Way to go Tyler!

Our little man has learned to ride his bike without training wheels. The funny thing is, we didn't teach him! We had taken Ellie and Tyler over to a friend's house Sunday night so that we could take Anna to the youth's Standards Night. My friend was taking her son, so we all went together while her husband stayed home with her other 3 kids and the 2 of ours. When we headed back to her house after the meeting was finished, there were all these kids riding bikes in the circle. We quickly realized, to our surprise, that one of the kids was Tyler. Our friend had taught him how to ride a bike during the 2 house that we were gone. I remember the same thing happening with Ellie when she was learning. She spent the night at her cousin's house one weekend and came home riding a bike. Maybe it's a good thing since I made Anna cry when I was trying to teach her. I'm surprised she ever learned how! Anyway, good job Tyler!

My "dirty" little secret

Yes, that's right, I have a dirty (literally) little secret. I'm so embarrassed to be admitting this, but I need some help with the matter. For those out there who know me pretty well (like my family), they can attest the fact that I don't like to clean. Don't get me wrong, it's not a disaster, but there are times when it could use a little clean-up.

So here's the secret... In the 3 years that we have now lived in our home, I have never cleaned my oven. Normally this wouldn't be a problem because the things I cook usually like to stay in their assigned backing dish. But not last week. It was a bad week for my oven. Food was trying to escape all over the place and 2 items succeeded at their escape.

The first culprit was a cake that I was asked to bake last minute for a funeral luncheon. It was a new recipe that I hadn't tried yet (mistake #1) and I put it in a pretty bunt pan (mistake #2) so I wouldn't have to frost it. Well, the pan was a little too small for the amount of batter and half way through the cooking I could smell burning coming from the oven. I quickly slipped a baking sheet under the cake to catch the constant eruption of batter pouring over the side of the pan, but it was too late. The mess was already there. The funny thing is that I've had a few people ask for the recipe because apparently it tasted really good in the end.

The second culprit was some teriyaki chicken I was cooking for Sunday night dinner. Bryan and I had a meeting to take Anna to at 6 (usually we don't eat until 6:30 or so), so I was trying to get dinner ready early. I realized that the chicken wasn't cooking fast enough so I turned the temp up (mistake #3) so that it would be finished in time. When the sauce started boiling over onto the bottom of the oven, I realized it was finished. Hey, at least we ate dinner on time!

So now when ever I turn on my oven, it fills the house with the not so lovely scent of burning food. I know my oven has a self cleaner, but for some reason I'm scared to use it. Doesn't it heat the oven to unnaturally hot temperatures to obliterate the food off the bottom? Does it fill your house with smoke or other nasty fumes? This is where I need your help! Has anyone ever used their oven's food zapping self cleaner? Was it easy? Safe? Smelly? Is there a better way? Please help out the oven cleaning impaired!

A week of firsts

We've had a busy week of firsts in our house. Our 1st "first" is that the girls started school. On Wednesday, Anna started 7th grade (see post below). On Thursday, Ellie started 3rd grade. Here she is all ready to walk to school. I walked with her the first day to show her where the new classroom was. A friend of mine (from my ward) is her teacher this year, so Ellie got to be a special helper the first day. I'm not a typical mom, I don't get all teary eyed when my kids go back to school. I'm actually excited for them to go back. Is that bad? The start of school means the start of routine again (since I'm terrible at sticking to one during the summer months!), and I like routine.

Our 2nd "first" this week was Kate trying some yummy (not!) rice cereal. She's not too sure about it. I think only about 10% of what I put in, stayed in. I'm sure soon enough she will like it more. This is a "what are you doing to me mom?" face! Trust me Kate, you'll like it. Food is good!

Our 3rd (and final) "first" was the kick off for the fall soccer season. Practice started and the first games were Saturday. This is Ellie's 3rd season playing and Tyler's 1st. Ellie is on her same team as last year but they've moved up a level. They now play with a bigger ball, on a bigger field, and for longer quarters. She was a little winded at the end of the game from running so much. She didn't score this game, but she played really well. She passed a lot and had some good saves. You wouldn't know it from looking at her, but she gets pretty aggressive when she plays. She's not afraid to get in there and get the ball.

