashion choreographer

Check it out!

Rebecca has begun saying, "Check it out!" It's really funny - she & Tony play back and forth saying "check it out, check it out" and don't stop until one burst out laughing.

So, I've copied Rebecca's phrase and am asking everyone to "Check it out" (our blog) because I've finally posted our fabulous pictures of Ali & Avery & Jada's visit with us. Finally.

Me & My Lovey, Monday, 11.09.09

We went to Bridal Veil Falls for pictures Monday. This place holds a special spot in my & Lovey's hearts - it's where we 1st took a picture of us while we were dating. Now, it's 10 years to the date from our 1st picture @ Bridal Veil. We both look like little kids in that November 1999 picture. Can't believe it's been 10 years. Love ya babe!

Lovey & Becca

I can't get enough of hand holding pictures, especially father-daughter hand holding pictures

Family Pictures, Monday, 11.09.09

We absolutely had to take family pictures while the kids were out here visiting. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the last time we had family pictures was over 9 years ago. And since then, we've added 3 beautiful & healthy & bright girls.

Our beautiful family

Lovey & his beautiful kids

Avery & Jada



Papa & Jada


Steven & Ali

Monday night Cake & Ice Cream, 11.10.09

A goodbye celebration for Ali & Avery.

Our time together with our kids was way too short. We really only had 4 days with Ali, and 6 days with Avery & Jada. Ali & her boyfriend, Steven, had to return to SC Tuesday, so Lovey & I decided to have family come over Monday night for cake & ice cream. This gave everyone a chance to talk, catch-up on the goings-on, and to take pictures. Ali & Avery were really great - and I was very appreciative of my Mom, Grandma Gourley, and sister JoJo + her family to come over. Family is such a blessing, and having family close - like Jack & Carol (4 houses away) is fabulous!

Family gathered in the kitchen

Ali, JoJo + Taylor Bug, MG, & Jada

Isaac, Amy, Jada; and yes, Steven, I can still see you!

The Downstairs Ruckus Group:

Becca, Reese, Gage, Isaac, Amy, & MG

Rebecca & MG working on another puzzle - this time it's a super large floor puzzle

Time for Pictures!

Jack Kemp Family

Uncle Jack, Jada, Avery, Amy, Ali, Aunt Carol, Isaac

The Great, and the Great-Great

Great Grandma Rebecca & Great-Great Grandma Gourley

add one more Grandma to the mix...Me!

All the Grandma's!

Great Grandma Rebecca, Jada, Gra-Manda, & Great-Great Grandma Gourley

Jada had an immediate love for everyone,

and was not stingy with her hugs & kisses

Bath Time Fun times 4! No wait...times 3

After eating all that chocolate cake, icing, and ice cream, everyone (including some of the adults) needed a bath! Taylor Bug joined Rebecca & Mary-Gail in their mini-pool, and so did Jada. But, bath time was not fun for Jada. My girls kept 'terrorizing' her (pouring water on her back & splashing). Needless to say, Jada did not bathe with the girls again. However, we were happy to have Taylor Bug with us. She splashed right along!

One worn out little girl, Monday, 11.09.09

Avery said it was OK if Ali & I took Jada to get her ears re-pierced. So the three of us: Gra-Manda, Auntie Ali, and Jada, went to the mall right at 10 am to "get it over with."

We're all smiles before the piercing...

Snap! One ear down, one more to go...

The sales gal showed Jada her new Pink Bling, which stopped the tears

Ali was doing her best to be strong

I think the piercing hurt Ali more than it did Jada

The sales gal gave Jada a sucker - she should have given Ali one too.

We got home and I handed out fruit snacks to the littles. Ali & Steven went shopping in the hopes of finding some boots for Ali; and Lovey & Avery went to the Post Office, shooting, and then out to lunch. The 3 littles and I stayed home, and all of us were overly tired. I quickly whipped up some lunch, and after Jada had a few bites she went in search for her Dadda. Little did I know that she had fallen asleep on the stairs in her search.

One tired little critter

Reading, singing, & puzzles, Sunday, 11.08.09

I'm so surprised that no one - not one - of our 3 littles fell asleep on the 30 minute drive home from Aunt DarDar's house. They were so excited playing, enjoying the "Kiddie Cove," and running the length of the entire basement. So at 9:30pm, we finally got changed into PJ's and read books.

Reading time with Lovey

Jada picked out the Ten Little Dinosaurs, a book of ours she quickly fell in love with

(Lovey & I gave it to her to enjoy on the plane ride home)

After Ten Little Dinosaurs, Jada went right over to the puzzles

Me & Becca, self-portraits

Rebecca, that little turkey! I couldn't get her to open her eyes for our self-portrait.

