FROM THE HOUSE OF STEVE

Remember that we named our house Steve.....well, we did.  Here's a few photos from the House of Steve.  This is what I found in my bed the other night.  He loves to take his own photo and he loves for me to snap photos of him with spiky hair.  It spikes up pretty good right after his shower, then it falls as it dries.

 Spiky hair boy is moving while I'm snapping this shot.

 Ferocious! 

 I don't have words for this one!

 Then yesterday I took all the boys to the dentist.  After the appointment they get tokens (if they're good) and get to "shop" for prizes.  Apparently facial hair is really cool! (I'm so glad this is temporary!!!!)

 Asher

with the

"Selleck"

What will tomorrow bring?

THIS BOY

A few things about this crazy boy.  First, he loves to take pictures of himself.  Most of them are blurry.  I showed him what setting to set the camera at and out came a focused photo!

 Second, Kyler has only had velcro shoes until this school year and as a result doesn't know how to tie his shoes....yet!  I thought I would teach him right away...but we've been to busy getting him to do homework, read and focus on his behavior.  He now has a deadline of October 19th (the day we return to school after fall break) to be tying his own shoes.  As soon as school's out on Friday, we'll get to work!  For now, if his shoes get untied at school, he does this: LEG KNOT.  (that's what he calls it)  He wraps the lace around his leg and ties a simple knot.  He has managed to do this tight enough to keep his shoe secure and not too tight to hurt his leg.

 I'll be happy to say goodbye to the leg knots!

 Third, Kyler's taking a football skills class on Saturday mornings.  He explained to me that he didn't need this class since he has already played flag football on a team.  He even told me that during a practice he "got a home run"  I explained that it wasn't called a home run...that's in baseball.  "Oh, well....I got a goal"  Kyler, that's soccer.  "Whatever it's called....I got some points"  This is why you're going to this class!

 This was the first week.  Kyler is lined up with Jacob (from church). They are on the far right, Kyler's in white, Jacob's in red. 

 Jacob has already taught Kyler to spike the ball!

Kyler is really loving this class, much more than I even hoped for.  Now if I could just get him to tie his shoes!

DEBANDED

Today was the big day.....BRACES OFF for Colton!

This weekend Kyler reminded me that we didn't have a photo of Colton and Mitch with their braces.  We took this photo yesterday (Thanks, Kyler!)  Kyler calls them Braces Brothers.

 When they called Colton back....I went with him.  Yes....I probably embarrassed him and I don't care!  I wanted to get photos of this event.  It only took a few minutes to get the braces off.  Looking good, but they still had to get the adhesive off his teeth.

 Next, they took impressions so they could get his retainers made.

 Finally, he was free!  His orthodontist gifted him with a goody bag of some of the foods he had to avoid during treatment.  Colton was happy to have it and happier to take it to school...just in time for lunch.

 Looking good!

Colton gets his retainers on Wednesday.....

and then no more orthodontist appointments.........

until Kyler!

LOVE (or WHEN'S IT FALL BREAK?!?)

You can guess how crazy my life is when this child's the absolute angel of the family! (he's always adorable, but gives me a run for my money.......constantly!!!)

Because these two older boys are 

DRIVING

ME

CRAZY!!!!!!!

 Dear Sons,

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

THAT INCLUDES STUDYING!!!!

STOP FORGETTING ABOUT ASSIGNMENTS 

UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!!!!!!!

DON'T CALL FROM SCHOOL AGAIN SAYING YOU FORGOT YOUR FLASH DRIVE THAT HOLDS THE MOVIE THAT YOU MADE (WHICH WAS MADE IN A RUSH BECAUSE YOU HAD THE DUE DATE INCORRECT IN YOUR AGENDA AND YOUR PARENTS RACED AROUND WITH YOU TO THE PARK AFTER PICKING UP YOUR "CAST" TO SHOOT THE CIVIL WAR SOLDIER FILM) AND YOU HAVE TO SHOW IT TODAY IN CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(and if you do that again...I will AGAIN have you kiss me in front of the entire 7th & 8th grades)

-MOM

 Actually......it's 

Love, Mom

(it's a good thing they're still cute!)

