We have AC!

After trying to get a hold of our landlords for a few hours, we found out they were on a boat somewhere without phone service. Lemuel called a company that was able to make it out late yesterday afternoon. Since the heat was getting unbearable in the house, we hit the pool an stayed there for a couple of hours. The techs showed up and pretty much told us the whole motor needs to be replaced and it would cost about $400. Needless to say, we said no way. That is for the landlord to fix, so we had them do the minimum amount of work to get it up and running again.  Thank goodness because it was 105 again last night. We are so grateful that we have a cool house to be in. Tomorrow we are going to spend the day at the beach for my birthday! Yeehaw!  

What a way to start the weekend......

Last night while trying to sleep the air conditioner broke. We aren't sure what exactly is wrong with it but it is not working. For the past hour and a half we have been trying to get a hold of our landlord but he is not answering his phone. Right now it is 91 degrees inside the house and it is only 9:00 in the morning! We have ceiling fans in the kids rooms but our bedroom and the living areas do not have ceiling fans!  UUUGGGGHHH!  I have a feeling it is going to be a really long weekend. And of course it is suppose to be super hot. Last night at 8 it was 107!  So we will see how our wonderful labor day weekend goes! 

PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA!

Yesterday for our playgroup this week we went to California Pizza Kitchen. Elena had achievement day and Aidan wasn't able to go since he wasn't 3 yet, so Max and I enjoyed our time together. 

Max learned the ins and outs of making a pizza and felt the heat from the big oven they cook all the pizzas in.
He spread the sauce, then let a younger boy put the cheese on, and then he topped the pizza off with some pepperoni. 
Then we got to enjoy his creation!  He was pretty excited since his favorite food is pizza!  We had a good time and also enjoyed our waiters stories about how pizza was invented. A great time by all! 

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Yesterday was Elena's 9th birthday!  I just can't believe she is that old, or I guess that I am getting older. She was a little bummed that it wasn't her year for a birthday party but I think she had a good time anyway. We went to dinner at Famous Dave's on Saturday night since she wanted ribs and I don't know how to cook them. Then yesterday we celebrated with Lemuel's special hamburgers with all the fixins along with cake and ice cream. 

She was really excited to get more build a bear clothing and Aidan even picked out a cute purse and glasses for her bear. He was so helpful. 
No she didn't get glasses. They are fake glasses. She really wanted to get glasses but of course for right now, her eyes are perfect. But doesn't she look adorable with them? I told her she will probably end up with glasses or contacts anyway since the Holt eyes are pretty terrible. 
Max was taking pictures for the cake and ice cream and it was on the wrong setting so the quality is pretty horrible. I didn't notice until after the cake had been cut. Oh well. All in all Laney told me she had a great birthday and loved having her Grandma and Poppa, as well as Auntie and Uncle sing to her on the phone. It sure made her feel special. She is still trying to decide what to get with her birthday money. Happy birthday Laney!  We love you!

Sacrament talks.....

Today Lemuel, Elena and I spoke in sacrament meeting. My topic was faith and service precedes the miracle, Lemuel's was on temple sealings and the blessings we receive from them and Elena spoke about blessings. It went really well and I was so impressed with both my husband and my daughter for their thoughtfulness. It was really neat to hear Lemuel speak about temple sealings and what it means for him to know that we can be an eternal family. It impressed me as well the love that he has for a father that he has never know and that since his mom made the decision to be sealed to his father, that if he lives worthily, he will be able to know his father in the next life and to be sealed to his parents. It was just so touching to feel the spirit and his love for me as well. It isn't often enough that we discuss the amazing blessing that we have as a family to be together forever.  I am so proud of him. 

