Poopy Day

That is what it was. A poopy day. I went visiting teaching yesterday and of course this is what happens. Poor Dan. I guess Adam won't be having "Diaper only" naps any more!



Dan said there was poop in his hands, his hair and in between his toes. I don't even want to know what else may have happened in that crib or for how long. Daddy got to work and bathed Mr. Poops and fixed him up like new. Then of course just before I get home, Adam pooped again, in his diaper this time. Emily graciously changed it, but somehow managed to drop a few chunks on the family room rug. This rug is such great shades of brown, green and burnt red that it blended in completely until Mom came home and found it. Needless to say, we are now completely poop free, at least from the areas that should be!

Scientists

I have some evil scientists at my house. Josh was inspired by a book he read about a kid who figured out mysteries by using the scientific method. Near the end the book there was a list of the entire method and supplies needed to become your own scientist.

So with a few empty water bottles and old baby food containers "Professor" Josh & Em were open for business (or so the signs say) creating any concoction they could imaging. With a little flour, veggie oil, dish soap, baking soda, vinegar and cranberry juice their work began. Thank goodness for the outside play house/science lab where we can fix every mess with a hose!

Mobile

ADAM

It ain't pretty, but he's mobile! Time to vacuum 5 times a day.

Memory Bandwagon

(Tricia, Hannah, & my pregnant-self at singing tryouts for the National Anthem)

Memory bandwagon

I love this because you only participate if you want to. This is how it works:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.EVERYBODY PLAY! I want to see what memories are out there!!

Drip & a Fix

Drip...drip...drip. A slow drip started Thursday night from the hall closet doors signifying AC problems. Luckily the AC was only backed up and needed to be cleaned out. However the drips created a little water damage inside the closet area. So, what did Dan do? No he did not let a contractor handle such a "simple" job.

He took off the closet doors, tore out the drywall and set up the fan. I could not believe it. This from the same husband who, from the beginning, confessed himself a complete geek and inevitably UNhandy. Boy he sure has come a long way in our married years. It sure is nice to have a geek and a handy man. Cheaper too!

Dan's Eleven Year Memories

Jen is the one who posts most of the time on the blog. I just read. But I thought others may get a kick out of this video I created for her for our 11th anniversary:




There is no better person in the world who I could have married and who could be a mother to my beautiful children. Thanks, Jen, for lifting me up and for being an example to me. I look up to you more than you can ever imagine.

Happy 11th anniversary.

Eleven

Happy 11th Anniversary!

Eleven Years ago today, Dan and I were married in the Mesa, AZ Temple. In eleven years we have had 3 beautiful children, 3 homes, 4 job changes, 5 different wards, a handful of trips and an amazingly happy life! To celebrate this occasion the kids and I made lists of our Top11 Moments with Dan, so here it goes...

Josh's Top 11 Moments w/ Dad:

*When he is silly *playing games *alone time with Dad *working together in the yard *going to ball games *when he fixes my toys *getting money for solving riddles/tests *watching sports together *when the family is all together *playing legos *Dad always makes the family more loving.

Em's Top 11 Moments w/ Dad:

*When he plays with us *when he is silly *when he wrestles the kids *teaching piano *picks fun music for car *knows my fav song *brushes my hair after my bath *makes my favorite lunch each Sunday *plays games with the kids *watch sports *plants pretty trees and garden *snuggle time

Adam's Top 11 Moments w/ Dad:

*Whenever he is in the room *when he shares food *when he tucks me in *chucking me in the air *snuggles *laying on Dad's tummy *kisses *bonks *alone time *sharing smiles *sharing eye color

Mom's Top 11 Moments w/ Dan:

*Seeing him in his Temple whites *San Fransisco, running in the rain *Every time he kisses me *Best Western's I-Hop *Any morning we can snuggle before we get up *Our wedding day *Talking at night before bed *Gazing into those brown eyes *Anytime I beat him at anything, for once *Cooking with him *Our children's births *Talking to each other every single day for over 11 years w/o fail

I love you sweetheart! Happy Eleventh.

Turkey Donuts

Do not ask me why. It is a Hilton thing. I still don't understand and yet after being immersed in "their" ways for 11 years, I too have picked it up. You know those small, white, powdery donuts...the Hilton's call them Turkey Donuts. The reason for the name will be forever shrouded in mystery. However, these donuts are a regular at all family events and trips. Now the Hilton's like to indoctrinate them young, so on Adam's 6 month mark he experienced his first Turkey Donut. And boy did he like it. He smiled and eyed Grandpa, questioning whether he was actually going to get another morsel of powdery goodness. And indeed, Grandpa did not let him down. Congratulations pumpkin! You're a Hilton now.

LeBaron Family Reunion

What a Reunion! People everywhere, food, games, crafts. Not a clean kid in sight. Every July 4th weekend we have a giant LeBaron Reunion. It is a 4 generation reunion. My Grandpa, Milo LeBaron, and his 4 siblings (together called The Big 5) have cabins in Strawberry, AZ where the "organized" chaos takes place. Since there are over 75 members of the Milo LeBaron's and each of his siblings have equally large families you can see how the numbers multiply.


The festivities always begin Saturday morning. Everyone wears their family T-shirts and heads down to make our traditional breakfast. It is a version of Toad-in-a-Hole, but cooked on #10 cans heated by Bunsen burners. It seriously takes 30 minutes (no kidding) to make one serving, but it gets the family in the mood for the rest of the festivities.

family kickball / marshmallow shooters

Then Sunday morning we all, and I mean all of us, get dooded up and drive into Pine to go to church. What a blessing to have a chapel so close. Since our hundreds overwhelm the masses a bit, we leave after the Sacrament Meeting hour and return to Strawberry to hold a family meeting. Outside in our camping chairs and Sunday cloths we discuss a little family business and then we have testimony time. This is my favorite part of the reunion. Testimonies from the Big 5 and down through all 4 generations. Anyone who wishes, may bare their testimony. I wish everyone I know could have been there. Grandpa shares his wise witness, second and third cousins getting ready to leave on missions testify of the gospel they will soon be teaching. Aunts, great-uncles, parents, nephews & great-grandchildren- All bound together by the love and truth found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even our Emily, who will take a microphone any day, was a little hesitant to share her feelings of the gospel to the masses. In the end, Em's sweet heart won out and she added her testament to the rest. In an atmosphere like this, it was so easy for me to understand the Lord's plan for us to be organized in families. It was so clear, so obvious that it would be a family that would help us return to God. Family...ALL this family. Together witnessing, supporting, & loving. My words don't do it justice. As a child I never knew how rare it all was nor how fortunate I was to have so much support and so many examples of righteous living. In all my 30+ years there are few things I know with certainty, but these I do know:
God lives. He loves all His children. Families are central to His eternal plan. He sent His son Jesus Christ to atone for the world and if I but repent and live His commandments I can return to Him again. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I know He hears and answers my prayers. Living His plan, striving to choose His way brings peace and happiness into my life. I love my family. I love the Lord's words and His gospel which are found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.