This week

It's been a busy couple of days...or at least that's the way it seemed. Nick started his new job at Ebay, I had 2 job interviews, 2 job offers and 1 acceptance. Preston is back in Preschool twice a week, we're doing carpooling with 2 other mom's to/from Ashleigh's school. We've had dr appointments, lots of errands, and a couple of really emotional days too.

On Wednesday the kids and I went to visit my parents. We had a nice chat and the kids loved spending time with their grandparents. They don't get to see them nearly enough with everyone working and being so busy.

Ash in a dress-up outfit

My mom got patio furniture for her birthday! :-)

Preston enjoyed picking veggies from their garden even when they didn't want him to

Preston, dad, Ashleigh

This is the outfit Ashleigh picked out for herself the other day...lol. She's just SO cute and doesn't understand why I questioned her outfits. :-)


Preston made this train track all by himself and was SO proud and insisted that I take a picture of it. It's been 1 1/2 years since he saw his first "toy" train and he's still obsessed with them!!!

On Friday, after Ashleigh got home from school, and Nick left for work, I took the kids to Cookie Cutters to get Preston's haircut. I wanted to see what he would look like with a different haircut--a normal haircut...this is the best picture I got of it.

I think he looks like Braeden at 3 yrs old in this picture!

but I decided that I wanted my bowling-ball Preston head still so we shaved it all off again! :-)

We went to Kid-2-kid to get Preston a couple Sweatshirts for the fall. We went down to Orem to the Women's Expo. The kids went with me to it last year--we get in for free, we get lots of free stuff through out, and although there are lots of things I would buy if I had endless amounts of money, we stick to getting the free stuff. This year we got--2 backpacks, 8 pens, post-its, note pads, tons of candy, a water bottle, refrigerator magnets, Coloring books, crayons, etc....We had lots of fun!
As we were leaving, I saw that the "Hot and Ready" light was on at Krispy Kreme so we headed there so the kids could see how doughnuts are made. Preston was complete infatuated with watching them and would point out to me-by yelling-anytime one of the doughnuts didn't flip over like it's supposed to. Ashleigh and I took advantage of the fact that we got a free doughnut (which immediately gave me a sharp headache after I ate it!) and then we bought an assorted dozen to go.

On our way home we stopped at Smith's to get some things at the case-lot sale and then went to the bank.

Coloring at the table at the bank

On our way home we came to the playground/park and noticed Kevin's car there so we stopped to see them! Sheridan was having soccer practice. Kev and I got to chat for a bit while the kids played. After, we shared some of our doughnuts with them. It was good to see them!

Preston and Amelia enjoying their doughnuts

We got home and Ashleigh remembered that she got her school pictures back. Here it is with her First grade picture next to it. She sure has changed a lot in just 1 year! amazing how we don't really notice it from day to day.

First Grade.................Second Grade

It's been almost 2 months since our Lexus broke--the High-pressure power steering hose got a really big leak in it and had to be replaced. Nick knows a guy, who knows a guy who rebuilt and repaired the hose for us for only $90--including shipping!!! It was going to cost us about $550 to get a replacement hose from the dealer. Nick spent Friday and Saturday morning getting it put back together, changing the oil in the car, and washing/cleaning the inside and outside of it. "Lexi" is finally back and she looks beautiful!!! I'm so proud of Nick--anytime we've needed something done on our cars, he researched how to do it and then does it himself! We've saved so much money that way! I love having a handy husband!

The shiny metal hose is 1/3 of the new part...

Then it weaves under and around and comes up here...the shiny metal is the new part too.
Pretty huh?

After Nick got done with the Lexus, he went to the Mat to help his dad with something down there. Then I took Ashleigh to Jace's birthday party--a classmate. While Ash was gone, my parents came and picked up Preston for his birthday date. They take each of their grandkids out around their birthdays to buy their present and go out to lunch/dinner. It's a great way for the grandkids to have that one-on-one time with them.
I had told Preston that they were coming to get him and get his b'day present. He was completely single-minded and when they came, he didn't even want to talk about getting lunch. He ONLY wanted his present. So, instead of trying to convince him, they went to wal-mart instead and got his gift. My mom sent me these pics. It looked like Preston had a great time!!!

Riding in the cart....weeeee

He picked out Percy and James Mega-blocks.
Not quite the same as his Thomas Trains that he currently has, but he didn't care.

I love Preston's face in this picture.

My dad brought Preston home and then took both he and Ashleigh for a ride in the bed of his truck. Then the kids played with Preston's new trains for a couple of hours!!! And so far he's been playing with them for most of the day today as well (Sunday).

