We have a new girl in the family now. Welcome Ruby!

This weekend I finally picked up my little girl from my friend Brian. She is a leopard gecko that was born with a deformed tail and trusted to us to take care of. Brian is a great guy and runs a site called geckodaddy.com where he sells some pretty stunning animals. Anyhoo the kids went crazy and our little Hazel nut couldn't get enough of Ruby. She actually laid down on the counter next to the cage and watched in amazement as Ruby slept. Then she laid her head down next to the glass and tried to cuddle with her. It was cute I tell ya... cute. Don't believe me, well then check out the picture


See... I told you so. Anyway we have some fun little kids. Check them out.

Happy Birthday

Today is 7-eleven, which is also Lucy's birthday. So we started off the day with a free slurpee over at 7-eleven. Then it was off to the Discovery garden down at Thanksgiving Point. That was very disappointing because nothing was open and there were ravenous mosquitoes sucking us dry as we walked the paths. After that we stopped off at the local Red Cross to top off and went to lunch at the local Carl's Jr. It was Lucy's choice so we thought it would be nice since the one we went to had a play area. OH MAN was that a mistake. Our kids got stuck in the play area and were screaming for us to help them. It was SOOOOOOO upsetting. I had to try and crawl up the dang slide to drag Lucy out kicking and screaming. Then Dexter decided to take the cue from her and pitch his own fit. The place he was was too small for Rainbow or I to squeeze into so he just sat there and screamed. ARRRGH! Never again will I let them go into a place that I cannot go.

So that was enough "fun" for us that day. Any more and I would have had to give them the "slap of love". These are trying times folks. So we came home and worked on the cake while the kids napped. Then they got up and it was dinner and cake followed by their new favorite thing... High School Musical 3. The wife got Lucy a Wildcat cheer leading outfit for her birthday so when we put the movie on and she put on the outfit she started yelling "What team!"... (Wildcats we'd answer) just like they do in the movie. She is so darn cute when she isn't throwing a fit. If she would just realize that if she stopped all that screaming she would be able to ask us for the world and we would give it willingly. As it was we almost took all of her presents back today. Yeesh! Anyway happy birthday little Lucy... you make our lives interesting.

The Weekend

I spent this weekend reading. It all started when I rented the City of Ember and was totally left wanting answers and details that were seriously lacking in the movie. So I went down to the library and picked up the book. I started it last week and finished it up Friday, Saturday I wen to the library again and found out that there are currently 4 books for the series. So Saturday I read The People of Sparks and today I started The Prophet of Yonwood.

It is amazing what you can do when you cut out TV time...

Anyway, my wife just found out that she passed her test in school and I am very proud of her. She is awesome and a good guesser apparently. ;) Sorry honey I couldn't resist. The fireworks display this year was bigger and better than last year. I doubled the amount of moola I planned to spend on them, but the highlight was this firework that shot an army man with a parachute into the air and then it's parachute opens and it floats back down. I think I liked it more than Dexter did, but we both took off running after it. That was awesome. I had those little army guys with parachutes when I was a kid and I always wanted to get them high enough to let them have some hang time. The best I got was the top of the stairs, which almost wasn't worth it. This one satisfied that desire in me all over again. In fact, when they put the fireworks on sale this year I plan to go an buy as many as I can to do it all over again.

New Tradition

Tonight we made frozen bananas for a 4th of July treat. I love frozen bananas, but rarely ever make them or have them so this was real fun for me. It was so fun in fact I think we are going to have to make it a new 4th of July tradition. My wife waned coconut on 'em, but I think coconut is nasty so we made some others with almonds and the kids pitched in with the Jimmies. After dinner they were frozen and the kids got to dig in. It was sooo funny watching them eat those things. Hazel looked like she had a beard or at least a real bad 5:00 shadow made out of chocolate. They were smiling ear to ear and their little white teeth stuck out against the dark chocolate circles around their mouths. We have some pictures of the fun so hang in there and I'll get to them sometime soon.

Lotsa Pictures

We just got back from a great vacation out to California and we have a ton of pictures. The slide-shows give a good overview of the fun events. Dexter got to celebrate his birthday in the magic kingdom and he had an awesome time. Lucy got to meet her favorite princesses face to face which proved to be too much for her to take. Hazel was loving life and although she spent a lot of time in the stroller she had a great time too. We also went to Legoland and it was a great time. The new pirate section of the park was wonderful, but the Aquarium was a bit of a let down. I must say that even Monterey Bay Aquarium was a let down for me so Legoland shouldn't feel so bad about it. I do however like how they designed it for kids by creating tunnels into the inside of the aquarium that they can then pop up in the middle of. That was pretty cool. We also got to go to my old stomping grounds in San Clemente CA. It was the first time the kids had gone to a beach with "waves" and they had a blast. Lucy liked it until one knocked her over, then she wouldn't go near the water. :) Funny, but events like that will keep people from venturing into the waves for the rest of their lives. Hopefully she will get over it when she gets to the beach again.

