"Let's get down to the Nitty Gritty"

Whidden blog~ written by the mother
about the children
the dad
and a lot of ramblings about life here in Utah.

A few things we love
Traveling
Camping
Fishing and Eating Nachos

10.25.2008

Coopers preschool went on a field trip this fall. To a farm called hee-haws:)
They had a great time. This is a picture of some of his little friends from class, they all live on
our street as well.
His whole class 12 little 4-5 year olds.Cooper
AspenDallin
Delanie
Swimming lessons have started again. I am telling you, they KICK my butt.
It is hard to go there everyday especially these next two weeks.
Cooper moved up to level 3 and Livi moved up to level 4.
Cooper's teacher was a bit worried because Cooper wasn't listening very well.
( WHAT COOPER NOT LISTEN, NO WAY)
My sweet, sweet Cooper is just that. But he is very busy and sometimes doesn't listen very well.
I will say he did improve during the week. His little body has so much energy, I need to get there early so he can run and play before his class.
Alivia's class totally different story. She is in a class with a 9 and 8 year old. The teacher is a retired Marine. So he means business most of the time. She did have some scary moments where she got so tired that she couldn't swim anymore and he had to pull her up out of the water. And another time he was helping someone else and told her to swim to the end. She does what he asks and she got so tired, a kid walking by could tell she was having trouble and pulled her out. SO I NOW STAY RIGHT NEXT TO HER THE WHOLE TIME, and I don't care if
Mr. marine has a problem with that.





10.23.2008

Kindergarten Cutie....

Yeah for Alivia. This is her kindergarten picture. She has loved kindergarten so far.
Some of the highlights.
~Her gingerbread man ran away and she had to search all over the school for it.
~She went on a field trip to cornbelly's and came home with her own pumpkin and the funnest part was, she was able to ride the bus.
~She loves P.E. That's my girl, I loved P.E too. All you Westvale Vikings:)
~She loves riding her bike or scooter home from school with her friends.
~She loves going to the library to get a new book on Friday's.
~She especially loves her teacher Miss Gurney

10.21.2008

Favorite Person (outside of family)? anyone who is funny, that can sit back and laugh at dumb stuff.

Favorite Food? chips and salsa, especially from Chili's with a side of ranch...yummy

Quirks about you? it really bugs me if the Bed is not made

Any regrets in life? that I don't tell people enough that I love/appreciate them...

Favorite Blog recently? anyone who updates more than once a month:)

Something you can't get enough of? clean sheets, with lots and lots of fabric softener..

Worst Job you've ever had? it would have to be at a retail store at Valley Fair Mall..or a temp job putting lights into bags, yeah way too long to explain...

What job would you pay not to have? "blue angel", the person who changes the blue juice out of the airplane lavatory.

Guilty Pleasure? a hot bath, kids in bed, no one talking to me...

Got any confessions? I HATE it when people chew with their mouth open, really just when I can hear them chewing, thinking about it makes me CRAZY....

If you had $1000 dollars to spend on yourself how would you spend it? (sorry Paula, I would not spend it on food storage) very materialistic, shoes, makeup, camera...the list goes on

Favorite thing about your house? when it is snowing outside and I can hear the furnace running....

Least favorite thing about your house? I wish I had unlimited amounts of money to finish all the little details that I picture in my head.

One thing you are bad at? Not a very good cook

One thing you are good at? socializing, I can start up a conversation with a garbage can.
(a friendly one)

If you could change one thing about your circumstances, what would it be?
I would really like to know what is happening with Ben's job

Who would you like to meet someday? lots of people, from religious to famous

What makes you feel sexy? working out (everyday)

Who is your real life hero? my mom, and mom's I know...

What is the hardest part of your job? mom job, dinner time. airline job, passenger boarding, I wish I could just snap my fingers and they would all be in their seat ready to go.

When are you most relaxed? on vacation

What can you not live without? My family of course AND sunglasses, chap stick, sunshine

Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? I couldn't DISAGREE with that more..

Why do you blog? because I am a narcissist... I guess..j/k because I d@!! well please. ( that was for you Stacy)

10.20.2008

5 things I love about my kids..

Alivia
1. She was number one. Something so special about the first baby and the first time you see them, hold them, take them home. They totally change your life. I am so thankful that she is a girl and ALL girl!!!
2. She is so sweet and very empathetic. She always asks about people and wants to know how they are doing and if they have been sick or hurt she wants to know if they are better.
3. She is such a good helper, when we are in our cleaning she loves to help me. She will grab a big case of Clorox wipes or whatever and just start randomly wiping things off. She also loves to help her brothers make their beds.
4. She loves her grandma SO much!!! more than mom and dad sometimes.
5. She is getting more and more of an imagination and it is very fun and entertaining.

