The Wirick Five

Get 'er done.

2012-01-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

So, our house got off to a slow start. We started digging in late August and it sorta went at a turtle's pace from there...a nearly dead turtle with three legs.

Fast forward to January (although there was nothing fast about it) and we are trucking now, people! This is a pic of the goings-on at the house yesterday. There were actually 5, count 'em 5, different subs busily at work...at the same time!! Yep, you heard it right, we are FINALLY in the business of home building. And it feels fab.

If you want my two cents...and you probably don't but it's my blog so whatevs...it is looking great.

Oh, and here's a sneak peak at the brick that stumped the world. Well, maybe not the world, but a lifelong brick mason from little ole' UT. His exact words were, "...in my 37 years of laying brick, I've never laid anything like this."

Cheers to us for being different. It's gonna be SUWEET!!!!

She Came. She Saw. She Danced...

2011-11-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

...and she loved every second of it.

Nutcracker 2011 has come and gone, but sadly the bags under my eyes have not (gone, that is). Elise played the part of an angel this year. Totally fitting, right?!? She had a great time! The hours were long, the dressing rooms were funky (smelling), the costs were...well...not minimal...but the memories were priceless and will be cherished forever. Elise is becoming a beautiful little ballerina, and as much work it is to be the chauffeur/chaperone/hair and makeup stylist/financial backer/etc..., I wouldn't change it for the world because it makes my little girl's heart sing.

And that, my friends, is worth it's weight in gold!

I love ya, sister. Dance on!!

Dang Near Done.

2011-11-09T21:56:00.000-08:00

OK...not really. Not even kindof. But that's what it looks like through the eyes of a 7-year old. Ian is presently telling everyone who cares (and some who don't) that our house is almost finished. Oh, how would it be to be a child again...where everything is so simple, and if you have walls of wood on your new house...then...well...it's dang near done!! :)

2011-10-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

Oh man, I wish I had a dog.

Happy Halloween, yo!!

We're Being Framed!

2011-10-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

...and I couldn't be happier. :)

Tuesday quack up

2011-10-11T12:43:00.001-07:00

Saw this on a friend's blog and it made me laugh. Out loud. :)

It's Getting Hot in Here...

2011-09-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...enough with the cheesy song references (or inappropriate ones, in this case). I can't help it! Apparently, building a house makes me want to break into song.

What you are looking at is radiant heat flooring, baby!! And, the best part is, since we had some FABULOUS friends and family help put it in, we just saved some serious greenage! Chris and the guys worked super hard to get this done...working until dark, in fact. I really wish I had a pic of Chris wearing his sexy head lamp. You will just have to use your imagination on that one...but don't get carried away, he's a married man, ya know!!.

Now, when The Littles are frolicking about in the ICE Club, their tootsies will be nice and warm. What's the ICE Club, you ask? It is what they have cleverly named the basement (aka their living quarters) using each of their initials. And yes...of course they will be allowed upstairs...occasionally...for good behavior. I'm not a monster, after all.

PS - Stay tuned for the next post. We should be starting the framing this week. Meanwhile, I will searching for a song about...well...wood, I suppose. :)

Mr. BIG Stuff

2011-09-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

This guy has been very busy! He started preschool AND soccer this past week. He is loving it...especially the soccer. He has only been asking to play for two years now. I'm so excited for him with all of his adventures this year. I'm sad, though, because it also means my wing man is growing up.

Teacher Sherrie

Could ya bite him?!?

Have fun, little buddy. Oh....and pencil in some snuggle time with mom, will ya??

I Feel a Song Coming On

2011-09-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

Our hole is quickly shaping into somewhat of a dwelling. YAY!!!

I'm not gonna lie, I have the strong urge to sing when I look at it. Would it be wrong to break into a verse of How Firm a Foundation? How 'bout The Wise Man and the Foolish Man? Feel free to join in.

Progress.

2011-09-01T20:25:00.001-07:00

Can ya dig it?

2011-08-27T11:10:00.001-07:00

We can. And so we shall.

Hangin' with my Peeps

2011-08-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

What: A chicken

Where: In our front yard

Why: Cuz we be livin' in the country, yo.

Cuz everybody poops

2011-08-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Yup...that's the site of our future home. Yup...that's our new potty.

This business just got serious.

NEWs

2011-08-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

New duds. New kicks. New city. New school. New school year. New adventures.

Hmmm... I just got the urge to say Happy New Year.

OK, it passed.

Ticket to Ride

2011-08-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hands and arms inside the ride at all times...and HERE WE GO!!!

2011-08-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I (along with the Hubs, of course) became the proud owner of......

THIS.

Yep, you are seeing it right. It's a patch of very statuesque weeds (in front of a BEAUTIFUL hillside...unfortunately not mine). Try to contain your envy, it doesn't become you.

Anywho, we expect to have this puppy cleaned up soon, and maybe...just maybe...evolve into the proud owners of a big fat hole in the ground before the school year begins.

Stay tuned...

...and, seriously...enough with the jealousy. Get your own patch of weeds!

Summer BREAK

2011-07-11T14:52:00.000-07:00

So, June was eventful. We sold our house, moved into The Dup (see earlier post to get more acquainted), had various bouts of pink eye, had to buy a new washer and dryer (unplanned), had an unfortunate incident with our tire and a VERY LARGE screw...need I go on.

WELL.....it looks like July is working up to be another STELLAR month.

EXIBIT A

Yep, it's broken. A fatty pad stress fracture, to be more precise. And, like Ian's unfortunate arm incident a few years back, I wasn't present for this break either. Oh well...at least I'm not in danger of interrogation by CPS. Charged with negligence...maybe.

PS - isn't he cute?!?

His Name was Justin

2011-07-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

Swimming lessons this year were great! We used the same school as the past few years, Graham's School of Aquatics (look 'em up....they are awesome sauce). My kids really got to know and love their instructors last summer, so imagine their surprise when all of the instructors this summer were new. They were a little more than nervous when they realized that they were going to have to get to know new people. GASP!!!

The kids did well...as well as kids who don't swim all year could do. They are slowly getting it, but I blame their mom for not taking them swimming more so they can practice their skills. Oh wait....

Anywho, the kids DID manage to get to know their instructors and surprise, surprise...they loved them. So much so that Connor even said to me one day, "I love Justin, he's my best friend". Justin, obviously, was one of the instructors. In fact, he was THE instructor in my boys' minds.

So, all in all, it was another successful year. Maybe we will actually make it to the pool a couple times this summer and put our POOL SKILLZ to use! (Hint, hint, mom. Oh wait....)

The Dup

2011-06-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Meet The Dup (pronounced doop)

Our new digs for the next 6-8 months. It's cozy (small), the rent is great (pretty cheap) and the bus stop is close (at the end of the driveway). We met The Dup yesterday, which was exactly one week from the day we have to be out of our house. Stressful, much?? Yep!!

But...now that we have a place to sleep at night, we can focus all our energies on building our new home. Wish us luck...we're gonna need it. :)

The End Result

2011-06-01T23:36:00.001-07:00

Moving is NOT fun.

Building a house WILL be stressful.

But...if the end result is waking up to this every morning...I think I can hang.

Get 'Yer Game Face On!

2011-05-19T18:58:00.001-07:00

Ian turned 7 in April (I know...I'm a slacker for just now posting about it. Don't judge.) We did a video game party complete with a Nintendo WII, a Playstation 3 and a giant tub of LEGOS for good measure. We then added a bunch of stinkin' cute boys and VOILA...a killer gamin' party was in full swing.

Isn't he just the cutest 7-year old you have ever witnessed?!?

If you need me...

2011-04-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

My recent lack of journaling/documenting/posting, etc. was due to nothing other than...well...life happening. And because of this thing called "life", a small storm, that I will call Blogapalooza*, is currently brewing. So, if you are at all interested in following the happenings of The Wirick Five, sit back, grab a beverage and enjoy! I will be right here...

