Everett turns Three!

3...2...1...BLAST OFF!!!
Everett has a LOVE of all things space related and often talks of when he will travel to the stars. Knowing him and his determined little nature I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him suited up for take-off one day.
The first thing the little space cadets did as they arrived was make their own rockets for the rocket race. Next, I blind-folded them and they tried their best to "land on the moon". Finally, they got to bounce "asteroids" (sponge balls) off the tramp.
Ev is so different from Trace. When I asked him who he wanted to invite to his party his initial response was, "just Deac-Deac and Oakley." When I posed the same question to Trace he rambled off about twenty names and the list kept growing. As the days went on, Everett did decide to invite a few more friends, but his priority was getting the cake.
Everett wanted a space cake, but he also wanted an Elmo cake. What is a mother to do? I had no choice but to add Elmo floating in outer space.
The scientist in me had SO MUCH FUN making all of the fondant planets, and YES I included Pluto. Suck it astronomers! The greatest story about this cake was when I noticed Trace had taken a bite out of one of the planets. It was, of course, none other than URANUS!!!! It became the joke of the night that Trace took a bite out of "your anus" and I am not ashamed to admit I started it. Some things never change.
While in the midst of the party we were startled by the sound of SIX helicopters flying overhead! We all started screaming with excitement. I told Ev we planned it just for him. Maybe I have an in with the armed forces ya'll don't know about. ;)
We decorated cupcakes, exchanged gifts and then had another surprise: Darin came to pick up his girls on the ATV and ended up taking the kids(and Troy) for a ride.
No space party would be complete without TANG, the "official" drink of cosmonauts.
Ev, we love you and your sense of humor. You keep us all laughing and constantly surprise us with your intelligence. Sometimes I think you are too smart for your own good. Irregardless, you give the best hugs and are the best wrestler this side of 6890 South.
I don't know where my kids get their love of shoes (wink wink) but Everett's favorite gift was his new Sketchers. I love you little, I mean BIG guy!

Dinner Time at the Bollingers

Anybody that knows Tracy, knows he is a picky eater, and unfortunately Everett, has always been a great eater, mimics his older brother and can be a stinker about food now too. Tonight they were both in great form. Just watch the videos. Summy Bear on the other hand is always happy.

Birthday of Speed!

So This Year for Everett's Birthday, we took the Kids out to the Salt Flats to see the World of Speed Racing. Basically, Any car, (record breaking or just your average Joe with a Porsche, when they're ready, and have had their car inspected, they then get in line and wait. So you could see one person going 130mph, and the next guy goes 500mph! How it works. It's pretty laid back because once in a while something happens and you wait 15 minutes before the next person goes. It was fun. I had never actually been out on the salt flats before, it was strange, it is rock hard, like driving on asphalt, but because there were some places that still were wet, here's a picture of my car after, you should see the undercarriage! We took Tracy's bike out with us, and he had a ball riding around, until the tire suddenly burst just sitting in the sun, it was weird. We all had a great time, definitely have to go again sometime!
Click here for more Pics.

Back to School

Hi-ho-hi-ho, it's off to school WE go. Originally I had planned on sending Trace to Kindergarten this fall, but in April I had a feeling that maybe we should wait. His teachers thought he was ready, we had gone to orientation, he had picked out his new backpack, I had signed up for PTA....... I don't know why I suddenly felt like waiting one more year. Tracy's birthday is at the end of June, so he would have been the youngest in his class. As an August birthday myself, I didn't foresee it being a problem. I prayed and prayed and got advice from friends who have/had children in the same situation and ultimately decided on one more year of preschool.
Since making that decision I have not regretted it AT ALL! I figure, what is the rush for him to grow up anyway? Now he can drive all through High School and, if you know Trace, you know that getting to drive is like receiving the keys to the castle. Another plus is that he and Everett go to preschool together. They are obviously in different classes but it is cute to see them walk in together and sing their school songs in unison. On the first day Tracy put his arm around Everett's shoulder and walked him to his class. It was such a sweet moment. I have had several people, namely teachers, tell me that boys with late birthdays do better if they wait to go to school. So, I am glad I had that motherly "feeling" and that I followed my gut.

Tracy informed me this is his new pose because he is a "cool kid".

Everett is in a phase in which he copies EVERYTHING Tracy does. Thus, he made the "cool kid" pose too.
If you are wondering why I mentioned off to school WE go it is because I am back in school too. Not as a student, but as an "intervention specialist" which is basically a fancy way of saying teacher's aide. I work with third graders and I am so in love with my class I look forward to seeing them every day. I also love that they get excited to see me and give me hugs. Although, after orientation I am PARANOID ABOUT LICE!!!!! It is weird to be called Mrs. Bollinger but fun as well.
The teacher with whom I work is also FANTASTIC! I couldn't have been paired with a better person. She is organized(YAY!), doesn't take crap from the kids and has so many creative ideas. It is her first year out of student teaching so we are sort of learning the ropes together. I know I will learn a lot from her. Another benefit is that I get to see the inner workings of the school before Tracy begins next year.

Leesa turns 30!

