Little Miss Punctual

Adi likes to be punctual. And by punctual, I mean early.

And by early I mean 30 minutes early everywhere.

I am not exaggerating.

I'm not.

And she doesn't take kindly to her mommy dearest telling her, "No sweetie, we can't leave yet. Your dance class doesn't start for another 40 minutes."

And that is how I earned this wonderful look:

Awww, doesn't he look like an angel?

Well, please don't be fooled.

I'm not saying that he isn't sweet, but an angel he is not.

Why? You may ask.

Well, he dumped water on my head today while he was taking a bath and I was foolishly trying to get in some reading time while he was occupied.

Then he dumped ice water on my lap today because I told him, "No. You can't watch Phineas and Ferb right now."

He got time in the "Thinking Chair" for that one.

Then he dumped his cup of water on me at the table tonight because I was forcing him to take a bite of his dinner (which he has steadfastly refused to eat for the past two weeks).

"Wow, this lady needs to control her child," you must be thinking by this point. I know you're thinking it because I would be if I was reading this on someone else's blog.

But, it gets better.

Tonight, Porter was in the shower.

"Time to get out, it's Piper's turn."

"No." He states. Seriously, he doesn't cry, or scream.

"Buddy, do you want another round in the Thinking Chair?" I ask while trying to grab him. Unfortunately, PG has learned that if he positions himself in the far corner of the shower I can't grab him without risking getting wet myself.

Why not just turn off the water?

Yeah, I'm asking myself that right now too.

"No."

"Porter Grant Merrill," oh yeah, I pulled out the full-name-threat, "get out NOW."

He then turns, grinning I might add, and empties his apparently-full bladder onto me.

And that is how my day with my Terrific Two Year Old has gone.

Now this picture is more like the real Mr. Porter

Nikon's Grand Adventure

"Has anyone seen my camera?!"

Is a lament heard often 'round these parts.

You see, I have three budding photographers (with kiddie cameras of their own, mind you) who often sneak off with my CoolPix and snap away at anything and everything (Porter) or do photo shoots of each other (Pip and Ad).

"Awww, so cute," you may be thinking.

But, usually, I overlook the big picture (yes, I am often guilty of this) and focus on the fact that my camera is MIA or, when it is found, has dead batteries. Grrrr....

But this morning, when I plugged in the camera, I found these wonderful images, documenting Nikon's Adventures yesterday...

Portrait of a Happy Piper
By Porter

Adi's Glamour Shots
by Piper
(pretty darn good for a 5 year old, don't ya think?)

Piper Being Sneaky Trying to Wear a Tank Top Without Something Over It
By Adison

BFF Sisters
by Pipes

Now, how can I get upset over that?

Spooky Decor, Part Uno...

Please forgive the awful photography,but hey, it's what I got!


What do you think of our Witchie Table Legs, Whit?


EEEEK!! A giant spider....


Oh, it's just preserving the pumpkins...

Here's the witchie area. I didn't realize that the pic was out-of-focus when I took it...



And a close-up of the ingrediants "for sale"...


Ummm, I think Spiders have taken over the house.



Yep, they have.


I nearly killed myself getting this lovely up here, so please enjoy it.


I'm digging the spider webbing- such a cheap way of setting the haunty-mood.


And we ain't finished yet...

There's still the outside!

Have ya'all noticed my smudgy pictuers lately?

Well, that's because my Little Man LOVES playing with Momma's camera.

He calls it "cheese" (as in, "Say Cheese").

Recently he developed the much-sought-after talent of self portraits.

Which I still can't do.

And yes, that is sparkly lipstick on his face.

Just don't ask.

Ghosts of Halloweens Past...

I was perusing through my old Halloween photos today and came across these gems.

It has been the only year I have been able to coordinate all three kiddo's costumes (the girls are just plain too opinionated sometimes. Don't know where they get that *wink*).

So, without further ado, I present to you:

Halloween 2007
**are you as excited as I am to scroll down?**


*you should be!*

Here's Miss Adi Nae as "Dorothy" (putting words in quotation marks make them important. Just ask Pipes).

This pic reminds me of the part in the part in the Merry Old Land of Oz song when Dorothy asks, "Can you even dye my eyes to match my gown?"


And here's Miss Pips as "Glenda the Good Witch".

No, she is not a princess (as EVERYONE asked that night).

This dress was the most difficult think I have ever sewn in my entire life.
And that includes when I made Piper's blessing dress.

And, finally last, but never least, Mr. Porter Pot as

The Scarecrow.

Doesn't he just melt your insides?

Or does he only have the affect on me?

Oh yes, I made all three costumes. And that may sound (and maybe even look) impressive. But please, please, PLEASE do not look to closely at the pics.

The impressiveness falls a bit when you see all of the mistakes.

The Ever-Changing Orrin

Since my little hint about the academy that OP is starting, I've gotten a few questions... so let me 'splain.

