Friday Fun

We discovered this place when Steve and Sarah visited. It is the Mesquite Groves water park just west of Basha High School and just a few miles down the road from our house. It only costs $1.50 for us to go because Elijah is free. The big toddler pool is open in the mornings for all the mommies needing a break from the heat.

Elijah loves this place and has no fear of the water. He dives under with no problems and if he could swim I'd let him have the run of the place. If I could swim I'd feel even better about him loving the water. That is why this place is so great. The water is only 2 1/2 deep near the play structure in the middle of the pool. Even I won't drown here. He and I knew we wanted to go back so we called up some friends for some fun in the pool.

Joining us for the excitement were Jennie and Luke,

Shanen and Cruise,

Jex, Renae and Tate.

I had a great time but honestly didn't get to talk that much to all of the fun moms because we were all busy chasing the boys around the pool.

Cruise loved it as much as Lijah.

Jex...not so much. But he did have a good time I think. He just wasn't crazy about all of the sprinklers. Renae did manage to get him to go down the slide on her lap a few times. Wish I had that on video. :)

I'm ready for a repeat! Anyone want to join us?

I Miss Parker!

Big time. Can we just rewind the past 5 years? Really - I want all of my moments with him back. I'd like to re-live them again. Please? PLEASE? Besides my afternoons are too quiet now. I need someone to tease and talk to while Elijah is sleeping. Someone to color and play UNO with. Parker honey, momma misses you.

You see, Parker came into this world big, strong, but weak too. He spent his first week of life in the NICU because he had difficulty breathing when he was born. I delivered him on a beautiful summer morning in a small hospital and so they had to transport him to a larger hospital with a NICU later that day. No way was I staying in one hospital while my baby was in another 30 minutes away. So I checked out, went home to get cleaned up and then went to find my baby. It would be two more days before I could hold him again. I spent every minute of that week with him that I possibly could, but strangely I have always felt like I was playing catch up with my time with Parker. I think because our relationship together started out so haphazardly I have always held on a little tighter to Parker. And I would put it out there that he has always held me back.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Parker is my little love bug. My other two show love of course, but Parker loves intensely. He drops compliments the way other children drop toys. His hugs are big and total body experiences. Some of his friends (and dare I say their moms) are a little taken back by his "big squeezy hugs" as he calls them. Parker to this day will climb on my lap and let me sing Rock-a-Bye Baby. To spend a day with Parker means he will tell you he loves you 20 times and each time is just as genuine and sincere as the time before. I remember being in Old Navy shopping with him and while sifting through the piles on the tables he said to me, "Mom guess what?" What Parker? "I love you so much." That's nice Parker. A woman shopping across the table clicked her tongue and said "Oh that's so sweet." That got my attention. I looked up and realized that she wasn't taking for granted hearing his sweet words the way I was and I remember feeling a little sheepish. Could I have that small moment back? Can I re-live that and have the chance to drop the shirt I was looking at to bend down, look Parker in the eye and tell him I love him too?

Parker's first day of all day Kindergarten was July 28th. Good grief! Could he look any happier to be on his way? *sigh*

And like every good mom around here I walked him to school that first day and then right into his classroom and I had a hard time leaving - seriously - even though a certain new second grader was pulling on my arm telling me she was going to be late. And I knew after leaving the room when I realized that I had gotten the picture of him at his desk on his first day, but not a hug from him that he was busy letting go. Okay and typing that just filled my eyes. I knew then that it would never be the same for Parker and I. There is a new woman in Parker's life and she even rivals "Woren." Ms. Mendoza. That's the one. I remember being jealous of Lexi's Kindergarten teacher too. Having someone else be so important to him is kind of hard for me. I asked him tonight who he love the most, Mom or Ms. Mendoza...

And then I heard it...

...the heavy sound of HESITATION...

...and then...

"Both."

Oh my big baby boy - Wrong answer!

So then I went and asked Alexia who she loved the most, Mom or her teacher. "Of course you mom. That's a silly question!" Thank you baby girl... I think so too.

