love the cousins

Weston

2012-01-17T19:24:00.001-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/utahpubliceducation/5758780428/

Cool picture of Weston holding flag - He is standing on the right.

Caden's first band concert

2011-12-16T17:11:00.000-08:00

Guess what we got for Christmas:~/

2011-12-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

No, not a new Uncle Jimmy . . .

And not a backhoe . . .

A NEW WATER LINE!!!!!

This is how a ballerina eats!

2011-12-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

Fondue night

2011-12-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

Yay for bananas, marshmallows, brownie bites, pretzels, cinnamon rolls, and anything else you can poke with a stick and dip into the milk of human sustenance.

These aren't supposed to be creepy pictures, but Garrett had his face painted earlier that day and even the most well-mannered adult will get a little fondue on his face . . . .

The lamp isn't for mood lighting, Aaron's incredible strength yanked the chain out of the light on our fan.

The Final Harvest 2011

2011-12-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

We do stuff. I promise. It just takes me a really long time to transfer proof to our blog. At the beginning of the afternoon, our tomato plants were taller than me. Since it was the last harvest, I let the kids climb through it and have a grand old time.

How 'bout them onions? Look closely - some were over 6 inches in diameter.

Better days

2011-12-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

I just wanted a different post at the top here.

Hmmm . .

We finished St Luke today as a family. Yay!!

Etiquette

2011-12-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

Seriously. What spectator walks across a stage with a cart full of basketballs while a group is performing? The Winterfest spectator. What spectator talks the entire time the performance is going? The Winterfest spectator. What spectator leaves in the middle of a performance? The Winterfest spectator. Of course, if the Winterfest was held on a stage instead of in a GYM, things would be different. MMMMMMMMMGH!

I had to get that off my chest. Learn some manners, people.

:)

2011-11-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

I should wait until I can say 179, but I just can't!!!!

181.5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to my personal trainer, Dr. Haynie. He is only responsible for 2.5 lbs. The rest I did the old-fashioned way: diet, exercise, and food poisoning. I should be eating solids pain free by thanksgiving.

Today . . .

2011-10-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Conference weekend was really nice.

Weston did an entire painting project all by himself on Friday (except for the little bit he let Lydia do). Caden practiced the piano 45 minutes without being bugged and then went to his dad's office to study football. We all went to the Granger game that night, where Lydia performed in the halftime show. She was an adorable, very talented "Mini Excalibur".

Caden finally got to play in a game on Saturday. he did fine and has a few welts but otherwise, no worse for wear. The boys played soccer as usual and had fun.

I decided President Monson spoke later than planned just for me, because just as I turned on conference after the football game, the temples and the temple attendance fund were announced. What a blessing.

We had orange rolls, bacon, eggs, and juice for breakfast Sunday morning. Then the kids brought in all the bean bags and blankets to sit on during conference. Shortly after conference began, they were all banned from "the pile" and forced to sit on the couch or the fireplace. They bore it well. We are still looking for ways to anxiously engage them all so they can get more out of conference, or at least sit and listen.

Garrett learned to make friendship bracelets and how to tie his shoes during conference. Caden listened to a lot. Lydia played with beads and toys. Weston coveted his Roald Dahl books. When he received them last Christmas, he had no desire to read them. Luckily, he has found a love for them in the past month and has now read at least 7 of them start to finish and picture walked all the others. Yay!!

After conference we ate chicken and rice and zucchini. Then we played And it Came to Pass outside on the grass. Garrett and Weston won by a lot. It was beautiful weather, but it was 85 on Friday and the high is supposed to be below 60 Wednesday. Crazy!

More happy fall . . .

2011-09-13T19:38:00.001-07:00

Caden's broken rib (3 1/2 weeks ago during a football drill) continues to annoy, and the insightful doc thinks it best that he not play on it for three more weeks (to prevent punctured lung). Weston developed his first cold sore (aaaaaaaaaugh!). Weston also got roseola. (Sounds bad but it wasn't.) Lydia got the hives same weekend. Two days in a row. Garrett is healthy and decided to do his 20 minutes of nightly oral reading from the hymn book. He sings every verse of every song to the tune of Praise to the Man.

Caden Played for the Yankees . . .

2011-09-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

he keeps asking if he can burn his hat and jersey . . . but he had fun.

Kindergarten Graduation

2011-09-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

Garrett pulled faces at me from across the room while we waited for the program to start . . .

