"Oh WOW!"- Kanoe is gettin' old!

Happy Birthday to

Kanoe!
My sister-in-law Kanoe is celebrating another birthday.

Here are some things that you may or may not know about her:

*Kanoe is my age & she has 4 kids!

*All of her kids are so dang cute!! I love them!

* She is smart. EXCEPT when it comes to a sense of direction! HA HA. If you need directions- don't call her!!- She admits & laughs at how bad she is at finding her way!

*Kanoe is healthy!

* Some of her favorite things to eat are: pizza, Oregano's,
& cupcakes! (Matta's was also one of the tops-waa waa)

* Kanoe is great at scrapbooking. We use to go to the all nighters at Scrapbooks Etc. & we always had so much fun!

*In high school she use to help Lance ask me to dances in cute ways, find meaningful gift, make crafty cards, & more. I always knew when Kanoe was involved!

* Kanoe has a strong testimony.

*She is always giving service. (sometimes it goes unknown/unnoticed)

* She loves her calling right now (YOUNG WOMENS). She loves "her girls" & probably had tons of fun at GiRlS CaMp this past week with them!

* Kanoe is not afraid to speak her mind & tell you like it is.

* She loves taking pictures... not just due to blogs!! She has been this way since I knew her. She likes photography & is good at it.

* She loves Heidi Swapp. (She thinks of her as a celebrity & it cracks me up, cause I see her everywhere!) I totally love all of Heidi's syles, too!

* Kanoe likes SIMPLICITY.

* She likes to DECK her girls out - but says she doesn't like to get decked out herself. (accessories, etc.)

* Kanoe loves to have her cute kids match. (I would totally do that.... someday I will!)

*Kanoe married Parker. (He is the one just older than Lance.) They have been married for almost 6 years. (right?)

* She loves crafts & is awesome at them.

* She supports She's Got It All & helps advertise! (thanks!! http://www.shesgotitall.net/)

* She is super creative! From rhymes - to making cards, I believe it comes natural to her.

* Kanoe likes to say: "Shut Up!!" (when she means "NO WAY"- so do I), "Oh WOW!" and "HO!" (when she is excited)

* Kanoe is so funny.

* She has a contagious laugh.

* She makes time to be a fun mom.

* Kanoe revolves her life around ther kids.

* She makes each of them feel imprtant. I really admire that!

* How does she do it??? Well, I am not sure on the details - but I know her car helps her out!

YEP, Kanoe is a proud driver of her van. See why:

* She drives from so far to come in town (a lot) to be apart of family activities & stuff to keep her kids entertained.

* Kanoe always knows words to songs right away. She likes everything from hip hop/rap - slow or country. I remember looking at her c.d.'s in high school & dying at how many c.d.'s she had.

* She loves when her {funny} brother TONY sings "Lean Like A Cholo". She laughs every time.

* Her favorite song is "I Should've Been a Cowboy". (Right Kanoe? Correct me if I am wrong.)

* She lives on a farm. She will hardly touch the animals, but she knows Parker wishes he were a cowboy!

* Kanoe knows so many games & loves playing them. (CABIN!!)

* Her pinky's are crooked. (Paper, rock, scissors anyone?? ha ha)

* She is a perfectionist.

* Kanoe enjoys doing her laundry & is a clean freak.

* Kanoe is so organized. She feels good when everything is in it's right place.

* She goes the extra mile at everything!

* This girl is the Coupon QUEEN!

* She knows all of the deals & usually tries to let me know when, where or how. I really appreciate it! She is stocked up & LOTS of stuff.

*Kanoe goes to CVS pretty much daily. It is like a job to her- cause she is "earning money".

*Kanoe loves the beach!

* Kanoe is not much of an animal lover, but loves how happy it makes her kids (or husband) - so she sacrifices.

* Benadryl anyone? Kanoe has major allergies. It kills me to see how sick she gets.