However, I absolutely love her puckered lips and "cheesy" smile.

During Singing Time:

Rebecca did her best to let Jada do the Fish puzzle by herself,

but couldn't be patient any longer & just had to help.

Afterall, Rebecca is the Puzzle Queen

Ahh, for cute

Jada (remember she is a Night Owl) and Avery (who is truly asleep)

Uncle Mark & Aunt Dar-Dar, Sunday, 11.08.09

Jada was so worn out! She literally fell asleep on the computer room floor - on the plastic chair mat! She needed the nap because we were going to Aunt DarDar & Uncle Mark's house to play!

Pixie was worn out too :) It's a tough life being a dog!

On the drive to Aunt DarDar's house...

After church we drove to visit Aunt DarDar & Uncle Mark. We didn't even have to finish the sentence when we were telling Rebecca & Mary-Gail where we were going - they started to scream with excitement, b/c they LOVE Aunt DarDar & Uncle Mark! So off we went, our 'Burb loaded to the max with our kids. Every seat belt was occupied, and I felt so complete. It was a little slice of heaven for me.

Uncle Mark dancing with Rebecca, Mary-Gail, and Jada

You've heard of walking on water...my girls walk on ceilings!

Uncle Mark let's his adorable nieces walk on his ceilings -

hope Rebecca's sockies were clean!

Kemp's Progeny (minus Nic, Kristen & Patrick)

Steven, Avery, Lovey, Ali, Jada, Aunt DarDar, Mark & Stephanie & their Baby Eldon, and Uncle Mark

(the girls were off being crazy somewhere)

Uncle Mark's "Man Room" has a Ping-Pong table which sits atop his fabulous Pool table. Both got used that night, and there were no sore losers.

Ali spanked Steven in Ping-Pong.

Maybe that's because Rebecca was "helping" Steven (see next picture)

Aunt DarDar is a Grandma too! Aunt DarDar cooed, kissed, played, & loved on her daughter, Stephanie's son, Eldon. He was so sweet!

The boys kicked Ping-Pong to the curb, and racked up the balls for several games of Pool. Avery & Ali tried their best to beat their Daddy, but Tony is still the Master at Pool.

Jada tried on Aunt DarDar's "Mouse face"


And then it was Mary-Gail's turn

Rebecca & Jada helped Aunt DarDar clean up the "kiddie cove." Where was MG? She always seems to disappear when it's clean up time. Little Turkey!

Oh, there's MG...She is like a little mouse - always know where to find food. Aunt DarDar fixed the girls a late-night snack of Peanut Butter sandwich, apples, and string cheese. Oh, it was delicious! And check out the girls' matching shirts: Ali bought Rebecca, Mary-Gail, and Jada matching shirts at Old Navy when she & Steven were there Saturday afternoon. Thank you sister!

Aunt DarDar & Uncle Mark were calculating the last time their kids were together with Ali & Avery, and it was over 13 years ago!!! So we just had to update the old photos and get new, fresh pictures of the grown up cousins (Aunt DarDar's other son, Patrick, is on a mission in Canada. Maybe he could be Photo-shopped in..?)

Avery, Ali, Stephanie, & Nic
(plus Jada)

THIS is my favorite picture

Avery with his daughter, Jada; Stephanie with her son, Eldon

Uncle Mark, Ali, Aunt DarDar, Avery

(plus Jada & Madi, the dog)

None of the little slept on the ride home. I think it was because of Aunt DarDar's "kiddie cove." Thanks Aunt DarDar & Uncle Mark - love you guys!

Puzzels & swings, Sunday morning, 11.8.09

Sunday morning I found Papa & Jada playing in MG's room (MG & Becca were downstairs giving Ali & Steven an early-morning wake-up call). Jada discovered the shape sorter & puzzles. Puzzles are huge, huge, huge at our house. I filmed Rebecca putting together a 1-20 number puzzle in less than 2 minutes...and she hadn't done it before, and she doesn't know her numbers beyond 12 yet. Amazing! And watching our little granddaughter discover the puzzles and piece them together was amazing too.

Papa helped Jada with this barn puzzle. The barn doors have to be positioned just-so, or they don't fit together.

Cheese!

Jada dumped the puzzle out and did it again, and again, and again. And when she fit the puzzle piece in its right spot, she'd say, "I did it!"

"I did it!"

