And Yet ANOTHER Blog!

Yep, it's true! We have created yet another blog! There is just so much we can share!!!

Well, actually there was purpose for this one as well.

We created "Troy's Boring Blog" so that Troy could put all his thoughts and findings on a blog that wasn't really family related.

Then we created "Parenting the Gifted Child" so that we could journal our struggles with figuring out what to do with Micah and Caleb academically and to help other questioning parents.

And now we create kind of a fun blog for our little Caleb:

"Caleb the Piano Player"

He so much is always wanting to play a song on the piano for our blog, but I don't feel it is fair to the rest of the family if he is always on every other post playing the piano. So, we've decided to give him a separate blog where he can play as much as he wants and anyone that wants to hear it can go directly there. It is at calebplayspiano.blogspot.com

Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find some more fun blogs to create in the future, so stay tuned!

Macey Crawls for Garbage!

Yes, each of our kids we bribed to crawl.

First there was Micah who we bribed with a trail of Cheerios.

Then there was Caleb, and Cheerios weren't good enough, so we used HoneyComb.

Then came Jewelia, and we had to use Fruit Loops.

But Macey, no, she learned to crawl for garbage!



Yep. I had Caleb sweeping the floor after lunch (and goodness is there a huge mess after any meal lately!) while Macey was sitting on the floor by the stove. Then the next thing we knew she was way across the room behind us trying to get to the pile of table scraps he had swept into a pile! We had Micah hurry and sweep it away with Macey following right behind. She sure wanted that garbage!!!

We took some video of it, but I didn't know if it might offend anyone that our baby is chasing after food on the floor, so we opted for a much nicer go for the toys video:

Princess Jewelia

Here is Princess Jewelia. It doesn't matter what day it is, but Jewelia must be a Princess everyday. She insists on wearing a Princess dress everyday and lately she wants to have "Princess hair" too. This is her in her "Cinderella house dress", but she wanted "Cinderella hair that she wore to the ball".

I suppose she is pretty lucky because it doesn't take much to give her "Cinderella ball hair". She has such curly hair that it goes up all fancy without any curling irons or anything.

And of course Princess Jewelia can't let a day go by without singing her favorite song:

How To Have A Week Long Family Vacation for under $100:

Day #1: Go to the Zoo!

First, look at all the animals.
Then, find the funny statues and take pictures.

Next, play on the playground.

Finally, take fun pictures in the shells, eggs, and on the alligator.

Day #2: Go swimming!

Swim around in the water,

Practice your back float,

Show Macey the water, and finally, go down the BIG water slide!

Day #3: Go Downtown SLC!

See the pretty flowers, eat lunch at the Gateway, then play around in the fountains.

Next, go to the Planetarium!

Look at all the cool planets, see the spacemen, and walk on the moon!

Then, go to the Church History Museum!

Look at all the cool stuff, learn about pioneers,



and then FINALLY
wait back at the trax station for the train ride home.

Day #4: Go to the Castle Park!

Play on the playground and in the little village.



Pretend on the train, and wave hello from way up high!

Day #5: Go hiking!

First prepare for the hike and show the kids where you'll be going.
Meanwhile, feed hungry chipmunks crackers so they'll stop chirping.

Hike, hike, hike, up to the lake on top!

Get to the top and enjoy the view!

We did lots of other little things, mixed in with a little bit of work and Troy's summer work party, but over all we had lots of fun and all within a limited budget! We are finally home to rest!

Micah Our Cute Dancer!

Yes, we are still on our vacation this week, but we just picked up Micah's dance pictures, and isn't he cute? He is very handsome in his little suit and bow tie!

Taking a Much Needed Break!

Today starts our long needed VACATION!!!

Troy has been working so so hard at his job doing tons of stuff, and also overtime alongside with UDOT as they become the first to "launch a bridge" into place in the world. He worked some long days and weekends programming and maintaining the streaming live video of the event on the internet.

(Not to mention that during all this time Becca didn't have any kind of break either--with the kids day and night and still working!)

Sooo, we are happy to finally have a week off to take a nice break!

We are going to be doing all sorts of fun things! It will be so much fun and we will touch back next week to tell you all about it!

Until later........

My husband......(I was tagged)

OK, so I was tagged by Jenn about my husband, and here it goes:

What's his name? Troy Phillip

How long have you been together? Since 1998, married in March 5, 1999.

How long did you date? hmmm.....maybe had 3 real dates, engaged in less than 2 months

First date? A fireside at his stake center

How old is he? 31

Who eats more? TROY

Who said I love you first? Probably Troy, but I don't remember....

Who is taller? Troy is 5 ft 11, and I'm 5 ft

Who sings better? Hmmm........maybe we're equal

Who is smarter? I think we balance each other's smartness in different ways. I have the street smarts, and he has the book smarts.

Who does the laundry? Definitely me! Troy thinks there is the "laundry fairy". Although Troy is the one who irons.

Who pays the bills? ME ME ME, I don't want Troy to forget.

Who sleeps on the right side? Facing the bed or from the bed? I sleep closest to the alarm and the bathroom, Troy has always slept closest to the window?

Who mows the lawn? Both of us, although I totally suck with our new push green mower.

Who cooks dinner? Cook? What? I guess mostly me, but it's not too fancy.

Who drives? Troy always wants to drive but he can't if I beat him to the van first and then lock the door!

Who is more stubborn? I'd say both of us equal, but I know he'd say me.

Who kissed who first? Troy, I never make the first move, but he was sure slow...

Who proposed? Not sure.....I suppose we kind of both jointly decided to get married

Who has more friends? Not sure.....we don't have tons, it's more like friends at work..I think I'm more likely to start telling my life to complete strangers than he is....

Who is more sensitive? Me probably, but then again, maybe he just tries not to show that things are bothering him.

Who has more siblings? Troy

Who wears the pants? I'd say me, but when things really matter, it's definitely Troy who takes control and takes care of things---like when it comes to family, health, etc.