And then there is my beautiful daughter. I asked her if she wanted to speak with us (really hoping she would so it would take time away from my talk) when she said "sure, can I talk about blessings?" I said of course, whatever you want to talk about. She did such an amazing job, and wasn't even nervous. I typed it up for her while she dictated to me. She was so great!  She bore her testimony and even said how much she loves her brothers, which is really touching since they fight so much!  :) She received so many compliments. I was proud of her and her willingness to get up in front of all those people, which at her age can be pretty intimidating; what am I saying, I was intimidated!  I am very glad that they are done and over, but I learned so much through my topic. It was fun to have a specific topic to research and study. I don't do that often enough. 

Beach Volleyball!

One of my favortie summer olympic events to watch is the beach volleyball!  I loved watching the women's team play and their gold medal win was amazing and so much fun!  Lemuel and I have stayed up watching late into the night most nights cheering our favorites on. It is a little sad that it is almost over and we have to wait another 4 years for the summer games.  Hats off to all the athletes that train so hard to accomplish their dreams!  

And it begins! The 2008-2009 School year!

It was the first day of school today and I was so surprised that Elena and Max were up at 6:15 all on their own to get ready. Max came into my room and said, "hurry mommy, we don't want to be late." He was already dressed with his backpack on and said he had already eaten. (jaw drop here) Max has been really unhappy about starting school again and today he was the first one up and ready!  I told him it was way to early to head off to school. So he went in and packed his lunch. After I showered and was ready, he told me, "Okay mom!  Let's go. We can't be late on the first day of school!" This was about 7:15. I gave him a quick hug and told him school didn't start for another hour and 5 minutes. He smiled in his little embarrssed smile and say, "oh." Too cute. 

Elena is moving on up into the 4th grade!  I can't believe how big she is getting!  It just amazes me at how smart she is and how aware she is of what is going on around her.  She was a little nervous and had a stomachache as we walked to school this morning but she turned to me and said, "But it is okay mom because dad gave me a blessing and I will do just fine. I am just a little nervous/excited!" (that is exactly what she said, including the slash part :)) What a sweet girl she is!   
Elena's teacher is Mrs. Plugge. Laney taught me how to spell her teacher's name since that is what they learned today!  :) Go figure. I don't know if I would have figured it out on my own. It sure is a unique one.
Max is in 2nd grade this year and was so excited to see all of his old friends. His teacher is Mrs. Wheeler. As for school, he really doesn't like it all that much but he came home from school today and he told me they started multiplication but that he didn't do very well. I said, "brada if I even looked at times in 2nd grade, I woud' ha fallen out my chair!" Well, maybe not quite like that, but you get the idea!  I hate math but Max seems to enjoy it. We shall see though when we get going a bit more!  

Isn't he a handsome guy!  I sure think so. He wasn't real thrilled about getting his picture taken though.  

Ward Rafting Trip

Last night was our ward rafting trip at River's End Rafting company. The kids and Lemuel were so excited to head out on the river. They have never done anything like this so they were ready to roll. Plus it was a nice night for a swim as it was 106 degrees at 7 o'clock last night!  I checked with Sandee (one of the owners of the company) and found out Aidan was too small to go but that I could wait at the picnic tables while they were gone. So I loaded up some snacks, a couple of outdoor toys and some drinks. Once we were there Sandee said that we could ride the bus with everyone and then head with the drivers to the pick-up location and there was a small area that we could play at.

So while Lemuel and the kids were out on the river, Aidan and I skipped rocks, rummaged for sticks and other items to throw in the water. At first Aidan was pretty upset that he couldn't go on the boat but after we got on the bus he just thought it was fun to ride that. Then when we made it to the river, he loved throwing the rocks and watching the splashes. He kept saying, "You see that? Big splash!" He was a lot of fun and the hour flew bye. 
The company loaded up 7 boats all filled with ward members.
This is the gang having a grand ole' time!  Can't wait until Aidan is old enough so we can all go together!  It was the perfect length for the first timers. Lemuel was a little bummed that they had to miss the faster rapids because of the youngsters but he still had a great time!  

Do you think they had fun? Nah, probably not!  :) 

Two of my favorite boys!

