Baby Scotty

We were finally introduced to little Scott, and everyone has to take turns holding him. Sammie is quite fond of holding, feeding, and burping him.

Don't get too attached, Toots. We are done, done, done. Those sweet little babies turn into two-year-olds like Tommy!

Tommy's Little Buddy

If you've read Lorena's blog lately, you'll know the Humpherys have come for a winter visit (in conjuction w/ Clint's interviews). Tommy's had a new little playmate--cousin Grant.

Don't worry Grant, we won't tell Mom that you get sippy cups at Aunt Sarah's.

Grant and Tommy in Shari's backyard

Notice, Tommy finally has hair (w/ the help of static electricity!)

Grant's 2nd birthday party

Kids Say The Darndest Things . . .

Sammie would kill me if she knew I was putting this on, but here goes. The other day she was with me in Target. As we were heading out the doors, we passed a girl headed in. She had an itty-bitty waist, and very large (uh, let's just say, cleavage). The cleavage was very apparent as she had a low cut, fitted black tank top on. I noticed, but didn't say anything.

However, Sammie must have noticed too, because once we were outside, she made the comment, "She must have had b--- transplants!" (Honey, I think you mean implants).

Flight Over Phoenix

Gary at the controls

Tom and David

Gary, Tom and ZZ Top (oops, Steve)

Gary, Tom, David and Steve back on the ground

You know how Sponge Bob says, "This is the best day everrr!"? Well, yesterday Tom had one of those. Gary and Ann (Tom's brother and sister-in-law) had flown the 182 down from Ogden to spend a few days, and of course pick up the Trainer. (Those model birds are a thorn in my side some days, but that's a whole 'nother story!)


Anyway, yesterday morning started out with a trip to the model flying field with Gary, and then on to Falcon Field for a real flight over the East Valley. Gary took Tom, as well as two of his friends, up for an hour in the 182.

Flight Over Phoenix, Pt 2

B-17 Sentimental Journey at Falcon Field

Superstition Mountains

This is a "Where's Waldo" shot of our house.

B-25 Mitchell taxiing

"Wii" Are a Happy Family

I guess you could say the Nintendo Wii was a good investment (yes, Tom, you were right--it was worth the money). Since Tom came home Tuesday night, we have spent countless hours as a family battling it out on Guitar Hero III (which I rock at, by the way--sorry, Tom) and AMC Bowling (which I'm not so good at).

Sammie will be attending physical therapy very soon, as her shoulder cracks every time she bowls! (Know any good doctors, Uncle Clint?) Even little Bubba enjoys the Wii--he's kind of like our little caddy, handing us the guitar and controls. Here's hoping we tone it down enough to get more sleep this week though (before midnight's good, right!?)

The Past is Coming Back to Haunt Me

Ever notice how your mother is right 99.9% of the time? When I was young, I was a bit persistent (ok, Mom, a lot persistent)! She would comment that one day I would have a child just like I was.

Well, years down the road, prophecy has been fulfilled in the form of Samantha. While I would like to blame any less-than-charming characteristics on her father, I do have to say that she is me through-and-through. She tends to worry about things that will happen ten years from now, and she is the most persistent and nagging child the civilized world will come to know. Never, ever mention anything unless you plan on following through! (I certainly wasn't that bad, was I Mom!?)

At least we can say Tommy is his father's child--if he is going to do something, he will do it full-throttle!

World Traveler

As we know all too well, Tom is on the road frequently. Before he started this job, we called the credit union and explained that he would be in foreign countries frequently and withdrawing cash, making charges, etc. Basically, we didn't want to have a hold put on the card any time something showed up outside the U.S. For the most part, it has worked pretty well.

However, I got a phone call from AFCU's security department the other day to see if there was unauthorized activity going on. There were two separate withdrawals in Shanghai, one in Seoul, and I had happened to make an online purchase the same day out of Mexico. She didn't seem to think it could be legitimate, but when I told her they were, in fact, ours, she commented that he really gets around. You're telling me, Sister!

Sentimental Journey

As many of you know, my mom is from Australia. When she went to visit my grandma this past summer, she brought back a box of old slides (our kids would say, "What the heck are slides? Those things at the park?" Guess I'm getting old.) She has been slowly going through them and putting them on her computer, and she forwarded a few on to me today.

This May it will be twenty years since my dad passed away. I was only 11 at the time, and although you never forget, time does move on and so do we. That's why I was surprised that I got so teary-eyed when I saw this picture of my dad (he would have been in his late twenties here).

See Mom, here's proof that Miriam and I didn't always fight!

Utah Highlights (and lowlights)

Since we have been home for almost a week now, it's time I catch you up on our adventures in Utah.

Speaking on behalf of Tom, I would say his highlights were the following:

-Sharing the "green cloud" with Travis (if you don't understand what that means, you are far better off). Travis claims this caused him to exhibit symptoms of nausea and vomiting. I have my suspicions it was actually a stomach bug, as Aunt Jen and Carly both got sick as well.

-Spending an afternoon at the airport w/ his dad. What better way than to piddle the afternoon away than with other airplane enthusiasts.

-Doing donuts in the snow in unnamed vehicle

-Hanging out with his brothers

-Eating Ligori's pizza, his favorite pizza in the entire world-literally!

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As for Sam-I-Am, here are some of her favorite memories:

-Playing in the snow

-Playing with cousins on both sides of the family

-Sleepovers at Lynsie's

-Sleepover at Grandma's with Carly

-Going to a movie with Lynsie, and another movie with Nicole

-Seeing Grandma Rickenbach, as we don't see her very often

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While I had many highlights, I'd like to start with the low points:

-Chasing Tommy around the Phoenix airport for two hours, as he was possessed by some unknown force that caused him to act like the worst toddler ever! I also enjoyed comments like "He's hell on wheels, isn't he?" or "My, you've got your hands full, don't you?" Not the best thing to say to a mother on the edge!

-Being so cold I had to use space heaters and a heating blanket to thaw out at night.

-The kids, and myself included, all getting colds and infections. It's quite a joy dealing with two sick kids when you're sick yourself. The best part was Tommy's vomit at 3 a.m. I know all you mothers can relate!

-Waiting, waiting, waiting, for little Scotty Pippen to arrive. Of course, he debuted the day I went home! (Since I know I'm done with the newborn, itty bitty days, I love to cuddle someone else's!) Someday soon I'll find it in my heart to forgive you, Scott.

-Flying back to Arizona with Tommy--while he was better-behaved in the airport this time, the flight was a whole 'nother story!

But it wasn't all bad! Here are some of my favorites:

-Seeing a lot of the nieces and nephews and reminding them of their favorite nicknames: Carlita, Nicolette, Petno, Lynard Skynard, etc. If your child is with me for any length of time, guaranteed they will leave with a nickname.

-Having a Christmas party with my family, where all except for one sister was present. It's the first time we'd all been together again in over a year.

-Having a white Christmas again--I've always thought South Weber looks like a little Christmas village in December.

-But my all time favorite was . . . . landing in the Arizona sunshine!

New Vows

While our two-week Christmas vacation in Utah was great overall, I have discovered a few things that I will not do for a good, long time:

1-Spend Christmas in a state where Santa has to fly in on a snow plow and wear a buffalo skin suit to maintain adequate body heat.

2-I vow not to fly with Tommy the Terror until he as least 3 years old!

Suffice it to say, I have never been so happy to see Arizona sunshine! It's easier to shovel sunshine than snow!

(Family, don't be offended--we had a great time visiting and hanging out with everyone. In fact, Sammie has cried numerous times since we left and asks what our chances are of moving back to Utah!)