It was time to move on to the Colored Fish puzzle. Jada was so worried that we didn't have the Pink puzzle piece, but we eventually found it...in MG's bed.

I think Papa and Jada were in MG's room for over an hour. Papa had to get ready for his church meetings, or I know he would have stayed and played more. After Papa left, I took all the girls outside to swing on the swings. Our church doesn't start until 1pm, and the weather was so wonderful. See for yourself:

Jada loved the "Rocket" swing

And in typical 'Becca & MG style' they wanted me to

"Swing us high!"

MG & her Tick-ah. She said to me as she was swinging,

"Mommy, Tick-ah is flying!"

It reminded me of when we went to the Manti Pageant and MG held her Tick-ah out the window so Tick-ah could fly. (Tick-ah was flying at 65 mph, and almost got a ticket!)

"Gra-Manda" & Jada, Saturday night, 11.7.09

Saturday night, after I put "Aunt Becca & Aunt MG" to bed, I vegged downstairs with baby Jada. We layed on the blow-up bed (Ali's), stroked Pixie's back, and discussed what was on TV. Lovey was in the office catching up on work; Ali & Steven were in Park City - they drove up there shortly after we got home from Thanksgiving Point; and Avery was relaxing on the couch watching TV with us.

Jada loved Pixie, or "Pee-Pee" as she called her. And Pixie loved the attention and constant petting from Jada. I called Lovey in to take our picture, and I love the first one - you can see Avery's smiling face reflected in the mirror.

We all ate a nighttime snack - Skinny Cow Mint Ice Cream sandwiches - and then I turned in for bed. I quickly learned that Jada is a night owl and doesn't go to sleep until around 9pm - 10pm. That is too late for this Grandma!

Gra-Manda & Jada

Pixie & Jada became fast-friends

Avery shared his ice cream sandwich with Jada

Gra-Manda doesn't share Ice Cream

Swinging with Daddy & Brother Avery, Saturday, 11.07.09

We played, or should I say Lovey & Avery played with the girls on the swings.

Lovey & Mary-Gail played "High Five" on the swings

I wish I could have captured both of their laughter on video

These girls were swinging so high, but it wasn't enough -
- they wanted more! And higher!


Rebecca: "I found Brother Avery!"


I love this picture - Tony & Avery, Father & Son laughing

Rebecca is so independent: climbing into her swing and refusing help

Tony & Avery, Father & Son, pushing their kids - only 9 months apart!

Big Brother Avery pushing his younger sisters. Rebecca & Mary-Gail LOVED it!

The Big Red Barn, Saturday, 11.7.09

We're going where?

Jada's face after we told her where we were going...

Avery & Steven try to handle three kids under 3

Steven didn't mind being sandwiched between the twins

Good 'ole Betsy, the Cow

Calling to the cows - Rebecca & Mary-Gail said,

"Come mere little guy. Come on! It's OK, come mere, come mere."

Hooray! The cows came

Could we move to a farm please, Daddy?

MG wanted to give every cow a hug & kiss.

MG going in for another head-hug

Steven's little hand

Becca's little hand

MG's little hand

Avery helping Jada feed the Alpaca, who was fun to watch

My little hand

Mary-Gail could not WAIT to ride the horses!

She picked this horse & rode it all by herself, and she was all smiles too

Lovey walked around once with Becca, but Becca didn't need any supervision

She could "handle it," she told him

Jada was in heaven too,

and after a few rounds with Avery by her side, Jada was able to ride all by herself.

"I did it!" she'd exclaim each time she passed us

Jada Naveah, all on her own

Smiley Mary-Gail

A very cute, and very sassy Rebecca

The girls were all put "in jail" with Steven

MG was a huge flirt...

...and Becca stole Steven's hat

Little Jada was all tuckered out

Dinner + Bowling with the kids, Friday night, 11.6.09

Lovey took us all out for dinner Friday night. We went to a Japanese restaurant, one where the cooks prepare the food on a huge grill right in front of you. Mary-Gail loves rice, & Rebecca loves noodles, so I figured they would be OK eating. I guess they filled up on ICE b/c when we were finally served, they weren't eating very much. They did like watching the food cook in front of us though, but got nervous with the erupting volcano, made when the cook lit the cooking oil on fire.

MG filling up on the ICE Water

Avery & Jada

People ask me all the time if my girls get along, and I say, "Of Course!"