The medals are for reading and doing well preparing for standardized testing.

Baseball - Weston's All Star Team

2011-09-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

I've got to get better at this picture taking thing. Weston's all-star team played for over a month and did pretty well. These are the best pictures I could find. . .

Chloe's Blessing

2011-09-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

Sprinklers

2011-09-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

First Day of School and Creepy Caden

2011-09-05T13:45:00.001-07:00

Happy Fall!

2011-09-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

So since it takes me forever to post pictures, I thought I would add that pictures later and at least write a few things.

My last day of work was Saturday, August 21. It was lovely. I even missed it a tiny bit the following week. But there wasn't much time to miss it because of school.

Lydia starts preschool on Tuesday. I put her in our elementary's school, which is four days a week. I will use the time to help in the kids' classrooms and maybe be a good housewife. Maybe. Lydia is also going to Irish dance and ballet. Busy girl. She is my motivation at home in the mornings "mommy, let's do the dishes," "mommy, let's run 10 miles today!" "mommy we haven't done our yoga yet!" She and I are also reading James and the Giant Peach. She is so patient, eight chapters isn't enough for her!

Garrett started first grade and has a "very serious teacher." She has told me this herself and Garrett reiterated it after his first day. I think it will be a good experience. You've got to be strict to keep TWENTY-NINE first graders in line. I can't believe his class size. Poor teacher. Garrett is also playing soccer and learning a lot. He reads well and has quite the explosive personality. Garrett's current musical triumph is "Books in the Book of Mormon" on the piano.

Weston has a great fifth grade class. He is loving soccer. Honor Guard (a military prep club at our school) and choir start next week. He just earned his readyman pin for his WeBeLoS. Weston is our lawn mower and our bathroom cleaner and does a great job at both. He has an amazing memory and can recount most scripture stories for you in great detail. He is also learning three or more new songs every day in piano!

Caden started 7th grade and junior high this year. He is really in his element. He has a little more freedom to move ahead and more options as far as what he is learning. He choose band and the teacher is allowing him to count piano practice which is such a blessing because I don't have to nag him.

Aaron is working on his master's degree which is not super fun, but I get to pitch in a bit and I love editing so yay me! He is also teaching AP classes for the first time. His high school (Granger) had their inaugural game on their brand new beautiful football field last night. Caden is really torn over whether to attend the local high school (Cyprus) or where his dad teaches. Especially after Granger beat Cyprus 52 to 14.

I've been hugging my kids extra hard lately. They are just growing way too fast. When I push down on their heads, it does nothing to slow them down. Caden's feet are size 13, Weston's are bigger than mine, and Garrett is like a little puppy who thinks he is one of the big dogs. Lydia has her daddy wrapped around her finger and keeps the rest of us in line.

I am really looking forward to going to bed before 3:30 am tonight. That was my saturday night bed time for the last 16 months. Getting to church on time is so much easier now.

State!

2011-07-07T18:36:00.001-07:00

The Boys' teams both made State! It is not that hard, but it sounds good!!!!

comeback

2011-07-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

Weston's team came from behind (0-6) to win their first district allstar game 12-7. It was great. Great great great.

2011-06-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Weston and Caden both made allstars!!!! Yay two more months of baseball!!! Caden hit a home run Monday - so awesome. Weston pitched a week ago in a clutch situation to clinch 3rd place for his team.

Caden the Neglected . . .

2011-05-17T19:46:00.001-07:00

Yes, I do neglect Caden becuase he has passed the "cute" stage and is now more into the "I am growing up and I am not cute anymore but look at me look at me look at me stage!!!!! And Lydia found a way to ruin my memory card on my camera, so no pictures of caden until I buy a new one.

Here is the Cadenupdate:

He used to cry when he struck out. Now he cries when he doesn't hit a home run. Okay, not real tears but it is funny. He is so so so so close!!!!! He hit a ground rule double yesterday. Maybe the rain will stop by tomorrow.

His Elementary Saga is coming to a close, highlights including:

100% on science CRT (standardized test)
office helper (they love him there)
Student Body Secretary
Awesome friends, except when they act like 12-yr-old boys. He he he he.
Losing a lot of the remaining baby teeth, one in the middle of a choir performance, one forced out by "the Dentist."

Plus he is the best big brother there ever was.

Love that boy.

. . . and he just turned six!

2011-04-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

So just in case any of you got the wrong idea about my sweet little boy, here are a few snippets from the weekend . . .