*I love this term PALOOZA. It is an amazing term that can manage to take the simplest, mundane parts of a person's life and turn them slightly more "rockstar-esque". For example, you could say "dinnerpalooza" or "napapalooza" or "takingoutthetrashapalooza". OK - that last one was a bit of a stretch.

Anyway, go ahead and try it with your own life terms. See how it makes you feel. C'mon, I know you wanna...

Say My Name

2011-04-09T18:59:00.001-07:00

This is Steve. Steve is Connor's friend from the Dollar Tree. Connor got Steve as a reward for hanging with mom through a marathon day of errands. Needless to say, Connor has more than a few treasures like this. He named Steve all by himself. I thought it was strange at the time (he also has a dog named Kevin, a whale named WaterSpin and a caterpillar named Jello Jello), but now it just fits. It's just one of the many reasons that I ADORE my quirky little man.

Recently, we went to the Dollar Tree...again. Connor was trying to decide what he would pick for his "treasure de jour", and after much thought and careful consideration, he made his choice.

So, my fellow bloggers and blog stalkers, allow me to introduce you to......

Green Steve

Taking the SD by Storm

2011-04-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

Our first vacation so far this year was to San Diego, CA. Chris found this cool little thing called the San Diego City Pass which basically entitles the bearer of said pass to run amuck in the city and cram as much as he/she can into a five day period. And, run amuck we did!! The fallout of such running is evidenced below:

If you are at all interested in seeing the mass amounts of ground we covered, I have included a little slideshow for your viewing pleasure. If you aren't interested, why are you stalking my blog. Stop being a creeper and go elsewhere. See ya. Bu-bye!! (Wow - where did I have that stored?)

Anywho, you know how when you are planning a family vacation, you are super excited, and that excitement carries over until you get on said vacation? Then, slowly, as the vacation goes on, you begin to get a little less excited and a little more ready to come home. Well, that is how we became toward the end of the trip. And when we returned home, we found ourselves needing a little....well....um....what's the word? Oh yeah...VACATION. To top it off, I (in my infinite wisdom) agreed to go on a family vacation the week BEFORE Spring Break due to the "Hubs" (which is what I will call him in Blogland from now on) having a conference he had to attend during Spring Break. So, the Littles and I got to spend not one, but TWO weeks together!!! Don't get me wrong, I love my little Lovelies to the moon and back. But, as I sit here the Saturday night before school starts again, I am having visions of that big yellow bus barreling down the road on Monday morning like manna from heaven. And, I'm not gonna lie, I get just a wee bit tingly inside... :)

It's Simply Pinktastic!!!

2011-04-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Elise is 10...and oh, so fabulous!!! So, we couldn't let her 10th birthday pass without some fabulousness to go with it. Cue "Elise's Pretty in Pink Party". That's right...we partied like rockstars this year!! Elise invited some of the cutest little girls she knows, they all dressed in pink, we piled in a limo and we headed out on the town. Even the limo driver followed the theme (and the girls were a little more than impressed)...

So...if you are looking for a girls' party that's sure to be a hit, here is the recipe:

- A stylin' "ride" with the Black Eyed Peas booming inside

- An explosion of PINK (including apparel, treats, balloons, etc...)

- A yummy meal (in this case, the Olive Garden)

- A group of stinkin' cute girlies to go along for the ride

Spring = Birthdays

2011-04-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

March was quite a month! We had a piano recital, a 4th grade program (both of which were on the same night, surprisingly), two birthdays, some FABULOUS parties (which included some fabulous food), St. Patty's Day...and I'm sure a lot more!!

Elise turned 10, which means I must be turning...well...OLD!!!

And my little man, Connor, turned 4!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELISE AND CONNOR! WE LOVE YOU!!!

...oh, and, stay tuned for another birthday next month when Ian turns the big 7...

Obsessed

2011-02-23T13:56:00.000-08:00

My current blog stalking obsession as of late...

http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/

This is just some of the deliciousness that I found while stalking.

Go to the website to see more...

By the raise of hands, who thinks Chris will consider going vintage if/when we move?

Weird...I don't see many hands.

Home Grown Valentines

2011-02-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

I don't love the valentines you can buy in the store. Who's with me on this one? This year, we decided to make our own valentines. When I say we, I mean me, of course. The kids would probably have loved to make them all by themselves, but I was starting to tick at the mere thought of it, so I talked them into letting me "help" them. What can I say...I'm a control freak. Love me or leave me. :)

Anywho, here is what we came up with:

Teacher Gifts - gumball flowers

(which helps to justify my gumball obsession as of late)

Friend Valentines - Elise's on the left, the boys' on the right

They turned out pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. Maybe the end JUST MIGHT justify my blog-stalking means.

I said might...

Always Watching

2011-01-29T10:59:00.000-08:00

I'm a blog stalker.

Deal with it.

I have.

Sew Sad

2011-01-27T08:24:00.003-08:00

This makes me wish I could sew. Anyone want to teach me...and buy me a sewing machine? Thanks, in advance... :)

http://www.rufflefabric.com

Kleenex Alert

2011-01-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

Elise had an opportunity, a couple of weeks ago, to do some background vocals on Jenny Phillips' latest CD. For those of you who don't know, Jenny Phillips is a local LDS musician who has quite an extensive collection of LDS CDs, books, manuals, etc... It was a great opportunity for Elise, and we had a great time in the studio seeing how it is all "done". The best part is that Jenny asked Elise back to do some solo vocals with her! We had a great time, once again, in the studio, and it was an amazing opportunity for Elise. Now if only we could get her mom and dad (and grandma, and aunt and various friends) to stop bawling every time they listen to the song...

To hear Elise and Jenny sing Gethsemane, go to:

http://www.jennyphillipsmusic.com/free-downloads/

Once you are there, enter your email address and then go to downloads. You will be able to download the song for free. But, I warn you...you may want to grab a kleenex...or twelve.

Growen.

2011-01-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

I love to look at my kids work from school, but I have to be honest, there is SO much of it!! My kids would love to keep it all, but I have a bit of a hate/hate relationship with clutter, so over the years, I have decided to look at it all and then let the kids (with mom's help) choose SOME of it to put into totes to store. But...on occasion, there is something so cute that Chris or I will see fit to scan it onto the computer. These next two things from Ian (6) made the cut:

This one is a handwriting assignment

This one was inside a Christmas card that I got from Ian

Keep it up, little man. I love to see you progressing in school. You sure are growen!! :)

Christmas Duds

2010-12-15T22:18:00.000-08:00

They clean up nice, right?!?

Happy Holidays from the littlest Wiricks!!

(...and the big ones too...)

Decisions, Decisions....

2010-11-23T22:53:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to decide what to do this weekend, and I think I've narrowed it down to two choices.

This....

or this....

Yeah, I agree... A Caribbean cruise it is!!

You know it's true.

2010-11-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on a bumper sticker to be sold in stores. It will read:

"My toddler is cooler than yours."

RockBandapalooza '10

2010-11-01T17:43:00.001-07:00

So, RockBandapalooza '09 rocked so much that we did it again....and it rocked. Harder.

Video Games, Facial Hair and Spiders, Oh My!

2010-10-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

It's a Mario...and Luigi...oh, and Little Miss Muffet.

Connor refused to wear the gloves or the mustache to the Ward Halloween party (hence the smeared eye liner on his lip). He threw a FULL BLOWN FIT, in fact. Maybe next week...

Happy Halloween!!

Overachiever much?

2010-10-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, those are pancakes. No, I did not make them.

But...I suppose if I want a shot at Mother of the Year this year, I'd better learn how...and fast!

On second thought...I wonder if they have an Eggo waffle category?

Nutcracker 2.0

2010-10-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

So, Elise got a part in the Nutcracker for her ballet school again this year. She is just as excited as she was last year, and far less nervous! She's got this down now, I suppose. This year, she is playing the part of a cupcake. Last year, she played a gingerbread. One of her friends recently asked her, "Do you always play food?"

I suppose...so far...the answer is yes! :)

Way to go, Elise. You will be great!!!

