The "New Rain Boots" dance!

I bought London the cutest new rainboots in Park City, and she LOVES them! We were playing in the playroom yesterday, and she tells me to take a picture, because she's going to do her "Rainboot Dance." Seriously, my kid has rhythym issues! This is also the same dance she does to the opening credits of The Office, otherwise known as "The Office Dance." I have NO idea where she came up with these moves, but think she may have been watching some old Madonna videos or something! (notice the above picture; seriously, a bit odd!) Make sure to turn off my playlist music before starting the crazy video!

Memorial Day, Grandparents and Bottle Rockets!

We had another great family BBQ at my grandparents house Sunday. They have a great swingset for the babes to play on, and lots of grass for them to run crazy! As Matt was grilling up the burgers, my grandpa busts out his homemade bottle rocket launcher and he and the kids had the funnest time doing it OVER and OVER again! I have to mention that I have the greatest grandparents EVER! My Grandpa Payne is turning 81 next week, and still plays and wrestles with my kids like a teenager. He also calls me, almost daily, to tell me how much he loves me. He always cuts the conversation short because he gets so emotional. What a great guy! Anyways, the kids had a fantastic time swinging, spraying water everywhere, and just playing. I just love being with family (too bad York and Jenny's fam and Texie were MIA) and love a good BBQ! The rest of the rainy holiday was spent shopping with my mom in Park City. I do love a good deal!

BUGGED!

My car was WAY overdue for an oil change, and being the frugal gal that I am, I almost always go to the Walmart to have it done. It takes FOREVER, but is cheap. I was driving by our local Jiffy Lube today and saw a huge banner advertising their $24.99 Signature Service. Knowing that I had a $7 coupon in my purse, I thought, hey I'll give them another try. I say another try because I used to be a faithful Jiffy Luber. That was until I found out that I had been talked into buying VERY unnecessary items/services for years. Who knew you didn't HAVE to replace the air filter every 2 months? Yeah, I had spent a fortune because I was a believing sucker! Do they target women or what? Well, I pulled up today and said I needed my oil changed. They asked no questions, just put me in a room with only The Big Nickel as reading material. Finally, they came in and asked for my info and what kind of oil I wanted. I said to put in whatever was the cheapest. He then proceeded to try and sell me an oil change costing $64.99. Did he not hear the CHEAP part? Then onto trying to selling me an oil filter. Then a new radiator cap. Then of course, more coolant. SERIOUSLY! I just want my oil changed, not a whole car makeover! Again, I said I only wanted the $24.99 deal, and wait, I have a coupon! He then proceeded to tell me that coupons are not valid on sale prices. Would have been nice to know! So bugged at the crappy salesman and myself for not going to the Walmart. How's that for venting?

Suckered in again!

I love Gymboree. But let's face it folks, not always the most bang for your buck! Matt and I have a recurring conversation where we discuss this, and he reminds me over and over that Gymbucks are not a great deal. In my head I know this, but when I get an email or a phone call from the closest store telling me that all sale items are 20% PLUS you earn gymbucks...well, I'm like a robot. I went right online and started filling up that pretend shopping cart. Yeah, I was, as Matt puts it, Suckered in, again. What is my deal? I really should know better! And that folks is my thought for the day.

Warm weather!

This is my favorite thing: my kids holding hands in the car!
It's about freaking time! I've been done with this cold weather for a long time now! Warm weather means BBQ's, playing at the park, going to Cherry Hill (only another week and a half!) and letting my kids run crazy in the cul-de-sac! I can't wait! These are some pics of a BBQ at Grandma Paynes a week or so ago. The girls were going crazy driving the "Barbie Lamborghini"

I'm ready for summer!

London and Grandma Jilly "spidering" on the swing!

Beck was handing back the pickle from his cheeseburger

London and Camryn driving around a car built for one!

Our cutest niece Camryn

Mother's Day, Sicko's, Survivor, etc.

It has been a VERY long week in the Thorell household! I AM DONE WITH EVERYONE BEING SICK! Seriously! Matt was just getting over his 1st illness since we've been married ( and just a cold at that) and then it hit me and little buddy. Luckily, Londy is doing great. I'm on antibiotics for bilateral ear infections (yeah, what adult gets ear infections?) and a sinus infection. Beckett is still pretty mopey. He's pretty good when he's not hurting, but still wants to be held constantly, so not much has been done around the house this week. He's still got an icky, barky cough, but I think he's getting better. Sorry Jill, Jill, Jamie, and Sarah for being the "sickies" at our little get together!