We went to a stake event entitled "Walk with Christ" on Saturday. Upon reading the place cards on the table in the last supper room, Garrett turned to me and asked, "Where is John?"

Not to insult your intelligence, but this means that he:

a) Can read well,

b) Can read fast,

c) Has powers of deduction beyond his years, and

d) Knows the names of twelve disciples!

Then in church on Sunday, he was LISTENING to Bryan Whitehead's talk and turned to me as Bryan was quoting a scripture and said,

"That's the scripture they wrote above Jesus' tomb!"

Yes, that was the same scripture that evidently Garrett read while we were in the resurrection room on Saturday. Wow.

I am delusional in a good way

2011-04-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

I get these big ideas and can't seem to rest until they have been carried out to completion . . . or partial completion. I am beginning to accept that it is part of who I am, but I don't know if I will be able to reign myself in. . . .

My delusions have nothing to do with the headshots, I just happened to have the discs in my bag when I went to the library so I thought I would share.

We did go to an audition on Saturday, but Weston will tell you that the Blue and White game and football clinic he went to later that day were a lot more fun.

Garrett rises again . . .

2011-04-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

So he got the season schedules for the Blaze, the Bees, and Real Salt Lake at the grocery store the other day. After reading all of them excitedly, he reclined at his chair and glanced at the back cover . . .

"I think I need a Bud Light!"

We had our first word of wisdom talk.

Then, yesterday on our way to baseball he grunted in frustration and yelled,

"I can't get 'Highway to Hell' out of my head!!!!!!

I quickly found a catchy tune on the radio and helped him sing it. I don't know if Lenny Kravitz's American Woman is any better . . .

Yay Husband.

2011-01-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

Aaron's team has won last two games by about 30 points! Tonights score was 35 to 2 at the half.

Christmas letter 2010

2010-12-23T13:26:00.000-08:00

This year was . . . boring thank goodness. Except July.

Aaron's team started this season off well . . . not so much the last two weeks. He just finished up an assignment serving in the spanish branch. In trying to master the language, he read ALL the standard works in spanish this year. wow. He's out shopping right now (12/23), a tradition I will never break him of I think.

I started a children's choir at our school and started working for the post office. Two huge things that are impacting our lives more than I anticipated. I still have same hair, calling, clothes, cars, house, husband,and kids as last year, which is something to be grateful for. I did lose five pounds and a washing machine. I love my new one. Yay!

Caden is an office aide at school - the staff and teachers all love him. He had to go into a first grade class the other day and the kids all dropped their jaws because he is bigger than their teacher. He still is doing sports like crazy and started working out on his own this year. He earned "anything at costco" for his hard work over the fifth grade year and he chose a weight bench. (Over a playstation3) We are so happy about that.

Weston sang a solo on sunday in our church program. Silent Night. He took an acting class over the summer and interrupted that to go get his appendix out. (He lost his independix, as he used to say.) Luckily this happened two weeks after baseball season. He is a great reader, and is currently enjoying the percy jackson series. He cares for everyone and has great faith.

Garrett got some stitches over the summer too. My friend asked him what happened to his forehead. "My dad did it!" he said, "But my mom told him to!" He was locked in the bathroom, not responding with the bath water running. I frantically asked Aaron to break the door down. Garrett was trying to open it at the same time. He is loving kindergarten and [parent about to totally brag] the absolute best reader in his class. Seriously.

Lydia started dancing this year. That is the cutest thing ever. She comes with me to Garrett's class once a week, so she is sometimes a kindergartner. She also has a little once a week preschool. So fun. Oh yeah, she lost about 1/6 of her hair in the treadmill while Caden was at urgent care getting his head stapled back together the day after Garrett's stitches came out. This was just a few hours before Weston came down with appendicitis. Loved July. Almost done paying for July.

Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope you are merry and bright.

Love, the Cousins.

Halloween 33

2010-11-12T15:57:00.001-08:00

My beautiful dancer . . .

I wouldn't let Lydia wear her snow white dress to the school as we were going to be there for three hours, and she mostly unsupervised (choir concert, led by me)

Lydia and her friend did not plan this . . .

Weston definitely planned this . . .

We forgot to dig Garrett's muscles out of storage, so he had to get by with his own . . .

Caden was lucky enough to wear two costumes as well. I prefer his Toy Story 3 costume that he wore to school (see above) . . .