The (witch) Dr. Is In

2010-09-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

So, recently, I was introduced to doTerra essential oils and vitamins. The vitamins had me at hello since I have been meaning to get into a vitamin regimen for some time, and these have multiple benefits. They are a bit spendy, but I figure my health is worth it, right?!?

As far as the oils go...I was a bit skeptical. However, after many "coincidences", I think I'm sold.

...and yes, you may now refer to me as the Witch Doctor... :)

Saved by the Bell

2010-09-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, I love the whirlwind of summer - complete with crazy kids, fun adventures, water, crazy kids, late nights, popsicles, mini vacations...and of course, CRAZY KIDS!!! However, school starting always brings the routine and calm (a small bit) that is so desperately needed by August's end.

This year, Elise is in 4th grade, Ian is in 1st and Connor is starting preschool. What does that mean for mom? Well, in a nutshell, it means that for the first time in YEARS, I actually have a little bit of time all to myself. Granted, it's only 2.5 hours, two days a week, but I'll take it. What will I do with all of this alone time, you ask? Well, I thought, maybe...I would build a house, cure an illness, write a novel... Yeah, you're right - I probably don't have enough time for all of that.

Maybe I will simply sit...and stare...and breathe... :)

A Day in My Life

2010-09-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

We have been potty training recently, and I thought this pic was appropriate since I have seen plenty of this as of late. What is he holding, you ask? Why, it's an iPad, of course. Isn't it ironic that this 3.5 year old has yet to meet an electronic he couldn't master, but he can't wrap his brain around this potty business?!?

Fortunately, we have just about crossed the finish line with this one, and the best part...NO MORE DIAPERS FOR THIS MOM. EVER. AGAIN!!! (Or, should I say...until dad gets a little older? I did marry an older man, after all.)

Family Pics - 2010

2010-07-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

Once again, my cute niece has managed to turn this motley crew into something fabulous!

Thanks Ash - we love the pics!!

Artiste in the Making

2010-06-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

Elise got a watercolor set a while back from her grandpa Wirick, who incidentally happens to be quite an artist. On Father's Day he came over for dinner, and while he was here, gave Elise her first official art lesson. This was the result:

WOW, you say?? That was my response too. Apparently, just one more talent to add to her list, and one more opportunity for her to make gobs of money and set me up when I'm old and gray. You go, girl!!

Ahhh, Summer....

2010-06-24T16:10:00.001-07:00

Enough said.

Enjoy the Silence

2010-05-16T22:58:00.001-07:00

This past week, Chris and I took a much needed mini-getaway to what I will affectionately call THE ZION. We decided it was time for us to have a break from the littlest Wiricks...and vice versa!! So, we loaded up the Mini Cooper (seriously. loaded. to the top.) and hit the open road. By the way, if you are planning a road trip, a Mini Cooper may not be the best way to go. The convertible is a must, but you may want to look into something larger than a matchbox car...just sayin'.

Sore backs aside, we had a great time hiking, eating, SLEEPING IN and shopping (yes, I did manage to sweet talk my way into an evening in St. George with outlets, Five Guys Burgers and a little Robert Downey Jr. AKA The Iron Man).

We have decided that for sanity's sake, we will be making this a yearly tradition. Hopefully, our sitters will be on board... (hint hint, wink wink)...

Chris is not a fan of the camera unless he is behind it (...and apparently, I am a fan?) This is one of...oh...TWO photos of us together so everyone would believe he was actually present for "OUR" vacation. :)

This was our lunch buddy. Brave little sucker, he was...

Ian's 6!

2010-04-28T22:27:00.000-07:00

HapPy HaPpy BiRthDaY to my first born son! It seems like just yesterday you were born, a solid 7 lbs. 4 oz. (with an AWESOME head of hair - the best of the family). You were such a beautiful baby, and I still remember my heartbreak when I had to leave the hospital without you. Luckily, it was just a little scare and we were only without you for a day, which was still FAR too long, by the way!

Now you are the big SIX and learning so much every day. You are so smart and inquisitive. You are learning to read and asking so many questions (too many some days...), but I'm so proud of your "need to know". Stick with it, it will take you far...

You still have the most awesome head of hair in the family! I think dad may be a tad jealous, but don't tell him I said that. You are extremely handsome, and I can imagine that before long, I will no longer be the most important woman in your life. The girls in your kindergarten class already fawn over you!!

I love you very much and can't wait to see what life has in store for you. Oh, the places you'll go!!

P.S. Where did you GET that hair?!? :)

div>

Happy Birthday Ya-Ya!

2010-03-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

Nine years ago, my first little miracle was sent to me. She was a tiny little thing with a FIERY temper...and hair to match. (Her eyebrows looked like someone had smeared Cheetos across her forehead). Fast forward to today; the hair is slightly fading and the temper is all but gone, and in it's place is the sweetest, most beautiful and caring little person that any mom could ever ask for. I'm honored to be your mom and OH SO proud to call you my daughter.

Happy 9th Ya-Ya - I love you!!!

My Baby is 3!!

2010-03-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

HaPpy BiRthDay little man! You are one cool kid (and I'm pretty sure you know it...). But, aside from being cool, you are a great snuggler, you are HILARIOUS and you are just....plain....sweet! I'm blessed to have you in my life and proud to be your mom. I love you Connor Dane Orangutan!!

He's got the Big Boy Bed Blues

2010-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

Connor got a new big-boy bed just after Christmas, and let's just say he has had a pretty rough go of it since then. He has some kind of aversion to the bed that I can't figure out. Maybe it's because I haven't bought him any real bedding yet, resulting in his bed looking like it's fit for a prison inmate.

He usually gets out of bed as soon as we leave the room. He will get his toys out, play for a while, and then fall asleep wherever he lands. As evidenced in the pics below, that can be in some pretty interesting places...or positions, rather. My personal favorite pic is this first one where he is wearing sunglasses...that's right, sunglasses! What can I say? The kid can't help but be cool, even when he's sleeping!!

If the potty training thing goes this smoothly, we are in big trouble!

Wirick Review - A recap of all things '09

2010-01-02T23:20:00.000-08:00

To start 2010 off right, I decided to reflect back on 2009 and list some of the high(and low)lights of our year. Here's hoping this coming year brings many more great adventures and memories...and less not-so-great ones!

- Ian broke his arm falling off the top bunk bed. This was, surprisingly, our first broken bone...and hopefully our last. Even worse, it happened on Friday the 13th. Even worse, Chris and I were out celebrating Valentines Day (we never got to celebrate...unless you count eating hospital food while in the ER). Even worse, Ian's poor grandma (Marna) was babysitting when it happened, saw the whole thing, and to this day, can't go in his room without being somewhat traumatized.

- Elise turned 8 and was baptized. This was our first baptism and it was really special for us all. Elise, being the sensitive thing that she is, was so touched that she cried. Mom's heart was warmed seeing her "baby" be touched by the Spirit.

- We started a rock band this year. We are called Hot Fuzz! OK, so it isn't a real band...and our only venue so far has been our family room...but, we can really rock. We (along with our bandmates, the Ukenas) have spent many a night rocking out until all hours of the night. It usually ends with us carrying comatose children to their beds. They, apparently, can't hang strong like us old guys!

- We went to Disneyland in May. Elise and Ian had both been before, but they were pretty young, so I don't know if they remembered much. Connor had never been before and he enjoyed every second, especially groping all of the characters. (Not really. His head and arms just came to a very unfortunate place on the characters' bodies, and some of the pictures are a bit...well...obscene.) We had a really great trip and hope to do again soon. Well, I can't speak for dad, but we'll work on him!

Doesn't Donald's expression say it all?!?

- Chris hit the big 40 this year. You would never know it to look at him, which is nice for him... and me. Although, I think I may begin to look older than him pretty quickly, which isn't so nice for him... or me. We surprised him with a little birthday dinner at Tony's Pizza (YUM) with a small group of friends. He wasn't too mad about the surprise, and we all had a great time! We finished off the evening with an epic session of RockBand and wore the kids out - yet again - rocking out until the wee hours of the night. He may be old, but he can rock with the best of 'em!