Cooper
1. He was our SURPRISE, and I am so thankful for that.
2. He is very sensitive (all though it drives me crazy too)
3. He is so talk-a-tive in the morning it is so FUNNY, talks, and talks, and talks. About whatever is on his mind.
4. He loves to impress Alivia, he always wants to know where she is, what is she doing, and as soon as he finds her, he wants to be a part of what she is doing.
5. He loves his Grandma, I think more than Alivia, Cooper has a very special relationship with her. He knows she will always make him pancakes, and tickle his back. He loves to go out and work in the yard with her. He can be out there with her for hours.

Bauer
1. Bauer is our little comedian, and at the same time the tough guy. It takes a lot to make him upset.
2. He will eat anything, he is not picky. I love that about him. Anything I make for dinner he will try it no matter what.
3. He loves to sleep in our bed ( it can be annoying too) but he LOVES to sleep with mom and dad, he always feels so special.
4. I love how he says please, thank you and your welcome with out being asked. The other kids aare always reminded. They are 4 and 5 and at 2 he is so good at it...
5. He LOVES singing time in nursery, he is always so interested in what is going on. And then at home you will hear him quietly singing to himself.

Kessler
1. That he is number 4, and that he is a boy. Some of you that know me well, know how shocked I was when I found out he was a boy. I am so thankful for him and who he is.
2. He is such a good baby, for the first 4 months I wouldn't have totally agreed, but once we figured him out. He is a dream.....
3. He feels like our happiest baby, he loves to play and giggle. He loves to bounce and watch all the commotion around him.
4. I love his eyes, many people have commented about how big his eyes are. I love that about him.
5. I am so glad he is here, my last labor and delivery were anything but normal. I am so glad he is safe, sound and healthy.
This is a tag from my friend Stacie (thanks it was fun) I hope anyone who wants to do this tag will.....

10.18.2008

Happy Fall

Yeah for fall, we were able to go and pick out some pumpkins, they had a really good time walking around choosing the exact one they wanted.

Bauer's pumpkin was too heavy and was sad that he fell down trying to hold it
Even Ben found a great pumpkin.




10.17.2008

Ben's answers...

Ben's Answers

4 random things I like about my wife:
1. She likes to entertain people, so I don't have to do it.
2. She is a really good mom
3. That she likes to take care of people
4. She puts up with me

4 movies that I can watch more than once:
1. Rudy
2. Matrix
3. 300
4. Star Wars

4 shows that I watch:
1. NHL
2. Survivor
3. UFC
4. Heroes

4 places I've been today:
1. A movie
2. Costco
3. Kohls
4. Back home!

4 people who email me regularly:
1. my boss
2. his boss
3. his boss's boss
4. Andrea

4 places I've visited:
1. Switzerland
2. France
3. Hawaii
4. Caribbean

4 places I would like to go
1. Africa
2. Australia
3. San Diego
4. Mediterranean

4 things I'm looking forward to in the next year:
1. My store
2. No debt
3. Swimming Pool, (okay maybe a little debt)
4. Tundra (okay a little more debt)

Thanks Jan..

4 random things I like about my husband:

1. I like that he is not high maintenance
2. He is a really good dad
3. I am glad he likes to travel
4. I like the grey in his hair, it is so Anderson Cooper:)


4 movies that I can watch more than once:
1. The Count of Monte Cristo
2. Napoleon Dynamite
3. Nacho Libre
4. The Wedding Singer


4 shows that I watch:
1. Life (NBC)
2. American Idol
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Dancing with the stars
5. The Biggest Loser
6. Americas funniest videos
7. The list goes on....


4 places I've been today:
1. A movie
2. Costco
3. Kohls
4. Back home!


4 people who email me regularly:
1. Jan W.
2. The Stake Activities committee
3. My bank
4. Livi's teacher

4 places I've visited:
1. Hawaii
2. Paris
3. Merritt, B.C
4. St. George UT


4 places I would like to go:
1. Bora, Bora
2. A Disney Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean
3. Miami
4. Greece


4 things I'm looking forward to in the next year:
1. Summer
2. A Whidden family reunion
3. Not being pregnant, huge sighhhh
4. Figuring out what Ben is going to do


4 people I tag:
1. PAULA J.
2. Stacy S.
3. Roadrunner:)
4. Alecia W.