It snowed four days before Halloween! Crazy!

Lydia's Halftime Show

2010-10-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Lydia was a mini excalibur last night . . . no pics from the field, sorry . . .

First Day of School (or dance)

2010-10-09T17:55:00.001-07:00

Camping at Rockport

2010-10-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Wood Reunion 2010

2010-10-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

The handsome 20-somethings are my brothers. I love my family!

Picking up Tyler

2010-10-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

July . . .

2010-10-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

While Caden was at the urgent care getting this taken care of . . .

Lydia decided to take a spill by the treadmill

That night, Weston got appendicitis . . .

At least Garrett was almost healed (7 stitches) . . .

pre-appendicitis

2010-10-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Weston had to do headshots for his acting class . . . there were a lot of others and even better than this!

Okay, I know everyone is beginning to think I love Garrett the most. It's just not true! But can you blame them?

2010-05-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Baseball . . .

2010-05-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Baseball in Blue

2010-05-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Easter

2010-05-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Girl

2010-05-07T11:10:00.001-07:00

Parenting 0 Lydia 563,871

2010-05-01T13:15:00.001-07:00

Lydia has an obsessive compulsive tendency of counting all participants during the prayer.

This proved to be a real problem today at the baptism, when the number was higher than her skill level would allow her to count.

Garrett - The Classics

2010-04-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Beginning around age three and a half, His favorite thing to do in the tub is submerge himself and recite the pledge of allegiance . . .

My new camera is awesome and get excited! I may post soon, very soon. The guy next to me smells like cup-o-noodles.

Garrett has a make-up game on Saturday . . .

2010-04-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

He is really worried about what he is going to have to wear.

Last night he asked me, "Can I please just put the black stuff under my eyes?"

Garrett Cameron Cousins

2010-04-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Garrett is going to be a director one day. He plans to make these movies:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (apparently re-makes will still be in vogue. and no, he has not seen it.)

Star Wars 7 (who wouldn't want to make this one?)

And, in Garrett's words, "I'm gonna make the greatest movie ever! It's called Spirits in Heaven. It's about all of us."

This coming from the boy whose go-to excuse is, "Satan made me do it."

Garrett Pujols Cousins

2010-04-08T09:42:00.001-07:00

Garrett is #5!

Garrett's first practice was a hoot.

He got out of the car and coach said, "This kid is a machine."

He got up to bat and coach says, "You even stand like a real baseball player."

(Poor coach is dealing with eight children who have never played ball before; and two of them run away from practice regularly.)

Then Garrett starts hitting. Coach Searle, pitching, gets more and more excited as parents start taking notice . . .

"Coach you better take a few steps back."

Coach moves ten feet after Garrett drills one at him on the next pitch.

"Hey, who's your trainer?"

Various oohs and aahs . . .

"Are you gonna be a baseball player when you grow up?"

More of the same . . .

"Do you have the same doctor as A-rod?"

To the other group of kids practicing catching in left field:

"Heads up! . . . Look out! . . . You guys might wanna move!"

And finally, from an anonymous parent whom I love for setting up this gem . . .

"Kid you're gonna make your mama rich one day!" To which Garrett replied,

"I'm gonna be rich EVERY day when I play baseball!"

Then, because I can't resist, I yell to him, "Hey Garrett, switch it up!"

Garrett steps to the other side of the plate . . .

Coach, "No Way! No Way!!!!"

He's swingin' for the trees. Left-handed. Coach is giddy. I love this game.

Garrett at church

2010-03-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

"Mom, I'm really tired. I'm going to go to sleep now, but I will keep my mouth open. You can just set the bread and water in there."

Garrett hits puberty

2010-03-27T15:18:00.001-07:00

Garrett says: My armpit always itches when I eat.

It's the warning of hair getting in my armpit.

Mom says: What!?!!!!

Garrett says: oh! It's the warning that sonething bad's gonna happen - like someone's gonna die!

Garrett's Goals

2010-03-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

We were talking about Jesus walking on water Sunday night. Weston asked if that was really possible. I said yes, with faith anything is possible.
Weston: "So we could walk on water?"
Mom: "If we have enough faith, and the necessity."
Garrett: "Tomorrow I'm gonna get that!"

Garrett sings Called to Serve???

2010-03-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hogwarts, passing Hogwarts! As we glory in His name!

Hogwarts, passing Hogwarts! As we glory in His name!

