FUN FACTS

THE RULES:
I think everyone knows the tag rules -- this one is to post 7 weird or random facts about yourself and then tag 7 people!

Here goes Aleisha --btw, I liked reading your facts!

1. I want a girl for my next baby, or else twin boys.
2. I can Trick Rope
3. My dream was to be a cougarette. I never had the guts to try out.
4. I hate accounting, yet I continue to work as a CPA (get this..for a diesel hood manufacturing company - Core Molding Technology)
5. I'm afraid of the dark -- ever since I thought I was getting kidnapped by Kara Best's dad when I was 4 years old. (he just picked me up off the street and gave me a ride home (a nice gesture - but he creeped me out a little). I was 99 percent sure I was a goner!
6. I love the sun. I would rather die of heat than of cold any day!
7. I spent summers (since I was four) at our family guest ranch on the Arizona Strip BAR 10. My mom, Kelly, and Gavin run it now -- they do a great job. But, I bet they miss "sweet little AnnDee" sometimes too.

I tag 7 people who read this -- I think tags are fun, but I don't want to pressure anyone else to do them! This one is easy though. And as Aleisha said, it's kind of fun to think about yourself and if you have anything unique about you. (as you can tell, it was difficult for me -- I'm not so unique I guess.)

Lost Mousey Is found!

My boys have both had their favorite stuffed animals from almost birth. Jake got his "Lamby" from Grandma and Grandpa Nadauld when we visited them in Switzerland when he was just 3 months old. Luke got his from Aunt Stacy as a baby shower gift. They love their animals and sleep every night with them.




It was very sad for the last 3 nights when Mousey was lost. Luke cried every night and no other animal would do. Jake even offered to let him use Lamby one night because he felt bad for him (that wasn't good enough for Luke). We had no idea where it could be. Tonight, Jacob said a prayer we could find it and about 1/2 hour later, I thought -- it could be in Luke's backpack, and it was. It would've taken months to actually happen upon it -- because Luke doesn't use his backpack except for traveling (usually). Jake was very excited his prayer was answered for his brother; and Luke, well... he was just happy to have germy, grimy, lanky, mousey back in his hands!

Family Night

The pinewood derby is coming up in 2 weeks and Taylor decided for the first time (ever in his life) to make a car. Jake was all excited about the prospects of building a cool race car. He told me he needed a pencil behind his ear so he could look like Handy Manny from TV.
Jake had his tools and started out pretty gung-ho.

Jake didn't like this picture because he said daddy didn't "cheese" (aka smile). So we tried again.....

After this picture, Jake told daddy he needed to work on his "cheese."


The night started like this... then we made a trip to Home Depot. Then some more of this... and finally an attempt at butchering a piece of wood to make it look like a car. Jake's attitude changed as the hours went by. He finally said, "This is boring. I thought it was going to be fun to build a car." Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the final masterpiece, because apparantly Pinewood Derby cars take more than 3 hours to finish! I think that maybe Taylor's dad understood this, and thus never submitted Taylor to the misery when he was younger.
Jake's attitude brightened a little when we told him we were going to paint and put on the finishing touches next week. Hopefully that is not "so boring."

A little Disturbing to a few!

So, Nina was checking out my blog tonight and felt a need to intervine. She noticed that one of my skirts I'm wearing in my PROM pictures (from 1996), I wore last Sunday to church. First of all, most of you are probably impressed that Nina even noticed, but those of us who know her and her fashion sense, quite expected it. I'm sorry to admit, I have a few more high school items in my regular wardrobe as well. She told me that as a friend, she was required to take me shopping! Thank you Nina, I really do need some help. How sad! The worst part is that our friend Chesney Kjar called Taylor on wearing high school cloths before too. We really are a match made of fashion Faux Pas!

PROM TAG

My friend Lacy is so fun & creative. If you ever need a laugh or some fun scrapbooking/blog ideas, check out her blog. She started this tag and I've only seen her pictures so far. Come on Ladies! get your photos and scanners out -- we want to see the poof sleeves, and the sexy men!




My "First Dance" with Jerret (SP?) shaw. It was fun to be in Gavin's group for my first dance date. Not so sure it was as great for him. :)






D-day! Always a fun dance. Unfortunately, my date (Jon Peterson) ended up kissing one of my best friends in the group by the end of the night instead of me -- any guesses who it was???



