Love this Dog

Lately, I think our family has taken advantage of the fact that 

we have an awesome dog.

From the day we got her, she has been sooooo good, easy to train, and incredibly loyal.

This is the face that we see when she is ready to play, go on a walk, or go on a ride in the car.

No one is more excited to see you walk through the door and no one whines more when they see you walk out the front door without them.

This is the face I see when I pull out of the garage and her face is looking out the window by our front door. And it's true what they say about dogs, they sense when someone is upset or sad. If there's a sad countenance in our house, Scout runs to the person and immediately sets out to make them feel better.

While I never in a million years thought I would ever have a dog, let alone allow it in the house...
I have to say that life is so much better with her. So thank you kids for being persuasive and talking this stubborn, reluctant mom in to getting a dog!

High School History

Yesterday Hilary and Hannah's American history teacher gave them an unusual assignment.

I had nothing to do with this because I was at my Stats class.

So, if my neighbors are wondering what in the world these two were up to while I was gone,

 here is the explanation.

If I understood the assignment correctly, they were to dress up like people from the Great Depression and then photograph themselves in black and white. Hannah wore a pioneer skirt and bonnet and sat in the middle of our cul de sac for some of her pictures.

Hilary's interpretation of Great Depression attire led her to my closet for a plaid shirt and a signed Utah Jazz baseball cap. Perhaps I should get rid of that shirt?!

 These last two pictures are my favorite...Hannah, with a large trash bag full of aluminum cans that needs to be recycled, standing in her bare feet in the COLD!

And Hilary, who told me our messy garage was the perfect backdrop for photos.

These two crack me up every single day!

Mr. Incredible

No, I'm not talking about the guy above... rather my main man...Dan.

This is a shout out to him for all he does for me and our family.

We had tickets Saturday night to the Jazz game. I love going to Jazz games and I love being together as a family even more. However, I have a few research papers looming and a deadline.

Couple this with a brain block and I knew I needed a long stretch of uninterrupted alone time.

One hour at the public library earlier in the day was one creepy encounter after another.

So, I opted out of the game. The twins invited a family friend and I spent over five hours mulling over and pinpointing my research thesis for paper number one. I'm excited and enthusiastic about my topic (sounds strange, I know).

 My desk is piled high with books and papers, my family listens around the clock to my ideas, research, and concerns. Especially, Mr. Incredible... he travels a lot but he is a phone call away.always.

 It feels so good to be so close to putting a period at the end of my formal academic studies...and I know I couldn't be doing it without him.

Disneyland Wrap Up

Last Disneyland post...promise!

The trip went way too fast but it was fantastic while it lasted.

We commented several times how nice it was that our kids were all old enough now to go off together. 

 Elisabeth and her cute kiddos, Eva and Ian, met up with us part of the time. 

 

 Julia taking the wheel of the jeep on Indiana Jones.

Thanks to the Washington Willis' for making the trip at the last minute...

 it was so fun to have them there too!

Part 2 - Disneyland

Some of our favorite rides include...

Toy Story Mania 

I'm pretty sure you can see my white knuckles clutching the hand rails while Hilary perfectly poses for the camera.

\

 Riding the Tower of Terror which my kids couldn't get enough of...

Disneyland

 We rolled into Anaheim on Wednesday morning, met up with the Andersen's at their hotel, parked our car there and walked across the street to the park. I mentioned to Dan that I hoped no one broke into our car because we had left 2 laptops, an Ipad, 3 IPod touches and my wallet buried underneath pillows and seats. Late that night when we returned to our car, we realized we had neglected to lock the car. Amazingly, nothing had been touched and we consider ourselves blessed! You would have thought I would have been extra careful after all that. Well, late that same night as we were heading to bed at our hotel, the manager called to inform me that my wallet had been turned in at the front desk. I had no clue that I had even lost my wallet. I picked it up the next morning with everything in tact. Again, I am so grateful for honest, thoughtful individuals!

Heading to the "happiest place on earth..."

 I liked the array of footwear that the girls and I sported... I think many years from now we'll find this interesting.

(From the top and clockwise... Emily, Hilary, me, Julia and Hannah).

 Our countless trips to Disneyland have taught me a few things. One of them being to never ride with Dan on the Tea Cups because you'll probably need help off the ride.

Emily has also wised up--she chose to ride alone!

A highlight of the day was running into Kelly Bryce and her beautiful little boy, Rhett. When we lived in California I was one of her young women leaders. She was also our babysitter after the twins were born and an amazing one I might add. She is now married, has a family of her own, and is still as beautiful as ever on the inside and outside! (So glad we connected Kelly :)

A long, exhausting and exhilarating day for sure!