Best of Friends, Rebecca & Mary-Gail

Photo courtesy of Ali

The fam all went bowling @ BYU, while I had other commitments at the NICU I needed to be at. Lovey & Ali snapped some photos of the kidlets bowling, and Avery focused on beating Tony in every bowl. Can you believe Avery's 1st three bowls were STRIKES? He got a "Turkey" right off the bat. Lovey said he let Avery beat him to make Avery feel good. Ya, right!

Avery & Jada @ the bowling alley

I guess Jada was quite the little actress. Here are a few shots Lovey captured of her as she danced across the floor...

Avery helped MG with her ball

Lovey helped Becca with her ball. And since she knew she was bowling a strike,

she didn't need to stand and watch

Ahh, for cute!

Lovey bowls, while his granddaughter & son watch

Rebecca is DONE

1st Day - backyard swings, Friday, 11.06.09

Hooray! I'm finally posting pictures of fabulous week-long visit with Ali, Avery, Jada, & Steven.

Friday morning was a perfect day to play outside! The weather was an unusually warm 60 degrees, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Rebecca took right to the swings, Jada followed and wanted everyone to push her "Higher Please." MG was her own woman and did her own thing. We all sat on the grass and watched, talked, pushed the kidlets on the swings, and of course snapped pictures of everyone.

Rebecca's favorite past time, Swinging!

Jada discovering the play house

(I took the roof off to wash it)

Jada loved playing in our backyard

Can you see my little critters climbing in the house through the window? Crazies

Photo courtesy of Ali

(Lovey wrestling with MG)

I really enjoyed watching Avery play with his daughter...and his sisters :)

Jada & Rebecca discussing another swinging session

Rebecca loved her "Brother Avery"

...and she loved her sucker

"Sister Ali" snapping some self-portraits

Lovey's kids, watching our kids play

We got out the bouncer, and as usual, it was a huge hit

Steven took over pushing the kids, and thankfully he didn't mind at all

It's "I" week!

It was my turn for play group on Monday. And we were learning about the letter "I", number 4, color Brown, and Rectangle shapes. I threw my original idea of using toilet tissue rolls out the window. This is what I was going to do: Play "I SPY" with our toilet paper rolls, searching for all the letter i's in the house (I planned on taping Large Letter I's and small letter i's throughout the rooms upstairs, and wanted the girls to search for them using the only the toilet paper roll. When the girls gathered the I's, they needed to tell me what sound it made {long sound, or short sound}). And then we'd read the "I" book, and glue pictures that begin with the letter I to our toilet paper roll (I was going to limit the number of pictures to 4 - because that's the number we're learning) and we'd talk about the color Brown, and remind the girls that toilet paper rolls are usually brown, and if you press the toilet paper rolls down, they become a rectangle).

But, as I said, I decided to change my lesson plan. And I'm so, so, so glad I did! We made Igloo's!!

Rebecca wanted to be in charge of picture taking,

which is what the last picture shows

P.S. Rebecca's hair - it's always a faux-hoc!

Mary-Gail quickly smashed her marshmallows on the cup,

with the sole purpose of taking them off to eat them!

And Reese, she's just wonderful! I love her smile and I love her imagination.

She's so proud of her igloo creation.

I love having her spend her mornings with us!

I was literally so surprised when the girls' mom's came to pick them up. I could not believe that the 1 1/2 hour went by so quickly. I love having a house full of kids. I love their laughter, I love their smiles, I love their "discussions" (fights) over the toys, I love their imaginations & how they pretend so well. I absolutely love having kids in my house. I love it!

My son, daughter,& grandbaby are here!

Ali & Avery

Our family picture

May 2000, 9 1/2 years ago???

And this is my grandbaby, Jada. She just turned 2 in August.

Avery is a great dad, and her Auntie Ali is the best Auntie.

I am so grateful they are all here!

Rebecca has taken a liking to Ali's boyfriend, Steven

My son and daughter & grandbaby are here!! We were ridiculously excited when we heard from Ali last month. She said that she & her boyfriend, Steven, plus Avery & his daughter, Jada, were coming for a visit. Oh My Gosh! It seemed like this day would never come - we haven't seen them since we took a visit to Charleston when Rebecca & Mary-Gail were little, nearly 2 years ago. Baby Jada was a baby then, but now...well, Jada is a little girl! She's just a hair taller than Rebecca & Mary-Gail, and she weighs 5lbs more!

Lovey drove to the airport solo last night (he left at 11:30 pm and picked
everyone up from their red-eye flight, which landed at 12:25am). I heard them as they came inside, and I was planning on seeing them in the morning, but when I heard Jada's sweet, little voice I could NOT resist seeing her along with everyone else. It was well after 1:30 am before Lovey & I retired to bed, and I don't know when Ali, Steven, Avery & Jada went to bed.

