Imagination

Wow, it's been awhile since I've postd anything. The kids and I spent a week at my mom's house and had so much fun! Here are some recent photos.

Sunday afternoon the boys watched the first Indiana Jones movie with Kris. Monday morning Indiana Jones came down my stairs in the morning! Cole got up and figured out his own "costume" (including a dish towel for a whip) and he seriously stayed in character all day! It was amazing - he never broke it. He talked with a deep voice, and anytime I called him Cole he corrected me by telling me that his name was Indiana Jones. Here are a few of his quotes from the day:
(Keep in mind the deep voice while he's saying all of these)

"Your son invited me here. He said I could come."
"Your boy is in the basement. He'll be there til tomorrow, but he is OK"
"I like blue like your kid does"
"I'll have fruity pebbles because that's what I'm used to having where I come from"
"Michelle (he called me Michelle rather than mom all day) if your daughter tries to get on the kitchen table I will whip her!"
"I saw that movie I am in - Indiana Jones - before your kid saw it and I totally think my rope is tougher"
"Joshua and Alaria - Your mom said to be good!"
"I like to watch kid shows. (then I asked him how old he was) I am almost 24. (when is your birthday, Indiana?) It's tomorrow, Michelle. (Oh wow - tomorrow! We should have a birthday party for you) and without hesitation he holds his hand up with his palm facing me and says "No, no, that's OK. I will be at my house tomorrow and your son will be here"

About halfway through the day Josh got in on the fun and became Batman. He didn't get it quite as well. When we asked where Josh was he would tell us "No I'm not Josh, I am Batman". They sure have an imagination!

Kris and the boys on Father's Day with the gumdrop tie they made him
Alaria found this hat of my dad's while we were visiting and she would either wear it on her head or around her back (see below) the whole week. It was so cute.

We had a fun family picnic in the park a few weeks ago. Thanks to LauraLee for capturing some great photos for me!

A Big Day for a Little Girl

Yep, that's right. Alaria got her first candy necklace.

Sugar 'n Spice

Alaria is turning in to such a big girl so fast! When she was born I remember telling my mom I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a little girl walking around the house. I never thought it would be so cute!
She is talking so much and will repeat everything you say! She knows what a doggy, kitty and birdy all say and she walks around talking all day. She gets so excited when she hears the garage door open every day because she knows it means that daddy is home. She loves to play with her brothers and loves her dollies and babies! She loves eating and is especially fond of meat. She loves to cuddle and give hugs and blow kisses. Bathtime is always a treat! She lays straight back in the water so she is lying on her back and kicks and splashes and laughs as hard as she can. She likes to climb now and I usually find her standing on the coffee table everytime I come into the room. She has also learned to say no and shake her head when she doesn't want something. It is so cute.
She is at such a fun stage and is definitely our little princess.

Quote of the Day

"Sometimes I just can't help life, and I don't want to share."

-Cole Gillespie, age 4

We had a really fun Memorial Day weekend. We were finally able to go down to visit my family. Of course the weather was horrible, but we had a great time. We really had a

Fun Stuff

Wow! What a fun and crazy weekend! Friday night I went with some friends in my neighborhood to the Stephenie Meyer book discussion and signing at Thanksgiving Point! It was so fun to be with so many excited fans and to hear her talk about her books and then actually meet her! We thought we were going to get stuck in there for hours waiting for our turn to get our books signed, but thanks to Jessa's sweet little baby, Keeley, we were given the chance to go up on stage after the second row and got through super fast!

Then on Saturday I met up with a couple of friends at the Provo Library for the Children's Book Festival and was able to meet Shannon Hale! These are my two very favorite authors and I got to meet them both in one weekend!! (I know, I have turned into a book nerd!!)
Then Jessa and I also met Brandon Mull and had him sign our Fablehaven books
Even Alaria was worn out after a crazy week! She is so particular about where she goes to sleep - she has to be in her bed! I was laughing SO hard when I found her asleep still standing up like this!

Saturday night we had pizza night with Kris' family while his sister Julie is in town. Just wait til you see what is behind these hands....
Gross or cute? I think Alaria likes chocolate cookies almost as much as me!
OK, I'm a little behind on blogging, but these are pictures from Mother's Day. I was so excited to come home from church and watch the Jazz game (So thankful for Tevo!) before we went to dinner so we make a carpet picnic for the kids so we could have lunch while we watched the game.

My cute kids. We took a bunch of pictures and I don't have a single one where everyone has their eyes open!

It Was Possible

Kris finished sinking our tramp last night! He dug the entire hole by hand with a shovel. We've never seen the boys so excited as when the tramp was finally going in (though I think they were just the tiniest bit sad that they couldn't slide down into the pit and dig anymore). The first thing they said when they woke up was that they wanted to go out and jump!

The beginning of the hole....
The boys were actually great little helpers and loved going out to work with daddy in the yard!
By the way....if anyone needs a lot of dirt - I know where you can get some!!

Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

Well I don't know if I would exactly call it "sleeping" but this is where I "slept" last night.
Me and a neighbor went down to Borders at 2:30 a.m. to wait in line to get tickets to go to the Stephenie Meyer book signing and discussion. There were people that had been camped out since 2:00 Monday afternoon. I have never camped out for anything like this before, but it was actually quite fun!

The good points - we got tickets! and copies of her new book, The Host...also a caramel apple cider from Starbucks (yes, I actually cheated on the no sugar - but this one time it was worth it! It gets COLD out there in the wee hours of the morning!!) AND I still have the signing to look forward to on the 16th! Oh - and the movie Bella that I've been eager to see comes out today! Pretty good day!! (if I can just get in a little nap somewhere....)

Growing Animals

Yesterday at preschool Cole came home with a cup in which he had planted pansy seeds.

He told Kris that if we wait a few days, a chimpanzee was going to grow out of the cup.

We are eagerly awaiting!

The New 'Do

Here are me and Alaria with our new haircuts - I couldn't get a great picture, but you get the ideaHere is Alaria's "before" haircut picture....
...getting her hair cut (she was SO good)

....and the "after" photos

These pictures don't do justice - she looks adorable!

Thanks Shelley!!

Last week Kris came home from work wearing the exact same outfit as Alaria!