MAY day, MAY day another post has been made!

MAY
The month of May was not quite as busy as April, thank goodness. So it makes for a shorter post.

I got to spend the Saturday before Mother's Day with Patty Elzinga and her cute grandkids. Pathetic that the only time the fellow Brookwood folks see each other here in Arizona is when our parents are here! Life happens. Anyways, we went to the Santan Village Mall and played in the jumping water fountains then ate at Chic-Fil-A. Patty even gave me some flowers for Mother's Day. Quinn and Kelley have such good kids. Patty's too sweet and it was so good to see a familiar face down here.






Here is my little parrot. Carter repeats everything! He loves movies and listening to the music from them. Here he is quoting a line from Return of the Jedi.
"Jabba,this is your last chance. Free us, or die!"

Arpil Fools!.....just a few months late....

Well its been a while since I've taken the time to sit and update this thing. So, here's the skinny on our fat lives! HA HA

APRIL


Noah participated in the Pinewood Derby. We had some issues with his car so needless to say, he came in dead last. Poor kid. Ben felt bad, I felt bad, Noah felt bad! When it was time for awards everyone got a certificate for participating and then the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place got their special prizes. Noah, being last, got the "Flat Tire" award. A chocolate cake with a nail in it. At this point, all the boys wanted that prize which made Noah feel a lot better. Good sport in the end.






Just like the Manti Pageant, Mesa Temple has an Easter Pageant. Its just as huge and well attended. We got to go with all the kids this year. It was so good. They use real animals and neat effects. The pictures don't do it justice, since we were far back, but you get the idea.

My sister Amy came home from her mission to Fort Worth, TX. I really wanted to be there and seeing her for her homecoming wasn't good enough. I couldn't imagine missing out on the family togetherness. So, thanks to my sweet hubby who volunteered to do my baby sitting and work from home, I left Wednesday morning, April 1st. I called my dad to tell him I was coming and that it was a surprise. Carter was so good in the car. We made it to my parents and my mom wasn't home. I came in the house only to find out my dad couldn't keep it a secret and told a few of my sisters I was coming. He's so cute. But mom still didn't know. So we were there no more then 5 minutes when we hear the grocery honk...family joke. My dad, Christian and sissy Missy went to help bring stuff in. They mentioned how no one had done an April's Fool joke and how weird it was and that made my mom hesitant to come in. Her reaction was so priceless. There was me and Carter in the living room holding a sign saying: APRIL FOOLS!

Amy came home the next day and I surprised the rest of the family at the airport. It was so good to see everyone and have it be a surprise. We were just missing my brother Matt, his wifey Lauren and their cute baby Matti. It was great to see Amy and I was so glad I was there.




We celebrated Easter while I was there. We did our traditions of dying eggs and this year did our hunt in the church. Fun, and easy clean up and lots of places to hide eggs!





My sister's Heidi and Laurel were due any day. I couldn't handle it. I so wanted them to have their babies while I as there. On Saturday, Heidi and Jeff came over. Heidi was miserable and trying to pass another kidney stone. I told her I would massage her feet, reflexology style and see if I could help put her into labor. I found her kidneys and she almost hit the ceiling. Then I rubber her uterus/ovaries. Jeff left to go to Priesthood session with his dad and about 20 minutes later called him and told him to go to the hospital instead. Heidi was in major pains. Mom, Dad, Amy and Heidi left and about an hour of being there was officially induced and in labor. I was so excited!!!

Riley Noel Bethers finally came on Sunday morning during conference. There was a few difficulties getting her out but she and Heidi were fine. I had to go home the next day and Laurel was being induced. I stayed as long as I could. It was a slow labor for Laurel and finally when I was in the middle of no where and in roaming I got the call. Mary Lynne Alldredge was here! So happy to have 2 new nieces and so close.

Riley


Me and Riley


Carter giving Riley kisses


Sweet little Mary


Back to Arizona. We then celebrated Easter with the Kleck (Carter's grandma) family. They are so sweet to include us. The kids all got loads of eggs and we all had a good time. The weather was perfect even with the mini rain storm. We came home and dyed eggs and instead of hiding them, we just hid the baskets. The kids liked that.