We only have a few days with Ali & Steven (they leave mid-morning Tuesday, 11/10), and Avery & Jada leave Thursday, 11/12. We have a few things planned, one of them being a new family picture...with my babies and my grandbaby. Just call me "Gra-manda!"

VOTE!

Have a voice - Vote.

Today!!

Do it.

I did.

...And then take your littles to get some ice cream :)

Bye-Bye Bradford Pear

We dropped this Bradford Pear tree on Saturday, 10/17

The front face of our Bradford Pear tree didn't grow. It was in the growth path of 3 Aspen trees, (which we dropped earlier this spring). Aspen trees are dominant trees, and therefore the Bradford couldn't branch out like it should have - like a pear. When we dropped the Aspens - they were diseased & were being eaten from the inside-out - this Bradford just became an eye sore for us. I am going to miss the shade it provided, and I'm going to miss watching the Robin's lay their eggs & raise their little hachtlings each spring too. My front room (and whole house for that matter) is going to be bloody hot in the summer!

Lovey took all of 5 minutes to drop the tree,

and it only took 10 minutes for us to load it in the trailer. Amazing!

And for his brother, Pat, (if you're reading our blog at all) Tony said, "Pat who?!"

Daddy's little helper...

We ended up cutting down another Aspen in the back yard (it too was diseased - the truck was basically sawdust from being eaten from the inside), and an Apple tree that was never trimmed to produce properly. The neighborhood kids were a big help in hauling the branches to the front yard, and even helped me rake up some dead grass & leaves.

School Days

Rebecca & Mary-Gail LOVE going to school. Did I stress how much they love it? They L O V E it, and I'm thrilled that they do. Every Monday @ 10:25 am Rebecca & Mary-Gail put on their backpacks and we head to school. Several ladies in my ward decided to start "Joy School" for their 3-year olds, and although I didn't know what Joy School was at the time, I was adamant that I be a part of it too. Amy put together the school schedule for the year, rotating between 7 ladies who host the 8 kids @ their house (8 kids because of my twins), and they teach a letter, number, color, & shape.

Rebecca & Mary-Gail going to school @ Miss Holly's house (Oct 12th)

Miss Holly was teaching the colors ORANGE & BLACK,

so naturally I dressed Mary-Gail in those colors.

Becca was set on wearing PURPLE!

"Let's GO Mommy!"

Becca double-checking her piggy; Mary-Gail double-checking her backpack

Sisters walking to school @ Miss Holly's house

School started Monday, September 14th, but we missed it since were still in Walt Disney World. No worries! Rebecca & Mary-Gail loved WDW, and didn't know about school yet. Their first time at school was at our house (September 21st). I taught the letter C, the Number 1, the color BLUE, and the shape Square. It was so much fun having all these little girls at our house! I had everyone wash their hands right away (I am-and will always be-a stickler on that!), and then we mixed ingredients for cupcakes. I made up a song as we mixed the cupcake batter (of course!), and while the cupcakes were cooking we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We gathered in the kitchen,and the girls watched as I cut up an egg carton into 3-egg cup sections. I passed out crayons for them to color their egg cups (I didn't have paint, so they just used crayons - "C" for crayons!), then I attached pipe cleaners and viola! They had their very own hungry caterpillar. We went outside to see if we could find things a caterpillar would eat. We played outside for a little bit, and then came back inside for another craft. I prepared a Large Letter "C," which I glued onto BLUE SQUARE construction paper, and then had the girls glue cotton balls ("C" for cotton balls & clouds) onto their paper or on their Large Letter C.

We went back outside & played, then came back inside, washed our hands again, and decorated our cupcakes with icing & sprinkles. By then it was 12 noon, and everyone's mom was showing up to gather her little munchkin. It was a great 1 1/2 hours, and I couldn't believe how quickly the time went!!! Plus, I was grateful to have gotten out all the craft supplies & actually do a craft with my littles.

Here's what I teach next:

Nov 16th: Letter I, Number 4, Color brown, and Shape rectangle.

Feb 1st: Letter O, Number 8, Colors red & pink, and the Shape heart.

Mar 22nd: Letter U, Number 12, Color green, and Shape octagon.

May 17th: Review all the letters, Numbers 19 & 20, Review all the colors, and Review all the shapes. Graduation is the following Monday, May 24th!!!

P.S. I'm saving toilet paper rolls for my turn on Nov 16th. I hope my craft idea works out like I've planned...