Garrettomobile

2010-03-09T12:23:00.003-08:00

" I NEED ONE OF THOSE RED FERRARIS!!!"

Garrettteristic

2010-03-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

Hey Caden, half your eyebrow's gone!!!

Garrettology

2010-03-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

I got up in the middle of the night. I played with Bumblebee in my bed. AND NONE OF THE HUMANS NOTICED!!!!

Garrettism

2010-02-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

GARRETT: Yea! Yea! The Brain told me that!

WESTON: The Brain?

GARRETT: You know, the guy in your head!

Not so Tiny Dancer

2010-02-17T09:56:00.001-08:00

What happens with my camera is just like what happens in the mirror . . . what's in my head looks amazing. Thanks parents, for the excellent self-esteem. Even if it deludes me from time to time . . .

Puzzle

2010-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

Ever since we did this shoot, Lydia wants me to take pictures every time she completes a puzzle, which is usually twice or more daily . . .

Cub Scouts

2010-02-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

Caden gets his WeBeLoS:

Weston [finally] gets his Bobcat (he earned it months ago, but here we are):

I didn't take time to crop.

Valentines

2010-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I have ever done something with my kids before church besides get ready for church and read scriptures . . . this was a full week before Valentines, mind you! Weird.

So my editor just called. Apparently you would have to be a mind-reader to follow my blog, which explains why I have so few followers. The Garrett and the Weston made Valentines. This is a picture of that process. We went simple (rectangles), fast (computer-generated), and cheap (leftover Christmas kisses). I know, I know, the point of school valentines is to practice our writing skills. I rationalized out of that one this year. Simplify.

I thought

2010-02-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

that if I could not easily post pictures any more I would start just blogging the things Garrett says. He is awesome. Yesterday's tidbit was:

"I've got to get one of those red Ferrari"s!"

But then I came to the library and whatever was wrong was fixed so maybe I have time to catch up a bit . . . .

Bedtime Stories

2010-02-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

I fed Garrett and Lydia lunch on plates in front of the TV (usually a treat reserved for illness and injury) so that I could get my taxes done. My taxes were all over the kitchen table and I wasn't taking any chances. They politely asked for more of the same after about fifteen minutes (yea! they liked my food).

Another ten minutes went by and I heard Garrett yell:

"Room Service!"

I ignored him.

300 seconds to spare

2010-01-29T09:53:00.000-08:00

Indian Sky and Weekend Pie

2010-01-25T19:29:00.000-08:00

We have our own room!!!! At least that is what it feels like after painting, organizing, etc. It is no longer the dumping ground. That is what the basement is for, right??? Pics to follow much much later.

I am in charge of preschool this week. And we are doing a pretty living room project that we won't finish for a year. I use "we" loosely, as this is surprisingly becoming Aaron's baby. Pics to follow.

We beat a very tall team Saturday. It felt so good. No pics.

We gained a new appreciation for Stake Conference Sunday this time around. That was the first Sunday in months that all six of us were together the entire day except 7:30 to 9:00 Priesthood Leadership Meeting. We ate cupcakes (ketchup-sheddar-meatloaf cooked in muffin tins frosted with colored mashed potatoes). We played about a million games. Hide and Seek was one of the favorites. We had caramel popcorn for dinner. Weston read us two bible stories. The kids went to bed. And Aaron and I played Ticket to Ride for 150 more minutes. We changed the rules so one game takes anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes. So fun.

Little Shop 'a Three Months of My Life . . .

2010-01-15T16:12:00.001-08:00

Yep, I had a band. It wasn't my fault (I got myself roped into much more than I thought). But I loved it.

Sometimes Kyle was gone and I got to play all three keyboards. It wasn't pretty.

Ralph the drummmer, Sue the Vocal Director, Kyle the Keyboardist, Me the Pianist and (you know I love to tell people what to do), Lynn the Bassist. We really rocked a couple of the twenty or so nights.

When I am old and gray all I will do is Jam.

Love you guys!!!!!

Decorating For Christmas

2010-01-15T16:05:00.001-08:00

And we got it all down by January 10th.

My Three Sons . . . Plus One

2010-01-15T16:04:00.001-08:00

The Sunday after Christmas

2010-01-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

What is the word between "super" and "normal"?

2010-01-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Weston's class let me teach them how to play "Don't Eat Pete" on Wednesday. Awesome Organized Chaos.

