Grace - You have beat me

Some of you may know that I have some talent when it comes to world geography, specifically world capitals. It's one of my obsessive compulsive(s) that plague me daily. I have never been bested in a "what is the capital of....?" contest.

Until now.

My 8 year old niece, Grace, (who is adorably cute, kind and brilliant, by the way) sincerely, truly and legitimately beat me in an intense capital battle. Not only did she beat me, but she beat me bad. She knew 7 more than me and answered some that I could not remember. Not to brag here but I've got some skill in this area and she kicked me around the place. Countries like North Korea, Latvia, New Guinea, Belarus, Estonia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Algeria. I mean the Western Hemisphere stuff is too easy so we stuck mainly to the tough ones.

I got her on two, Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou) and Madagascar (Antananarivo)

So, with this defeat I will fade and sail away like the Elves at the end of the Lord of The Ring movies.

Grace, I am more than impressed. I'd actually like to somehow invest money into you in some sort of business venture, because you are the smartest 8 year old that I've ever heard of and completely cool about it.

Well sorry to embarrass you...but you kicked your Uncle's butt and I should do the honorable thing and tell the world.

I can still beat your dad (North Carolina???) easy enough and that keeps me going. And I still think I can take you in an Arm Wrestle. Next up, Political Leaders and the history of Socialism in Western Europe. Bring it!

Leave Your Print

November 4th, 2008, I left my print. Well not exactly....I left my digital print. My good friends at Richter 7 (my old job) created the "Leave Your Print" promotion to drivevoters to the booth and I think it's fantastic.

If you needed a tag line for the greatest expression of civic demand "Leave Your Print" is it. My "print" allows me to shake my fist, cry out in anger, weep with disgust and lift my voice. America and it's liberty was created for all of us to tell our leadership to fear us and not the other way around.

I think a lot of people believe America is perfect the way it is. I get worried about that sentiment. Our predecessors created this country out of dissent. They did not want taxation without representation. They wanted representation...they demanded that right and fought for it. Thousands and thousands died so that you and I can say "listen to me now."

I'm proud to live in this country now. I would sacrifice for this country. And I'm proud to "leave my print" for the future of my country.

Now I'm off to work to convince all of Utah that Real Salt Lake is worth buying tickets to...and they are so visit RioTintoStadium.com now and get your tickets today. :)

Halloween Blackmail

Halloween this year was great. The kids costumes were planned by Leah. She was a veterinarian, Eva was a cow girl riding a horse, and Ronan was a cow. The girls loved trick or treating. Ronan sat in the wagon and ate his candy, always a piece in each hand. In an effort to dress up Dave and I got whatever was left in the costume store. I turned out to be a Volturi Vampire and Dave The Incredible Hulk. I have enough pictures to blackmail him if any of you need one for any reason. I trimmed his shorts in ripped fashion and they ended up a little shorter than planned especially in the back. He took the kids trick or treating barefoot. Then we switched posts. When he would answer the door he would grunt and yell in Hulk fashion. DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO MAKE IT LARGER.

Family Pictures 2

Saturday we went to Mueller park for crazy family photos. Many thanks to Emily for getting these amazing shots.

Family Pictures

Leah's Take on the Candidates

Dave and Leah were watching TV tonight when a clip about the campaigns came on. She asked Dave who the 2 men were. He responded, "they both want to be our President, which one do you like?" Leah quickly answered, "The one on the left he looks nice. The one on the right looks like a skeleton."

Disaster Was His Name

Ronan as you all know has a knack for getting into trouble. He also has had a few growing up milestones this last week. He no longer has a binky and or a bottle. It wasn't too bad. There was one night that he was up til 1 and awake at 5. Then I made him scream in his room for an hour and a half. The next night went much better.
Here are some photos to document just a few of them that have occurred in the past few days.

Very scented lotion all over Ronan and my carpet. He opened the container by himself. This happened 10 minutes after he threw his waffle in the bath water I was preparing for the kids.

My grand niece came over for a visit. He loved and hated her all at the same time. Wanting to hold her then pushing her over. The pushing over was more wrestling that he would do with the girls. I sat by the baby the whole visit to protect her.

Within 2 minutes of getting home from church. Ronan helped himself to some cereal. The whole box full to be exact.

I haven't had a chance to prove to you all that I am not a neglectful mom and my son does have his bed, not just a mattress on the floor.

We have been...

Going to school everyday. Leah always asked when she gets a break. Here is her school photo. I love it the goofy smile and all. Eva has preschool twice a week. Yesterday was a breakthrough. She went without any crying or running after me.

Last week we went to the zoo. The weather has been absolutely amazing.

Packs Pumpkin Patch for pumpkin picking.

Love this cute photo of Leah, see she can smile normal.

Step 1 in our Kitchen Remodel

Thanks Brent for climbing into this mess and risking your life in our ceiling.

Dave and our neighbor spent a few hours transforming my kitchen.

I have to say thanks for making my kitchen look like Christmas time. And for coughing up their lungs up for a few hours.

Yay say goodbye to florescent lighting and a warm welcome to can lights.

Trouble and Growing into More Trouble

Ronan went to the doctor for his 18 month appointment last week. He ran up to the doctor to be held. Then only looked annoyed when the nurse gave him his shots. The doctor said he looks like he will be naturally muscular. Dave liked that one. Here are his stats

weight: 28 pounds, 76 Percentile
height: 33 1/2 inches, 82 percentile

He also learned how to get anything he wants in the kitchen with the help of these little chairs.

He can now get his own drink from the fridge

Climb to any counter he wants to get treats. He has a container full of gum, his very favorite treat. So the end of this new found freedom was a smarter mommy. The little table and chairs are downstairs. Then the real table chairs are tied to the kitchen table. Have I taken it a little too far? I dont think so I need some sanity folks.

I love this talking stage where they call other kids their age babies. Here is Ronan and his adorable cousin Jake.