My trip home...first half!

Well my trip is half way through. It is wierd, if feels like I have been here forever but I also feel I have so many more people I want to see and things to do. So glad its only half over. (except for I miss my hubby! I wish he could be here, that would make it all the more fun)

Anyway so the flight here went suprisingly well! My DVD player wouldn't work so I was on my own (with a little help from Brook's mom and sis, thank goodness) for 3 1/2hours straight from Chigaco. I was very pleased with his behavior...especially for no nap!

The day after I came was Sunday. It was perfect because I was able to see almost all the Olsen clan. Phil's cousins had a little birthday party for Phil's grandpa, a perfect get together! (sorry those of you who have already seen these pics, yes I stole them! Ü)

All the girls in our family except Tan...(where were you?) So so so fun to see everyone! It had been WAY TO LONG!
Me and Ko! Obviously before I got my hair cut, and for some reason these pictures make me wish I didn't. I am wierd. haha I was totally hating it every day without bangs...Like I said wierd.
My sis in law Missy and I totally showed up wearing the exact same thing...what are the odds? Our hair was similiar and our nails where even the same color!

The first of the week was spent with my sis and her kids in town and my mom. Mostly all I did was try to get Koen to stay in the pack and play for bed and nap...miserable! I literally bawled my eyes out and said I didn't want to have anymore children one night. Obviously dont do so well in those situations! Ü
On wednesday I headed down with my sis to her new house in Cleavland Ut(Emery County, by Price) I love love love it! Literally if I could build a replica(in the valley) I would! I wouldn't change a thing. I am so happy for you Nae! I stayed there until Sunday, were we spent most of our time hanging out inside because of the rainy weather! O-well good quality time together huh sis?!
Yesterday I was able to see all the girlfriends of Phil's friends wives...wow thats a big explanation. I kind of hate refering to them as that, cause I like them just as my own friends! Ü I didnt have my camera cause I left it at my sis's. But it was so much fun to see everyone! Expecially Jamie and Devry who I haven't seen in years...literally! Thanks for hosting AM!
I also failed to mention that the last week has been a little crazy with Ko. One night at my sisters he randomly threw up 1 time and then ran a fever every day the rest of the time. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized his bottom 2 molars have come half way through. I wondered if that was the case since he really had no other symptoms (but the 1 random throw up) but teething takes a toll on his poor little body in wierd ways like that and Diahrea! It is too bad, hopefully he is either A- on the up scale or B- gonna get the top ones too and be done!
So today I decided we could be grumpy at home or grumpy at the zoo. So we decided to head to the zoo with Mindy and Gina (and Nana for a minute, hope to see you again before I go) It was fun, and Koen was generally very good for the most part.
Koens favorite animals are gorillas and alligators..suprisingly those are the two things I took his pic with. Too bad he had takin off his hat and his hair looks lame...o well he is 2.
I really never let my child carry around that rag we call blanket, I think it is gross and embarrasing, BUT he doesnt feel good and it is like his only comfort, so I gave in. I am sure I will pay for it when we have to break it AGAIN!

Ko and I in the little boat by the alligator!

Tonight we had Kade over for a couple hours (Gina ,my sis in law who live in Pitt, is in town too) while her family went to the Roof for dinner. The boys totally crack me up together! They literally want to do everything the same, and say everything the same. It was funny cause when one of them would say something not quite right (like Kade says "youg" for yougart Koen thought he should call it "youg" too! They are too cute. PS you can tell Ko doesn't feel his best in this pic! :( he is so pale and no he doesn't match.

And I had to put on this pic. It is from Kirtland when Phils parents where in PA. I think it is such a great pic of these best little buddies!

Tanorexia is real

This is a random post. Right before I came to Utah I decided to hit the tanning bed a few times. It had been over 2 years since I had been, BUT I really hate being white when it comes time to bust out shorts. Some friends of mine at home and I were talking and I was telling them they didnt know what tan was. So I busted out these pics of me from when I was a junior in high school. I think I tanned every other day. I am so nasty. I remember people always telling me I was too tan, I totally thought they were jealous. haha. Tanorexia is real.

Girls camp summer 2001.

Senior Ball 2001.This dance I remember someone specifically telling me I was too tan...hello white and black. (Leann Lamb for those wondering...haha, it was her whom I thought was jealous...she was pasty haha, probably not so much)

Sweethearts 2001. This was a dance a few months prior to the white/black one. I really wanted to get the pic of me standing next to an extremly white person, but it was stuck down in my scrapbook to hard. Anyway its just funny cause the girl on the right (Steph) has good color...me not so much.

