Best Friends

These two have been best friends from the time they met - maybe before.

They are inseparable when distances don't keep them apart, which is all to often now.

They have planned out their future together.

Same college - BYU, roommates of course.

Same mission - this changes, but lately, China.

Same career - scientists inventing things together.

They have some big plans for their futures.

But their plans always involve each other.

Connor still gets teary whenever he gets off the phone with Coleson.

"I sure miss him mom."

I do to Connor.

McCall and the Wedding

McCall was the only niece/grand daughter/ small girl from the Gulbranson side at the wedding. Addie and Emma couldn't make it and Cora made her grand entrance into this world two days later.

Girls are sparse on this side anyway, but she was the lone female this time.

But she is spoiled enough and demands enough attention that she was probably excited about the opportunity.

She fussed, whined and cried the entire time.

I was at my wits end with her.

She was tired, cranky and hungry.

She refused to look at the camera.
But her brothers doted on her.

Aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents got her to smile.I think she thought the party was for her.

One day it will be, but I hope not for a long time.

The Wall of Boys

While Jill and Garyn were getting their pictures taken the boys all lined up on the wall. We figured, let's throw McCall in there and get a picture of all the grand kids at the wedding. Well, she didn't like it, have I mentioned that she is spoiled?

The boys wanted to get a closer look at what all the fuss was about. They leaned a little too far.

Tate was the first to go.

But Porter is not looking all to stable here. Down they go.Not quite ready to be gymnasts, those landings - YIKES.

The Wedding Part 3 - The Gulbransons

Dear Jill -

Did we mention that Garyn has 5 brothers? No?

Well, he does, and they are all fabulous, with the exception of a few ... or more ...

How about the nephews?

Was that in the pre-nup?

No?

Well, don't worry, there are only 17 of them ....

There is a babysitting minimum during the first year of marriage.

We'll get that worked out soon ... ish...

But aren't they cute?

We love you Aunt Jill and Uncle Garyn!

With love,

McKay, Caleb, Coleson, Bridger, Ethan, Nolan, Justin, Aidan, Connor, Tate, Gage, Porter, Walker, Luke, Kael, Max, Gavin

and of course the 4 lonely girls - Emma, McCall, Addie, and Cora

The Wedding Part 2 - The Dress

Jill made the most beautiful bride.

And her dress ...

STUNNING!

As we did her bridal shoot we were constantly stopped by people commenting on how beautiful she was and where did she get that amazing dress?

Even men were commenting.

The Wedding Part 1 - The Cake

Garyn and Jill were married on the 5th.

We had a grand time.

Everything was beautiful!

The cake was divine.

I have very talented aunts, cousins, mother and sisters.

They made this GORGEOUS CAKE.

I helped assemble flowers and did a fabulous job cleaning up.

Stick with what you're good at.

"Diarrhea" of a Wimpy Kid

My kids have been BEGGING to go to "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", or as Gage calls it "Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid". He has the hardest time saying diary for some reason, so it always comes out as diarrhea.

So instead I have had him calling it "Journal of a Wimpy Kid".

Today was finally their day to go, they finished all their work, Connor and Tate finished reading the books and they have been relatively "fight free" all week.

So it was their day.

Ryan offered to stay home with McCall, but I knew he was super busy with work and the campaign so I told him no problem, I have it covered. My friend, Luci, volunteered to take both Gage and McCall, but Gage wanted to go and I knew Luci was busy with friends coming into town tonight. So I didn't want to take advantage of her, besides, I had this covered.

I am a pro after all.

The kids were so good at the movie, at least it started out that way. Some of you may remember my last movie experience talking all four kids on my own, I wrote about it here.

Well, this was on par for that day as well.

This time avoid Theatre #18 Row 8, Seats 8-11.

And my lap (that was mostly for James' information, he has a tendency to ... well, that is another story).

Back to the theatre. Everyone was enjoying their popcorn and sodas, a must have while attending the movies. McCall was even quietly sitting on my lap, being unusually good for a movie. When I suddenly felt very warm, and wet!

We were the only ones in the theatre with the exception of 3 other people clear at the top. Not wanting to get all three boys out of their seats with popcorn set on the floor, drinks put down and missing part of the movie, I just decided to change McCall right on my lap, on her blanket of course. Well, it was then that I discovered that Gage had been right all along. This really was "Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid"! To the max!

I got her cleaned up and changed, by this time, too late to take her to the bathroom. Connor was good enough to run out and throw the diaper away. She was now in just a t-shirt and shoes.

Phew, dodged the bullet there!

Well, I made the mistake of letting her down to walk around in front of us, there was lots of room for her to roam and with no one there for her to bother, I thought, why not? She bee lined it for the boys soda. Spilled root beer all over every body's feet and of course herself. Grrrrr, oh well, now our feet were sticking to the floor, but most movie theatre floors are prone to stickiness anyway.

I cleaned it up with a few napkins and wet wipes and went back to watching the movie with the boys while she walked right in front of me.

It came to a particularly funny part of the movie, about some cheese that had sat in the school yard forever and no one dared touch it because then you would have the "cheese touch". Which apparently was a terrible faux pas for middle school, putting you on the bottom rung of the ladder. Pretty funny stuff.

Well in the middle of that, McCall turned around to and started whining. I looked at her and found that she had taken off her diaper and then stepped in it. Turns out she had another blow out! CRAP! Now what was I to do? With the movie nearly over I changed her once again. How does that happen? Twice?

As soon as the movie was over we high tailed it out of there. We went through the doors to the outside and Tate quipped, "McCall definitely has the "cheese touch"!" We all had a great laugh and will never forget our outing to "Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid."

Next time I will not be taking all the kids on my own, turns out I will not be winning mother of the year again! 8 years running! I better go refill my diaper bag with diapers and wipes, before I forget....

The thing about mothers ...

... I really love them, and I really need them!
I was blessed with a great mom, she taught me to work, to clean, to have faith, to be obedient, to trust in my Heavenly Father and to serve others. She also taught me to be self sufficient and that I could do anything on my own. She encouraged me to try things that I wouldn't have tried without her pushing me to attempt - student council, sports, difficult college classes, etc. I will always be grateful to her and for her. Love you Mom!
Then along came my mother-in-law. While she may want to keep it on the down low that she is related to me, okay not really, but she has always treated me just like a daughter. Loved me through all my foot in mouth moments (hard to believe, but those occur rather frequently), gently guided me with any advice I have requested, and raised a darn good boy who became my wonderful husband! Thank you Lani, so glad you are in my life and such a great example of enduring patience.