One of the best things we enjoyed was seeing the family and getting all the kids together. They had a blast and we quickly found out that this batch of kids is a motley crew for sure. One is like a little wrestler and will take on anyone. Unfortunately that means you ALWAYS have to keep your guard up or he may clobber you when you least expect it. It was real great to see all the friends and family and I really wish we all lived closer. Enough talk, lets see some pictures!

Happy B-Day

As you can see Hazel turned 1. Hurray! We all hoped we'd see the cake fly and we were not let down one bit. Rainbow made a rainbow heart cake for Hazel and cupcakes for the rest of the clan. Yummy! :) Hazel went crazy and the pictures tell the tale pretty accurately this time. The video is still in the camera because I just got my computer back together today... hence the post. Our next big thing will be a quick trip to Disneyland. Can't wait for that. Dexter just started soccer and we got him all ready to go but the rain canceled his first game this week. :( He was upset.

Hazel also started attempting to take steps. She had been standing for a week or so but has had no real interest in trying to walk around. She just stands up, looks around and then drops back down to go where she needs to go. It reminds me of those prairie dog-ish animals that you see on Discovery Channel. Well I was out mowing the lawn and my wife pops her head out all excited... of course I missed it. Today though the rumor was verified as I sat on the cozy chair and watched as she stood up, looked around and then stomped a few paces like she was trying to put out a fire or something, and then came crashing down on her tush. Exciting.

More Easter Pictures

I really don't have much to say but I do have some cute pictures to share. I've been letting Rich do all my blogging lately so I really should change the name. It's not so much Rainbow's Place anymore. Oh well. This blog really is about the Grandparents, so as long as it gets done, I am okay with whoever posts.
Easter was easy and great. The kids loved their baskets. They all got hats, sunglasses, flip-flops and those things that will be essential for out trip to California next month.
In upcoming news; Hazel will be ONE next Friday! I can't believe how time flies. She is growing up so fast and she has such a cute little personality. I love watching my kids grow up. Dexter will also be starting soccer on April 25th. Rich is planning on dragging out the video camera for that so look forward to video of the chaos that is 3/4 years running around on a soccer field with no idea of what they should be doing.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. They are from Easter and then a few of the adorable little dress-up outfit my Mom got Hazel for her birthday.

What a week.

This week was fun for me. I was recovering from the most horrifying surgery known to men, and even though pain was not a problem, I got to milk it for a little extra down time. I’d like to say a big thanks to the wife for letting me take advantage of the situation and her hospitality. Her silent service to me during this time will surely be recorded in Heaven as yet another reason she deserves a Celestial glory.
Monday we had a lady bug over for dinner and the kids gave it a piece of lettuce and an orange rind to eat. The lady bug must have been thankful because it sat there right on the table and munched on the lettuce. The kids were mesmerized by our little guest all through dinner and when we were done we got to say goodbye and let it back out in the garden to find its friends.
Tuesday Dexter climbed under the music table and was practicing his skills as a mechanic with Lucy standing by to pass him his tools. Those are the first two pictures in the “Fun at the Table” album. I love the imagination that kids have.

Family Date this week was to the movie theater to see “Monsters vs. Aliens”. Lucy and Dexter climbed into the seats with their little boxes of popcorn and drinks and sat ready for the show like two old pros. Hazel got her first movie experience while awake and was laughing and clapping throughout the movie. Mommy and I had more fun watching them than the movie. The kids had a blast and were very well behaved so we decided to tempt fate and go to dinner. We headed out to a place we heard about on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” called the Blue Plate Diner. It reminded me of the Harbor House, which by the way I really miss, or that awesome Flames diner chain in NorCal. The kids gobbled up the food and we headed home.
Saturday we got up and went to the Easter Egg Hunt at the local Rec Center. I gotta tell ya… parents can really ruin an event for kids. Dexter and Lucy were in the 3 and under field which parents got to go in with the kids. The parents were not supposed to help pick up the candy for the kids, but these parents didn’t abide by the rules. Kids were almost getting trampled, and not a single piece of candy was let by for the littler and slower kids, like Lucy. It pissed me off. Dexter being the awesome speedster that he is, bolted out in front and filled his bag to the top, while dodging the parents that would have run him right over had he not kept his wits about him. I am thankful that he made it through unscathed because once the siren sounded the start of the hunt I immediately lost him in the mad crowd while I was trying to help Lucy. Now here is the kicker… Lucy maybe had 2 pieces of candy when the whole thing was said and done. Dexter came over after he finds us and takes two or three big handfuls of his candy and puts it in Lucy’s basket, effectively making the two baskets equal. I am tearing up right now as I write about this moment. I am so proud of my little boy for his love and consideration of his little sister. What an awesome example of tenderness and kindness that I think every parent on that field, including myself, could learn from. Sometimes kids do things because the parents tell them to, and sometimes they do them because they are being guided by the Spirit. This was one of those moments where I could see the light of Christ in my son and it hit me hard. The spirit of Easter should be in tune with the Spirit of Christ. I am glad that my son was able to fill me with that Spirit this day.



