Belated Birthday

Ella turned 5! Yes, in May, but whatever. She is the funniest, sweetest, sassiest little 5 year old I know! We had a last minute birthday party with a pinata and cupcakes and a surprise trip to Disneyland. What else could a girl want?

Once Upon a Time

Back in May, during Ella's birthday, we decided to surprise the kids with a trip to Disneyland. Ella has been begging to go for the last year and has been saving every penny so she can help pay for the trip. We knew she'd be so excited! We didn't tell them where we were going, said we had some errands to do, and just drove until we made it to St. George -- where we learned Jack throws up when enclosed in small spaces. Like elevators. Ella thought the surprise was to sleep and swim at the hotel and was sorely disappointed to have to get in the car and drive even more. Luckily, the kids were really great. No major meltdowns ... except for me. I hate long car rides!

We stayed right across the street from the entrance - perfect for our trip. Ella kept commenting on all the Mickey Mouse stuff and the fun music but could still not figure what we were doing. We made it all the way through the ticket entrance until she started to get the idea. Even then we still had to tell her. Her response was quite disappointing. I guess it took her a little while to realize exactly where she was but once it sunk in she was thrilled!

When it was time to come home, Ella, Jack and I hopped on an airplane and flew home while Gator drove the car back. Sure beats the heck out of a 11 hour drive!

This must have still been at the beginning of the drive since Ella is still smiling!

Poor Jack Jack. Stuck in that rotten car seat.

Our attempt at a family picture.

We had dinner with all the princess. Ella was so excited! This is Ella trying to learn a dance from Snow White.

Jack was exhausted the entire trip. Poor kid would not take a regular nap!


We had such a good time! Can't wait to go again!

p.s. There's going to be a lot of catching up around here. Just so you know.

Going to the Chapel

Holy smokes, can I just say I'm exhausted?! A few late nights, hair spray fumes and some Electric Slide moves can really take it out of a girl! Gator's sister, Ashlee, got married yesterday. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather and we had a lot of fun.

Ella & Ashlee
The girls got to spend the morning playing Beauty Shop. I've never seen so many curling irons in one place!


Ella, Jack and Gator were part of the wedding party. Ella was so excited. She walked down the isle tossing rose petals and Jack walked down the isle after her, picking up the petals and eating them.My handsome boys.


The Family dressed in their finest.


We love to dance in our family. We got to show off some of our moves last night.

Here's Gator right before his signature move - The Tootsie Roll. Really, you should see it.


Where my hot, sexy red shoes ended up. Not on my feet. My toes are still tingling. Seriously. Is that normal? Is that what you high-fashioned ladies have to deal with? If it wasn't for the multiple compliments, I would have ditched these babies long before I did.


The Gatherum Family

Congratulations Ashlee & Kory! Thanks for letting us be a part of your day!

Wedding Bells and Taco Shells

We have plans today. Big plans. 18 inch heel plans. Should be fun ... I'll let you know how it goes!

Ode to Marbles

There once was a girl who posted

A talent of which she once boasted
One day she got tired
Her brain sadly expired
Positive her blog was quite toasted

A friend said, Hey you, what the hay?
I don't believe you have nothing to say
Get off of your duff
Start writing that fluff
Give me something to read once a day

The girl sighed, By golly you're right
I'm sorry I gave such a fright
Shook the fog from her noggin
Determined to start bloggin
Starting the next day after tonight.

The End

Happy Birthday, Jack Jack!

You are such a funny boy! We love you so much!

Wha??

I haven't posted for a while. Sorry. Just haven't felt like it. I still don't really want to so I'll show you something ridiculous instead.

As you know, I like funny things. A friend of mine emailed this to me and I have to admit, I chuckled quite a few times. She saw it on some random blog, which is where I stole it from, and since it's from YouTube, I don't have to claim where I stole it from, right? Whatever. Some of it's lame, some of it's funny and some of it made me wiggle with uncomfortableness (potty humor makes me squirm .. no matter how mild. You'll see.)

Holy Smokes! Is that a ....

Yes folks, it is. My first triathlon schedule. It's been printed, posted, and I'm stickin' to it. I have 11 weeks. Am I crazy? Yup. Do I know what I'm getting into? Not a clue. Is it possible for me? Not sure, but I'm going to try. Now, there's just the slight problem of me not owning a bike ...

Hey Bird!

We are home from our vacation. We had a great time but we're exhausted. My legs still hurt and my kids are completely out of whack. I'm ready for Maui ... by myself ... maybe with Gator ... and a tall cool one. *sigh* Someday. More on our trip later. What we did come home to (besides a filthy house and laundry up to our armpits) was this -- Well, not the nest. That was there when we left. The birds have hatched! Teensy baby birds are cheep cheeping their teeny tiny guts out! Mama and Daddy bird must be so proud! They spend their day searching my grass for worms and when it's meal time, the little fluffs wake up and go bonkers! Their little voices are so cute!

