State Fair

We went to the State Fair today with some of my family. Brett wasn't there with us because he went to a football game with a friend so unfortunately (luckily he thought) for him he had to miss out on the adventure. It was our first time to the State Fair. I was really looking forward to going and, for some reason, had high expectations. Boy was I disappointed. It wasn't all that cool. The kids enjoyed themselves and I wasn't miserable but it wasn't at all what I expected. It was mostly just a lot of commercial booths and your regular everyday farm animals. There wasn't anything that cool to see. Brett warned me that it would be lame and wondered why I would want to go but I insisted on going. I really hate it that he is always right. Oh well, it was fun to hang out with my family anyway. Afterwards we went to Texas Roadhouse and ate dinner to celebrate my mom's and Rich's birthdays.

The girls are checking out a really big bull.

Some of Angela's family joined us at Texas Roadhouse. It was a lot of fun.

Monday Memories - Witches Night Out (Oct. 2006)

Two years ago Lacey wanted to go with my girls to "Witches Night Out," at Gardener's Village in Salt Lake. They have this for 2 weekend nights in October where everyone dresses up as witches and go shopping, have contests, dancing, hot chocolate, food, etc. So my mother-in-law and I decided we wanted to go as well. We all got dressed up as witches and went. Everyone there goes all out and dresses up as witches. I was surprised at how many people were there, there were TONS of witches. We saw some pretty scary witches there. We had a lot of fun and need to go back again.

Lacey is a lot of fun and crazy! You are always sure to have a fun time when you are with her. My kids love her so much.

Monday Memories - Christmas 2007

So The Captain (aka Janean) is making me make this Monday Memories post because we apparently struck a deal in which I agreed to those terms, so looks like we'll all have to pay the price for her questionable decision. It was supposed to be done this morning but apparently I underestimated just how difficult this blogging thing is with all of the photo work (selection, editing, and associated captions) then coming up with witty and/or cute (mostly cute) written content with the required level of excessive! exclamation! point! use!!! At any rate, I present to you The Probably Mostly Incomplete Account of the Rogers Christmas 2007....


Coke Christmas Party with Santa

Every year Grandma Coke has a Christmas Party at her house and invites Santa Claus. One year Santa may have been a tad on the white trash side and it's also quite possible he was inebriated during his visit. Whatever his social class and intoxication level may have been, he surely made some fairly off-color comments that were fortunately not understood by the children present but not terribly appreciated by the adults. Luckily Santa's been a little more presentable the past few years, showing up with a nice, little old Mrs. Claus a few times then with some elves wearing joker hats this year (guess they were out of elf hats). The kids were prepped beforehand with explicit instructions not to ask Santa for their own laptops because their father would talk to Santa afterwards and tell him to forget about the laptop requests. We already had a couple of laptops kicking around at home and didn't need Santa forking out a bunch of elf time for some more.

And yes, I know I spelled it Grandma Coke - that's what she's known as internally at our house. Well, that's what I call her at least. Sometimes it catches on for short periods of time with the kids too, but usually they just like to argue about it and tell me that's not the right name, which is the main reason that I do it in the first place. Either way it's mission accomplished.

Adelie with her trademark grin while Whytli focuses intently on decorating her cookie (note the tongue sticking out - that's the sign that she's truly focused on the task at hand).

Waiting for Santa to arrive!

Mallory and Santa!

Whytli and Santa!

Adelie and Santa!

Whytli, Cousin Kynli, and Adelie!

Singing songs with Santa (sorry, no more exclamation points from here on out - I know there's not a maximum allowed limitation but I hit the minimum required level at least so I'm done).

Christmas Eve/Day

On Christmas Eve the girls got to open one present which is their traditional set of new pajamas. Then on Christmas Day they got the crap below, in addition to some items not pictured, the most important being a bowl chair thing with accompanying fold-up desk for each of them, to be stationed in their new play room. Brett got some tools (e.g., the drill), probably some new underwear and socks too. Janean got something but I have no recollection of what it was. Might have been new dishes, unless that was the year before.

Great...just what we needed...more Polly Pockets. Have you ever tried to dress/undress one of those things? They're nearly impossible for an adult to manage, let alone a kid.

Whytli desperately wanted the Blendy Pens she'd seen on TV.

A new pink MP3 player like Whytli's for Adelie.

A new drill for the reluctant handyman.

More girl movies for the girls.