We then decided to brave the worsening weather and head out to some farm out in Murray that was having a festival. When we arrived it started raining which wasn’t too fun for the kids, but we decided to brave it anyway. The kids got to jump in the bouncy house then we went to get pictures taken. Lucy wanted to see the princess, but was scared of her up close. Dexter wanted to see the Star Wars geeks and ended up swacking one with the fake light saber. Some Jedi he was… he was actually kinda mad at Dexter for it. After that we got some cotton candy and walked around. They had some animals walking around and the kids had a lot of fun scaring the crud out of the poor ducks and geese while they chased them around mercilessly. We then went into the reptile show and that was well worth the 2 bucks to get in. The guy that was doing it had the kids super excited and he had some amazing animals. My favorite was the huge tortoise. Dexter and Lucy liked the small turtle. We then went to lunch at Red Robin and then home for naps.
It was a busy day that ended with the kids baking cookies and leaving a not for the Easter Bunny. The note in case you can’t read it in the picture said:
Dear Easter Bunny,
Thank you for our brother Jesus and his sacrifice for us. We love Him and we love Easter! Hope you enjoy these yummy cookies we made.
Love,
Lucy, Hazel & Dexter

To which the Easter Bunny has replied:
Thank you children! I loved the cookies. I left you some treats for later. Keep being good boys and girls and obey your parents. I love you!
E.B.

I had to put the shameless plug for them to obey us. I just hope they listen to the Easter Bunny.

Early Easter Fun

First off, I hate this flu season. Our kids have been sick soooo much and I am tired of sick kids. Dexter just got another ear infection, some throat problem that isn't strep, but has white bumps, and is beginning to get conjunctivitis. I feel like we have used more antibiotics in this house this year than I have personally in my whole life. I am sick myself again and once I get over this I am sure allergies will be kinking in. Happy happy joy hoy!

OK enaough of the bad- lets talk good. That's why you're here anyway right. Today we had a great primary activity for Dexter at the Church building to celebrate Easter. The lesson taught by sister Dunn to our kids was absolutley wonderful and I couldn't help but smile watching the kids get closer and closer to her as she was teaching. I got the camera out and tried to snap some pictures, but 90 percent turned out blurry. I still don't know how to increase the shutter speed on my DSLR to get those shots to be clear and sharp. Sorry. If the slideshow below isn't working go here.


We all got to play outside today as well. Dexter and his buddy Jimmy raced around in the street on their bikes while the babies crawled around in the yard and ate dirt. Dexter said to my wife today that she should work too. When she asked who would watch him during the day he said "How about Gummy! She is a real good babysitter." He never forgets. I love him sooooo much. Anyway my wife got a new gardening hat and the kids did a little photo shoot with it on. Here you go.
If the slideshow below isn't working go here.

The sun brings fun

Wow, what a great weekend. It was such a beautiful weekend and we had some real nice weather out here in Utah. The kids were chomping at the bit to get outside so we decided to spend a few hours on Saturday doing some family gardening. I have been trying to irradicate the tulips in our front planter but it seems that every year a new bunch pop-up so my goal was to seek and destroy. Dexter became the worm hunter and was hunting around finding all different sizes of worms. He finally found one that met his criteria and decided to keep it as a pet. So we got out a jar and put the worm in the jar. Dexter then wanted to give the worm something to play with so he put in a golf wiffle-ball for the worm to crawl through. When his worm was all cozy in his new jar he turned to my wife and said,"I want to see him every day when I wake up." So now his pet worm is waiting for his little wake up call every day. True to his word he got up this morning and went to greet his worm. What a great little boy.
Lucy was looking at all the works that Dexter was digging up and singing to them. The song she made up was real cute and went something like,"you are so cute, you are such a nice worm." It was super cute.
After a few minutes of gardening Dexters friend came screaming by on his bike so Dexter wanted to join him. That turned the focus from gardening to riding. We got out the bikes and away they went.
We also did haircuts this weekend and both Dexter and Lucy got a turn with the clippers on dear old dads mop. They were suprisingly gentle and we all had a good time with it.