- Ian decided to try basketball for the first time. He's playing soccer as well, but hasn't really embraced it yet. Basketball, on the other hand, really interests him. The team was pretty young (and a bit vertically challenged), so there wasn't much progress made, but he really had a good time. Mom thinks he looks pretty handsome in a jersey, too...

- Mom and dad participated in our first Murder Mystery this Summer. We even got to be the victims. Dad was a vampire and mom was a watcher. We had a great time picking out our costumes and hanging out with good friends while trying to solve our own murders. Weird, right? The best part was that mom got to go home with a hot vampire at the end of the night.

Edward who??

- We went on a camping trip to the Uintahs with our good friends, the Ukenas. This was the second annual trip, and we are hoping to make this a tradition. This was Connor's first time going and he had a blast! There's nothing better for a little boy than getting dirty, right? Thanks to the Ukenas for providing the cabin. It's nice to have friends with connections... :)

- Elise started 3rd grade and Ian started Kindergarten this year. They were both excited to go to school, especially Ian, it being his first time in "real" school and all. Mom was pretty excited to have a somewhat calmer house and some alone time in the mornings with Connor. Connor, on the other hand, not so much... He was really bummed that he couldn't go to school and "ride Ya-Ya's bus".

- Ian memorized the Pledge of Allegiance in school. That kid has a great memory! He was so proud to recite it for mom and dad, and he got every word right (even indivisible)!! He is doing great in school and will soon be learning to read. I'm sure he will pick it up in no time.

- Chris was released as YM President and called to be a Ward Missionary. It was very bittersweet for him. Although he was ready for a break from having such a demanding calling, he was really bummed to be leaving the boys that he had formed such a great bond with. They were equally as bummed. But he still manages to work in some bonding time with them each week on the basketball court.

- RockBandapalooza '09 baby!! We had our first (and hopefully annual) RockBand costume party in October. The theme was 80s rock and everyone looked fantastic! The guest list was amazing!! I remember seeing Devo, Axl Rose, Cyndi Lauper, a couple of Cyndi Lauper impersonaters, Weird Al, Kiss and many more.... Basically, I saw a million faces and I rocked them all!! (It's a Bon Jovi lyric, for those of you non-rockers who are questioning my sanity right now...)

- Elise performed in the Clytie Adams School of Ballet's Nutcracker this year. It was her first year and she loved every minute of it. She played a gingerbread, and she was the tiniest one (BIG surprise). She is hoping to do it again next year, and the next, and the next... Mom was busy driving back and forth to Kaysville three times a week, but it was worth it because Elise enjoyed it so much. Also, it was great to spend some one-on-one time with Elise...even if most of it was in the car.

- We put our house on the market - the first step in our quest to live the Mountain Green dream. It hasn't gone so well yet, but here's hoping 2010 will bring the "perfect" buyer to us! Fingers crossed!! It only takes one, right? Elise even started a "Mt. Green Money Box" to help us save for the new house. I think we have about $2.84 in there so far.... ;)

- Elise had her first piano recital in December. She has been playing for a year now and is really getting good at it. She is very talented and a bit of a perfectionist. She really shines in all things musical!

- Connor got a "big boy" bed this year. Mom wasn't ready for it yet, but he forced her hand by trying to climb out of the crib on numerous occasions. He hasn't mastered the concept of staying in the bed yet, but he is adjusting....sometimes sleeping on the floor or standing up with his head resting on the bed. As long as some part of him is in the bed, right? We are hoping to keep going in the "big boy" direction by ditching the diapers in the near future. Mom's first resolution of the new year is to never buy a diaper again...unless, of course, dad begins to need them soon. He is 40, afterall... :)

These are just some of the significant things that happened to the Wirick Five this year. We are blessed to have such great family and friends to share our lives with. We are also blessed to have the Savior in our lives, and to have the blessings of the Gospel. We had a great year, and we are excited to see what's in store for us in '10. We are hoping the same for all of you as well.

HaPpy NeW YeAr!!

I'm a sucker for a man in uniform

2010-01-02T22:06:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year, Grandma Wirick got all the boy cousins bomber jackets. Don't they look handsome?

Our Budding Chopin

2010-01-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

Elise had her first piano recital in December. She did so great! She has been playing for about a year now and is really turning into a great little piano player. She even got a keyboard from Santa so she could begin writing her own songs on the computer.

Bring it!

2009-12-06T15:21:00.000-08:00

Well, it has arrived with a vengeance....DeCeMbeR, that is! I always dread the hoopla that comes with December and the emotional crash that follows in January. However, last year I decided to embrace December a bit more and try to enjoy all it brings. Although the holidays are very stressful (and I still do my fair share of complaining), I am trying to embrace the season and enjoy it to the fullest. We have some fun things on our calendar for the month and I plan to relax (a little) and enjoy them (a lot)!!

I'm trying to look at the holiday season through my childrens' eyes (while keeping the true meaning in my head and heart at the same time). And so, with that said....it's beginning to look a lot like ChRiStMaS!!

Plus, when you have kids who look this cute in Santa hats, how can you not enjoy it??

UGH!!

2009-11-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

So, I absolutely love my Ugg boots!! But, as I was putting them on for the first time this season, I was painfully aware of how appropriately named they are....

UGG! (Or Ugh, rather, is a great way to describe how I feel about transitioning into Winter!)

Good Weird

2009-11-12T23:20:00.000-08:00

This post is random, but so are some of the conversations I have had with Elise lately, so I thought I would post them (mainly so I can remember them):

The other day, while being down with swine flu, I was having an especially severe coughing spell. The conversation that followed went like this:

Elise: Mom, please don't do that. It hurts my ears to hear you cough like that.

Me: I know. It hurts me too. I feel like my heart is going to explode.

Elise: Then you would die.

Me: Would you miss me if I died?

Elise: Yeah - dad doesn't do my hair right.

That very same day, I accidentally "lost" one of Elise's fish down the sink drain while cleaning the bowl. (I know, I had no business trying to clean out the fish bowl while sick with swine flu). Anyway - when Elise got home, I broke the news. She was upset for a minute and then she started asking questions:

Elise: Do you think the fish is still alive swimming in the sink?

Me: I don't know. He is probably swimming around in the sewer somewhere.

Elise: What is the sewer?

Me: It's where all the dirty water goes, like the toilet water and stuff like that.

Elise: So, he's swimming around with the poop? (Giggle) He probably thinks the poop is a piece of chocolate cake.

Needless to say, she wasn't terribly broken up over the beloved fish passing through to the other side.

These are just a couple of MANY funny things Elise says. From the time she could talk (actually, even before that), she has always had that way about her. She has a very quick wit (like her father), and she is slightly weird (like her mother AND her father). One day I was telling her that she was weird, and she said, "but if I wasn't weird, I wouldn't be Elise!" And to that, I had no argument. So, instead I just said, "you are weird, but it's a good weird." Gosh, I love that kid!!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from this Halloween. We had a Snow Princess (Elise), a Clonetrooper(Ian) and a Prize Fighter (Connor) this year. We managed to get over stomach flu just in time to go trick or treating, and the kids had a great time. The weather was FABULOUS - I vote for the same weather every Halloween, please. We have candy coming out of our ears, but mom will take care of that! (I'm not saying how, by the way...)

Rockbandapalooza '09 - Oh, Heck Yeah!!!

2009-11-03T19:11:00.001-08:00

So, given our love for Rockband and socializing (especially Chris on the socializing part...insert sarcasm here), we decided to throw a Halloween party Rock Band style - a.k.a. RoCkbAndApaLooZa '09 (cleverly named by Chris). We had a great time rocking out with fabulous neighbors and friends all decked out in their rockin' 80s wear (as shown in the pictures). We had so much fun that this COULD be the start of a - dare I say - tradition... Actually, I guess I better check with Chris before making that prediction. I don't know how much socializing he can handle in one year!!!

