A Magical Day at Costco

Sometimes things are just meant to be.  You end up in the right place at the right time.  Well this one particular weekend was that.  We decided to head to costco to get a few things and when we arrived there was a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance in the parking lot.  Upon further inspection we deduced that they werent there because of an emergency but they were there to entertain.

We took the kids over and enjoyed looking at all of the different vehicles and speaking to the operators.  

Arrest these nerds!!!

 And he did!!

Contrary to what this picture says- she really did enjoy herself!

After having all the fun possible we headed inside to finish our shopping, and what surprises us there?

The PRINCESSES!!

 They held Noni there against his will.

 Ruby thought it was awesome.  Especially when we saw tinkerbell and cinderella eating in the food court.  But I dare say they forgot their manners...

And just when we thought we had seen it all what to our wondering eye should appear?  But the helicopter!  We were able to watch it land and be the first to explore!

 The kids liked the helicopter the best.  But really, who doesn't?

And in case you thought we forgot eldy at home- we didn't, he was there... being stinkin' cute as usual.

Sanity

What I like most about winters here are the chinooks.  They make winters bearable.  We have been enjoying an extended chinook (or dare I say the end of winter is nigh?) lately and it has truly helped with our sanity.  We enjoy the crazy amounts of mud and large puddles.  It is awesome.  Ruby and Noni love it, and I love it.  It just feels good to be out in the fresh air again.  Eldy is getting used to it, he sleeps through it mostly.  When we are outside I can feel the sanity return to my veins.  And I forgot how much I love mud and puddles.  I am looking forward to blue skies and warm weather but for now we will take the slight chill and the mud.

Good Deeds

Today brought me drama.  Car and snow drama.

One thing after another drama.

The kind of drama that has you asking two questions- 'Really?'  and 'What's Next?'

It began with a crazy snowfall.  Like 2 feet of snow.

Then Justin was taking Ruby to school and got stuck outside the house.  Mom and I didn't notice and luckily some guy came by and pushed Justin out and Ruby got to school and Justin got to work.

Then the time came for me to get the Rubes from school so I decided that I would take Noni since it was his birthday and I never take him and he really wanted to come.  

So I rushed and got him ready- which can be quite the feat especially when it is so cold outside.

We went outside and the first thing Noni does is walk into the huge snow bank.

He fell in all the way up to his chest.  It looked fun but he wasn't wearing snow pants and was covered in snow.

I grabbed him as quickly as I could and wiped him off then put him in his car seat.  He immediately started crying because the cold snow was touching his skin so I went to start the van to get it warmed up for him.

The van won't start.

Try again, nothing.

Just clicks.

Of course.

So I haul poor Noni back into the house, break the bad news to him- call Justin and go back outside.

By this time I am going to be late to get Ruby so luckily Justin's 230 appt didn't show up so he was able to run and get Ruby.

In the mean time I hopped in mom and dad's car so I could meet Justin at his work and get Ruby.

I was a little bit worried about getting stuck but thought I would go for it anyway.

Well- what do you know.

I get stuck.  Things were looking good.  I thought for sure I would be fine.  Sadly, I was not.

So I call Justin.  Of course.

He says he will keep Ruby at work until I can get there or until the end of day- whichever comes first.  At this point I'm thinking end of day.  The hard part is I am stuck in the middle of the road at an angle- leaving minimal space for anyone wanting to get around me.

So I kept trying to get out.  I shoveled, I rocked, I looked, I waited and tried again, I prayed.  

Still I did not get out.  

So I sat and waited a bit.  Tried again.

Still nothing.  In the mean time I thought my screen filter was on because my screen seemed dark so I pressed the screen filter button and it turns out that it wasn't on and I turned it on.  Now I cannot see my phone screen- which seems rather minimal but when I am trying to communicate via text with justin and I can't see my screen it is rather maximal.  I can't even see my screen to turn my screen filter off.  It was sad.

Finally a glimmer of hope.  A truck had driven by twice while I was trying to get out and I thought for sure that it would stop and someone would help me.  Turns out- no.  

But another good Samaritan did show up.  He couldn't get me out himself- he tried, I will give him that.  Luckily someone else saw our distress and came to the rescue.

I finally got unstuck and then the awkward moment came.  

You know the moment- these two guys have helped you get out- something you are grateful for and really should stop and thank them for but if you stop then you will most likely get stuck again and look like an idiot so you do the awkward wave out the window with a thank you yell to follow.  Sadly it doesn't truly show your gratitude to its full extent but what am I to do?  I just hope they felt my gratitude.

I went and got Ruby from Justin's work, we tried on a few glasses and headed home to finish Noni's cake and get the pizza dough ready.  

We had survived and Ruby got picked up in time and I learned a valuable lesson- Always stop and push people out of the snow, it will be appreciated even if they just wave and yell out the window to say thank you.

It was also this kids birthday- and this kid is awesome!  He fills my day with joy and mischief.  I really love him.  I see that sweet face and I just feel glad to have him around.  I can't believe that he is 3.  We had a little family party with him.  I will fill you in later.  But it included butt-staches.... of course.  You've never heard of a butt-stache?  Well stay tuned my friends, stay tuned...