Grandma LeeAnn's House on Christmas Day

We went to Grandma LeeAnn's house to open presents and eat a late breakfast. That's all I remember.

The Sweetie got a new pink purse, with which she was tickled pink.

Uncle Beaker gave the girls their names made out of wood. I thought they were pretty sweet and proposed we nail them up above each of their beds in their new room, but Janean quickly shot down that idea, pretty much ruining everyone's Christmas (especially Beaker's since he was so proud of them and had worked so hard, only to be slapped in the face).

And that was Christmas 2007.

Adelie's First Day of Kindergarten

On Wednesday it was Adelie's first day of Kindergarten. She was very excited to go. Brett gave her a father's blessing the night before (like Whytli) to help her out with a great year. She got up that morning with a huge smile on her face, excited to get ready and go. They ate some yummy blueberry muffin tops and then got ready. She loved helping me pick out her clothes for her first day. She had a perma-smile on her face and felt so big to be going with her big sister to school. Whytli was also pretty excited to have her go with her this year.

When she got home I asked her how her day went and she said she had a great day. She played with her new friend Maisy and said she had another little girl tell her that she liked her bracelets. She said she thinks she is going to make friends with her next time because she liked that she told her that she liked her bracelets. I asked her the little girl's name but she said she didn't know but she would find out when she makes friends with her. So far she has not made friends with the mystery bracelet girl - she plans to every day but forgets.

I cannot believe that she is already old enough to be going to elementary school. I am so proud of her and know that she is going to do great in school. She cannot wait until next year to be able to eat lunch there too. She is such a cutie and I love her!

This is Adelie and Whytli ready for school.

31 Reasons Why I love My Dad...

On Brett's birthday the girls each wrote on 31 cards reasons why they love their dad. They came up with the reasons all on their own. Then I had them tape them all over the house for Brett to find when he got home from work.

They all said, "I love my dad because...." followed by:

Whytli (in her own spelling):
1. you play sports with me .
2. you let us stay up a little late.
3. you watch kartoons with me.
4. you are a good example.
5. you bote us a swingset and put it together.
6. you pay for fun stuff.
7. play video games with me.
8. you signed me up for piano.
9. you signed me up for dance.
10. you record Hannah Montana for me.
11. you are my buddy.
12. you take me to school.
13. you give me kisses and hugs.
14. you watch Olimpics with me.
15. you read to me at night.
16. you buy me presents for my birthday.
17. you teach me the gospel.
18. you love me.
19. you teach me to be good.
20. you take care of me.
21. you buy me books to read at night.
22. you play games with me.
23. you bote me a bike.
24. you bote us a monkey dome and put it together.
25. you take me to school.
26. you are my dad.
27. you are the best dad ever.
28. you watch buddy movies with me.
29. you pay me when I do chores.
30. you are nice.
31. you make pancakes, eggs, french toast and toast.

Adelie (Whytli helped her write hers):
1. you're nice .
2. you helped me ride a two willer.
3. you love me.
4. you take me bike riding.
5. you take me to fun places.
6. you let me be in the front.
7. you take me to school.
8. you give me hugs when I stop crying.
9. you are the best dad ever.
10. you do underdogs to me.
11. we watch buddy movies.
12. you help me with my homework.
13. we do buddy things.
14. I love that you love me.
15. you help me practice soccer.
16. you snuggle with me.
17. you signed me up for soccer.
18. you do fun things with me.
19. you give tight hugs.
20. you kiss me goodnight.
21. you give me eskimo kisses.
22. you took me to seven peaks and that you made me go on the little blue slides.
23. you are the best dad ever.
24. you make me laugh.
25. you make me choclete milk.
26. you teach me good things.
27. you make us good food when mom is gone.
28. you read storys to me.
29. you are funny.
30. we are buddies.
31. you take me down swimming slides.

Mallory (she only came up with one -she just kept saying she loved him "because")
1. I'm your sweetie and you're nice.