Mother's Day was great. Lots of running around, but fun. We had 9:00 church, then headed to Riverton for lunch and to celebrate with Matt's mom and sister. We went straight from there to my mom's for dinner and to celebrate her birthday. Did I mention that I have a fantastic mom? She's definitely worth celebrating! We left our house at 8:50 am and didn't get home until after 7:00 pm. We then went to visit with our great neighbors and stayed until 9:30 pm.


We got the kids into bed (almost 2 hours later than usual) and realized that the Survivor finale had recorded. So at 10:00 pm, Matt and I started the THREE HOUR process of finding out who won. Made for a pretty late night, but thank heavens for TIVO! We started watching Survivor a couple of seasons ago, and now we're hooked! I'm pretty bummed about the final vote. Yeah, I'm probably the only one, but I really wanted Amanda to win! Plus, I really want her and Ozzy to get married, or at least date for a while because I think they're super cute. I am a huge winner, I know! Who even cares about these crazy reality shows; other than me!?! I just may do another post tomorrow about the Batchelor finale- just to make Matt crazy. Am I the only one who watches it and thinks that maybe, just maybe it'll really work out?

Finally, I broke down and bought my own Mother's Day present this year. Normally, I only like surprises for gifts, but I splurged on something online, and felt a little less guilty telling Matt when I said that it could be my Mother's day gift. Happy Mother's day to me!

It'll be here around May 21st, and I can't wait! Sorry for the marathon of a post! Thanks for reading my randomness!

Favorite Things Swap!

I LOVE getting things in the mail, so when Jill suggested a favorite things swap, I was in! I was lucky enough to have Lichelle get my name! I went to the mail box one day, and this is what found! (pics courtesy of Lichelle's blog- I took pics of my own, but the USB cord I ordered on ebay last week still hasn't made it's way to my house yet! Plus, a couple of hours after I opened the box and realized I should take a picture, the swedish fish were all but gone and London had 2 of the cute clippies in her hair)

Who doesn't LOVE Swedish Fish? I sure do!

I LOVE the cute flower clippies and headband! I'm sure ya'll will be seeing lots of pics posted with these babies in London's hair!

So, I love the jamba juice! I just am too cheap to go anymore, so Lichelle gave me the perfect reason to visit the esablishment; a Raspberry Razmatazz (my favorite) on her!

Thanks SO much Lichelle for sharing your favorite things!

Kiddo Tagged!

Erin "kiddo tagged" my little London, so here are 5 things you may not have known about her!

(just a note, I just got my computer working, but lost my camera's USB cord, so pictures are slim pickin's! I only have some of my mom's discs available at the moment. I'll add more pics when I can!)

London Kate Thorell

1. She's Fearless!

She was running when she was 10 months old, and hasn't stopped! When she was 11 months old, she would climb to the top of the playground in our neighborhood and go down the big slides by herself. She also will still jump to Matt from the top step of our stairs, when Matt is at the bottom. She just puts out her arms and jumps! Last 4th of July, we were at the Layton Park during the day and there was a rock climbing wall. It was about 40 feet tall. She was 2, almost 3 years old. She BEGGED to climb up. We gave in, and soon she was in a harness and climbing up the huge wall by herself. She got about 20 feet up in the air before she got scared. She's Crazy!

2. We credit her for Beckett's language skills!

London spends every second in the car talking to Beck. From early on, he would repeat almost everything she said. We'll be driving and she's back in her seat saying things like, "Beckett, say restaurant. Say street light. Say elephant, etc" She'll go on and on, and when she's done, she always says, "well, that's all I know!"

3. She LOVES to bake!

When she was about 18 months old, we were all watching a show, when the timer on the oven went off. I turned around and London had oven mitts on each hand, had opened the oven, and was trying to take out some cookies. Talk about scary! She wakes up every morning asking if we can bake. She doesn't care what it is, as long as she can help.

4. She stays in bed!

I was terrified to move her from a crib to a big girl bed right after she turned 2. She's pretty defiant, and I thought, "she'll never nap again! She'll be in and out of that bed a million times a night!" Well, we sat her down and told her that she can't get out of bed for ANY reason. If she wanted to get out, she just needed to call out for Mommy. Well, that somehow stuck. I really don't know why she chose to actually listen this time, but I'm sure glad. Even in the worst of tantrums, she still won't leave her bed. I LOVE IT!

5. She NEVER has to pee!

She was a breeze to potty train, and even easier to night time potty train. I think it has to do with her assumed gallon sized bladder. The kid goes potty around 7-8:00 pm (right before bed time) and I kid you not, will not go until around 11:00 the next morning. Yeah, I don't know if that is normal, but it's what she does. Plus she drinks really well! She usually goes potty 2, maybe 3 times a day. She must take after Matt...

London is now tagging her friends; Ethan Frazier, Camryn Cooper, Brayden Hansen, Jada Bell, and Will Gorham!