One of these things is not like the other!
Any of you that know me, and know the others in this group should back me up here.
My date Jason Deemer - below me - was a good 12 inches shorter than me, and FOR SURE I weighed more than him. I don't even really know how/why he asked me to the dance -- weird!

Notice Betsy in the background of the picture. Love that girl!

The Home Teachers...

The Riverside Ward is pretty amazing. We were lucky to have our home teachers today, and I have to emphasize LUCKY! I just want to document to myself that faithful home teachers really make a difference in our lives. I have to preface this story by saying we have an amazing Elders Quorem President as well (Scott Kelly - his wife is pretty great too :) ) and he spoke in Church not too long ago and challenged everyone to learn the names of the children in the families they home taught, and basically encouraged each home teacher to involve the whole family in the lessons.

We've had the same home teacher (Jon Bowen) for a couple years now. He is a 2 year ER resident here in Columbus and has a very busy schedule. Not to mention that his wife is currently our RS president (and is fantastic) and has 4 kids, plus 1 on the way. Yet, he always manages to get a visit in (not including the addition medical assistance we ask of him (checking baby's ears etc) each month.

John obviously knows our kids names by now, but since they are only 3 and 2 you wouldn't think they could be invovled much in the lesson. Well, today he told about when Jesus taught his disciples how to be "fishers of men." After he explained the picture to the boys, and teaching them about being fishers of men, he gave them a baggie of gold fish to eat while he finished the lesson with Me and Taylor.

It really impressed me, because it took a lot more effort for him to think the lesson through and gear it towards my children and it was really a great experience for all of us. My kids were actually quiet through the whole lesson and really enjoyed the special involvement. That was a good example today of how to maginfy your calling.

YAY for DATA

Just a happy post to say Taylor got his data. Hurray, Kicks, Jumps, Cheers!

Taylor has been trying to get this data for awhile now. It's been such a part of our lives that Jake prays for it in his bedtime prayers (on his own). The other day, Taylor was sitting on the couch and Jake said, "are you thinking about your data." He is a very aware little boy.

Taylor is in his 4th year of his PhD program here at The Ohio State University. He has finished all is course work, and has been working for the last year on creating 3 papers good enough to publish in a top finance journal and use as a job market paper (his Dissertation).

Taylor came up with a great idea for his "job market" paper -- the most important one -- but then came to realize that the data for the research was going to be at least $200k to purchase. Since we don't just have that kind of money hanging around.. he started contacting everyone he could that would be able to get that data. After months of frustration and failure, Taylor finally found someone who was interested in the project that could provide the data.

This whole PhD experience has really forced our family to be aware of the influence of the Lord in our lives. It is so evident that He is not only aware, but concerned about our well being. I think the hardest part of being submissive to the Lord's will, is understanding that he not only cares about the big picture but all the little details that create it.

I have been reminded that it takes time for the Lord to teach us how to perfect all those details along the way. I hope that going forward I will remember that our lives are shaped by the millions of little choices we make. And that the learning is definitely within the journey not the destination.

My Prince

What a fun date night with Jacob...


We went to see Disney on Ice. I originally wasn't going to get tickets seeing as it was "Disney Princess" theme, but my friend got tickets on the 3rd row and was taking her "princess", so I thought it would be fun to go with my "Prince."


Aladin was very entertaining. We loved the Elephant and the magic carpet.

Cinderella and Prince Charming were GREAT.


Morgan was such a cute princess to go to the show with.
Thanks for the invite Dehners.


The only regret was not taking Luke -- he sobbed uncontrollably when we were leaving. I've never felt like such a wanted item! What a change from yesterday when he didn't want to be my friend anymore. That conversation was quite funny, it goes as follows:

Me -- We need to go pick up Jake from preschool
Luke -- I don't want to go.
Me -- We have to
Luke -- I'm not going to be your friend anymore, only daddy's
Me -- How Come?
Luke -- because daddy is my favorite color.
Me -- really? What's your favorite Color?
Luke -- Underwear

I'm not sure if he's all there, or maybe he just really loves daddy. In nursery last week, they asked the kids who made the earth and Luke said, "my daddy." Now that I'm writing this, I'm remembering that when Jake was in nursery he told the whole class his dad was going to be the next prophet.

What is Taylor teaching them while he babysits!!! :)

It's a Small World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7obxoCHL9o

I am an American Idol fan this year. Especially because 2 mormons are on the show. I always like to cheer them on.