Tyler is on a team with his friend Carter. Carter's dad is their coach. I didn't make it to his game because Ellie's game was at the same time, but Bryan said he did good. He actually scored a goal- way to go Tyler! Bryan said that after he scored, he looked over at him with a look on his face as if to say "Was I suppose to do that?". I guess he also had an assist; he passed the ball to a kid on the other team who then kicked it into our goal.

It's been a busy week. I was very grateful for this day of rest that I've had today. I know that next week will probably be just as busy if not more so with the state of homework and other activities. Oh the life of a stay at home mom, gotta love it!

WOW- 7th grade!

Dear Anna-

We can't believe you started 7th grade today. It seems like just last year that you were starting kindergarten. You've grown up into such a wonderful, helpful, sweet, beautiful young lady. Study hard, make new good friends, and have fun in your new school. We know it's not always going to be easy but try to remember, Dad and I are always here for you if you need help or someone to talk to!

We love you!-

Mom & Dad

Here are some picture of Anna's first day of school from years past. Her kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade picture were taken before our digital camera so they're in a box somewhere. Oh well!

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Grade!

Absolutely Cheesy!

My sister started a new blog. Check it out for some cute crafty ideas, and maybe some free stuff! The link is...
http://absolutelycheesy.blogspot.com/

Fun at Park City

Last week, Bryan's company had a summer party at The Park City Mountain Resort. We spent the afternoon there riding the rides, eating dinner, and having a great time! Ellie and Tyler got their faces painted, Bryan took the 3 older kids on the Alpine Slide a few times, we took turns taking them on the Alpine Coaster, Anna & I rode the Zip Rider, Ellie did the Legacy Launcher, Anna climbed the Climbing Wall, and mixed in there somewhere was some Miniature Golf playing. The weather was great, the mountains were beautiful and we all had a fabulous time!

Anna and me riding the chairlift up the mountain so that we could ride the Zip Rider back down. She was pretty nervous, but still had fun!

Ellie getting ready to jump on the Legacy Launcher. She was actually able to do some flips while jumping. In case you can't tell, it's a butterfly painted on her face.

Bryan and Tyler getting ready to ride the Alpine Coaster. This was by far the best ride there. Do you like Tyler's Batman face?

The fam getting off the Alpine Slide. They came down so fast that I wasn't able to get a picture of them still on it. By the time I had the camera out, they were all getting off. Oh well!

The day wouldn't have been complete without Tyler throwing a fit (because that's what he does best)! Let's just say that Batman face paint and tears do not mix!

And lastly, sweet baby Kate. She spent the afternoon and evening eating and hanging out in her car seat. Maybe next year she can play too.

4 months!

Kate is 4 months old now (actually she's 4 1/2 months, I'm a little late with the post)! I took her in for her 4 mo. check up last week and here are her stats: 14 lbs 5 oz (65%) and 27 inches (97%). She had to get some shots that made her pretty crabby for a few days. She is growing so much and has the cutest personality. She giggles and smiles all the time and is very much loved by the whole family (kids included!). I think my favorite time with her is when she finishes nursing, she looks up at me with milk dribbling out of her mouth and smiles and coos. It melts my heart!

We love you baby Kate!

Welcome Cade Whiting Haymond!

We have a new nephew. Bryan's brother Marc and his wife Meredith had their little boy on August 7th at 3:52am. He was 6 lbs 10 oz and 20" long. They had a few scares early on in the pregnancy, but he's here and healthy. Congratulation Marc and Meredith!

It wasn't me!

Just to clarify, the jib jab below was not posted by me! It was all Bryan, he made it with Tyler and Ellie and posted it on our blog. Poor Kate, he used a pretty bad picture of her on purpose just to make it look funny. So, enjoy...if you can!

Haymond's Dancing a Jig

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Word of the month club

So I think I need to start posting a word (or phrase) of the month on our blog. My kids say the craziest things sometimes and now I'll try to remember to share it with all of you. This months winner is Tyler (he will probably be the winner most months since he's young and makes up his own way of saying things). He was getting ready for a bath with the baby and Ellie was in his way. So he said "McCuse me" instead of excuse me. We laughed so hard. I love his ability to "McDonaldize" a random word. As if McNuggets and McHottie weren't bad enough, now we have McCuse.

Well, needless to say, Ellie moved and he made it into the bath with Kate. So the next time someone's in your way, try using a polite McCuse me to get them to move!