(Oh, and yes, that IS Chris in the red skinny jeans...)

Mad Skillz!!

2009-10-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

For your viewing pleasure, one of many performances by the COOLEST 2-year-old I know, who also happens to be one of the great loves of my life!!

Enjoy!

P.S. - toward the end of the video, he became obsessed with taking his socks off (he is 2, afterall), and that is where the dancing ended...

Ian's second "first day"

2009-09-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

So, I know this post is a little late, but I wanted to post some pics from Ian's official first day of school. Besides, with a kid this handsome, you can never get enough pics, right?

Ian isn't much of a communicator, so when I asked him if he liked his first day, his response was, "I can't hear you". I assumed that meant he didn't want to talk about it, and I left him alone. Later, while he was playing in his room, I could hear him singing some songs that I remembered Elise learning in Kindergarten. I smiled to myself because I got my answer without having to drag it out of him.

Good luck in school, buddy. I know you will ROCK IT!!!

Love that smirk!!

BEST BUDS!!

Oh Snap!

2009-09-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

So, I am not a fan of blogging without pictures (I guess it's the scrapbooker in me), but this news is very blog worthy, and my girlfriend made me feel like less of a mom for not blogging about it. (Thanks a lot, Liza...)

Anyway, Elise tried out for the Nutcracker a few days ago, and she made it!!

WAY TO GO GIRL!!!

She will be playing the part of a gingerbread, which I have not seen in the Nutcracker before, so it should be fun and interesting. When I told her which part she got, she was so excited. After a few minutes, though, she looked at me with concerned eyes and said, "Is that a piece of bread?" You gotta love kids!! I had a good laugh picturing little Elise dancing around as a big piece of bread. She would be darling in ANYTHING, but I have to admit, a gingerbread cookie should be much more pleasing to the eye that a piece of bread.

On the downside for mom, I will be making the journey to Kaysville three times a week now instead of two. I am looking for a room to rent in that area for the next two months. Any takers??? :)

Seriously though, it should be a great experience for Elise, and I will keep you posted of the "goings on" periodically. But for now, if you see me on the freeway, give a wave!!

School Days

2009-08-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

It's OFFICIAL!!!

School is back in session!! Elise started 3rd Grade and Ian started Kindergarten (although not officially until next week). Mom is pretty excited, but along with the good things, there are always a few bad:

PROS

- cleaner house

- less fighting/screaming/wrestling/crying

- less boredom for the kids

- stores are less crazy

- more (much needed) one-on-one time with my baby

- an occasional nap for mom (if I'm lucky)

CONS

- homework!!! (I know they are young, but homework is homework to me...)

- getting up earlier

- more laundry (school clothes AND play clothes)

- less freedom

- Connor freaking out every time the kids get

on the bus - he SO wishes he was big enough to go

When I asked Elise what her favorite things were about the first day, she quickly replied, "Our teacher lets us chew gum in the classroom and visit with our friends while we work!!!"

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this yet, but we'll see... At least she is having fun, right?

Since Ian hasn't started yet, I will have to quiz him on his favorite things next week and get back to you with that one...

All in all, I think this is going to be a great year for the kids filled with fun, friends and lots of great learning opportunities.

So Many Time Wasters...So Little Time!!

2009-08-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Chris' brother was in town visiting recently, and while he was here, he turned us on to this latest time waster (as if I needed another one).

It is called Literal Lyrics. They basically take a video and change the lyrics based on what is happening in the video. This one, in particular, is HILARIOUS!! But, there are many more of these on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

Enjoy!!

Camping - Wirick Style!!

2009-07-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

So, those of you who know me know that I am not a real "outdoorsy" type of gal. In fact, I remember some of you actually laughing out loud last summer when I told you we were going "camping". (You know who you are...) Of course, we did have a screamin' hookup on an RV (thanks Ukenas). So, I guess it wasn't technically camping in the true sense of the word.

Well, this year we did 'ya one better. Our good friends, the Ukenas (once again), hooked us up with a cabin this time. The kids had a blast and the parents relaxed... a little. All in all, it was a great trip!! Maybe next year, we will go to a resort... :)

What's mine... isn't really mine

2009-07-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is Ian playing my computer (even though the kids have their own). Oh, and yes, that is Connor playing my iPhone - my iPhone!!! I guess when you become a mom, nothing is your own anymore...

They sure are cute though!

Do You Remember... the LEGEND?

2009-07-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

So, when I first heard of Michael Jackson's passing, I wasn't terribly affected. Yes, I was in awe like everyone else, but I can't say I had any other emotions about it at the time. Since then, and especially today while watching the amazing tribute to him during his memorial service, my emotions have become a lot stronger. I wouldn't say I am emotional on a personal level, because I, like millions of others, had thought him QUITE strange as of late. I would say my emotions stem more from the sadness of what the media, and such a life as he had in the spotlight, can do to such a talented person.

Michael Jackson was truly a musical GENIUS, and after today, that's how I will remember him. I choose to forget all the strange things that have surrounded his life in the past few years, and will only remember him for all of the truly LEGENDARY things he did in his life. That is how I will pay my tribute to him. I will remember him this way:

Yes, I proudly displayed this poster on my wall

at one point in my teenage years...

RIP Michael - you will be sorely missed by many.

May you finally find the peace you deserve!

I Wanna Rock & Roll all Night...and so I will!

2009-06-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

I got Chris Rock Band 2 for his birthday a few weeks ago, not because I had any interest in it whatsoever, but because he really wanted it. Well, guess what... it's pretty stinking fun!! We, along with our good friends and band mates, the Ukenas, have become QUITE addicted. I never thought I would be that parent who lets her kids stay up late, running wild, because I couldn't stop playing a game. Well, I'm not gonna lie, it has happened once or twice as of late...

Happy Birthday!

2009-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today, on your birthday, I just want to wish you the best day and tell you how much I love you and how great the last 15 years have been. We've made a lot of great memories, and I look forward to many more! Thanks for being such an admirable man and outstanding father. Always remember, the kids and I are your four biggest fans and we couldn't ask for anything more!!

Happy 40th - WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Disney Mania!

2009-05-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

So, we recently got back from a long awaited and much anticipated trip to DisNeyLanD. The last time we went, Elise was 5 and Ian was 2. Needless to say, it was basically all new to them. We spent one night (which happened to be my birthday) with old friends at the Rainforest Cafe. The kids thought it was pretty cool. The dad thought it was overpriced and overrated, but still fun. :) (Thanks for joining us Lizzie).

We also spent one morning at Huntington Beach. The kids loved playing in the sand and running in the waves. Mom loved lying on the beach with a magazine just being lazy! It made me realize that the beach/ocean is probably the thing I miss most about So Cal.

We were also able to spend some time with cousins in Nevada. They were gracious enough to put us up for a night on each end of the trip. We had a really great time with them! Uncle Greg even took us out on his boat one day, to Lake Mead. Elise and Connor LOVED that, Ian... not so much. Connor was so relaxed, he even fell asleep on the boat! (Look for that priceless pic in the slideshow below).

All in all, we had a FABULOUS time. We even managed to dodge the swine flu - BONUS!!! I think Chris even found himself having fun once or twice during the trip... :) Just teasing, Chris, I love ya. Thanks for the memories!

"Black & Blue" is the new Black

2009-05-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I'm excitedly putting my kids in all their cute summer clothes and I'm noticing the typical childhood bruises on their little legs. That's to be expected, right? After all, they are kids.

But, Connor isn't looking so normal to me. The poor kid's legs are embarrassing, not to mention his arms and head. I wouldn't even put him in shorts if he wasn't so stinkin' cute in them. I'm pretty sure people think I'm abusing the kid.

