Andrew is a gabber...wonder where he gets it?

Andrew is speaking more and more each day. He's putting together some of the words to make a broken sentence and it's so fun to listen to him.

Here are some of my favorites...

Tees = please

fuh fun = this one or another one

wub eew = love you

tah low = towel

gi gi = blankie

ah ah = monkey (the sound stuck with him more than the word)

mooze = move (he says this when he wants me to get out of the way)

skiddy = scary

oh reek = oink

jaw bib = garbage

ah dee que = I'm going to get you

draw bee maylk = strawberry milk - this is his absolute favorite drink!




And he knows everyones name in our extended family.

Tahrter = Parker
Kee Dee = Katie
Drah Ma = Grandma
Pa pah - Grandpa
Day bib = David (uncle)
Mee Mee = Stormy and Emily (aunts)
I nan = Ivan (uncle)
Per per = Cooper (cousin)
Lah lie = Ellie (cousin)
Jee nee = Janie (cousin)
Bye nin = Brian and Ryan (uncles)
San = Sam (cousin)
Lah lik = Alex (uncle)
Wee nee = Wendy (aunt)
Hah tin = Austin (cousin)
Nah lee = Natalie (aunt)
Tee ler = Taylor (cousin)
Keh kin = Kelton (cousin)
Flil (extra tongue thrust on the "L")= Phil (uncle)
Sissa = Melissa (aunt)
Daht doh = Livia (cousin) I know, odd, but this was started when she started calling Andrew Ratso (because daddy called him that). He transferred the "2yr. old version" of the pronunciation onto Livia as her name.
Bad = Brad (uncle)
Enin - Erin (aunt)
Jake,Tyler and Thomas he can say really well (cousins)
Layne too (uncle)
Bailey and Taya are pretty clear (cousins)
Hailey too (aunt)
See nah = Sienna (cousin)
Fishin = Nathan (uncle)

Parker is 9!

Parker was a chunky baby, and a happy guy!




He liked to run around naked (thanks for hiding the "?!@%&#*" Jeff)




This was taken outside our first house - well it was really a condo, and this grassy spot was shared by all 8 neighbors.




He likes to play outside, no matter the weather.




Parker loves to hang out with Dad.





He loves these "hands" found out Grandma Bev's house.




He likes most sports, but baseball is his favorite.




He is a good big brother to his sister Katie, and his little brother Andrew.




He likes to be goofy too.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOUGH GUY!! WE LOVE YOU!

Vegas (again) baby!

We had our official Jus International launch in Vegas. There were over 250 people there and we even had about 15 people from our Japan office. It was great to see how far this company has come since our pre-launch in February (we had only about 75 people there then).





Parker got to come with us this time too because Jeff thought it would be good for him to start to see what he does and what Jus International is all about. He was so grown up in his suit - tons of people commented on how mature he looked and how it was so great to have him there.











We watched the water show at the Bellagio on the strip, then went walking. Boy, was that an adventure with an 8 year old! When they say Sin City, they are right!






We even stayed up until about 2:30 one morning - Vegas is the place to be if you are an insomniac.

Mom

4 years ago today, we experienced the death of my mom, Jennifer. At times it seems like it's been forever, and other times, just yesterday.
We miss you mom!

What Disney Princess are you?

Ok, a friend of mine did this, and it was very fun to try too! (thanks Debbie!) I was surprised to find out that I'm Ariel - I totally thought I would be cinderella or someone like that. But once I read the description, it just fit! (the first 3 words, for sure!)

Description:

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Click on the link below and see what you are...then come back and tell me!

http://www.greatestjournal.com/quiz.bml?Q=16354

Head Honcho

Here is Jeff. He is the CEO of Jus International. He is having an article printed about him in IQ Magazine and this was his photo shoot. He is just so powerful here, isn't he!

I love the color in these photos - his eyes really stand out in the one on the left, don't you think?

The photographer told me that he was on the phone a lot during this shoot. I guess business doesn't stop just for a few pictures, huh? :-)

What do you suppose he is looking at - the future? It sure looks good from here!

Apparently, he was talking to me, his little wifey (a.k.a. fish) on this phone call.

This could be a picture from the Godfather or something...

And he really isn't your typical CEO - if you get to know him, he has this fun side too!

Dancin' Queen

Katie is taking dance classes this year, and she absolutely loves it! Her teacher is Miss Anna and is very nice. There are 6 girls in her class. She'll get to perform at a Christmas show and an end-of-the-year show.



She gets to do some freestyle dance to help make their ballet movements flowing and graceful. As you can see, Katie likes to do this with the scarves.

Into the sun we go...

Just before school started, my sister Emily and I and our 6 kids drove, yes I said drove, to Arizona. My sister Natalie lives there with her husband Ryan who is going to school to be a Podiatrist. We had originally intended this trip to be a surprise for her (ryan knew). But as the summer progressed, and thru a few series of events, she found out. Nevertheless, she was happy to have us come down. So, we headed out for the 15 hour trip down.

Here is everyone packed in the car - we surprisingly all fit! We stopped in Draper and ate lunch at the park with Dad and Lorna. The kids had fun climbing the huge tree and playing in the stream. Then onto St. George. We stayed in a hotel there for the night.

The next morning we left to head thru Vegas. As we started to cross the border, by the Hoover Dam, we got stopped by security (because we had a car topper). Since 9/11 they have to be very careful about who goes over the Dam. Once they realized we were 2 moms with 6 kids, they let us pass. I guess we weren't considered terrorists...

We stopped in Vegas to have lunch with Grandpa John. John is my step-grandfather - he married my grandma Jan(dad's mom) when I was young. He has always remembered ALL of our birthdays and our kids birthdays - he is absolutely wonderful like that. We really consider him our real grandpa - afterall, he is the only grandpa we have left living.

We got to Phoenix around dinner time and checked into to our resort. We watched Nat and Ryan's kids that night so they could have some alone time for their 6th anniversary.

We swam a lot, but only before noon, or after 8pm. No sunburns either!

There was this lifesize chess game that Parker and Kelton and Andrew played.

We went to church on sunday and spent the day with Ryan and natalie at their house. Ryan practiced for his "foot" test on Emily - and then made dinner for us - good thing you washed your hands Ryan!!! :-)

We had to wait and play at the park after it got dark because it was so hot during the day.

We went to this very cool indoor jungle gym for kids, and the kids at heart. It was called Makutu's Island. There were slides and nets, and fish and all sorts of climbing and tumbling things to play on.

Too bad the kids couldn't stay "caged" up longer....:-)

We visited the Mesa Arizona temple...

We "adults" went out to dinner and to the mall...

We visited the Phoenix zoo and water park...

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe...

We had so much fun, that we pretty much wore everyone out...

The only bummer was that we had to leave and that we had to drive 15 hours again to get home.

Good thing our shopping trip didn't overload us, but Emily still had to get on top of the car to smash it all in!