EFY summer 2001. Obviously we both hit the tanning bed a little too much trying to impress! Ü

Sorry for my scantlycladness(can you add "ness" to that?) in these pictures, at one point in my life I thought it was hot to dress like that! ;) PS I want to know...those of you who knew me then...did you think I was such an idiot?

My Hair...

I've had request to see my new hair cut. Even though it isnt anything too different, it is fun!

Everyone keeps questioning if I chopped it off...NO NO, I do love my hair short but I will not be cutting it short until AFTER I have my next kid, which could be a while! I will not do the prego chub face again, and my hair doesnt grow while I am pregnant so I have to plan for that. Plus right now I dont have a hairstylist to keep up short hair. So here is my latest do. I will have a hard enough time keeping up my bangs! Thank you to my mother in law for my new shirt(early b-day money)! Isnt it cute?
PS sorry to those of you who dont like me with bangs...Kinder! ;)

An early birthday present!

So today was really warm and Ko and I wanted to go out and play. I was thinking about how we have nothing exciting to play with in our backyard, but didnt feel like chasing him around the park. Well when my mom was here in January she bought Koen this basketball hoop for his birthday. I decided to bust it out today figuring it would either be a week late or a few weeks early! What the heck! Since it was so warm, I decided to bust out my swimsuit and sit my large white self out in my chair for a little tan. 5 hours later when I went to the gym I was so dissapointed that I didnt get anything. When I changed I realized my face and chest were a little pink! YAHOO FOR SOME COLOR!

Tag tag...I'm it!

How to play this game of tag. Post these rules on your blog. List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

3Joys 1-Food, I know that sounds so chubby, but it is. I love to eat! 2-Blogging...I swear I am obsessive. I am on here at least
3 times a day...ridiculous! 3-and of course...Phil and Koen. I love spending time with them.
3 fears 1-having our house broke into, especially while I am home. 2-having someone at home die that I haven't seen for a while and not being able to say goodbye. 3-getting fat (goes along with the food thing...haha)
3 goals 1-getting to Utah and back in one piece. Going on a plane with Koen is never exciting, neither is packing for 3 weeks. I NEED to wear something different EVERY day!2-Figuring out my new calling (yes another one, although I was released from 1, still leaving me at 3) Ward camp director, before I leave for Utah! And figuring out what I will do with my child while I am gone...YIKES! 3-My never ending goal! READ MY SCRIPTURES! I am not very good at it, but I keep trying!
3 current obsessions/collections I surely
do not collect a single thing...I hate junk. I cant not have useless things lying around...so we will go for obsessions 1-shredded wheat...I want to eat it every morning. 2-shoes, a girl can never have to many! 3-being tan...an obsession that is not so right now, but hello summer nearing! It is going to start!
3 random surprising facts about yourself 1-I shower for like 1/2 an hour EACH time I wash my hair. I go until the hot water does, then I get out! I love to shower when I wash my hair, it is so relaxing. When I dont wash my hair, I am in and out. 2-This will be my 10th time at girls camp. 6 times as a young women, 2 times on the stake committee and 2 times as a ward leader. (I have camp on the brain today) 3-I weigh myself EACH AND EVERY day.Ü
I tag...Suzi, Brook, Keelee, Niki, and Natalie

Fun filled week with Nana, Grandpa and the Gang!

PICTURE POST OVERLOAD!

Phil's parent came in to town last Saturday May 3rd. Nate and Gina picked them up in Pitt and the 5 of them (Kade inculded) drove up to Erie to spend some time with us! Phil and I were so excited to see his parents, it had been a long 8 months! That night we enjoyed spending a little time together before we headed to bed early! Sunday morning we went to Kirtland. Only Phil, Koen and I had been there before. We were able to see all the sites there. The boys did pretty well, but went the whole day with out a nap (Koen's 1st time EVER) They even made it through dinner out!

The only picture I got in Kirtland...Phil Brent and Nate at the Morley farm

Monday we were off to Niagara Falls as soon as Phil got done taking test #1 of 3 for the week. Once again my little family were the only ones who had been here! We had a great time watching the IMAX movie (even the boys liked it and watched the whole thing...with some snacks Ü) and riding the Maid of the Mist.

Nana and Papa with the kiddos

Stylin in the rain gear. Koen HATED the rain jacket and wanted off immediatley, Kade on the other hand wore his for the rest of the day. They both liked the Maid of the Mist as long as the didnt have to be held.