Well, today was an EPIC day for bruises. We were eating lunch at Cafe Rio with a friend and all was well...until Connor fell off of his chair, hitting my friend's chair on the way down. Luckily she was able to grab him before he hit the concrete floor. He let out a blood curdling scream (which was the first indication I had that he had even fallen because I was dealing with my other child at the time). I picked him up and was holding him when I realized that half of the restaurant was staring at me. One lady even turned to me and pointed out a pretty big goose egg on the side of his head. She suggested I get some ice for him. I then proceeded to tell her that said goose egg was from a couple of days ago. The one from this particular incident was in the middle of his head, (somewhat resembling a Unicorn's horn), and wasn't quite finished growing yet. I finally got him calmed down from the fall just in time to see him smack his eye on the corner of the table. ENCORE!!! ENCORE!!! The patrons of Cafe Rio really got their money's worth today...

So, the reason for my post is to assure you that I have not/nor do I plan to beat my son, and to ask that, when you see us, you kindly resist the urge to call CPS!!! :)

Just your typical lunch at Cafe Rio?? At least he can smile about it... :)

Even the poor kid's feet are bruised!

Easter "Egg"stravaganza!

2009-04-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Being that Easter has been over for a bit, and the holiday blog opportunities have pretty much passed, I will keep this one short and sweet...

They cAme. They saW. They coLored.

Enough said!

8 is Great!

2009-04-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 28th, Elise was baptized. It was a really special day for all of our family. Elise is such a special little spirit and was really moved by everything (she even cried a little bit). We were so grateful that our family and friends could share this special event with us.

One funny thing: Ian was very curious about the whole baptism and confirmation process so we had a brief lesson about it for family night the Monday before the baptism, and I thought we had explained everything pretty well. Apparently, Ian was hung up on the Holy Ghost concept because all through the baptism he kept asking about it, and after Elise was confirmed, Ian blurted out, "So, when is the Holy Ghost coming to give Elise her gift?" Gotta love that Ian and his love of presents!!!

Happy 8th Ya-Ya

2009-03-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to my sweet Elise who is turning 8 today. I just want to wish her the best birthday and tell her how much I love her!!!

On one hand, it seems like it was just yesterday that I held her for the very first time, but on the other hand, I can't seem to remember a time without her. She is one of the sweetest kids there is, so full of spirit and personality. She is also extremely funny and creative. You never know what she will do next. She has provided us with so many funny stories and memories, and I'm sure she will give us many more to keep us smiling and laughing for years to come. She is a very special spirit and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. I can't wait to see all the great things she will do in her life and the wonderful person she will become!!!

I LoVe you Ya-Ya. Thanks for being mine...

The OC

2009-03-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of going back to So. Cal. for a visit. I flew solo on this trip due to some much needed "me time". I stayed with a good friend of mine, Liz, and had a FABULOUS time with her and her beautiful daughter, Sydney.

The weather was great!!! We went shopping, ate, had pedicures, ate, visited friends, and then there was the EATING!!! As you can tell, that was one of my favorite parts. I have to say that California is a great place for a girl who loves to eat. As a matter of fact, the only good picture I got from the trip was this picture of the WAHOO's sign (a favorite OC eatery of mine). It's not that I hadn't planned on taking more pictures - we were just so busy that I didn't ever think to pull my camera out (except for at WAHOO's, of course...) Oh, and during our pedicures, but I will spare you the picture of my feet!!!

Thanks Liz - I had a great time and brought home some great memories... along with a couple extra pounds (dang food - why do I love thee)!

Ewww mom...

2009-03-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

This may not be an appropriate subject to talk (or rather blog) about, but when did that ever stop me, right? This was just too funny not to mention...

The other day my mom stopped by to visit and to drop off some things to me, one of which happened to be a bra that I had ordered. We were standing in the kitchen chatting when Ian came by and said disgustingly, "Ewww mom, your BOOB SUIT!!" Apparently, he had seen the aforementioned unmentionable laying on the table and was not pleased about it. Needless to say, I broke into hysterical laughter and have been randomly chuckling ever since. Where do kids get this stuff?

Gotta Love Connections

2009-02-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

I love having a photographer in the family!!! There's nothing I like more than seeing cute pics of my kids, so now that my niece, Ashley, is really into photography, I get to see plenty.

Ashley, and her counterpart Meg, had us over today to do some test shots of the kids. They were trying some new backdrops and ideas they had and needed some subjects. So I, like any proud mom, jumped at the chance to throw my kids in front of the lens!

Here are just a few of the pics:

Man, I have CUTE kids!!! Don't ya think? I can't wait to see the rest of the photos. Check out more work from these talented gals at:

www.ashhiltonphotography.blogspot.com

www.peramorephotography.blogspot.com

Don't Speak too Soon!

2009-02-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I must say that nothing really blogworthy has gone on in the lives of the Wirick family lately, and I was just saying to myself that my life had been pretty boring as of late (for lack of a better word). But, I guess I spoke too soon...

Last night (Friday the 13th, mind you), Chris and I decided to go out for Valentine's Day. We wanted to beat the crowds and get it done a day early. We hadn't been gone more than a half-hour, and were just sitting down at Bistro 258 in Ogden getting ready to enjoy some fabulous food when the waitress came over with the phone and said there had been an emergency. (Yes, we have cell phones, but neither one of us heard them ringing - a lot of good it did to have them!) Anyway, Chris took the call from my mom (who had kindly agreed to babysit, but after this, may never offer again due to trauma). She informed us that Ian had fallen off the top bunk bed, landed on his back, and broken his arm!! Chris asked if she was sure it was broken, and she said most definitely!!! (You will see how she knew for sure momentarily...)

So, we rushed home and took him to the ER. It was, in fact, broken - two bones to be exact. So, long story short, we ended up spending our romantic Valentines night in the hospital with a very traumatized 4-year-old, fluorescent lighting and hospital burgers and fries. Talk about ROMANCE, huh???

I have never been a superstitious person before, but I think I have changed my tune a bit. Needless to say, we will be spending our next Friday the 13th (which is a mere month away, by the way) at home, sitting in the rubber room I am planning to have built, and staring at each other!!!

So, in closing, I will quote my sweet Bishop from my California days and say, "A good time was had by all!!"

(Oh, and as a side note for all you superstitious people - as we were walking my mom out to her car after all the drama, a black cat walked across the street! No Joke...)

Do you think it's broken??

The nurses said this was one of the most "impressive" breaks

they had ever seen! Ian really knows how to do it up right!!!

If we had only had candlelight,

this dinner would have been PERFECTION!!

A Penny Saved...

2009-01-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing a lot about this Grocery Smarts/Pinching your Pennies craze as of late, but always thought it sounded like too much work. But then I thought, "wouldn't my dear hubby be so proud if I saved some extra money?" - goodness knows I've already perfected the art of spending it!

So, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to go for it. A friend of mine taught a group of us the ropes (thanks, Nicki), and I took my first shot at it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture from my maiden voyage, but I did manage to save some money. I ended up spending $52 and saving $56. Not bad for the first trip, I thought.

The next week I headed to Albertsons, armed with coupons from multiple papers (one of the GOLDEN rules), my sale ad and a personalized spreadsheet. Yes, I even made a spreadsheet so I wouldn't crack under the "money saving" pressure!! I didn't want to look like a "newbie" in front of the hard-core shoppers. (You know who you are...)

Well, I did pretty good - better than the week before. I took a picture, but instead of spreading everything out like the pros do, I stacked it all, so the picture doesn't display the full savings that I partook of. (Dang novices and their stupid mistakes...) But, I have to admit, I have saved more money than I thought I would, and I imagine it will only get better. I actually found the adrenaline rush to be quite invigorating. Now if I can just keep from running directly to the nearest mall, I will be in good shape!

Coupons: $23.00
Preferred Savings: $72.72

Bonus Buy Savings: $8.84
Total Spent: $78.75
Total Savings: $104.56

A Sight for Tired Eyes

2009-01-25T21:57:00.000-08:00

So, it's no secret that I LOVE sleeping kids. There's nothing better for a mom than that quiet time when the kids are all tucked snuggly in their beds. Luckily, my kids have always been pretty good sleepers, for the most part. (Connor was an exception for a while, but we set him straight...). Ian is probably my best sleeper - once he's out, he's OUT (as evidenced in this pic)!