Labor Day Weekend

Friday last week was Nick's last day at US Bank. We were excited to have a 3 day weekend together--first time in MANY months! But Saturday Nick was feeling fatigued most of the day and ended up taking a 4+ hour nap! So, we didn't do anything "fun" on Saturday--but I got housework and laundry done, so it was a good day for me. Sunday was much of the same....Nick was feeling really tired again so we stayed home and didn't do much. We did see if Preston was ready to ride a 2-wheel bike, so nick took off his training wheels. NOPE, too soon. He's too short and he has NO clue how to balance. He likes to look behind him when he rides and when he does that with out his training wheels on, he falls right over. So, we put them back on. We'll try again next spring. Monday morning, however, I got all my errands done and then Juli and I went shooting about 15 miles south-west of our house. It took us a while to find a good place that was far away from civilization and that was up against a mountain. We finally found a good spot....the annoying thing was there were a TON of flies there that didn't seem to care if you swatted at them to go away. They would come right back, land on your clothes, your hair, your face, etc... grrr... There were also people riding ATV's all over so we had to wait til they were out of ear-shot before we could shoot our target. and they created so much dust when they drove by us. Those 2 things aside, it was SO much fun!!!

Juli spent the first little bit teaching me stuff that they teach at Front Sight--names of things, how to hold the guns so you are always safe, how to put the magazine in with out looking at it, etc. It was a lot of information and I was glad she taught me all of that. I did feel MUCH safer with the gun after I was educated.

We spent about 2 hours out there. I learned a LOT, I had SO much fun, and I definitely want to go and shoot some more!!!












When we got home, Nick and Randy went south of Saratoga Springs near Utah Lake to do some shooting. They had a little too much fun and actually started a fire out there!!! Randy called Juli with panic in his voice and she quickly came to them with a fire extinguisher. In the mean time, Randy and Nick were using their shirts, and anything else they could find to try to put out the flames. I hear it was pretty intense and adrenaline packed! They sure are crazy guys!!!

That evening we went to the Call's for a bbq dinner. Hamburgers and hot dogs, chips/salsa, potato salad, coleslaw, etc....and YUMMY Peach Lush for dessert!!! It's like heaven in your mouth! ;-) I got to take extra's home with me. yum!

In all, we had a great Labor Day.

Pictures--August/Septemer 2010

My boys sure do get tired on the weekends

Preston refused to take a nap all day. Finally around 530pm he couldn't stay awake any more and fell asleep while cuddling with me. He's so adorable!

Preston wanted to rock on my foot stool. I thought he would fall asleep on it, but he didn't.

Preston had his first day of Preschool on Thursday the 2nd. He did GREAT and proudly wore his "crown" that he made for most of the day.

Not wanting me to take his picture

But I got a picture anyway! :-)

The new road, Pioneer Crossing, just got finished. It's so exciting!!! If you know where we live, you'd know we live way out west from the freeway, having this road cuts about 5 min off our trip and is basically a strait shot from our house to the freeway. I LOVE it!!!
The kids and I went on a bike ride yesterday. Our destination was Snoasis, but they had already closed for the season, so we went across the street to Chevron and I got the kids some Push-pops ice creams. We sat in the shade at Chevron and ate. Then we headed to Gma Call's to visit and get some of her garden veggies. She also gave us another loaf of bread which was a nice bonus! Then we rode our bikes back home. In all we rode about 3.6 miles together. The kids did awesome and I had a lot of fun too...We're planning at least 2 more bike rides during labor day weekend! Love it!

Nick's last day at US Bank was on Friday. We are both SO happy that he's finally done working there! He was completely miserable the last few months. Surprisingly, his boss and coworkers got him a card and a cake, and he told me that a few of his favorite customers came in to say good-bye to him and brought him little gifts. isn't that sweet!??!

We just celebrated Christians 9th birthday on Aug 30. A couple days later I was feeling sad that I had TONS of pictures of Ashleigh and Preston, but none with all 3 of my kids, so I just stuck the 2 pictures together and made myself a new picture! It's not perfect, but at least I can see my kids together.

Emily sent me this picture a couple weeks ago. man oh, man, I miss this little girl!!! Finley is SUCH a sweet sweet baby! I miss my Mooney family so much!

Story: The other day the kids and I were driving home and a dragonfly flew in to my windshield and got stuck in the wipers. I turned the wipers on high speed and was able to get the dragonfly free, but before I could turn off the wipers it got pushed and stuck in the blades again. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it out while I was driving, so as soon as we got home I carefully got it freed and set it on the hood of my van. Later when I checked the dragonfly was gone so I assumed it lived and flew away...but when I looked around, I saw it on the ground in our garage....dead. Poor dragonfly!

My dad was able to go to the 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally in Washington DC! (jealous!) I haven't had a chance to sit and talk with him about it yet, but from what I hear he had a great time!!! Some day I hope to visit DC, but for now, I'll have to just live vicariously through him. ;-)

I requested these awesome stickers last week and they came in the mail yesterday. I have no idea where I'll put them, but leaving your sons intact is something I am VERY passionate and opinionated about so I know I want to display them some place where many people will see them!

Ashleigh had a Sports team-dress down day at school last week. This is what she wore. She is just SO beautiful!!! I love her SO much!!!