Birthday Celebrations

On Brett's birthday we started out by making him breakfast. We made scrambled eggs with muffins. We also got our traditional and Brett's favorite (he only gets it once a year for his birthday) BYU chocolate milk. In the afternoon Mallory, Nash and I surprised him at work to take him to lunch. We took him to Arby's. Now there is a reason we took him there. Normally I would choose to go somewhere a little better, but when I asked him where he wanted to go eat for dinner on his birthday a few days before he said, "Arby's." I said, "Gross and no way - you get to go somewhere a lot nicer than that!" He said, "But I love Arby's and you will never go there with me." So I decided I could take him to Arby's for lunch instead of doing dinner there. That night when he got home from work he had 3x5 cards all over the house from the kids telling him reasons why they loved him. He enjoyed finding the cards with them and of course they loved it too. Then he chose to go to La Casita for dinner. (Another poor choice. I am okay with that place but come on - it's his birthday. Usually I pick somewhere a little more expensive and splurge but I guess that is the major difference between me and Brett.) His mom, dad, 2 brothers (Spencer and Colten) and Colten's wife Melissa and daughter Gwyn came along as well.

Again, I will say what a great husband Brett is and I am so happy to have him in my life. I love you Brett and I hope you had a great birthday!

The girls at La Casita (or La Crapita as Brett calls it - he likes it but still calls it that because it is in a crappy old building).

They brought him some fried ice cream and made him put on this hat and we sang to him.

Brett finding and reading all his cards from the kids. I gave him new cologne (he wanted some more because his favorite ran out) and money for Rock Band for the Xbox 360 to play with the kids. He also got money from his family to contribute towards the game. It costs around $170 and he is planning to get the new version that is coming out in September or October. He got all the money that he needs to get it. It should be good times with him and the kids playing that.

This is him eating his breakfast. The girls made him birthday cards.

Last Sunday we got together with my family for Brett and Kynli's birthday. We had banana splits and root beer floats. Brett got Madden Football 2009 for the Xbox 360 from my siblings and money from my mom.

Happy Birthday Brett!

Today is Brett's 31st Birthday. I can't believe I have known him for 14 years. We have been married for almost 10 years. I've seen this on a few other people's blogs so I thought I would write 31 things about Brett.

1. He is very handsome and looks good in just about any color.
2. He is the most honest person I know. Sometimes a little too honest - some of you know what I mean. :)
3. He is very patient and loves me no matter how ornery I get with him.
4. He is a worthy priesthood holder.
5. He serves the Lord without question.
6. He is a great example to me and the kids and keeps me in line.
7. He cleans the bathrooms really well.
8. He is always great to pick up the house without question.
9. He makes me feel safe.
10. He genuinely loves to play with the kids and never seems to get tired of hanging out with them. They always call their activities with their dad the buddy movies, games, etc. They are all the buddies when they hang out.
11. He is a very, very good dad.
12. He has always read to the kids every night before they have gone to bed and climbs into bed with them to read the story.
13. He is always right. Seriously, I am hardly ever right when it comes to him. He always needs a source when he is told things before he is to believe it.
14. He is a hard worker.
15. He is a perfectionist.
16. He is very smart.
17. He is a fast learner. It doesn't take him much to learn something new.
18. He is a great editor. (He edits all my blog posts after I post them because I have horrible grammar skills. He should have been an English teacher because he is always correcting me and the kids when we speak. He always tells me he is just helping me out and that he doesn't want me to sound dumb so - thank you Brett!)
19. He is great on the computer. He can fix any problem and is the family computer guy. He has saved many of us many times.
20. He is my best friend.
21. He is an awesome barbecuer.
22. He makes great french toast (I don't like french toast but that is what he and the kids claim).
23. He always cleans up throw up when the kids are sick. I never have had to do it.
24. He helps me at nights with the kids with no complaints if they ever get up.
25. He loves to snuggle (even if it isn't my favorite sometimes - I have to be in the mood but the kids are always in the mood to snuggle with their dad) ,
26. He lets me pick wherever I want to eat when we go out even if he wants to go elsewhere. He never complains.
27. He takes over with the kids all the time when I need a break. He will drop everything and come home from work if I am having a bad day and need him home.
28. He is great at sports and loves to play pretty much any sport.
29. He is really sarcastic. Sometimes people don't know how to take him but he usually isn't being serious when he says things.
30. He is supportive of family functions and always comes with me.
31. He is very cheap with money - we are so opposite but it is a good thing. (He gets it from his side but isn't quite like some of his family)

I just want Brett to know that I love him very much. I am sure I will think of many other great things that I could have written. He is an AMAZING husband and father and the kids and I don't know what we would do without him. I hope he has a great birthday!

Monday Memories - Disneyland (January 2008)

It has been a long time since I have done Monday Memories. I have been so busy that I have not even had a chance to blog about anything lately. I have a lot of catching up to do.