The Baby Speaks!

That's right! Just a few minutes ago I heard clear as day a little baby voice say "UP!" Of course, I ran over to her and picked her up and repeated (as well as signed) "up?" And she got a big smile on her face and said "UP!" Yeah!!!! She has said it a few times since but I am afraid she will be mute when Rich gets home from his meeting. He is going to be so surprised. Of course she has said mama and dada, but still it is exciting news for me! She is such a fun baby. Hope you all are having a good weekend.

Spotted Princess

Our little princess has been sick all week and now she has become a spotted little girl. I feel so bad for her, but even though they cover her entire body her personality hasn't been effected. It makes me so happy to know that she isn't suffering much because of it. The doctor said that Dexter an Hazel will probably get it next because it will spread by contact and despite our best efforts, that little Hazel contacts everyone and everyone's things. I just saw her sucking down some of Lucy's water so she will be a spotted little monkey soon too. See if you can "spot" the problem... Hah ha!

Family Home Evening

Last night we had our family home evening and we tried a new activity suggested by one of my co-workers. It was a popcorn race and the object is to push a piece of popcorn across the floor only using your nose. The kids were giggling like crazy and ended up eating the popcorn instead of pushing it. This turned the whole thing into a competitive eating contest instead and they were diving for the popcorn to get it first. It was fun, thanks Brandon for the suggstion. Next time we will get it on video and post it. Unfortunately there are no new pictures to show so stay tuned for those.

Art Projects

I thought I'd display some art projects for ya. I know at least one person who wants to see them. Dexter wrote his name the other day all by himself. Here ya go.

Some cute pictures

I really love those moments when the kids just look so cute you forget how much of the time they can be total stinkers. I had one of those weekends where the planets aligned and the kids were sweet as can be. Man I love them. I rolled around on the floor to get some action photos of Hazel as she crawled all over the place. It was fun and she had fun trying to eat the camera. I got the art easel fixed that gummy sent us a few years ago and the kids went to town. Our walls are now covered with kid art.

So here are some of the cute pictures we took.

Valentines Day was Awesome!!!

So I had spent some time getting the video together (see below) for Rainbow and she absolutely loved it so I am very grateful for that. I was very pleased with my wife and kids efforts on my behalf. It was just a great weekend for me. I came home Friday a little early and found my wife and kids making heart shaped cookies for me. It was super sweet.... Hahaha get it... sweet... OK I'm a dork, but who cares I'm married now so I don't have to be cool. I took a quick picture of their work.


Awesome huh. They ROCK! We finished Friday off by watching Matagascar 2 while trying to cuddle on the couch. Then Saturday morning they all gave me some candy, but immediately wanted me to open it up and give it back to them. Haha. The little stinkers. Every time I sat down Dexter would come over and say, "Dad, you should open the spiderman chocolates now." I held him off the WHOLE day and when I finally did open the candy up it was gone in a flash. But I have to tell ya, sharing it was what really made me happy... well that and seeing them chomping at the bit all day. I am so mean. It was a great day that started off snowing and we took the kids and packed them in the car to go to COSTCO. I hate having to do that in the snow, but it needed to get done. Our typical trip is to hit COSTCO early, get the shopping done by noon, then sit and have COSTCO pizza for lunch and then head back home for naps. Well by the time we went home the sun was out and it was a beautiful day. Fast forward to night time, we put the kids to bed and then had a great dinner by candle light. My wife made a totellini in a crab and mushroom sauce. It hit all the right spots. My contribution was a cesar salad kicked up with some sweet yellow bell peppers. Mmmmm. It wasn't as nice as a quiet dinner out, but did the trick. It was great. I love my family sooo much and this weekend was so wonderful to spend together. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people around me. We got to take some pictures too. Here they are.