Well, tonight -- after watching Brooke White sing, they showed a shot from the audience of "her mom and husband." I was pretty shocked to see DAVE RAY on the TV set. Dave was a kid I dated in College. And, he happened to be my very first Kiss!! We only dated for about 6 months (if that), but I was pretty heartbroken when we went our separate ways. How funny is it to think about that now?! Who would've thought I would see him on TV tonight.

It's kind of nice to know he married such a cute girl (I'm a fan of Brooke), but it's a little annoying at the same time. Doesn't everyone secretly hope their formers sort of crash and burn?! Anyway - for those of you who met him, I thought you'd get a kick out of hearing that. And I have to say, no matter how weak it is, it's always fun to have some sort of connection to people on TV.

Do you think he goes by Dave "White" now? funny thought.. lol

Who loves Valentines Day? We DO!

What a great day! I've been reading "The five love languages" for book club this month, and even though I've read parts of it before, it was so good for me to read it all the way through. It sounds cheesy, but it really made me think about how I show love and how I receive it. According to Gary, my love language is "Acts of Service."

Well, Taylor planned the perfect valentines day for me, just in my love language. While he was watching the boys on Thursday (I had to work that day) he took them to pick out flowers and bring them to me at work. It made my work day a lot more fun -- how cute are my boys?

Then, when I got home the house was SPOTLESS -- cleaner than if I had done it, and there was a candle lit dinner. He went to a very yummy restaurant down the street (Figlio) and ordered what he "thought" I would want and then gave me the menu to chose anything. He lucked out that I picked exactly what he ordered. He knows me well.

During the day, my friends Nina and Amber made a "death by chocolate" layered cake and were kind enough to bring us some that we ate for dessert. It was a perfect day. Thanks Taylor!




I wasn't the only one with a sweet Valentine on thursday. Jake has a friend (Morgan) that he has been trying to woo for awhile now. They go to preschool together and he loves each week when he gets to have lunch at her house after school. He asks me each time he's gettign ready for school if "the plan for the day" is to go to Morgan's.

The pictures below were taken by Amber after she picked the kids up from school. ( on a side note, we love our preschool. The kids had such a fun V-day party at preschool. They ate cookies and handed out valentines and even got to paint their faces-- note the poka dots in the pictures). Jake was very excited to get a princess valentine from Morgan, and blushed a little during the valentine kiss. However, I hope he doesn't think the chase is over just yet... the truth, is that Morgan's had her heart set on Lukie. It's been set now for several months that she will be marrying Luke. Unfortunately, not even a spiderman valentine and heart cookie could change her mind. Luke is still top on her list. (I just noticed the picture with Jake Morgan and Luke at the water park. Scroll down to those pictures and notice Morgan only has eyes for Luke.)

I hope this isn't a precursor for how all dating is going to go on in our house during the high school years! I guess that's what I get for having 2 good looking sons so close in age. :)

My Valentine -- I've been tagged!

Who wouldn't want "that sexy thing?!"

1. Where did you meet?

At BYU our senior years. He was my home teacher and oh how faithful he was. :)

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
"So this is who everyone in the ward is talking about"






3. Do you remember what he was wearing?
No -- I'm not good with details like that.




4. Where was the first time you kissed this person?
On his couch in his apartment -- Valentines day 2002 (well, he was on a Rugby trip on Valentines day, so we actually celebrated it the day before.)




5. How did he/she ask you out?
A very long story ---- here goes. He had his roomate (Sterling) call when they knew I wasn't home and left a message for me to call him (Sterling) back. When I got home I called their place and low and behold Taylor answered the phone. (The sneeky part was that they had caller ID and were waiting for my call so Taylor could answer it). I asked if Sterling was there, cuz I had a message to call him and Taylor said no (A LIE -- Sterling was on the couch right next to him, but he just wanted to be able to talk to me "oh so nonchalant"). Anyway -- I told him to tell Sterling I returned his call and was going to hang up -- Taylor asked what I was doing and told me he was "just" on his way out the door to go for dinner and since he had a 2 for 1 card I was welcome to come get a free dinner with him. So much effort to ask me out! Unfortunately, I had plans that night for dinner, but I told him I would take a raincheck -- thus our first unofficial date was the next night when I took him up on the 2 for 1.






6. Where did you go for your first date?
It wasn't until almost a month later that he actually formally asked me out and we went with a group skeet shooting in Payson. It was fun!




7.How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
We met 9/11 and after our first "OFFICIAL" date in January we were a couple.




8. Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yup!




9. Do you and this person have kids together?
2 cute little boys Jacob 3 1/2 and Luke 2 1/2




10. Have you ever broken the law with this person?
Not that I can think of...




11. When was the first time you realized that you liked this person?
The first time I saw him 9/11.




12. Do you get along with any of the ex's of your partner?
Was there anyone but me? Hard to tell.





13. Do you trust this person?
Absolutely -- with my life and my childrens (sans the time he broke Jake's arm wrestling, or dropped luke on his head while giving a piggyback ride)




14. Do you see your partner in your future?
It's hard to imagine anything without him.




15. What’s the most expensive thing this person has given you?
My wedding ring.




16. What is one thing he/she does that gets on your nerves?
He will never let me be serious for longer than 5 minutes (even when I'm trying to tell a serious story -- it gets annoying; however, I hope I never live a day that he doesn't try to make me laugh.)






17. What is one thing you do that gets on his/her nerves?
Know how to fix things when he doesn't (about 88% of the time). He'll be annoyed just by reading that. :)




18. Where do you see each other in 15 years from now?
Almost 45 -- that is sad. I hope we have at least 6 kids, tenure at a university, a home with a backyard that the kids can run around and explore in, living closer to our families, helping Jake prepare for a mission, watching my kids succeed in their highschool activities -- sounds nice eh?

I TAG ... Amber, Dana & Carolee

Tubing at Mad River Mountain

Taylor's classmates invited us to go tubing at a nearby Ski Resort: Mad River Mountain on Saturday Night. It's just about a 45 minute drive from our house.

At first, we thought it might be a big pain to snow gear up the boys and load them in the car for a drive on a Saturday afternoon, but it was SO WORTH IT. The boys LOVED it.






Taylor had a former classmate in town and another classmate with family here and we all went tubing together. The big long train is all 9 of us going down the hill at the same time. We thought Jake and Luke would be scared, so the four of us all went together the first time. But after about 2 runs, they both wanted to go on their own. It was so funny to watch them tube. You could hardly see them in the speeding tubes going down the hill and over jumps.





A Look from the Bottom Up.







Lukie in "GO" position (feet have to be out of the tube)

Jake getting ready to go down the hill Backwards -- Don't you love his expression?

The boys would've stayed all night if Taylor hadn't wrestled them to the car. If anyone lives here in Columbus, tubing is a must!!

My Latest Project

So, we got rid of our crib and toddler bed and decided to let the boys sleep together at nights. I was so sick of their TOTALLY blue room, but didn't want to repaint the whole thing. I am lucky to have a sister with such good taste. The sports bedspread is a hand-me-down from her boys room, and I stole the stripe idea from her too. The secret Heather taught me about making straight lines is to use a chalk line to get a straight line for taping and then to caulk the tape and wipe it before you paint so nothing bleeds over the lines.

They love sleeping together. We put them in their rooms around 8 or 8:30pm and they talk/play together for usually 1/2 an hour each night before they fall asleep. It's pretty cute to listen to them. One night we kept hearing pitter patters upstairs (but didn't think much of it). When we came up to go to sleep we found 6 go-gurt wrappers, 2 oranges and a pack of crackers spread all over their room. Besides being cute they are a little devious too. They really love being together though. One night, Jake was with Taylor and Luke had to go to bed by himself and it was so sad. Luke kept saying, "where's Jake?" "I want to sleep by my brudder." Needless to say, I let him stay up and watch a show until Jake got home.

Kalahari - Americas Largest Indoor Waterpark!

Taylor and his friend Mike planned this fun trip for our family Christmas gifts. We love hanging out with the Dehners. On that note I have to say--- THANKS AMBER for helping me start this blog. I've finally succumbed to the blogging pressures; and of course, I love it already!

Jake & Luke really need some water -- they aren't looking that excited yet!

It got much better when they were able to "Battle the waves" like Daddy and Mike.

We are lucky to have a Dad that teaches our boys how to have fun. The two of them love the water about as much as Taylor (if that's even possible).

The kid area was huge and was in a Safari. They had water slides out of elephants and giraffes to keep in theme. My boys are fish - really, I should download some video so you can truly appreciate their love.... I'll have to learn how to do that next.

Jake, Morgan, Luke, & Myles

Our quick trip was two days and one night. The boys thought it was the best vacation ever, and we all can't wait to go back. Thanks for planning such a fun time Dad. We love you!