The night before my birthday, we went up to the cabin with a bunch of friends and it was FABULOUS! I had so much fun reminiscing, laughing, listening to Ben talk about "K" sandwiches, and spending time with the greatest people I know. I am so grateful to have these people in my life. Most of us have been friends for over half our lives and it is fun to see how much we've grown as well as how little we've changed. :) Thanks for a wonderful evening!!!

30 Years of Random Wisdom

On Sunday, I made it to a huge milestone-I TURNED 30. Now, I realize many people struggle with this but I am actually really EXCITED for my 30's. I feel more confident in who I am, I have created a family and now I get to enjoy watching my children grow. I still feel the best years are ahead of me and am proud of the years behind me.

Here are 30 random things I have discovered in my thirty years of life:
1. Food that burns going in usually burns coming out.
2. Friends can become family and vice versa.
3. Chance is a gift so act on chance when given the opportunity.
4.How to fold a fitted sheet.
5. BE PREPARED!
6. Be grateful to those who came before us.
7.If you leave the toilet seat up fecal particles can contaminate anything within a 6 foot radius. Think about that next time you brush your teeth.
8. America is THE GREATEST nation on Earth!
9. We are all stronger than we realize.
10. God exists
11. Satan exists
12. DO NOT wait too long to go to the hospital when you are in labor!
13. Time heals all wounds.
14. Anything worth having is worth the sacrifice and hard work required to achieve it.
15. CANCER SUCKS!!!!!
16. There are two types of scuba divers: Those who pee in their wetsuits and those who lie about it.
17. People are placed in our lives for a reason.
18. Bend at the knees when lifting.
19. The governor in a Saturn kicks in at 113 MPH.
20. When a child eats both blue and yellow frosting the result is bright green poop.
21. How to fit someone in the correct bra size.
22. That which you are looking for is often right in front of you.
23. Don't judge others. You never know the whole story or their situation.
24. At the end of the day all I need is to see my three little smiling faces to remind me life is good.
25. It is possible to go five days without sleep although I don't recommend it.
26. If you don't act you will never know with certainty.
27. DO NOT call or text after taking an ambien. Probably shouldn't go running either.
28. Being an adult can be fun when you are acting like a child.
29. Be grateful for those who have served, currently serve, or will serve in the Military. A lot of sacrifice has been made for us to enjoy our freedom.
30. Life is a journey, not a destination (thank you Aerosmith) and I plan to ENJOY THE RIDE!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my tidbits of wisdom. I would love to see comments with some of your wisdom. :)

"Dum-dum-da-dum......."

Well the day finally came and Christopher and Tiffany are now officially married! They are both wonderful, fun and talented people and I couldn't be happier for them. If you are wondering why Bubba is wearing a kilt it is because his family is part Scottish. Not that he wouldn't have worn one anyway. :)
They were married at the Draper Temple which was BEAUTIFUL as well as very WINDY! All of us girls were struggling to keep our dresses down (as was Bubba in his kilt).
Tiffany was a gorgeous bride and I love that she fits so well into our quirky family. This is my favorite picture. I see many fun times ahead for the Bollinger girls.
Our cousin, Jolynn. snapped this photo on a whim and it turned out so cute! She is a pro. I love how dapper my little men look. Summy was miserable all day but such a trooper. We found out later she had roseola. Needless to say she slept through most of the festivities.
My Mother-in-Law has THE most incredible yard! This picture doesn't capture all the beautiful greenery, the perfect yard and the beautiful flowers. She spent countless hours preparing it for the wedding so of course it rained!!! The reception was still fantastic.
It has become a family/friendly tradition to put a tacky license plate cover on the getaway car. It all began at our wedding with,
"WE LOST OUR VIRGINITY JANUARY 3, 2001".
Thanks for starting this tradition Gert.
Congratulations Bubba and Tiffany! MWWWWWWWAH!

Wedding Dinner

The night before Bubba and Tiffany's wedding we celebrated with them at a dinner up at the Mill Hollow Country Club. Dinner was delicious, the view of the valley was amazing and I loved chatting with family and friends. One of my favorite memories is Mike's toast to Bubba. He kept it pretty tasteful, but it is Mike so of course there had to be a sexual pun. He (Mike) shared with the group how he had asked Bubba what he wanted to get out of marriage. Bubba's reply was that he wanted to be a model husband, a model father, a model citizen and a model lover. Mike explained that he looked up "Model" in the dictionary where it read, "a small scale version of the original". So, in reference to being a model lover he was basically saying Bubbs was minimally endowed. It was pretty funny.

Bubba is notorious for taking bad pictures and this one was no exception.

Hopefully the wedding pictures turn out better. :)

The happy couple. We love you guys!!!

Tiff's Bachelorette Party!

I have been incredibly lucky because I absolutely love and adore ALL four of my sisters-in-law. Tiffany is the newest addition and from day one I knew we would get along great. A couple of days before the wedding Tiff, her sister Melanie and Bubba's sister Mindy came over for a little Bachelorette party at my house.
We started the night off with two of the cutest male dancers EVER!!!!