Kris couldnt go on cause she gets sea sick! Darn it!

Tuesday the boys went golfing and the girls went shopping! Very fun! We ate Panera bread two days in a row! We love it! (Utahns...it is kinda like Einstein BUT WAY BETTER) We rented Stranger than Fiction, which was stranger indeed and not so good in my opinion...all though that opinion stood alone! Ü
Wednesday we went out to Presque Isle, our beach. The rest of the day we all just kinda relaxed and hung around! What else is more fun on vacation! We also had Tessy over for a little bit...RUB A DUB DUB 3 KIDS IN THE TUB! We missed you Miss Tess, and are glad you came to play! Nane kept asking the boys if they wanted her to tickle their backs, they both said no, but Tess was like "Tickle me" so Nana did!

The boys loved throwing rocks in, as long as they werent in their shoes. And as long as their little toes didn't touch the water...it is freezing!

How cute that Ko's hand is on his leg...are ya serious?

Tessy loves Nana tickling her.

All 3 looking in the same general direction...can you believe it?

Best little buddies!

So tired...time for bed. I totally blow dried Tessy's hair and everything. Can I please have a girl?

Kicked back, relaxin with our feet up!

Thursday Nate Gina the boys and I went to Splash Lagoon..Erie's indoor water park! The boys had a good time splashin around! That night we went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate an early birthday for Phil! The waitress forgot to have them sing for Phil so when we came home, Gina and I made brownies and put a candle on it for him! We all sang to him!

A little cousinly love!

Someone loves swimming, purple lips and all!

Friday morning the fun had to come to an end! boo hoo! We are so glad the whole gang ended up staying the entire time! It was so much fun to spend time all of us together! Thanks so much to Kris and Brent for coming out here to see us PA'ns! We love you guys so much! Thanks for the WAY FUN TIMES!

Hey Mama!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MAMA!

I just wanted to give a shout out to my beautiful mother! She is such a great mom! I want her to know how much I love and appreciate her. Thank you for being one of my best friends, someone I can confide in, have fun with, laugh with, and chat for hours on the phone about nothing with! I love you mom! Happy mothers day!

A great day!

For Phil's birthday we slept in until 10 for me (that when ko woke up) and about 10:30 for Phil, then I made him breakfast. After breakfast I gave Phil his present (some new shoes, a shirt, a golf glove, balls, practice balls, and T's) Then we went to Dicks and Target to look at more golf stuff. Phil really wants to get some golf shoes with his b-day money. When we got back Phil took a nap. At 4:45 our babysitter came and we were off to hit a bucket of balls. ( I had to picture document everywhere we went) I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea how I really feel about golf. I don't know if I like it or hate it. I really hate when I am not good at something so every time I hit a crappy ball or swing and miss I don't want to play anymore. (yes I am a poor sport) So I don't know if I will actually get to the point where I actually want to go play a real game. Who knows! Anyway Phil's likes it...so we did it! Ü

Wonderful husband of mine!

Hooray for Phil, he is having a birthday!! What a good guy he is and has been!

26 years ago today he was brought into this world by cesearan section for the same reason as Koen...having a little too much fun getting tangeled up in that cord! (like father like son)

What a cute little boy Philly was! He liked to pick on his 3 little sisters, while his 3 older brothers picked on him. (now he just likes to pick on me...)

This is classic. Had to give a real life pose to go along with his Halloween costume!

The teenage years where nothing shy of cute either! I know I had an eye out for him...even though he was TOTALLY out of my league! Ü

Phil served a faithful mission in Uruguay. His parents were able to pick him up.

Then one glorious day in the singles ward I happen to let him know of my crush on him...it worked 6 weeks later we were an engaged couple!

Happy happy day! Even though I was a little KOO KOO(the fam knows what I mean Ü) Phil married me and made me one HAPPY women!

Little smooches! I love him I love him I love him!

A wonderful dad! From the begining Phil wanted to be a dad. He is so great with kids. Always the uncle that cousins and nieces and nephews want to play with. Koen and I love him SO much!

Little twiners. Koen loves when daddy gives him bones, fives and "kins". He loves that daddy takes time every time he watches him to teach him something new!

Phil is an EXCELLENT student to say the least. He has been able to manage school, Church, dad and husband. He excels in everything he does. He has got himself into 2 competitions, the president of Apha, and maintained grades that put him in the top 10 percent of his class.

Most of all Phil is the love of my life! He is so hard working, strong willed, kind, passionate, loving, faithful...the list could go on and on! I love you babe, I hope you have a great birthday!