St. George Weekend

We just got back from a great little weekend in St. George with family(except for Brooke & Max, who are currently in Amman, Jordan-we missed you guys). Thanks to my great Aunt Marsha and Uncle Ken for letting us crash at their house. It was so nice and relaxing and Shawn actually even got a break from the hospital. We did lots of playing, swimming, eating, and lizard and rabbit hunting (the house sits right on a golf course and the kids would wonder the course and catch critters. They actually caught two lizards and made them a little home).

Despite the fact that we weren't really dressed for hiking with our flip flops and crocs, we decided to try the little "mini" narrows hike in St. George. The beginning started off fine.

But, then it started getting a little crazy. That little skinny opening you can see behind the picture is the narrow opening we hiked through. Ethan and Cole did such a great job and only needed help a few times. I made it the whole way, but was nervous a few times that I would get stuck. I was literally tummy and back smashed against the sides most of the way. None of the big guys could fit so it was only the kids and a few crazy moms! If you are claustrophobic this is definitely not the hike for you.

Below is a picture of my Aunt with Ethan and Cole on a little bridge that we crossed. It was really pretty scary because there were huge cliffs below. Don't worry we did not let go of the kids hands for a second.

This is the vista after crossing the bridge. Beautiful, but a little scary with all the kids!

This is my brother Mike attempting to climb a wall that went straight up with out any ropes or a safety harness. No one got hurt, but I still think it was a pretty stupid idea!

We all survived the hikes and had a good time. After the hike we were all hot and sweaty so we decided it was a good time for swimming. Ethan has turned into such a fish and was pretty much under the water swimming the whole time. Cole just enjoyed the little waterfall!

The return of the mullet!

A few years ago my younger brother played for the High School soccer team. The team all had nasty haircuts that year-maybe it was an intimidation thing, but it really was ugly. Mike's cut happened to be the mullet. My brother is such a cute kid-the mullet just didn't do him justice. The team had several different haircuts including mullets, mohawks, spikes, huge afro's, long pony tails, etc. Here are some pics of Ethan with Mike, purely for your entertainment.

The mullet has officially returned, but not for my brother, rather my sweet little Liv. She has never had much hair, and right now I am just glad that I can at least pull a little up in cute clips (we said goodbye to headband's as soon as she could reach the top of her head). Lately, Liv's hair has been growing in the back into some cute little curls, but not much around the front. This has created THE MULLET! I am not sure what to do, if I cut off the back to help even out the front all her cute little curls will be gone, and she won't have much hair left. So, do I just let it keep growing and hope that it will catch up soon? Here is a picture, you can judge for yourself.

4th of July {the morning}

We had a great 4th of July, me and the kids did anyway, poor Shawn had to work. He went in yesterday morning and didn't come home until Saturday. Shawn always seems to get the holidays, but I guess someone has to be working at the hospital so thanks babe for sacrificing your holiday!

Next, was the parade.

Cole was acting a little nervous when he rode past on his bike. A few minutes later I went to get him and noticed he was sobbing. When I asked him what was wrong he said, "I just can't ride fast like those big kids." He was so sad, it just broke my heart.

Reese Family 4th of July Picture(minus the wonderful, hard-working Dad!)

{Can you tell Cole was having a little tantrum and wouldn't look up at the camera, and who knows why Ethan is standing behind my head}

4th of July {the evening}

We have some of the greatest friends in Las Vegas, and one of them hosted a swim/bbq/firework party tonight. The kids and I had a great time. I wasn't sure about taking the kids by myself swimming (I do it all week long by myself and it is fine, but I was worried with all the people it might be too crazy), so we just came in our clothes. The boys were BEGGING me to let them swim and I finally caved in and let them swim-in their clothes. It turned out to be just fine, and I will definitely come better prepared next year. After the swimming and eating we all went out front for the firework show-patriot music and all.

This was the kids first year with sparklers. Once they figured out which end to hold they had a great time.