The other night, I went on my nightly rounds to check the kids before bed, and this is how I found Ian. Apparently, falling out of bed can't even interrupt his beauty sleep. No wonder he's so darn cute!

Ya-Yaism #100 or so

2008-12-31T12:43:00.000-08:00

Elise has said some REALLY funny things over the years. For the sake of a blog title, I will now be referring to these funnies as "Ya-Yaisms" (I know - not real original). There have been some real winners, more than I can count, and I know one day I will regret not writing them all down. I'm hoping my brain holds out for a while and I can continue to store them there.

Anyway, last night I got an email from my mom (who was having Elise over for a sleepover). They were watching TV and Elise said something funny that I felt was VERY postworthy. Here is how it went:

Elise: Marna (that's what she calls my mom), can

you remember a phone number?

Marna: Probably not, why?

Elise: I think my mom really needs this. She has been

having problems with this for a while, and

I want to get her some of this stuff to help her.

Elise then proceeds to run and get a pen and paper to jot down the phone number. My mom looks over at the TV and the commercial is for PROACTIVE!!!

Now, I will admit that I have been a little more "ZITTY" as of late, and have also vocalized my disappointment on numerous occasions, but I didn't really think my 7-year-old would have cause for concern.

So, I'm assuming when she gets home today, I will be given the self-help phone number that will solve all my acne problems! Isn't she the sweetest?

However, if it makes me looks like this, then maybe it's worth a shot...

One small step for Ya-Ya; one giant heartache for momkind!

2008-12-29T13:16:00.000-08:00

Elise has been wanting to have her ears pierced for quite some time. I have always told myself we would do it when she turned 8 (which is in a short three months), but she really wanted it done for Chrismas.

So, this past weekend, we finally did it. I really didn't think it would be that big of a deal to me, and at the time it wasn't, but now I look at her and realize she is growing up. FAST!!! It kindof hurts my heart to think that just yesterday she took her first steps (or so it seems, anyway). And before I know it, she will be going on her first date!! Don't tell her dad, I think he's in denial too...

Knowing that Elise can be very sensitive and a little dramatic (I wonder where she got those traits?), I had been warning her for a couple of days that it would hurt. I didn't want her to have any surprises going in. She said she could handle it, and she did, brilliantly! However, after the second ear was pierced, I could tell it was all she could do not to cry. I told her it was OK and to go ahead and let it out. Truth be told, I was secretly hoping she WOULD cry because then I could comfort my "baby girl" and deny that she was getting bigger and more able to do things like this. I know - I'm pathetic!

Anyway, here are some photos of the big day. Forgive me - all we had was a camera phone. YEP - the scrapbooker and photo buff forgot the camera for their first born's big day. LOSERS!!!

Before

I love this picture!! She has the same "deer in the headlights"

look that her dad did on the day she was born!

The pain of beauty!

This is right before the tears came

The finished product

We wish you...

2008-12-24T19:46:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a very

Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year from the Wirick Family!

May the holidays find you happy, healthy and full of love!!

Comic Connor

2008-12-19T14:03:00.000-08:00

These pictures of Connor are just some random shots I took one day when he was being silly (it happens quite often). But, then I was looking at them and realized they were looking a little bit like a story to me. So, I played around with a comic program we have on the Mac, and this is what I came up with. I never claimed to be a writer, so don't judge me... just go with it!

(Click on the pics below to enlarge)

Mommy GRINCH!

2008-12-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

So, a few weeks ago I had what I will call a "seasonal panic attack". Not to be confused with my everyday panic attacks, this is the one that comes with the holidays. I'm sure many of you have experienced this same thing a time or two. I started to stress out about gifts, cards, parties and all of the other things that had to be done for Christmas.

I know I'm not a very nice person when I'm stressed (big surprise). Case in point - we were decorating for Christmas last week and I was doing my normal perfectionist thing and ordering everyone around. The kids weren't doing what I thought they should be doing, things weren't going the way I thought they should be going, and Chris just wasn't doing anything right!!!

(Ladies, isn't that the way our poor husbands are usually treated during stressful times?) Chris even asked me at one point why I ask them to help when it just stresses me out. He said, "why don't you just do this alone?"

That got me thinking... Maybe I am one who stresses me out. Maybe I just need to take things slow and enjoy doing them. Maybe, just maybe, if I started making it more about "WE" and less about "I", things would be better!

So I started looking at old Christmas photos to put me in the mood, and I have to say, since that night, I have had a NEW outlook on the holiday season. Things are going really smoothly and I am enjoying myself much more now!

I thought I would post some of those cute photos in case somebody else is feeling the same way.

ENJOY!!!

This is my fAvOriTe - everyone should have one like this!

A Time of Thanks

2008-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Since it's Thanksgiving, I'm taking some time to reflect on all of the blessings in my life, so I felt I should acknowledge some of them by sharing them. These are in no particular order and are JUST A FEW of my favorite things:

- my wonderful family

- a patient husband who is also an AMAZING dad

- 3 beautiful, healthy, FUNNY children who make me laugh every single day

- the ability to laugh at myself (I couldn't always do this)

- great girlfriends to share the good times and bad

- fireplaces

- Stephen's hot chocolate

- the quiet time just before I go to sleep (this is when I do some of my best thinking)

- my mom, who I can count as one of my dearest friends

- a country of freedom and democracy

- my dad (who I miss each and every day)

- the smell of my kids in the morning

- my calling in the Primary

- the gospel

- a freshly cleaned house

- my bed

- a good pedicure

- time alone with my hubby

- carrot cake

- great teachers

- kids in "footie" pajamas (is that a word?)

- kids "belly laughing"

- midnight pomegranate lotion from Bath & Body

- yummy candles

- snuggling

- eternal families

- the "thirtysomethings" where I'm still young enough to act silly, but old enough not to care what people think about it!

- seat heaters

- singing

and last, but DEFINITELY not least, I'm thankful for my SAVIOR and all of the sacrifices he has made for me. I feel so blessed for everything I've been given and am trying to show gratitude for these things each and every day. I'm certainly not there yet, but I'm working on it...

Wirick Family Relocation Fund

2008-11-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

So, normally Ian and Elise don't play together all that well - BIG SHOCKER!! But today was an exception. They were playing really good together in their bedroom (they even shut Connor out and put a chair in front of the door). I was curious to see what had them so occupied, so I went in their room to find them counting all of the money in their piggy banks. Elise said they were playing "money". I didn't think anything of it and left the room. A bit later, Elise came out of the room holding this Kleenex box (notice the words on the front - "Mountain Green Money Box"). She was also chanting, "we want to move - please pay money"!

It's no secret that Chris and I have been wanting to move to Mt. Green for some time, but in light of the current economic crisis, we have put those dreams on hold and haven't talked about it much lately. So, I don't know why she thought of this now, but I think it was pretty clever (not to mention HILARIOUS).

So, if any of you are feeling generous, please feel free to contribute your miscellaneous change to Elise's "Wirick Family Relocation Fund". By the looks of it so far, we have about $2.50. We should be in good ole' Mt. Green in no time!!!

Testing...

2008-11-20T00:03:00.001-08:00

So lately, I have been looking for different ways to display photos on my blog. I have tried for hours on many different websites with no success. But, Eureka, I think I have finally found one that will work! This is a rough draft because it was really late when I was putting it together and I was starting to go cross-eyed. But hopefully, after some much needed sleep, I will have a lot of fun with this. The bad news is that I'm a cheapskate and, unless I want to pay a fee, I have to have their logo on my pictures. Nothing in life is free, is it? Oh well...

By the way, is that not the cutest stinkin' kid you've ever seen? (c'mon, admit it....)

Stein anyone? YES, PLEASE!