OP's cous' Eli and his wifey Vanessa (the best hair-cutter ever) moved here to do the EMT/firefighter classes with him.

So far, they are both certified EMT's.

Yeah boys!

Last night they started the fire academy....

And Orrin says his equipment stinks.

No, really. It STINKS.

I'm gonna have to find a way to clean them...

**p.s. Do you like the pic? The reflective tape on his jacket kept throwing off my camera's flash**

Taking Deep Breaths

I am having a hard time tonight with my baby boy.

I thought that if I spread the misery around, it might help me feel better.

Probably not, but I can sure try.

This little boy, who has always been the baby that we bragged about due to his wonderful sleeping patterns, is having a difficult time going to sleep tonight.

And last night.

And the night before.

The problem is, is that tonight, OP is not here to take care of him (he usually takes over in this area since Porter knows what a pushover I am).

So now I have to play the "bad guy" and keep putting him to bed.

Even though he's crying, "Mommy, huggie! Pease Mommy, huggie!"

I know, it's heartbreaking.

But, if I give in once, I know that he'll continue to do this, not only tonight, but the rest of the month.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have my Little Man to tend to...

**wish me luck!**

What did we do for Family Fun Day?

Just hung out.

Let me explain our "Family Fun Day". On Saturdays, we usually do some kind of fun family thing- like the zoo or the planetarium.

Unfortunately, OP pulled a muscle in his back yesterday morning, so my dreams of Wheeler's Farm went out the window.

So, instead, we went where Adi has been begging to go since school started.

Their awesomely-cool school playground.

Oh yes. We are that creative.



OP even got to play a little bit.


Remember Underdog?



And these things are new (and fun).




Piper proved to be the champion hanger-onner (totally made that word up- could you tell?)

Porter's favorite part was the hardly-ever-get-to ride in Dad's old Ford.


It was great getting to hang out with Orrin since he is starting the Academy tomorrow and we wont get to have our traditional Family Fun Day until after Christmas (he has class all day Saturdays, not to mention Monday and Wednesday nights).



I'm going to have to take the kiddies places by myself.

*moan*

A Halloween Preview....

But just a peek!

**By the way, Miss Adi Nae wants to be a Vampire Bride. Perhaps Mommy talks a bit too much about Twilight?**

Not to get all mushy-mushy on you,

but I'm about to!


Last night, OP got home from work, DEAD TIRED. He had had a long, grueling 12 hour day, and I could just see the weariness dripping from him.

But, he listened to Piper count to 100 by tens and fives.

And he gave Adi a huge hug and a congratulatory kiss for getting not one, but two, red cards (little notes from the principal).

And he growled at Porter and chased him back into his seat.

And he listened and consoled when I complained about my day.

After we ate he THANKED me for "making such a great meal". Seriously. And trust me when I say that our baked potato bar was far from inspired.

Then he showered the kids, read scriptures with us, knelt down and prayed with the fam, and read P.G. LLamma LLamma, Red Pajama.

And then he watched the new episode of Bones with me (which happens to be my favorite, not his).

And I can't help but think, wow, I sure got lucky with this fella.

Today we opened a new door

into the world of dance.

And let me tell you, it is an expensive one (I am still suffering from sticker shock over the cost of their tap and ballet shoes. Yikes! I think it should be illegal to charge so much for little people's shoes).

But, hey, when you have these two grinning faces greet you afterwards, you gotta know that it was all worth it.

Right?

By popular demand

I bring you Porter without the stitches.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Unfortunately, I do believe that your future as a male model may be over- that's gonna be a nasty ole scar.

Or, maybe not (I mean, look at those baby blues)...

Well, Hello Beautiful...

Fall's a comin'.


Mr. Porter says so.

Because I love you all...

I am going to share this with you.

Now don't forget to breathe (I kinda did).

Oh, and don't forget to turn the music off over here --------->



Oh. My.

And, may I add a *sigh*?

This may be wrong to say (seeing as how I am probably old enough to be his mom and all), but didn't my Jacob look rather hott?

Oh yes, I went and added the extra "t".

Mamma's New Table

Another wonderfully-re-done project from my dear old friend, the D.I. (that is, as long as you don't look too closely). $15 big ones for the table, and $5 a piece for the chairs.

What's even better is that I got the paint for 1/2 price at Wally-World, so this set ended up costly a mere $30.

Wahoo!

Now the kiddos have a place to color in the family room and I have a place to sew (instead of on the ironing board. That got a little messy).

Oh, and the bird cage (originally a sage green) was also from good-ole Deseret.

My Boys

I am sure that this is my favoritist picture ever.

Hands down.

Reunion Part Deux

Here goes part 2 of the Beus family reunion. These pics are mostly of our extended Merrill family...

**Once Again, a Warning: There are so many of these pics, and I'm afraid that if you don't know these peeps, you just may find these boring**
























































Yeah, I'm pretty sure that everyone got sick of seeing my and my camera before the weekend was over ;)