Random Post because my Mom told me it was time for a update

Look how cute! It really is so fun to see your kids grow up (and a little bit sad too). But one thing I have really been enjoying is watching Dexter's sense of humor develop. A few months ago we were watching Montser's Inc. and for the first time he was laughing along with the movie at the parts that HE identified as funny. It was really cute. Now he does it all the time and he picks little catch phrases out and repeats them non-stop. Today he was cracking himself and Lucy up saying, "We don't need no stinking badgers!" I must have heard that 50 times today. I am sure he saw it on some cartoon he shouldn't have been watching. He also decided today that he was five. He wanted to be 5 because he thinks that is the age that he will be allowed to watch "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" on Cartoon Network. I guess his friends that are 5 must talk about it or something. I asked him, "Five! How did you stop being 3 and skip right over 4?" His answer was "I turned 4 but then ate a lot of healthy food that you gave me so I growed up to be 5, okay!" Well, at least it was the healthy food that did it, right?

And because I am such a lucky lady I had to share my AWESOME Valentine's Day present with you all. It's bragging, I know, but I really have the best husband. See for yourself...

I love my husband. He is the most wonderful man. Last Saturday I went to a Zumba class at the gym and came home to the kids telling me they made Valentine's for me and Daddy was making a "love video"! I guess surprises with kids are out of the question (which is fine with me). Well since the surprise was ruined and Rich couldn't wait I got my Valentine's Day present early. As I watched it I bawled my eyes out. It was the BEST present I have ever gotten and the SWEETEST thing anyone has ever done for me. A big THANK YOU to my hubby! He really is so wonderful to me. I hope you enjoy too!

I'm not ready!

I know I need to prepare myself because no matter what time will tick on and, thus, my children will grow older but I REALLY wish I could freeze time. They are all so cute right now. Today I asked Lucy how she got so beautiful and she responded, "Because Jesus kissed me." Awww...


I've been feeling nostalgic lately because I have been thinking a lot about that moment where your baby is born and you get to see him/her for the first time and hear that newborn cry. Then you get to kiss the baby and hold the baby (in my case that took about 30-45minutes-but you get the point). I really am sad I will never experience that moment again. It's a funny sort of irony to me that when I didn't know I shouldn't have more children, I wanted to take the ability away from myself by getting my tubes tied. And now that I wasn't able to get my tubes tied and it is possible for me to get pregnant, I can't. I told Rich today that he is lucky that it would be dangerous for me to get pregnant because otherwise I would try to talk him in to having more a few years down the road.


Another reason for the nostalgia is Dexter grew up today. Right before my very eyes and I'm the one that did it! There was a significant amount of pressure from Rich though. That is right; Dexter's luscious locks are gone. As I sat down to cut his hair Rich asked him if he wanted short hair like Daddy and he said, "Yes!" So the buzzer came out and the hair came off.

Afterwards, Rich spiked his hair some and Dexter said, "I feel COOL!" I have to admit- he does look superb!

And for those of you keeping count; Hazel popped a 3rd tooth this week! She was a trooper! We'll post pictures of the 3 toother soon.

3...2...1...in diapers that is!

Yep, that is right! From 3 in diapers to only 1 in 6 months!!! Yeah!!! I hope I'm not jinxing myself here but Lucy is doing awesome on the potty. She still has no control of her bladder during nap/bed time but I'll take what I can get. She is even going by herself! We are so proud. Our little girl is growing up! She is so cute (and she'll tell you that too).

I have to tell you that I am SO tired. Thanksgiving was the last time that everyone in this household has been healthy. First all the kids had a mild cold, then the flu (which Rich, my sister Rosemary, her friend Brandon and I got), and now all the kids are going through pink eye with running eyes and nose, Dexter and Hazel have ear infections, Lucy has a bad cough, and mom and dad have sore throats. And, if that wasn't enough, Lucy woke up with hives this morning! Lovely! It seems that switching from a fragrance free/dye free detergent to a earthy friendly/biodegradable detergent wasn't a great idea for Lucy's skin. You would think that earthy friend would be people friendly too. But Lucy has always had really sensitive skin. Anyway, all this has taken a toll on Rich and I and we are ready to have a healthy household once again. Pray for us.....PLEASE!!!

Hope every ones New Year is going well and illness free.

Christmas Pictures (Finally!)

Here are just a few pictures from Christmas. The kids had a great time and got lots of great loot. Everyone involved will be getting Thank You cards soon but we are all sick and crankiness still reins supreme in our home right now, so we will wait until better attitudes return. But the kids were thrilled with all there puzzles, games, books and especially toys! They are now enjoying all there many prizes. A favorite is the microphone stand that Gummy got the kids. They have so much fun "rockin' out" and using their "rock moves" with it. I wish I had video of Lucy shaking her little bum and singing Jingle Bells. When she gets to the "laughing all the way, HEY!" part she jumps up and (with microphone in hand) raises her arms in a V above her head! Good call, Gummy, they love it! Hope your Christmas' were all as much fun too!