The picture below was taken during the firework show. Ethan looks like he is having such a great time. I caught Cole putting his hands over his ears several times, and Livy did great at first until the screaming fireworks started. She did not care for those one bit-but really who does!

At the very end I think Cole had enough and was a little scared. He went over and sat on Ethan's lap. I was surprised that Ethan let him, but it was cute for a little while.

I hope everyone else had a great 4th of July!

Parade Prep

Getting ready for the big 4th of July Parade. Stay tuned, more pictures to come tomorrow...

Sunday Strip Search

Ethan and Cole have to succumb to a strip search before and after church every Sunday. Their mission is to sneak as many toys to church as possible. Cole has been successful on a few occasions, but I have learned to interrogate Ethan into relinquishing any objects obtained. Today I thought we had a successful strip search, but apparently I failed. When I got home from church I noticed a big bulge in Cole's pockets. I started pulling out little cars that he STOLE from the Nursery. One, two, three (seriously how many cars can you fit in your pockets), ....all the way up to six cars! Cole didn't seem at all affected by Shawn's speech about taking things from Jesus. So, I guess we will just continue with the strip searches-maybe they will need to be a little more rigorous.


Livy continues to terrorize the house, but of course being the youngest, and a girl she gets away with it.

Her latest attempts have ensured that their will be no more Reese babies to come in the future-the crib is officially broken. Livy made her own toddler bed from her crib by breaking the front side of the crib so it no longer stays up. Last night wasn't too bad, I only heard one big thud from her falling off onto the floor all night long.

Who Needs Pockets?

Livy is the master of throwing food on the floor. Today I was amazed to find no food on the floor after she finished her lunch. But to my surprise I found her entire lunch stuffed down her shirt. This has been a habit of late, and actually she shoves not only her lunch, but everything she can find down the front of her shirt-rocks, cars, Lego's, little people, garbage, towels, diapers, food, her cup, and anything else that will fit.


As you can see, it makes a great little pocket for your sippy cup! Really, who needs pockets when you can just shove things down your shirt.

A Child's Prayer

For a long time I couldn't get Ethan to say anything more in a prayer than either "please bless the food, or please help me to sleep good." We talked a lot about why we pray and the different things that we can talk to Heavenly Father about. Finally, just this past week, he has figured it out and now he LOVES saying his prayers and has all kinds of interesting things to say! Here is an example of his prayer tonight:

please bless me to sleep good,
please help me to be happy,
please help me to be a good boy,
thank you for my lovely home,
thank you for my lovely family,
thank you for a lovely Jesus-he is so beautiful,
help me to fight like a Jedi,
help me to eat my spinach and broccoli,
help me to grow big and strong,
help me to listen to my mom,
help me to be nice to Cole,
bless Cole not to hit me,
Amen.

I have no idea where the Lovely comes from, but he seriously says it every night-it is so funny. I guess I am just pretty happy that he finally figured out he can pray about anything and everything-even to fight like a Jedi!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful father in the world, Shawn. We also don't want to forget two other great dad's, my dad (who is currently in Hawaii so I don't feel bad for him AT ALL), and Shawn's dad (who is definitely Shawn's biggest support-besides me). We love you and thanks for all you do!



Shawn is such an amazing dad. In between working 80 hours a week, many nights and weekends, he always finds time for his kids. He is so caring, tender, and a great leader in our home. The boys just LOVE him to death and Liv has him wrapped around her finger!

Last night we attended the Graduation Program for the all the Pediatric Residents at UNLV. It was mostly for the graduating residents, but Shawn also received a certificate of completion for his Intern year. Wooohooo-he is no longer an Intern. Shawn also had his annual review with the program chair last week. He said that Shawn is doing great and that if they could just clone Shawn twelve times (that is how many residents are in the program) that they would have a great program! Shawn has worked so hard, I am so proud of him. He often feels conflicted as to his work schedule, family, church, and sleep, but I think he does a great job at managing to balance it all. We had a great time last night at the graduation party, a nice dinner, slide show, awards, dancing and an open bar full of Coke. We managed to leave before the party got to crazy-after all, this is Las Vegas! Thanks Cassey for your help with the kids. It is so fun to go out, we rarely do it and I hardly knew what to do with myself. I didn't have to say "be quiet, sit still, leave your sister alone", or give one dirty look to a naught 5 year-old. It was perfect!