* Kanoe is such a good, patient, loving mom. She would do anything in a heart beat for any of them.

* Her style is mostly country & of course patriotic.

* She loves red... but I believe her favorite color is WHITE!

* She loves the flag & all the decor that comes with it! She is quite patriotic.

* She IS an amazing swimmer.. not was- she still is.

*Kanoe is a go- getter. When she has something on her mind... WATCH OUT. She will make it happen, no matter what.

* She is competitive.

* She is crazy when it comes to working out. She has done races, runs, triathalon(s), and rumor has it - she is really fast. AND I think she totally enjoys it! (unlike me who hates cardio)

Kanoe - I hope girls camp was fun! You are probably going to be so worn out & all you'll want to do is see your kids, & get some sleep.... BUT knowing you- you will clean, do laundry & dishes before shutting your eyes! Thanks for letting me watch Tilly. Sorry I could not help out more! Thanks for being a good sister in law!

Have a great BIRTHDAY week. Eat some extra OREGANO'S for me!

......NEWPORT- here we come!

Weekly Update

With Arizona being SO hot, there is only so much to do.

Usually on the list-

WATER ACTIVITIES!

Auburns kids came over a few times & hung out with their

{new bff's} Zack & Max SHEPHERD.

They love wrestling & being rough- just like Riggs & Jax.

Ellie has such a crush on the boys in HP Ward, esp. these 2 boys! haha.. She could not help but join in the fun!

POSER!

Noah is a fish!

He did his own thing most of the time.

(Nice GOGGLES! All the kids fight over having their turn with these attractive goggles that belong to my husband!)

This is usually what I see now when I swim with Ellie.

She loves to swim to the bottom of the pool & go all over the place. She is a crazy girl & it always scares me when she takes a short breath & heads straight back under the water.

The Shepherd boys remind our family of the Gibbons boys so much.... see why?!?

Ellie learned to do a BACK-TUCK off that large raft (sp?).

Like I said, she is crazy! She goes straight up & down.

I have been trying to teach her to travel & explain that it is a "back-hand spring", so when she gets brave & tries scary stuff off the edge- she will know the difference.

{YIKES- I am not sure I am ready for this! SHE IS 4!}

... over & over...

This cute little guy came over for a bit.

This is Hudson. He is so easy going & he loves basketballs & Lance!

I love him!

.. I have been working on entering products on our website,

{www.shesgotitall.net}

coaching, and getting ready for birthdays & vacations..

Then on Thursday, we headed to the closest beach - VVL.

(Val Vista Lakes)

We had so much fun! Thanks Maile, Jules, Kanoe & Tony! We love the invite! Everyone had a great time.

On Friday morning, Ellie & I got to babysit my cousin Lacey's baby - DALLIN while our other cousin, Sophie got married in the Mesa, Az temple.

We loved it so much! (Congrats Sophie)

What a great surprise when Ellie woke up. We both just starred at him until he woke up. Ellie & Dallin watched some MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE,
then Elle fed him his bottle.
In the middle of eating, we could hear him filling his diaper.
Ellie was excited to help change his diaper. (Just like when she changes her pretend babies diapers - right??)
I put him on Ellie's bed & then we found out he had a blow out! Up the front & back - and green! SICK!

Ellie quickly changed her mind about helping out. She got a little grossed out and said:

"Mom, I don't want him on my bed right now. Can you move him?" ha ha

After we changed & bathed him a bit, Ellie fed him more bottle & she sang him her favorite Primary song. (I love To See The Temple) It was adorable. Dallin loved starring at her & smiling.

Ellie kept asking me why she couldn't bounce him & throw him in the air... then she asked why he can't play games with her.

I asked: "Like what games?"

Ellie answered "Like Dora Candy Land..."

I tried to explain because he was really little, but I am not sure that was good enough for her.

