4 Year-Old Soccer is HILARIOUS!

Ethan's first soccer game was this morning. It was pretty.....HILARIOUS! Kids running all over the place, trampling each other, and tackling each other. One of the boys actually tackled a girl from the other team. Ethan acted like he had no idea what he was doing. He would go in, run around for a few seconds, pretend that he was tired, come out and run around the sides or beg for a treat. He did a few beauty pageant waves to the side line and several team tackles. So, I think this will become our comic relief on Saturday for the next few weeks. Here are a few shots of some of the game highlights!!

Liv had a good time sharing (or stealing) crackers from her friend, Ruby!

Random moments from today

Tonight during dinner the kids were running around in their underwear-this is not a normal occurrence so don't get any ideas. Some friends stopped by for a second and ate some dinner with us. For some reason Cole stood up on his chair as we were eating and pulled his undies down. Naked in his glory Cole was laughing away. I am not sure if he was trying to impress his little girlfriend, who was there, or what. But he definitely didn't learn that from me!

The boys threw one of their Star Wars toys over the fence. I didn't really want to go bug our neighbors (they are a little weird), so I climbed up on top of the fence and hopped over. Getting back was a little more tricky because I didn't have anything to stand on, but I did it. I was so surprised, when was the last time you saw a 29 year-old girl hop a fence?

While driving to soccer practice tonight a guy was riding his bike in front of me on the road. He was showing a little plumber crack and when we stopped at a light it continued to get worse. I looked the other way as to avoid him any embarrassment, but then he did the weirdest-or should I say grossest-thing. He intentionally pulled down his pants further. I was a little shocked, but then he started jumping up and down on his bike making weird gestures to draw attention to himself. He was laughing hysterically and that is when I realized he was just trying to be funny. It was pretty gross and I just kept praying that my kids wouldn't look out the window and ask me what the guy in front of us was doing naked. I am not sure how I would have explained that one.

Just one quick pet peeve. We went to Walmart tonight -in attempt to get some stuff to fix my broken cupboard. I asked three employees where a specific item was and none of them could understand me - NO SPEAK ENGLISH. Finally, the fourth employee/store manager was able to understand, but seriously shouldn't employee's be required to speak English as to help the customers in AMERICA where they work???

Trouble Magnetic!

For some reason I attract trouble. I am generally a pretty careful person, but no matter how hard I try I always break things. I have scars all over from cutting myself and falling ( I have fallen down the stairs twice while being pregnant). Shawn thinks it is because I go too fast and never slow down. He always gets a good laugh at my clumsiness. This morning I was cleaning out some cupboards. I grabbed the door to close the cupboard and it ripped right off. Not just fell off the hinges, ripped right in half off! Somehow it split right down the middle. I was just standing there thinking, "What the heck just happened?" The cabinets here are not high quality and durable at all, but I still can't believe that I could rip one off. I watched my brother tear off my mom's cabinet a year ago, but he was hanging on it. I was just closing it!!!

Also, did I mention that my two boys decided it would be a good idea to put the chords from the blinds around their necks and jump off the couch? Brilliant Idea (sense the sarcasm)! Ethan did it first and he is tall enough that it was fine, so next he put the chord around Cole's neck. Cole now has a lovely rope burn around his neck, not to mention the panic attack that I had watching my two year hanging from the blinds. I was holding Liv when I saw what happened and I actually threw her to the ground to run and get Cole. It really freaked Ethan out and he started crying once he realized what happened. We had a big talk about putting things around your neck and even your head for that matter. Seriously, am I that bad of a mom?? You know those moms who never watch their kids and yet their kids never get hurt-well, I watch my kids pretty good, but they ALWAYS get hurt.

Flash Back

While we were home we got together with some old High School Friends. The picture above was taken of Shawn and his friends the summer after High School Graduation. Some tens years later the picture below was taken last week. Isn't it amazing to see all these boys grown up. We have two lawyers, a business owner, pre-dental student, and doctor among the mix. And what is even better is to watch all of them surrounded by their kids (ten kids total between these five boys).

I'm Back!

We are finally back home. We spent the past week in Utah visiting with family and friends and we had such a great time. Thanks to everyone for spending time with us! I was so excited to meet my new little niece, Maycee Jo. This is a picture I took while we were home-isn't she adorable?

We started the week out with the Annual Rudd Easter Egg Hunt. This year is was snowing and it was way too cold for this Las Vegas Family, but we survived. Half way through the Easter egg hunt Ethan was just standing there and when I asked him what was wrong he said, "my hands are frozen." We had fun with the family up in Fielding. Thanks everything for coming to see us!

We enjoyed lots of yummy food, family dinners, got to go to the temple, visit old friends from high school, bowling, family football game, a pedicure, movies, soccer games, died Easter eggs, St. Patrick's Day Party, and even a DATE!

We celebrated Liv's first birthday (a little early, but we wanted to enjoy it with family). We had a bunch of cupcakes and ice cream.

Ethan and Cole downed an entire package of gum in one minute, Cole stole something from Deseret Book, Cole also had two mysterious black eyes (but I am pretty sure they were caused from Ethan), and on the drive home we had to stop three times for the boys to go to the bathroom. Once I was helping Ethan and I am not kidding-he was in there for over ten minutes. When we came out there was a huge line, I apologized, but everyone looked pretty mad. Hey, what can you do-he is four! You just can't rush that kind of thing.