Aidan really wanted to wear his Mickey Mouse ears to play in the other day. He loves them and kept them on his head for a couple of hours.  Max thought he was just so cute and asked me if he could take a picture of him. Max did great job of taking these pics. They turned out so cute!  

I just can't believe my baby is getting so big. It makes me a sad. I wish sometimes I could keep him small. He is becoming very independent and wants to help with everything. He loves to pick up anything on the floor so he can throw it in the rubbish, even if it doesn't belong there! He is a great helper!  

What can I say, I'm adorable! 

My two handsome dudes!

Daddy jumped in to take a picture of his boys and future tennis stars (if he has anything to say about it)!  What fun boys we have!  They keep me on my toes and really love each other. Often I go in to check on the boys after putting them to bed only to find Aidan in bed with his brother and Max is reading stories to him.  Max is the greatest big brother ever!  

Shrimp Scampi Pasta

So last night for dinner I made Shrimp Scampi Pasta and I have to admit it turned out way better than any restaurant I have been to that served this dish. The kids devoured it and my hubby said it was very good. But then again, he could just be trying to please me!  :) This is one of my favorite dishes but I haven't ever made it because it is so fattening!  ugh!  So I am wondering if anyone knows something that can be substituted for heavy cream. I tried to make it as less fattening as I could with whole wheat noodles, half the butter, and only used olive oil, but it still has the heavy cream. Any suggestions? 

Tennis anyone?

Saturday Lemuel took the boys out to the tennis courts to play a little tennis. Or actually to practice since they can't really play a match yet. Anyway, I took a break from reading to head down and takes some pics.  Max is doing really well and improves every time he heads out. Aidan just wanted to play with the boys!  He was loving trying to hit the balls.  He seems for the moment to be more inclined to a golf swing but was loving it all the same. He would patiently wait his turn to hit the ball. He kept standing right next to his big brother all proud. The best of all was when he said "Awesome Max!" Good good!" It was absolutely adorable. My little man is getting so big!  

They had a lot of fun despite the heat. It was 103 and it was the middle of the afternoon. They came home really sweaty with bright red faces. Aidan promptly told me, "I need shower Mom!" 

Breaking Dawn

Friday night was a lot of fun. I met with some other ladies from our ward and we had a "Breaking Dawn" release party. We ate of course, visited, and then headed to Borders for their release party. We got there and I went up to the desk to get my number and they didn't have me on the list!  I was so upset. Can you imagine? I had specifically called the store to double check and she told me I was down and to just plan on coming in that night. UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! So a very unhelpful girl told me I just had to wait until all of those with numbers got theirs before they would know how many more books they had left. Then she said that the wait list was going on through the weekend and I probably wouldn't get one. Needless to say I was a little upset. So I went up to front desk to talk to someone there and the lady was really helpful. She said to just wait until the numbers were called and that I should get one. I waited for the ones with numbers to go through the line, then jumped in following them just hoping I could get my book.  I waited and most of those with numbers had gone through and I was the next in line. I told the lady that was helpful that I didn't have a band and she said, "it's cool, I'll get you one."  My hero!  I was so glad. I would have hated to get mine a day later. ;-) 

Anyway, I finished the book today after church!  I loved it.  It was so not what I was expecting to happen, or at least part of it. I loved how it ended. I know I missed a bunch of stuff and I will have to read it again because I anxious to find out what happened.  Sometimes I get a little too carried away. So if you haven't read it yet, ENJOY!  

So Sweet.....

I just have to blog about my sweet husband again. He surprised me on Thrusday, our anniversary, with a beautiful bouquet of roses and a gigantic balloon that plays the song, "Your Still The One" when you tap it. Of course the kids think it is great fun and magical to be able to hit the balloon and it plays a song!  Aidan loves to climb onto the table to hit it and then dances. It is so adorable.  My cute hubby has an overnighter planned but he won't tell me about it as he wants it to be a surprise. I am anxious to find out where we are going.  Hopefully it is someplace on the coast!