Carter wasted no time unwrapping his chocolate bunny!


I returned to Utah again, this time with Ben for Amy's homecoming. We got to stay a week and I saw many friends that I hadn't seen in a long time. My other sister Karen was now having her baby. This time she as scheduled for a C-section on Tuesday. Now we have HAROLD (HARRY) CHRISTIAN ROBINSON!So many babies and yet another one still to come. My family is just trying to follow the prophet and multiply the earth:) Harry had a few little problems and had to stay a few days extra in the hospital.

Harry


Did I miss anything? Man, what a BUSY month!

It's a Small World After All...

Ever since we went to Disneyland Carter has been in love with Small World. I had the song on a CD that, up until he shoved pennies into my car CD player, he'd make me play it over and over over. I got him to sing it on video, so enjoy. The best is the end:)

The ugliest toy ever!

 

Disneyland and a Birthday? What could be better?!?

I turned 28 on March 20th, I cry now, and I really wanted to take advantage of the free day at Disneyland. Without a lot of convincing, Ben agreed so off we went. It was just the 3 of us, Ben, Carter and myself. We drove down Thursday evening and stayed at my brother's in-laws house. I was like a little kid, too excited to sleep so I only got about 4 hours.

We got up early and on our way stopped at the BEST donut place, Donut Man. My favorite donuts are the fresh peach and fresh strawberry but they only make them when they are in season. LUCKY for me, the strawberries are in and I was a very satisfied girl. Carter's finally at the age where he knows and understands who the characters are and I couldn't wait to see his reactions. Even though he's been 4 times it felt like I was taking him for the first time. Weeks before we went all he could talk about was riding on Dumbo. Oh, to be a child again.

We met up with Matt and Lauren after Matt got off work. Lauren's mom and sister Taylor came as well. It was so good to see everyone and Carter met Mattison, Matt's little girl, for the first time. They were so fascinated with each other. He loved giving her kisses and she kept trying to get his attention. She is such a munchy and I'm sad we don't get to see them more.

Saturday morning we spent at Disneyland then left when it was getting crowded and headed to the beach. Carter was in heaven! A giant sandbox and water! The water was so cold but Carter was oblivious. We had a blast and then Lauren's dad made us BBQ hamburger's. I brought the birthday cake since I was only wanting a Costco cake, they're the best! A great day.

We spent the next morning at Disneyland, ate at my favorite restaurant, Story Teller's Cafe, and then drove home later that evening. It was such a good weekend and a great way to celebrate your birthday. I highly recommend it!

February flash back...

My cousin Katie was married on February 6th and we were able to make the trip to Utah. Even though it was a very short trip it was so good to see everyone.


The 2 NONE pregos on the ends and the 4 pregos in the middle.


Me, Karen, Heather, Melissa Straw-Smith and her sister Shauna Jorgenson went to see this movie. Loved it! I just realized that it stars 3 Jennifer's; Aniston, Connolly and Goodwin. Just thought it was funny.


Here is Carter in the bathtub. He didn't know I was recording at first. Then when he does he starts singing the Clean Up song. So funny.


Here is Carter watching a movie at Grandma Nise's house.


Wearing Grandpa Lamar's hat



Carter just being Carter


Noah got his Webelo Scarf and a belt loop thing. Still not savvy on this Scout stuff.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So, like the Skousen I am, I'm obsessed with Holidays and themes. I only like to watch Halloween movies in October, Christmas in November & December and of course deck my house out with appropriate decor. Well, being March, the only movie I have for St. Patrick's Day is Darby O'Gill and the Little People. It's about an old man who finds a leprechaun and how he makes his wishes. Some may find it boring, not me. It's a classic Disney. Naturally, I make Carter watch it all month long and he's really learned to like it and asks to watch it almost daily.



In the movie, a "scary banshee" ghost-like person comes to claim the soul of Darby's daughter. As kids this thing scared the crap out of us. This is Carter imitating it, and the picture is what it looks like in the movie.



He is such a funny kid and a Skousen through and through.