Sorry, I know this is a lot of pictures. We are so glad to be back home and get settled in life again. Thanks again everyone back home for making this a great week!

Purse Tag

My cousin Kelsie tagged me so now you all get to see what my purse looks like and what I carrying around with me all the time. My purse really isn't a purse, rather it is a diaper bag, but I use it as both. Someday maybe I will stop having to carrying around diaper and wipes, but for now my purse is definitely a mommy purse!

These are the current contents of my purse:

wallet-unfortunately it is usually pretty empty.

diaper and wipes-Who knows what surprises will come my way.

The current book I'm reading-I have this problem that I can't stand to be doing nothing, so I always carry my latest book around. That way whenever I have to wait in line somewhere or wait to pick up Ethan from school I can read.

snacks-fruit snacks, crackers, and M&M's (Cole always seems to be hungry).

camera- for all those picture perfect moments.

Orbits gum -because that is the only kind Shawn likes.

the boys sunglasses -I don't really know why I carry those around.

Coupons-because I can't stand to buy something unless it is on sale (that is my mom's fault).

Sunscreen-because I think between Shawn and I we have the whitest kids in Las Vegas.

Hand Sanitizer-I am not really a germ freak, but this is great to dump on restaurant tables.

Children's Motrin-I don't leave home without it.

Hand Lotion-I can't stand stand dry hands.

Little First Aid Kit-Who knows when you will need a band aid?

My Little Blue Bag-This bag carries a little of everything (dental floss, lip gloss, Tide to Go stick, Tissues, needle and thread, Advil for me, fingernail clippers, Aquaphor, safety pins, etc.). You just never know when you might need something so I always have it with me!

That is about all that I have in my purse.

I tag.....Jenn Wheeler, Brooke Stoneman and Cassey Bloomfield.

Young Love

Ethan came home from preschool today with his first love note...and yesterday Cole asked his little girl friend if she would hold his hand. I don't know what is going on with my boys, but watch out girls!!!

Random Moments from Today

Church and Kids

Today was Stake Conference and while in the past I have enjoyed getting a break from the regular Sunday routine, I realized today that I DO NOT enjoy two hours at church with my kids. Seriously, Shawn and I spent the entire time wrestling with the kids. Sometimes I wonder why I even try, we can barely manage a regular one hour sacrament meeting!

Liv wouldn't leave the lady in front of us alone. She kept pulling her sweater, hitting her bum, and then she threw her binki at her. So I moved Liv and then she started pestering the lady behind us and threw her cup at her and splattered her with milk. The lady had to get up and go to the bathroom to clean up-how embarrassing! Within the first ten minutes Cole already was crying and Shawn had to take him out. Cole continue with dumping out the diaper bag all over the floor including a bag of M&M's that went bouncing away all over the gym floor. Ethan followed and dumped his treat all over the floor and then licked them up like an animal. Was he raised in a barn?

About halfway through I was out in the hall with Liv and everyone stood up to sing a rest hymn in the chapel. The next thing I knew Shawn was marching out of the chapel with diaper bag and two kids in his hands. No words were spoken, but I knew what that meant. I was quick to follow out to the car and we headed home. I was relieved to be in the comforts of my own home and not torturing myself trying to get my kids to be quiet. Overall, I was proud that we lasted at least the first hour!

Love my Binki!

Livy just LOVES her binki and often has more than one. She does this weird thing and shoves the whole binki in her mouth and chews on it (or something like that), but it is just so cute!

Soccer Time

Ethan had his first soccer practice last night. I wasn't sure if I was going to sign him up again after last years attempt and Ethan's interest in the dirt, birds, and dandelions rather than the soccer ball. But I am hoping that one year older and wiser will help him-I guess we will see. Ethan did a good job at practice and has a great coach (and assistant Coach-Shawn), but towards the end he just stood there and wouldn't run. After he got into the van he started screaming that he wanted his cleats off. So I helped him take them off, but it was dark so I couldn't see anything. This morning he came downstairs and he has HUGE blisters on each foot. So, I guess we will be going to buy new soccer cleats today, but I feel so bad-these blisters look pretty bad.

GO TEAM TITANS!

Presenting.....

Our Family Home Evening Puppet Show!

Starring Ethan and Cole Reese

Post it on the blog

Ethan came up to me this afternoon and asked me to take a picture of his transformer. When I asked why he said that he wanted to "post it on the blog." Shawn just started laughing. I asked Ethan what a blog was and he replied that he "didn't know but that I always post things on it." So, maybe I spend to much time on the blog. Anyways, here is Air Raid as I promised I would post for Ethan.

The weekend has included the following:

5 boxes of girl scout cookies (3 of them are just for me, the Samoa's)


Two boys tearing all the leaves off the tree. When I asked what they were doing I was told, "we are just making a salad mommy."


Livy pooping all over the floor and then stepping in it and smearing all over the floor-disgusting!


Ethan informing Cole that your spirit lives in your tummy


Cole requesting to drink chocolate milk when he goes to heaven


Ethan asking a lady at The Children's Place why she had tattoos? AND, why she had a skull tattoo? He told her that skull tattoo's are for boys only!