This past January we took our kids to Disneyland and California Adventure. We are all huge fans of Disneyland. We try to make it there about every other year but lately have made it about once a year. My sister Stephanie and her family all made it to Disneyland for their first time and were there at the same time as us but they only spent 2 days in there, which was enough for them because they didn't like it much (although their kids seemed to love it like a brother). We like it so much we decided to spend 5 days there.

The whole whole way down Mallory was throwing up - probably 6 or 7 different times. It was horrible. We were able to mostly contain it after the first time, but the first time was enough to stink up the whole car for the rest of the trip. When we got to the hotel she was fine and didn't act sick. I think she must have been car sick.

When we go to California we go to Disneyland and pretty much spend our whole time there. I was pregnant with Nash this time so I was not able to ride a lot of the rides but that was alright because I sat with Mallory while Brett and the girls did some of the bigger rides. Adelie was just about an inch or two too short for some of the really big rides but next time she should be good to go. This time since we had so much time we decided to try to see all of the free shows that they have at Disneyland and California Adventure. We had already seen a lot of them but they are always great to see again. Whytli's favorite ride at California Adventure is the big roller coaster and at Disneyland both Whytli and Adelie love Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. I was a little disappointed that I could not go on Tower of Terror but for some reason the kids were being big chickens and did not want to go on it either. Brett was only able to go on it once with Jeff and the boys.

The girls always have to get their pictures taken with ALL of the princesses.

Playing ring around the rosies with Cinderella. I think it is so funny to watch them look at these princesses and truly believe that they are so real.

Coloring and making crowns at the Fairyland where the princesses live.

They had a lot of fun swimming at our hotel. They wanted to swim every night when we got home.

Mallory was not interested in swimming she just wanted to play with her new Minnie Doll.

We always get a picture with Whytli in front of this building in California Adventure because it is her special building we tell her. I guess this will be the last time though because we were told they are tearing it down. It doesn't serve any purpose so I guess it is about time.

We could not get our traditional family portrait in front of the Mickey face at Disneyland because it was under construction so this had to do.

The kids all in the jail house.

More Disneyland Photos

Whytli's First Day of School

Whytli was really excited to start school. She went to bed with no complaints the night before and got up very willingly the next morning. I got up early with her and made her and Adelie pancakes (frozen - not fresh homemade but hey, they still loved them). She was ready to go early with plenty of time to spare. Brett gave her a father's blessing the night before to help her out with a good year. She was a little nervous because her two best friends from last year are not in her class. They are in another class together. She was worried that she would not have any friends to play with. She came home and said it was just fine. She was able to play with her friends at recess. I know she will do just fine too and make new friends as well. I was told that her teacher for the year was great and we would be really happy with her. Whytli is such a smart girl and really loves to learn. I know she is going to have a great year. I cannot believe how fast they grow up. I don't know how I feel about her going to school all day because she is my great little helper at home. She is a great kid and I am so proud of her.


She was really excited to wear this outfit because she wanted a scarf all last year. She would try to find any little thing that she could to make it into a scarf to wear around her neck. It is a little hot to be wearing a scarf but I got it for her anyway. She is such a fashion diva!

She also insisted on having a new bag this year. It could not be just any bag it had to be a messenger bag not a backpack. Apparently, all the kids in school do not carry backpacks anymore. I thought I still saw plenty of backpacks but whatever.

School Open House

Whytli and Adelie were really excited to go to their school and meet their teachers. Adelie was especially excited because this is her first year of school in elementary as a kindergartner. Whytli loved taking Adelie and showing her around the school and where her class would be. She had the same kindergarten teacher so she knew her way around the classroom and showed Adelie around and told her what she would need to do. They both were very excited for school to start.

Adelie and her kindergarten teacher.

Whytli and her 2nd grade teacher.

St. George Trip

We went to St. George with Kellye and her kids for an entire week about 2 weeks before school started. It was the only summer vacation we had this year. It was kind of sad to think that this was the only trip we did for the summer. We did not have our annual traditional Bear Lake trip but maybe we will make it happen next year. We did have a great time with the Wards however and we are grateful that they invited us to go along with them. A great time had by all. On the way down the kids did really great. They got along and didn't fight much - they just kept asking how much longer the whole way down. We finally got sick of them asking and decided to teach them a few songs that we used to sing in the car while going on family trips. We taught them 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. They really enjoyed that and we got through the whole song and only had about 10 minutes left until we got there. The babies did really well too. We did not hear one fuss or cry out of them the whole way.

This is a picture of them doing so well in the car.