About an hour and a half later, he was just looking at us like he was bored. (Even though we were trying so hard to make him laugh some more.) Finally I realized that he was ready for another nap. I cuddled him on my shoulder & he fell asleep within 2 minutes. It was so sweet. (I know this is probably normal- but it has been so long for me.)

Thanks for letting us babysit Dallin. I wish he lived around here.

(We will be helping out with TILLEY next week! YAY!)

Over the weekend we celebrated my cousin Golden getting married. Golden & Joselyn are so cute & happy.

(Congrats to both of our cousins. YOUNG LOVE. SO CUTE!)

As soon as we got in the car from the temple, we got a phone call & voice mail from family letting us know something happened to Ellie. At first I thought she just bonked something & just wanted her parents .... but that wasn't all.

We are not quite sure exactly what happened, but here is what we heard:

The kids were playing around.

"A cousin" pushed Ellie off of the diving board.

Ellie hit her lip on the cement.

As she was crying/screaming, "another cousin" was laughing at her- (That part Ellie told me as she was crying, because it hurt her feelings. Of course as a mom that makes me sad & mad. But since I wasn't there, I don't know the whole story.)

Also as she was screaming, "an adult" hopped the pool fence to see what happened.

Apparently the kids didn't even know they did anything wrong...

When we got back in the car with my dad, I started crying because -

A) it made me so sad to see Ellie in pain &

B) the thought alone of what could've happened with no adults in the pool area.

"Kids will be kids" ... I get that. But freak accidents happen.

I might seem dramatic or you might think I am being an over protective parent - but I truly do not care. I am a parent. A parent with ONE child. I consider us so lucky to have her & I can not even start to imagine our life's with out her.

I just keep thinking of what would've happened if she got knocked out & if there would've been no adult in the pool area. IF kids would've even seen her, they might have thought she was just swimming for a long time. Or even if they did know something happened, there might not have been enough time to get help from an adult.

That night my dad heard about 2 kids drowning on the news & he also felt the same way...

That could've been Ellie.

It makes me sick to my stomach (literally) to think of kids drowning & how parents deal with that. My heart goes out to those families.

Please WATCH YOUR KIDS AROUND WATER- it doesn't matter the age- they are kids. Kids do things with out thinking, and accidents can happen.

.......AnYwAy-

Ellie's teeth were pushed sideways & backwards & she was so swolen. She must have bitten her bottom lip. Her gums were black & blue. It was so sad.

That night Ellie's teeth already shifted back & my cousin Rod Palmer (who is a great dentist) looked at her at Golden's reception & said that everything should be o.k.- no stiches, swelling will take some time, etc.

Also- those of you that have upcoming receptions- BE CAREFUL!

Someone came & stole the basket filled with the couples cards (filled with cash & checks) from The Wright House. They also went in the brides room & stole 3 purses. Rumor has it, this is happening a lot lately. THAT IS SO SAD & WRONG! AHHH! My mom got a call at about 9:30 at night from a lady on Mill. She said she found a basket filled with checks & envelopes. No cash was left. My mom had her call Alma's (Golden's mom) cell to let her know that she had them. The police were called. The exhausted parents of the bride & groom were at The Wright House until about 3 in the morning. The thief(s) got away with money, keys, a watch, etc.! These annoying people need caught.

That is our week in a nut shell....

Have a FUN & SAFE week!

I am a LIBRA - what are you?

I love reading about "signs" & what my horoscope is...

Is it bad or nerdy to say that I kinda believe it?

My friend Alissa Carden (who just got married & I am afraid to misspell her new last name) just e-mailed me this..

Read about you, your kids, or whoever & see if it describes them-

CAPRICORN

- The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they Want.

AQUARIUS

- The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friend ly and loyal. Can seem unemotional.. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES

- The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.

ARIES -

The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19)

Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient . Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

TAURUS

- The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20)

Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.

GEMINI

- The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20)

Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable But needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.

CANCER

- The Protector (June 21 - July 22)

Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Once they love someone, they love them forever. Because of this, they are not good partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

LEO

- The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22)

Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy.. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.

