Thanks for the good ride

Many moons ago, this stroller was my ticket to freedom. I go could anywhere and do anything when I had it. We bought it used from another triplet family and it was "loved". We "loved" it even more.

Though the kids haven't ridden in it for years, I haven't been able to let it go. It has sat in our basement because I haven't let my babies turn into big kids.

We gave it away this week. I am very sad and feel that I am letting a piece of my babies go. I'm sure the other family will love it too!

"The Buried Life"

I was at the dentist last week and watched one of the morning shows while I was having my teeth cleaned (I love TV's on the ceiling). There was a highlight about a new reality show on MTV called "The Buried Life" (I don't ever watch MTV, so I had never heard of it).

The show was about making a list of things you wanted to do before you die. It got me thinking. I thought I would start my list of what I wanted to do before I die. I'm sure it will change, but I need a starting point.

1. Complete an Ironman Triathlon 70.3 (which is a half Ironman).

2. Qualify and run the Boston Marathon

3. Go to France and watch the Tour de France

4. Visit the Sacred Grove

5. Visit Jerusalem

6. Complete all my genealogy

7. Serve a humanitarian mission

The Take Down

Carter is going to hate me for this someday. But he had been picking on his sisters and Tim taught the girls to work together to take him down.

Funnies

There are many things that need to be done right now, but my kids were quite entertaining the past few days and I don't want to forget their crackups:

The kids have been noisy at church. I feel totally fine about bribing them to sit still and be semi-quiet. Three scoops of ice cream for a reverent church meeting (including toppings). If they are noisy or fighting - they loose a scoop. Three strikes and no treats! We had a fantastic night of three scoops. Georgia kept saying "scoops Mommy scoops". We are going to use that trick every Sunday!

Abby started gymnastics at the rec center and bless her little heart. Unfortunately, she has long uncoordinated arms and legs that don't know what to do (too bad she is following in her mom's footsteps). Her panties are constantly falling out of her leotard because she is so skinny (she doesn't have a hiney to hold them up). She tries her best and makes me laugh. It's a great thing she loves it so much!
Carter also started gymnastics. It has been a wonderful energy outlet for him. Bless those 2 male coaches who must semi-control 15 little boys exuberant energy. Carter keeps telling me he is the best in his class.
Everyday when the school bell rings, my kids bust out that door and race to the car as if their life depended on it. I love it! I love that they want to tell me all their adventures of kindergarten.

Abby racing to the car:
Carter and Annie racing to the car:

-Georgia has lazer-beam focus when it comes to light bulbs burning out. She gets her little face in her daddy's big face and tells him to "fix it Daddy, fix it". Promptly after fixing, she delightfully says, "Daddy fix it!"

-Abby lazily put her hands behind her head during dinner and said, "This is the life. That is what you say when you go to the beach".

After Christmas Joy

We had a marvelous Christmas morning opening gifts, eating massive amounts of calories, taking naps, and enjoying new toys! We had a week full of cousins too. We went bowling for the first time, went the the movie "Princess and the Frog", went to In N Out (we have brain washed the kids that this is the only place to buy a burger), went to Chuck E Cheese, went sledding, and ate lots of Grandma Barlow's scones. The kids stayed up late every night and embellished every activity!

One of my favorite treats of the week was running with my sister in law, Mandy. Many moons ago, we raced against each other during high school at a national cross country meet. Little did we know that I would marry her brother! She's fast and is always willing to talk "running". PLUS, we both got Garmin watches for Christmas. Nothing like a new toy to make a run great!

On New Year's Eve, I ran the "Beat the New Year" 5k. The race started at 11:30pm and if you finished by 12:00am you got a plaque. I was excited that my race number was 2010. I thought there would be good running karma for the upcoming year - then I realized that everyone had that number.

There were prizes for the best costumes and for the coldeeeeest runner. I wasn't sure what the "coldeeeest runner" meant until I saw the big hairy dude in the red speedo and the girls in the string bikinis....brrrr! It was a really fun race!

I always feel a bit overwhelmed when the holidays finish and my house looks like a tornado. But everything is put away and all the new toys have found a home. I am catching up on church work, emails, facebook and blogging (slowly but surely on the last one). All the junk food is gone and I picked up lots of fruits and veggies yesterday at the market. On to a new year with new goals!

Bowling excitement:


Beat the New Year 5k:

Christmas x 3

Christmas is so magical when you are 5 years old. The excitement seeped out of our house.

Christmas Eve: We spent at our home with Grandma Jenny, Grandpa and Grandma Barlow, and Uncle Jason and Aunt Jenny. Tim gave a wonderful lesson on the birth of the Savior (though we have had many lessons on the true meaning of Christmas, we thought we would go out with a bang). The second he was done, Abby yelled, "Is it time for presents yet"? Glad to know we were listening!

Christmas Morning: Surprisingly, the kids woke up late on Christmas morning (hooray!). They were pleased to see that Santa ate his old, stale cookie and his Coke.

Everyone received the gifts they asked for:

Abby - a sticker maker
Annie - a sewing kit
Carter - a Temple of Doom legos
Georgia - a Melissa and Doug Cookie set

It was a wonderful day to spend lazily at home! We went to the airport to pick up Uncle Mike and Aunt Mandy - we sure do miss them and were glad they came to Utah for the holidays!

Discovering our Santa loot:
Can't go into the living room until Mom takes a picture:
Santa ate our treats:

A Big Shout Out to Bobbi

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. We have a dear friend, Bobbi, who never misses. Never misses a holiday, birthdays, anything. Never has missed in the 31 years I've been alive. She is always sending cards or packages in the mail. We are spoiled! We love her and the kids wanted to sing her a special holiday song.

Thanks for being an amazing person Bobbi!