My Special Note

I should totally win the Mother of the Year Award for the note Ethan wrote me today. He was is trouble this afternoon so I sent him to his bedroom. He kept throwing toys down the stairs and then he started talking back to me. I am sure none of your kids ever do that-right? So needless to say he was in BIG trouble. A few minutes later he walks down the stairs and hands me his little Etch-A-Sketch with the following note:

For those of you who can't read preschool language it says, "Please Don't Kill Me, Ethan". On the bright side, I was so proud of him for sounding out and spelling the words-even incorrectly.

We've got a swimmer!

Until a week ago Ethan was an amazing swimmer, WITH a life jacket! I decided that it was time for him to learn to swim. He just started taking swim lessons last week and is doing great. He prefers the doggy paddle swimming method, but is learning- I am so proud of him! The first video clip was taken this morning at the community pool, and the last two are at swim lessons with his teacher, Melinda, this afternoon. (Sorry, the clips aren't great- It was really windy today)

Don't you just love the goggles. He INSISTS on wearing them. He won't even get in the water without them.

Sorry about the noise in the video, it was really windy today!

Happy Birthday Cole!

Three years ago today our little Coley was born and what a great addition he has been to our family!

Cole is one of those kids that can make you so mad and then so happy all in the same second. He is constantly getting into trouble, but then looks at you with his big blue eyes and cute little smile and it just melts your heart. He is so sweet and tender, but totally ALL boy! We love him so much-Happy Birthday Cole!

Only at a church game!

Only at a church volleyball game will you find 15 children crying at once, the other 15 kids running mad, pregnant ladies rolling on the ground, husbands controlling the snacks, and moms spiking, diving, and jumping in ways that their old bodies just should not! This pic is an example of what I looked like last night {minus the spandex, buns of steel, and a few inches-okay, so a lot of inches}.

Reese Family Responsibilities (by Ethan)

Last night Ethan informed Shawn and I what he thought our responsibilities are. So here they are:

Livy: Have fun, be a nice girl, and eat all her dinner
Cole: Be nice, and watch Voltron with Ethan
Ethan: Protect Livy, and help make cakes
Dad: Go to work, feed the fish, and cook dinner with mom
Mom: Clean house, run on the treadmill, read scriptures, and take Ethan to swimming


If that was really all I did that would be great! The real list should also include:


Livy: Scream, throw tantrums, dump trash on ground, throw food on floor, drop toys in the toilet, throw binki at mom, nap, eat food off floor.
Cole: Break things all day long, make mom really mad, make mom really happy, take Ethan's toys, color on couch, have a lightsaber duel.
Ethan: practice reading and writing, play Jedi's, yell at Cole, fight with Cole, and ask for string cheese ten times a day, soak the bathroom at bathtime.
Dad: Build dream cars on computer, watch TV, study
Mom: get kids dressed, brush teeth, make beds, go to park, get mail, blog, get groceries, take out trash, do laundry, clean toilets, mop floor, shower, yadda yadda yadda......


Also, for some reason my boys think they are so funny when they call people names. Their idea of name calling includes anything with the word "head" added to the end. Example: Monkey Chicken Head, Silly Cracker Head, Stinky Booger Head, and occasionally they add in a potty word, but I put a stop to those pretty quick. I guess if you add the word "head" to a group of random words it classifies as a dirty name in the eyes of my kids. Really, I am glad this is as far as the name calling has gone-it could be a lot worse. So, if you get called a Crazy Horse Head don't worry it probably just means they like you!