MINI VACATION

While Tony and the older boys went camping on Friday, Kyler and I went with Mamita up to Prescott.  It was so nice to get away and enjoy cooler weather!  We got into Prescott around 4:30 and drove straight up to the cabin in Groom Creek.  It was raining.....I LOVE THE RAIN!  The cabin is in the beginning stages of repairs to make it possible to enjoy it again.  (Fingers crossed that it's possible to repair it!)  Here's one thing I don't want repaired....the Chalet Cardon sign!  I just want to add a sign of my own one day.  We have named our home....(think Pride & Prejudice - I wanted to name my home...unfortunately I let the kids have a say...and they named our home)  Our home is now called Steve. (Can't you just hear me now...."Heaven and earth! -- of what are you thinking?  Are the shades of Steve to be thus polluted?")  Don't you think Steve Deux should grace this tree under Chalet Cardon?!?

 Here's a rare photo....Kyler smiling for me!

 This is what Kyler did most of the time.  He played his NintendoDS and chewed on his shirt!

 My favorite view!

Wouldn't a hammock be heavenly?

Good bye Chalet Cardon!

I hope you can be resurrected!

AROUND MY HOUSE

Here's a little peak at what I've found this morning,

Toy on the baskets...

Poster on the floor....in the front room?!?

Handcuffs......Asher's favorite toy right now

Doesn't everyone have some nutella (sadly, without a spoon!) and a play handgun at their bedside....apparently I do. 

And last but certainly not least.....the fish

I think it has a name.....

I remember now - Samurai.

Kyler won this fish at our Ward Trunk-or-Treat last year.  I thought and still think it was a cruel joke.  I was not happy about taking 4....YES, FOUR!....fish home that evening.  I refused to acknowledge them.  After all they were cheap-o fish that would be dead by morning....right?  Well...the first three did die off rather quickly, but not this one.....I just thought of a new name for him - I AM NUMBER 4!  (I make myself laugh)  Anyways, I refused to do anything for this fish.  We borrowed fish food from a friend and wouldn't you know it, the fish outlived the food.  I had to buy some food but refused to upgrade his home - a recycled milk jug.  Kyler asks once in a while if I can get him a fish bowl, but I know that the second I do, he'll die.  Every time I walk by their bathroom I can't believe that fish is still alive.  This silly, feeder fish who lives in a milk jug that we fill with plain, old tap water and rarely clean it out (which is probably why you can't even find him in the photo...but he's there) has been with us for 10 months. Maybe we'll upgrade his home if he makes it to October 30th....the one year anniversary of taking him home. I'll be sure to write all about it. 

Don't worry....I'll write about the fish funeral the very next day - it's inevitable!

STILL IN LOVE!

 It was very hard to get a decent picture....but this was the best I could do.....and I'm happy to have it!!!!!  Thanks to my friend, Trudie, I got to see Donny Osmond on Monday night!  He really does have a great voice and is very entertaining....even when he falls flat on his face!!!!  He sang songs from when he was a little boy all the way through to a song from his most recent album (do they still say album?!?) and a little bit of everything in between.  Trudie and I both loved when he performed Close Every Door to Me from Joseph - but without the loin cloth....bummer!  Which reminds me of a story when I received my Donny & Marie barbie dolls as a little girl......but I don't think it's blog appropriate!  Anyways....

Do you see that purple paper behind my ticket?   Some lucky people were given this paper to fill out a question for Donny and request a song.  The papers were taken back stage to Donny himself.  Some REALLY, REALLY LUCKY people had their purple card selected.  In case you were wondering....I'm just lucky.  I'm happy to say I still LOVE Donny Osmond....always have, always will!!!

May tomorrow be a special day

May you find love and laughter along the way

May God keep you in His tender care

Till He brings us together again,

Good Night, Everybody!