"I..."

This was a tag from Nicole a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed this one because I had to stop and think about several of the answers. Anyone who reads this can consider themselves "tagged" :)

I am....reserved with people outside my immediate family
I think....toddlers should come with a warning label
I know....I have a wonderful husband!
I miss....believing in Santa
I fear....having a loved one die
I feel ....inadequate at times
I hear....the opening sequence of "Baby Einstein" too often!
I smell....odors before anyone else (sensitive nose)
I want....to be a published author someday
I crave....Diet Coke on busy days
I cry....when I think of Kenna
I search ....for shapes in the clouds
I wonder....where all the unmatched socks end up
I regret....not keeping regular journal entries
I wish....that I could fly
I love....sunsets and the smell of rain
I care....about others' feelings
I always....sleep with a fan on
I have....so many blessings
I worry ....about my teeth falling out
I remember....dressing up as a hooker in high school
I believe....in the power of prayer
I sing....different words to familiar melodies
I argue....logically and effectively
I write....sonnets, Elizabethan style
I lose....my temper too easily
I listen....for the unsaid words
I don't always....tell my family members that I love them
I don't understand....why people abuse children
I can usually be found....cleaning up after Mathison
I need....to be in the middle of a good book, with one on the side
I forget....who I'm calling sometimes :)
I am happy....when we spend time as a family!!

Now Serving.......

The Beatty family is proud to announce the newest item recently added to their menu:



Although this entree is not for everyone, it is a great way to add some texture and fiber to your diet. And even better, you can just grab it and go whenever you want. At least, that's the view of the youngest Beatty!

UEA Getaway

This week was UEA and the kids had two days off of school. Although we still have plenty to do with getting our house put together, our family decided to take a break on Friday and drive down to Las Vegas.

We spent the morning at the Children's Museum. The first thing the kids wanted to do was to put on some gravity boots and feel what it would be like to walk around on Jupiter:




Afterwards, we found the giant bubbles. It was so fun; we probably spent a half hour in this area!

Next, Jefferson, Krissia, and DEl went upstairs to the "big kids" exhibits while Mathison and I hung out in the early childhood discovery area.

After our museum adventure, we met Jared and Leesha at Town Square for lunch. After we ate, Leesha and I and the younger kids hung out at the play area while DEl and Krissia did some shopping.

Mathison and Jett exchanging a very slobbery kiss:

Jefferson hamming it up in the "maze":


There was a splash pad in the play area that was a big hit with all of the kids. Leesha and I stripped down the little ones to the waist and let them get soaked!


Jaylee and Mathison sitting together on a ride-on toy:


Leesha couldn't stay long because of her kids' nap time, and after she left we finished our shopping. Our next stop was the Coca Cola and M&M museums on the strip.
We had a great time, although we had to cut the M&M experience a little short because Mathison decided to through a HUGE fit on the 2nd floor :) After calming him down, we walked across the street to the New York casino and let Jefferson and Krissia ride the roller coaster. By the time they were finished, we were all pretty hungry so we had dinner at one of our favorite Las Vegas buffets - the Sahara. We had thought about going to Fremont Street, but we were all pretty tired at that point so we decided hang out at Jared and Leesha's house instead. We stayed and chatted with them for about an hour before heading back home.

You might have noticed that Bronson is absent from the pictures; he actually spent a couple of days at Lake Mead with his friend David during the UEA break. Just so he doesn't feel left out, I thought I'd better include a recent picture taken of him at our neighborhood park:


I just have to end with a funny story that happened while we were at the Coke Museum. We ordered "Coca Cola Around the World", which gives the customer samples of 16 different soda products from other countries. Krissia decided that she didn't want to taste any samples as she is staying away from carbonation because of swimming, so she took it upon herself to read what each product was from the list before the rest of us tried it. As we got ready to try the first sample, Krissia announced that it was "Cool Nestia from Bolivia". I thought it sounded pretty exotic, but when I tried the drink it had a very weird aftertaste. As we prepared to taste sample #2, Krissia said, "This is Raspberry Nestia from France." DEl and I both realized that something was off, so he grabbed the paper from Krissia. Low and behold, it was raspberry NESTEA from France - and you guessed it, the first sample was cool NESTEA from Bolivia. DEl, Jefferson, and I had all had our very first taste of iced tea. I guess we should be glad that Krissia is still innocent enough to not know what Nestea is :)

What's Wrong With Me??

We've officially been in our new house two weeks. Although we're definitely not living out of boxes anymore, we're far from being moved in.

What the heck is going on??

I'm normally a pretty organized person. Yet, despite my best efforts the unpacking is not as smooth or as fast as other times we've moved. This mystery has both perplexed and frustrated me as I examine the boxes and clutter that has yet to find their place in our home. As I was pondering my dilemma once again last Friday, it suddenly hit me.

This has been my problem:


This is the first time I've had to make a move with a mobile, curious, into everything, high maintenance toddler. Last year, Mathison wasn't even crawling yet when we moved. In years past, my kids have been older - making it much easier.

Case solved. Although it calms me somewhat to know that my organizational skills aren't totally kaput, I heave a huge sigh of exasperation each time I watch my toddler do some "unpacking" of his own yet again.

Kudos to Krissia

We've been back online for a day and a half now - yea! We've also been without TV and phones during this time; although it's been much quieter around the house,it's wonderful to be in touch with the world again :) For any of you that might be interested, our new number is 435.272.4909

Last weekend, Krissia competed in the Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen Pageant. This is a scholarship program for teens that is affiliated with the Miss America Pageant. Things were kind of crazy leading up to the big event because we were still pretty much living out of boxes, but it was fun to take a break and support our daughter. Krissia looked so pretty and played her piano piece so well. We were so proud! This was Krissia's first pageant and she had a great attitude about it. She was determined that she was going to relax and have fun, yet still give it her best. This approach paid off as she was named 2nd attendant! This was quite an accomplishment, especially considering that many of the other contestants had competed in other pageants and had more experience.

Here are some pictures we took that evening; cameras were not allowed in the theater, so these photos were taken either in the dressing room or in the foyer. We are buying an official pageant photo CD and will post competition pictures as soon as we get them :)

Two Words

HOT WATER.

Finally!

The Beatty Family is celebrating with hot showers, clean dishes, and fresh batches of laundry.

I vow never to take these two words for granted again!

P.S. I'm on a "borrowed" computer; we won't be online until next Wednesday. We just wanted you to know we're alive and well :)