Room

2010-01-13T19:02:00.001-08:00

Oh bother. The pictures I just spent 15 minutes putting on the library's compy disappeared, so I will stick to words until Friday. I really have some great pics I want to post.

We are painting our bedroom "Caspian Tide" this weekend. Here's to Home Depot.

Caden's basketball team is 4 - 0 and his shots finally started making their way through the net. Last Saturday it was a fast break lay-up (I know, I know, Caden? Fast break? No one could touch him.) and a prayer from the elbow. Sweeeeet!

Weston's (my) basketball team is 3 - 1 (our loss was by 1 and hubby said it was the ref's doing). Weston was a maniac last game with four steals in the first four minutes.

Aaron bought a set of Spanish scriptures. (The old was were lost in the flood.) His assignment is the Spanish Branch, which he loves. It is an awesome challenge.

Lydia and Garrett have said a couple of really funny things lately that sound too innappropriate to commit to writing.

Saw Sahara last night. Watching Lawrence of Arabia today. Maybe I miss summer.

Got my room clean. Lydia's too. Taught Weston's class the Don't Eat Pete Game. They loved it.

Caden is moping because of our DVD, car, TV, etc situation.

That's it for now. Boring. Wouldn't have it any other way.

:)

Halloween 32

2009-12-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Note: Garrett is NOT a power ranger. He is Frozone from The Incredibles.

Conference Sunday

2009-12-04T10:55:00.001-08:00

I love staying home for conference!!

So nice.

Jr Jazz

2009-12-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

After two whole weeks with nothing but the usual primary and mom commitments, Junior Jazz started last night. It was fun and the parents are all really nice. I was so focused on the new players and learning their names that I barely noticed Weston was there. He said he had fun. I love that kid.

Tuesday night Wes was feeling sick, but he didn't have the word for it. Dramatically, he told me, "My brain feels really soft. I need something to harden it." Kirstin and were talking about how what he might need (for therapy, not brain-hardening) is to go through the dictionary A to Z and talk about each word and the situations in which you might use it. That would surely cover all the gaps I do not realize he has!

One more Weston story:

The other night he gave a distraught Garrett his special bunny (Weston had just found it after it had been missing for two months). After Garrett calmed down and fell asleep, I came into their room and the following ensued:

Weston: "I know I did a good thing for Garrett. You know how I know? I feel it right here, in my heart."

Hug.

Mom: "Yes you did."

Hug still going.

Weston: "I wish Caden was as good as me."

We had a discussion about how everyone is good and has talents and sometimes we make poor choices that influence others, etc, etc, etc. It was hard to keep a straight face.

November Flowers Bring . . .

2009-12-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

It hadn't hit 20 yet when I left the house, so it is a good day to remember the warm November . . .

Clematis

Rosemary

Snapdragon

Our flower garden was nice for a very long time this year . . .

Lydia's Birthday Part 2

2009-12-04T10:16:00.000-08:00

"Little Girls, Little Girls!"

2009-12-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

We rationalized the treasure box purchase by saying we were going to buy her a princess costume anyway . . .

Lydia's Birthday

2009-11-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Lydia! Did we really do this party the same day as the primary program??? More pictures later!!! Gotta run.

The boring post

2009-11-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

I had to document something from the hours and hours I put into the reflections program. It was fun, and gets more rewarding every year. Plus I get to shop on someone else's bucks!

I love this guy!

2009-09-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is my sweet nephew Krieg. I know everybody could use everybody's prayers, but this guy maybe could use a few extra. Read Kirstin's blog for updates . . .

Another first for Stephanie

2009-09-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

I remembered to take first-day-of-school pics!!!!

(I know, we took them other years, but either my mom reminded me or we just pretended it was the first day of school.)

Aaron is awesome

2009-09-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

He has been spoiling me lately. Mostly cleaning, but also doing things that we have been putting off. Yea!!!

California Dreamin'

2009-09-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

A night in San Fransisco without fog . . .

is like . . .

a day in san fransisco without fog, only more rare.

My boys

Lydia loves crab . . .

. . . dressing up . . .

. . . Garrett . . .

. . . and baseball.

Grandma and Grandpa Cousins love baseball too!

Thanks for the fun times!

I told the boys they could get their toes wet.

It turned out to be a little bit more than toes.

We had great seats!!!

Lydia, Weston, Caden, and Aaron and I walked out on the Golden Gate bridge for our first time. It was amazing! I love the color and the size. I love that we can walk across it.