VIRGO

- The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22)

Dominant In relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic.

LIBRA

- The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22)

Nice to everyone they meet. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and very beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators.

SCORPIO

- The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

SAGITTARIUS

- The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Good-natured optimist. Peter Pan syndrome (doesn't want to grow up). Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fu n to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

kinda creepy?!?!?!

Our Great DAD'S

Ellie made her daddy 2 really cute things while in her primary class today.

(Her Primary Teacher is adorable and thinks ahead! - See Ellie's blog from Mother's Day!)

The card was so cute with a note inside from Ellie, and then a fun scrapbook page with questions/answers about her dad.

SO FUNNY!

Of course she talked about "TOOTERS".

She will be that girly girl in kindergarten that is cracking up at TOOTS... probably even challenging the boys to a tooting contest. She is so silly.
Thanks Kali for being so awesome! Ellie adores you more than you know.

This FATHER'S DAY-

we celebrated some of our

FAVORITE DAD'S!

1) Our Heavenly Father

2) "Poppi" - MY DAD

3) "Prince Charming" - LANCE

and 4) "Big Guy" - LANCE'S DAD

We are SO thankful for the great DAD's that we have.

We are so lucky. They are such examples, and they are so much fun, too.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 08!

When you need a CHuCkLe!

This last week I have been super stressed.

You know when it RAINS... it PORES.

I would rather have my trials than others, but stress is still stress, ya know...

There were a few things that cheered me up:

1) A 1/2 day road trip to ShowLow (for our cousins bridal shower) with my mom & sister Shalae.. (the prayer alone before we left- ha ha...)

We had so much food for our 1/2 day trip.

We stopped at KRISPY KREME on the way & got 3 donuts.. which were free... and that was all that we got.

2 words:

FATTY TOWN.

2) LAST weeks episode of So You Think You Can Dance!

a) that adorable & very amazing down syndrom boy... he was so good at karate! I really loved when he said: "I want to represent" and then "One more thing - I love you"!! AHHH, I loved him.

b) the Utah mom that came to ROCK with her 4 kids! I was so upset that night until I saw her! She made me day! Here is what I found online:

A clip on marriages and kids leads to Nicole Downer, a stay-at-home mom to 4 children under 6. She brings her children with her to the auditions. Her audition looked more like a mom who is dancing to try to embarrass her children rather than as a real talent. Nigel asks her how long she's been doing this. Nicole said she did tap for 14 years, but had to give it up. Nigel thought it was fun. Mary loves her personality. Mandy tells her to keep dance in her life. They don't give her a ticket to Vegas.

I looked for a video of it for a bit, but I can not find one. If you missed it - I am sorry!

3) I was cleaning out my e-mail after sending out about 10000 e-mails... and I came across an e-mail that my sister, Auburn sent me... I hate forwards, but this one.... just makes me loose it.

I can just imagine it happening to me in Bashas or something! Just read it!!:

I was shopping at the local supermarket where I selected:

A half-gallon of 2% milk,

A carton of eggs,

A quart of orange juice,

A head of romaine lettuce,

A 2 lb. can of coffee,

and A 1 lb. package of bacon.

As I was unloading my items on the conveyor belt to check out, a drunk, standing behind me, watched as I placed the items in front of the cashier. While the cashier was ringing up the purchases, the drunk calmly slurred,

'Ya mus be single.'

I was a bit startled by this proclamation, but I was intrigued by the drunk's intuition, since I was indeed single. I looked at the six items on the belt and saw nothing particularly unusual about my selections that could have tipped off the drunk to my marital status. Curiosity getting the better of me, I said:

Well, you know what, you're absolutely right, but how on earth did you know that?'

The drunk replied,

'Cause you're ugly.'

Cheers to those that can make you laugh when you are totally upset.

I hope some of this has cheered you up, too.