2008-11-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

This past Friday, Chris and I celebrated our 13-year anniversary (holy cow, I'm old) with an overnight getaway to the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley. (A shout out of thanks to grandma for watching the rugrats). This was our second visit, the first being three years ago for our 10-year. It was fabulous then, but nothing compared to this time. We arrived expecting the cozy little room we had been in previously, which was very nice. But to our surprise, this time we were in a two bedroom suite with fireplaces in both the living area and bedroom, two full bathrooms, a mini-kitchen and flat screen TVs in both rooms. There was also a hot tub on the private balcony and a SPECTACULAR view of Deer Valley resort out our window.

As if this wasn't enough, they treat you like ROYALTY when you are there. I guess, since it is the only 5 star hotel in Utah, you should be treated like royalty when you are there, right??? We came back from dinner (at the fabulous restaurant they have in the lodge) to find our bed had been turned down and comfy robes and slippers had been laid out for us. They had even placed mints on our pillows and put on some music ("turn down" music, to be exact). Who knew there was such a thing as "turn down" music? I guess the kind of people who have someone turn their beds down every night, right? Chris and I are "common" folk, I think, so we find it really special (and quite rare) to be treated this way. We had a really great time relaxing and getting in some real adult conversation (something you obviously don't get much of when you have three children under 7)!

So, to all you loving husbands out there, I implore you, at least once in your lives, to take your beautiful wives to the Stein!!! (Notice my LARGE smile in the picture below - and yes, that IS a phone in the bathroom... in the bathroom!!!). It is well worth the money. And just a tip: if you go during the "off-season", before all the celebrities and important types show up, you can get a screamin' deal. (Ask for room 261-1 - the view is BREATHTAKING)!!

Elder "B" - We love thee!

2008-11-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

So, about three weeks ago my nephew left for the MTC. He was called to the San Juan East Puerto Rico mission back in July (and just left in October). We found out that he would be in Provo for a few weeks and then he would get to go to the MTC in the Dominican Republic. What an opportunity, right? So, yesterday he left for the Dominican Republic.

The day he got his call - what a day!

Braden and his parents - isn't he the cutest missionary ever???

Even though he won't see this post, I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell him how proud we are of him and that we love and miss him.

Be careful and work hard Elder "B"!!!

"Let him sleep, for tomorrow he'll move Mountains"

2008-11-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

So, I think all of you moms out there (and dads - we mustn't forget the dads) will agree with me that there is nothing better than a sleeping child. Especially if that child happens to be strong-willed, like my middle child (you know what they say about those poor middle children.)

For those of you who know me well, it's no secret that my 4-year-old, Ian, and I have our struggles. He really knows how to push my buttons! And I will admit, I let my buttons get pushed way too often. Afterall, I am the adult, right?!? So when I put my kids to bed, I always let out a sigh that we made it through one more day. And on a particularly hard day, I find myself counting the hours until bedtime (I know you all do it too at times, admit it). Some nights, I even have "poor me" conversations with myself. But, then when I watch my kids sleeping, and after I have my mini-tantrum, I have some moments of clarity. I think to myself that I must have done something right to deserve these kids. I look at my Ian (as spirited as he is) and think that I was blessed with this funny, smart and charming boy who is healthy and beautiful. It's then when I remember that he is only 4 and he still has so much to learn and do in his life. That spirit of his (when channeled correctly) will serve him well one day.

That's where the blog title comes in. I heard that quote a few years back and it has stayed with me since. I am embarrassed to say that I can't remember who actually quoted it, but the quote itself is so profound. I look at him and wonder who and what he will be, and am I doing all I can to help shape him into the BEST person he can be? What mountains will he move?

So, I guess the moral to my story (or blog, as it were) is that, although I have hard times and struggles with my kids, I am so blessed to have them and can't wait to watch them "move their mountains". (And, there is an added bonus. I sure am able to get a lot done while they sleep! Maybe no mountains are moved, but plenty of molehills, for sure...

Yes, he's sleeping under my scrapbook table. Beggars can't be choosers, right?

The Invisible Woman

2008-11-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine sent this to me today, and she didn't know it at the time, but I was really needing to hear this today!

This is for all you women (especially moms) out there who feel invisible at times. Enjoy and know that there is always Someone who notices all the great things you do...

Family Pics

2008-11-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

About a week ago, we had our family pictures done by my cute niece, Ashley and her friend Meg. They are both just getting into photography and trying to put together portfolios so they have been super busy shooting everything that moves. :) Anyway, it went really well!! We had them taken at Beus Pond which, as you can see in the pictures, is breathtaking this time of year. The pictures turned out great due to the hard work of Ashley and Meg, and some pretty stinkin' cute subjects. It's not easy chasing kids all over to get a good picture!!!

Thanks so much girls for all your hard work. We had a great time!

The Green Monster - AKA Magic Juice

2008-11-07T23:45:00.000-08:00

So, while watching my two boys eat breakfast the other morning, I decided I had a worthy blog post happening right before my eyes - THE MAGIC JUICE!!!

Let me back it up a little. About a year ago, Chris (my dear hubby) decided that he wanted a Blendtec blender for Christmas. For those of you who don't know, this is the Mercedes of all blenders. I'm fairly certain it could successfully blend a small animal, if tested. Anyway, after a couple of hours at Costco and a brief love affair between Chris and the man who is now affectionately known as the "Blendtec Guy", we were the proud owners of a Blendtec blender. (We won't discuss the 2nd mortgage to afford the dang thing.) :) We have since been making these fabulous smoothies every day, and my kids suck them down! The great thing about them is that they are loaded with fruits and vegetables. And these are not the typical kid friendly veggies like "corn or potatoes", these are the good veggies like spinach, kale, carrots, etc... I know, sounds gross! But, Chris was on a mission to get our kids eating healthier, and lo and behold, this mAgic Juice has done it. It's mean, green and has this inexplicable power over men, women and children alike. And for those of you who know me, it won't come as a shock to hear that I have... let's say... a strained relationship with the veg. But I have to say that now I, in fact, do love me some green smoothie!

So ladies, if you are looking for a great gift for your health conscious hubbies this Christmas or even if you just want to deceive your children into eating more GREENS, let me highly recommend the Blendtec blender. (Just don't leave your men alone with that Blendtec salesman, he's crafty...)

BEFORE

AFTER

The proof is in the pudding (or should I say... the mAgic JuiCe!!)

Two cute boys and a ghoul!

2008-11-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

If I had to describe this past Halloween in one word, it would be EPIC! We had fabulous weather, darling costumed kids and of course, candy. What more can you ask for?? Elise dressed as a scarecrow (though more sweet than scary), Ian was a SWAT officer (his phrase d' jour was "freeze sucka!"), and Connor went as a lobster (AKA a bug, Sebastian and a few other names he was called during the night). We brought the wagon, anticipating that Connor would get tired, but he would have no part of it! He was at every doorstep with the big kids enjoying the heck out of it! I have to say, this Halloween beat the pants off of last year!!!

But they'll call me Harry Potter...

2008-11-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

So, about two weeks ago, it happened... Elise had a vision test at school and came home with the dreaded note. Yes, she needed an additional test from an eye doctor to determine if she needed glasses. Needless to say, Elise was DEVASTATED. So, after a lot of hugging, shedding of tears, and the aforementioned Harry Potter comment, we decided we would go to the doctor. At the exam, the doctor informed us that she did indeed need glasses, but just for schoolwork as her prescription was very mild. After the exam, we proceeded to Walmart to get some glasses. Surprisingly, by the time we were done looking, Elise was totally stoked!! Thank goodness for fashionable specs!!! Now I can't get her to part with the dang things. And, judging by this picture, can you blame her? Better yet, could ya BITE her?!?

Construction Zone

2008-11-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

So, I've finally done it. I've taken the plunge into the waters of blogging. I had to sample said waters by first getting a Facebook account (my mini-blog, if you will). After doing that for a few weeks, I've become addicted! So, the next natural step in addiction is to step it up right? Hence, my graduation to the blogging world.

I'm new to this stuff, though, so please check back and hopefully I will have figured it out by then!