On a clear day . . . you can see forever :)

I love California!!!

We tried to keep this trip low-key, and as a result we ended up at the exploratorium, the golden gate bridge, the A's game, Great-Grandma's house, Children's Wonderland, Great America, Ghiradelli's, Jelly Belly Factory, and a BBQ.

Jack and Greta go on their mission in October (yay!) so we wanted to go visit them. I feel good about this decision. We are so blessed to have had such a smooth journey (one chip in the windshield, one other unmentionable annoyance) and to have gone and returned in such good health and happiness.

Family Vacation Number Three That Was Not to Relatives' or While Moving

2009-07-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

Number One was a day in Vegas (kind of a bust for two mormons who have never spent much time there and have a 1- and 3-year-old).

Number Two was really awesome. We went to see LeBron James play in his rookie year in Cleveland. We hit Goodies in Cincinnati, the Colombus temple, Kirtland, the NFL Hall of Fame, and General Conference in the middle of nowhere.

Number Three . . .

We went to Colorado for a big baseball tournament. Six hour drive, kids were perfect in the car. No kidding. We stayed in a condo with a kitchen so we only had to eat out a couple of times, otherwise we cooked at home. So much yummier! And safer! (Yes, I am paranoid.)

Tubing down this river. Boy do I wish we had pictures of that adventure. It was awesome, and quite an accomplishment for this little family. Aaron and I held Garrett and Lydia in our tubes.

Lydia preferred to be alone in the tube, so I did a fair amount of pushing, swimming, and banging my shins against the rocks. No complaints though, it was a great day.

This is at Fish Creek Falls. Over 200 feet high, and raging at its peak. Lucky for us, the snowmelt is winding down so it was calm enough to play in.

More pictures to come, maybe. We decided to take one last vacation to California before we pay for our sins (PAYEE: AMEX). :) Aaron's parents should get their mission call this week or next and we want to spend time with them before they go. Plus, who can resist the coast?

By Garrett . . .

2009-07-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Caden's baseball season

2009-07-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

That is it. All the documentation I have for the year Caden worked harder than ever, and was overlooked more than he deserved to be.

There's a first time for everything

2009-07-08T12:46:00.001-07:00

I went to a movie by myself last night. I have never ever done that before. It was awesome. I saw 17 Again at the dollar theater and ate stale junior mints. If you can get over the fact that Zac Efron doesn't break into song in every other scene, it was a great movie. Totally not geared toward the HSM-age fans, totally great for an adult HSM fan who also had a fling or two with LOTR, Friends, and Star Wars. It was a night to remember.

My husband's children . . .

2009-06-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

Aaron took Caden to baseball practice, and was kind enough to take Lydia and Garrett as well. He was chatting with the parents, as usual, checking on Lydia and Garrett from time to time. At one point he looked up to locate them, and there was Garrett, pants down, marking a wall as his territory. But where was Lydia? Ah, there she was . . . a few feet farther down the wall, pants down, attempting to do the same.

Weston was on a basketball team a really long time ago.

2009-06-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

January flew by, didn't it?

He loves life. And basketball.

Last free throw of the season. He was totally blinded by the sun.

I am pretty sure their team went undefeated. Weston is awesome.

Valentine's Day

2009-06-09T14:36:00.001-07:00

Weston is the best! He made his own valentines - no help from mom. Obviously.

Another day at the Gateway!

2009-06-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Sokie, for bringing your camera!

Weston had a birthday . . .

2009-05-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

He had three friends over and we went mini-golfing and then came back for more golf and presents and cake. Good day! Under budget, too. Weston was sweet to ask for a simple cake (see Garrett's birthday). And the golfing worked out really well, thanks to his grandpa (Jack Cousins), who came along and kept the peace.

He got baptized too, a week later. It was a great day. A camera-less day, inadvertantly. We had a brunch at the church beforehand, it was supposed to be in our yard but it was really rainy. The baptism was beautiful. Three of Aaron's football players came and sang. Grandma Wood and Grandpa Cousins both gave talks that touched everyone. I am so grateful for the gospel. Weston, I think, knew what a special day it was.

I cannot believe we did not take any pictures. I am thinking of having he and Aaron dress in white over at the stake center and take pics as if . . . is that terrible? No, I definitely should do it.

Mouths of Babes

2009-05-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Garrett says, "When I was born in Kentucky, there were 28 horses. And I rode them all. And it was so funny I started laughing." (Comment followed by jovial belly laughing of Garrett, now 4.)