Monster Bag

Wouldn't you be terrified at the sight of this?  A one eyed paper bag monster who has an arm growing where the other eye should be.  It also makes some pretty awesome growling sounds and will chase you wherever you go.  Pretty awesome....

He chased us around for a good while with this paper (of course I don't let him play with plastic bags) bag on his head.

I'm thinking Halloween 2011- the perfect costume!!!

My favorite is that he stuck his hand out of the eye hole and did his best to catch us.  

Imagine a lot of Myers growling and Ruby screaming.

It was pretty fun.

Oh the things that entertain!

(as I am sitting outside writing this blog Ruby just found a worm and accidentally ripped it in half.  I think it had something to do with her and Myers fighting over it.  It looks pretty nasty- but is still alive and she thinks it is pretty awesome.  Here she is now bringing me the other half.  Gross I just got a little creeped out and scared Ruby into dropping it.  The best part is that I now have to act like it is no big deal and that creepy crawlies don't bug me so that she can form her own opinion of them. - how do you like my 'as it is happening dialogue?'  Just think of it as a up to the minute news broadcasting.)

In some other exciting news- we are headed on another family adventure!  We are off to Kalahari- probably THE BEST indoor waterpark ever invented!  We got a super awesome deal!

I'm sure you will hear more about it here soon.

I don't think I was blogging yet when we went last time.  But it was pretty epic (am I allowed to say that as a 20-something mother of 2?)

I wish we could all get together and do it again!  What about it Wiebe's and Hughes'?  If you leave right now you could make it there just in time for our fun tomorrow!!!

I really want to go on the four man tube with Justin, Mark and Jared again.  That was fun, a little scary but fun!

NieNie

Yesterday we ventured out to Provo again.  We weren't sure what our van would do but I really wanted to go to the Rooftop Concert Series again.  Remember last time?  We had so much fun it seemed a shame to miss it just because of a silly unreliable van that may not get us there or take us home...  I mean- we are not going to let that hold us back.  It brought us across the country- it could bring us to Provo... right?
Well, as luck would have it- we got there and it was well worth it.
We went out for a delicious and very inexpensive dinner at El Salvador with some friends.
Then headed over to the concert, got some seats and headed to Sammy's for some pie and cupcake shakes.
Yes they are just as the name suggests- they put a whole piece of pie or a whole cupcake (depending on your choice- we chose both of course) into a cup with some ice cream and blend it up.

They were good, next time I will get just pie shakes- I liked them better.
We left with our goods and returned to our seats.
As we were walking to them who chances to walk by me?
Well- just the woman I have been hoping to meet this whole time I have been down here.
Yes- it was NieNie.
I walked right by her  and I wasn't even going to say anything but then I couldn't let her get away.
This could be my only chance.
I turned right around and I said hi.
I told her my whole story and how much I liked her and how our car broke down bladdy blah blah.
And Lucy (her sister) told her how they were saying Myers was Ever's husband.
And the band started... and all conversation seemed to be over and we each found our seats.
There was no time for a picture.
I was happy to have spoken to her.
It was wonderful!
She is wonderful!
And I did it.  I had the opportunity to speak to her and I did.  My goal was accomplished.  I can now say I met her and I like her just as much in person.
The concert continued and we had to move from our spot because it was a little too loud for the kidlets.

We were right in front of the speaker.
So we moved off to the side and behind the speakers.

Ruby danced.

Myers got tired and fussed most of the time.  But they both still made sure to entertain and charm the masses.  Which they did very well- if I do say so myself.
As the night was coming to an end and I was walking around with Myers trying to get him to sleep I glanced over at our chairs and who would be standing there?
NieNie.
So, of course, I went back over there.
I patiently waited while she was bombarded by the masses.
And then I bombarded her again.
We talked for a little while longer and then I, once again, asked for a picture.
And here it is.

(She looks just as happy to meet me as I was to meet her...  don't you think?)

Isn't it wonderful!
She really is an amazing woman.
As we were done and just chatting Myers couldn't stand it anymore and he reached out to her.
He can tell what a wonderful person she is.  He just wanted to be nearer to her.
So she took him and held him.
And he loved it.  He snuggled in for a good hug and then she handed him back.
And once again he reached out for her.
She hugged him and gave him a kiss.  And that seemed to satisfy him.
He really liked her.
We chatted about him for a little while longer and then it was time for us to go.
My dream of meeting this amazing woman while here in Utah had been realised.
And I still can't believe it.
I MET HER.
And she was wonderful.
After the whole ordeal on Friday I was still able to meet her and have a conversation with her and learn a little bit more about her.
If you don't know NieNie you should read about her.
She is AMAZING.
And take it from me- she is just as wonderful in person.
Maybe, if I'm lucky, I will run into her again.
Maybe, if Myers is lucky, he will too....

And the Rooftop Concert was also wonderful.  The Lower Lights were there- and they are quite the talented group!  I hope we can make it to the next one.... And if you have the chance- take it.  In fact... come down and visit us when the next one is going on!!!  You will love it.  We will love it.  Win. Win.

And seriously, can you believe I met NieNie the day after the whole van ordeal??  I am amazed and grateful...