Race car driver Trace and Construction Worker Ev were so excited to dance for Tiff and other than Trace falling and hitting his tooth it was a great performance.
Next we played a little play-do pictionary with words related to the wedding and wedding night. Woooooooo! Play-do has never been so naughty. :) Thanks for the game idea Kriste. You are truly the game queen.
Next I tapped into my Jr. High mind frame and gave Tiff a candy bar poster that I had made. This is what it read:
Tiff,
It is CRUNCH time before your big day so let's TAKE 5 and share a pampering SPREE. Your BIG HUNK is anxious to see your MOUNDS and your WHATCHAMACALLIT. I'm sure you are also ready for his JUNIOR MINTS and his MILKY WAY. Don't be NERDS while YORK getting ready for the wedding. You little HOT TAMALES are in store for some wonderful memories and a lot of fun. One day when you are making 100 GRAND and playing with your little BABY RUTH you will look back at the ROCKY ROAD you have traveled and be grateful you are still SWEETTARTS.
Leave it to me combine cheesy and perverted.
We ate oreos, watched "He's Just Not That Into You" and chatted late into the night. I simply must share with you the new oreo trick I learned that night. If you insert a fork into the cream of the cookie and dip the fork into the milk- YOUR HANDS STAY CLEAN!!!!! I am really excited about it.
I love you Tiff and I am incredibly elated you are in our family!!!

Tracy's Fall From Grace

Two weeks ago Mike and Melody invited us to their ward party at a park out in Taylorsville. We went looking forward to some volleyball, yummy food and fun. Little did we know we were in for quite the surprise. While climbing up the outside of a tunnel slide, Tracy fell at least ten feet to the ground!!! He seemed to be okay with just a few bumps and bruises until I noticed his cheek.
These pictures do not do it justice! He had a HUGE goose egg for a week and the bruise is still there two weeks later! Poor little guy. You would think he learned his lesson but what did I see him trying to do last week? Yep, trying to climb up the outside of a slide again. Boys will be boys.

Spongebob Everett

My sister-in-law, Mindy, put this video together with footage from our boating trip. Everett found the large yellow sponge we use to clean the boat and immediately thought it was Sponge Bob. It's pretty funny that he knows the lyrics because we don't have Nickelodeon. This video is hilarious!!! We love you Ev!
YOU WILL HAVE TO PAUSE THE MUSIC PLAYING ON MY PLAY LIST.

Pioneer Day

This year I broke tradition. Rather than sleep in while Mike takes the kids to the parade I actually got my butt out of bed and joined the fam. I will probably go back to tradition next year. I may be a party pooper but I DON'T LIKE PARADES. I never have. Mike's family saves us a place every year so we met up with them and our friends, the Randalls. I actually did have fun visiting with everyone.
This explains why Everett wouldn't take a nap that day. Thanks a lot Bubba!

We went swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's and then headed over to BUTLER DAYS! It is going to be our new tradition.
They had : Cars on display,
Helicopters,
Bouncy slides for the kids,
FREE watermelon for everyone,
and AMAZING fireworks!

You all need to seriously check it out next year.

Charity and I bought the girls matching oufits while we were on our romantic getaway in St. George.

Roller Babies

My Mother-in-Law sent me this and it was so hilarious I had to share it with all of you. It is funny and also a little creepy.

A day at the lake.

Unfortunately life has been so busy we rarely get out on the boat. Luckily we were able to make it up to Jordanelle for some boating and family fun. I love sleeping on the boat because it rocks me to sleep most of the time. It was a little crazy trying to get the boys to sleep. They pretended the cabin was everything from a fort to the Bat Cave.

We headed up Tuesday night so we could get in some fishing. I simply adore this picture of Mike teaching the boys how to cast off. Everett is like his momma and had more fun casting than actually trying to catch something. Tracy is just like daddy and was very impatient with the fact the fish weren't biting.
Summer sure enjoyed her Oreo cookies.
She did NOT enjoy wearing her life jacket. Sorry Summy!
Wednesday the water was smoothe but VERY COLD!!! Mike was brave and skied long before I did.
The kids loved this fun tube. Everett kept wanting to go faster and faster. It was cute watching him give the "thumbs up" signal to speed up.
My boys.
It finally started warming up enough for me to venture out into the water.....
...but not without my FULL WETSUIT! Everett asked if I was a Power Ranger. Of course I told him I was and busted out my best moves. He loved it! I hope he still loves it when I bust out those same moves when he's older and with his friends. Mwahahahahaha!
Summer is such a water baby. We had to physically restrain her from jumping in while the boat was moving.
Everett was so tuckered out he couldn't even finish his liquorish. Notice it in BOTH hands. Silly little guy.
I LOVE driving the boat. I dream of living somewhere on the water where you get around by boat.
We found the perfect beach for lunch. Tracy thought he was really sneaky camouflaged into the scenery.
Water, here I come!
Clean is overrated.
We had such a wonderful time. I really want to make more of an effort to get out. There is nothing like being in close quarters with the ones you love, on the water, in the sunshine, surrounded by BEAUTIFUL mountains......I loved it! Hooray for Utah!