Preschool's Out for Summer!

2009-05-31T09:13:00.001-07:00

Preschool was awesome this year. Five moms. Five kids. Five babies (although Lydia was much older than the other babies). We had a blast. Especially when it wasn't our week to teach :) I should have taken more pictures as usual, but here is dirt and worms day:

And here is the day they all thought it would be funny to hide under the lunch table. I admit, I let the happy screaming get way out of hand. Probably 120 decibels.

Next year Garrett gets to go to Miss Amy's Preschool and hopefully we can do the mommy preschool with Lydia. I could be alone at some point . . . . weird.

Here's to Tyler

2009-05-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

I ran across some pitures of my brother who is serving a mission in North Carolina. We love you Tyler!

I promise I have done one or two things since march.

2009-05-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

But it has mostly been baseball. And I keep forgetting my camera.

Someday . . .

We did have an interesting Weston day. We took him in for neyropsychiactric evaluations in April (results still forthcoming). When I called in February to schedule the appointments, he wasn't doing so poorly, I just hoped we could help him really reach his potential by understanding him more fully. Well, by the time May came along, he was doing so well that I wondered why I put him through all this torture. (Which wasn't so bad, 7.5 hrs of testing, non-invasive, 6.5 in one day alone.) I can't put my finger on it exactly. He deals with life more appropriately for his age. He is more consolable. He is more responsive.

But today was different. We were in Spanish Fork for baseball from 10 to 6. It was a long day, but he has had long days before. When we got home and Weston had to wake up and bathe, he started having some issues. I will spare you the details (they are uncomfortable to say the least), but when he was finally heading downstairs (we are staying at my mom's house) to go to bed, he told me he needed my help getting from the living room to the stairway. Then he collapsed dramatically on the handrail and said, "Well, it looks like I'm going to have to do this the hard way," and proceeded to somersault head over hills and roll down the stairs. ON PURPOSE!

It looked really painful/funny. Can someone explain this?

So there was this one day . . .

2009-03-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

It was about 12:30 am on Jan 16 and I was feeling useless. Lydia was refusing to fall asleep and I had run out of good ways to waste my time. (Having internet would have solved that problem.)

I grabbed my handy dandy camera and . . .

Breathing, sleeping child in clean room below:

Game made by Caden about Benjamin Franklin.

The beginning of Caden's Fitness Activity Badge:

Proof! Okay, I don't remember what the last picture means, but I do know that paying bills, coaching basketball, making phone calls, doing laundry, playing games with my kids, cleaning stuff, taking down b-day decorations, helping Caden with his Webelos, icing gooseggs (the beans), playing the piano (these two pages is all my kids would let me play), changing vacuum bags, reading the paper and the ensign, family scriptures, and keeping my kids alive makes for an awesome day! Moms rock!

Of course, after finishing this post it occurred to me that my dear friend Noelle would read this (sorry sweetie, I just read of your plight Wednesday as I have not been online for a really long time). And, being confined to a hospital bed for weeks now, she may think me shallow for feeling sorry for myself at all. But we are all human, given to complain or rejoice at things large and small. It is good to climb out of our heads and realize how lucky we are. You're awesome, Noelle! Our prayers are with you.

Beautiful Girl

2009-03-18T20:03:00.001-07:00

Garrett's Birthday

2009-03-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

A few hours before Garrett's Birthday Party, he put about five bandaids on his face. I left the one he stuck to his eyelid on for his dad to pull off . . .

He asked for a "Blue Dragon Mountain Cake." I still need to work on saying no.

It was awesome.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

2009-03-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

Caden and Mom, Jr Jazz

2009-03-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

I was photographer and coach, so there are no game shots. The first two are Caden warming up. We did pretty well over all. And it was fun in the end. Caden was the leading scorer on the team. We surpassed our team goal of fifty points . . . total for the whole season. Our final record was either 5-3 or 4-4, I did not keep track. The kids had fun and got a lot better over the eight-week season, so I say mission accomplished.

A place for everything and everything in its place

2009-03-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

Look mommy! I'm making! (Lydia-speak for cooking)

Caden's Birthday

2009-03-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

He had friends over and they went to laser tag and came back for pizza and fat boys. Sadly, I am still learning how to be mom and photographer at the same time. This is the only proof:

Most of us like our new hats

2009-03-18T19:01:00.000-07:00