Oh, Mama ... or Daddy ... such good little providers!

Suggestions .... Pronto!

Quick! I need some book suggestions. I am leaving out of town on Monday and don't have a thing to read! I need a book I can get at the library, something that Oprah has not recommended (I can't do extremely depressing right now) and not something real popular -- I don't have time to be on the waiting list. I need it in my hot little hands by Saturday. Have I narrowed the options too much? What book do you love ... or liked ok? Any suggestions? Please????

If Your Happy and You Know It

Today, I'm happy. I'm happy other days too, but today is simple, clean, fresh happiness. My farmer tan has made it's yearly appearance. My windows are open. We have been outside non-stop for a week. My kids are filthy, smell like sunscreen and have slept delightfully well. I realized this winter that I'm a SAD sufferer (seasonal affective disorder). I haven't been properly diagnosed but anyone who saw, met or spoke to me this winter would probably back up my statement. I had a long, hard couple of months. This last week has been an absolute blessing. The temps are supposed to plummet this weekend but today, I'm thankful.

I love how running makes me feel and I love how it starts my day. I don't love running itself -- I used to, but I've lost it. This week has been hard. Pep talks occur nightly. Morning seems especially early. My legs are tired and my back has been hurting. However, after dragging my butt out of bed and getting my tired body outside, I'm usually glad I did. Over the last three days my morning jogs have been enjoyable. New music, good weather -- makes a difference!

This morning I didn't go running. It was such a great feeling to shut off my alarm last night! My kids slept through the night. I woke up all by myself. No alarm, no kid voices. They slept until 7:30. It was amazing!

I am starting a swimming class tonight. 5 weeks of rediscovering my stroke. Weird, I know, but I'm excited! I love swimming, I miss swimming, and there's nothing better than looking like an idiot with some friends!

We had Standards Night for YW last night. The speaker was a Principal from a local Jr. High who's a bishop (or was?) who also is fighting cancer. I totally could have ditched out but I'm glad I went. It was so nice to hear talk of respecting adults, being honest, acting your age and teenage cell phone abuse. Not sure if the youth heard a word of it (too busy texting!) but as an adult, it made me happy.

Dance is almost over! Ella is a darling dancer. She's good at it and she likes to do it. This year dance class has been a struggle. I think both of us need this year to be over and have a little time to regroup. I'll be glad when the recital is done and Ella (and me) get a break. Hopefully through the summer she remembers why she loves it. Today is just one more dance class down -- horrible, I know but it makes me happy.

Happy Thursday!

Gluttony

We have a problem at our house. One at a time doesn't register with this fella. Suggestions?

Something missing?

A picture Ella brought home to me. It says - I like to play with - with a picture of Gator, Ella and Jack. Oh, and Ariel. After praising her for good spelling and drawing skills, I noticed someone was missing. Ella, I said. Don't you like to play with Mom? Mama, she said. You need to do your jobs, silly goose.

Huh. I guess she doesn't remember the other 9 hours of the day that she needs to be entertained.

It proudly hangs on our fridge .... where I can be reminded 800 times a day of all the time I don't spend with her. Nice.

Easter

This year we decided to attempt the Barnes Park egg hunt. We've avoided it in years past -- mostly because we forget ... and are a little lazy ... and let's face it, the Gatherum Fam doesn't like crowds. But the weather turned out somewhat crummy, we felt guilty for our laziness and we ventured out. We were not disappointed! The weather kept the crowds down and Ella had a fabulous time!

Ella waiting for the race to begin. I tried to explain to her the best strategy for getting the most eggs but she wasn't interested. Her goal was to get only pink eggs. I watched her run out to the middle of the field (part of my strategy. I was hopeful!), pick up an egg, then run clear across the field to the next pink egg she had spotted. Then, run back to where she began and pick up another pink egg. She ran three times as far as any other kid there, but she did end up with a bag full of pink eggs. She was pleased.


We didn't let Jack participate this year. Anyone who knows Jack probably isn't surprised.


Coloring eggs. I love coloring eggs. I found myself cheating Ella out of them just for my own pleasure. Next year I'll cook a couple extra dozen just for me! Very therapeutic!


Easter morn. I love this picture because it's exactly what Ella looks like every morning -- sleepy and rumpled with hair standing on end! Oh, I love this girl!


And my Jack. In his pink jammies. Yes, I still put him in pink jammies because he's too dang cute n them. Pink really is a good color on him!


Later, we went to Gator's parents for dinner and more egg hunting. The food was great and the kids were in heaven. Especially Jack. He's never been surrounded by so much candy! He's never been allowed to eat so much candy! I was sick watching him.


Ella and her loot.


We had a great day and had so much fun with family!

Happiness

Have you guys seen this before? Yes? What? You mean I've posted this on my blog 17 times before? Well, I don't care how many times I've forced you to watch it. If it doesn't make you smile, there's something wrong with you! Until I can come up with something to blog about, enjoy!