This makes me Giggle

First Kiss

At the end of their first date, a young man takes his favorite girl home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for that important first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, "Darling, how 'bout a goodnight kiss?" Horrified, she replies, "Are you mad? My parents will see us!" "Oh come on! Who's gonna see us at this hour?" "No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?" "Oh come on, there's nobody around, they're all sleeping!" "No way. It's just too risky!" "Oh please, please, I like you so much!""No, no, and no. I like you too, but I just can't!" "Oh yes you can. Please?" "No, no. I just can't." "Pleeeeease?..." Out of the blue, the porch light goes on, and the girl's sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice the sister says: "Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he'll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!"

I love a project!

It all started with my sister Becca showing up unexpectedly back in June. We were bitten by the project bug and it seems like I have had one ever since. First we decided to do these cute letters for our walls. I love how Alexia's name looks in her room. (Thanks for the idea Katie!)

From the pictures of her room you may notice that each wall is a different color. Lexi caught pneumonia when she was in Kindergarten and had to be home for six school days. I had just bought her bedspread and asked her which of the colors she wanted me to paint her room. She thought for a minute and then told me she wanted each wall a different color. It was on a whim and I did it. For a year and a half though, I have cringed every time I entered her room. However, since hanging the pink curtains and putting up the letters that tie all of the colors together I actually think it is cute. I finally finished painting all of the flowers (thanks Alena for your help with the vine, ladybugs, and flowers) onto her walls and switched out some furniture with her brothers and it is almost done. I played with this little cupboard when I was little and it belonged to my mother. It was black then.My dad added the bottom in order to make it tall enough for Alexia to play with it and I finished painting it all two weekends ago. Isn't it cute? My boys have just as much fun playing with it too. I'm always getting a pretend treat that someone has made me on a plastic plate. Too fun! Now I just have her bed to paint white. We got this bed off of Craig's list (LOVE THAT!) way cheap and it just needs some sanding, priming and paint. Then I only have hanging her shelf above her bed for her treasures and I'm calling it done although I do have an order in with Grandpa Stewart for a low bench to go under the window for a great reading spot. Lexi likes to cozy up with a book in a little spot. Do all kids do this?

Now onto the next room.

It's official...the boys are in bunk beds. I begged my dad to let me borrow the set of bunk beds he made for his kids. I love them because they are so sturdy and made so that an adult can sit on the bottom bunk. Perfect for reading bedtime stories. However, after being used by all seven of his kids at one time or another they were in major need of sanding down and restaining. (Darren sweetie thanks so much for doing this HUGE job!) So after getting dad's permission Darren and I went to it. It is no easy task to sand off stain outside in the 110 degree weather. I think they turned out great. We switched out dressers with Lexi and the boys now have one big enough to share and it matches with the stain of the desk from the office and the bunk beds. This is one of my favorite rooms now. You may notice the ladder being used. *sigh* Yet another project. We have the stuff to make a ladder, we just need the motivation. Pretty hard to muster it when the industrial strength ladder works just fine. :)

My living room has been a work in progress. I do love my red wall but it is a serious decorating commitment. I've wanted a picture on that huge wall for a long time and recently found the perfect one at Hobby Lobby. If you haven't been there, you must go to this store! Man I love that store. Anyway it's up in the room and I love it. Mom you've been asking for a picture of it...here it is. Now it took over the spot my mirror and family pictures previously called home. So of course it was time for an update for all of them. Sorry about the flash, but I love the pictures on ribbon and hung this way. I couldn't find the knobs I had pictured in my head to hang them on so while at HL the other day I picked up the stuff to make them and I painted them yesterday. Darren helped me figure out how to hang them up and they turned out just as great as I had hoped they would.

Well coming back to Becca. While she was here she offered to help me paint my bathroom. It took us all day but I love it. The color makes sitting on the pot an elegant experience. :)

Father's Day 2008

Elijah has grown more and more attached to his stuffed "Elly," but he found daddy catching a quick nap on the floor in the office and slipped his lovey under daddy's arm. I HAD to take a picture. It just goes to show you the special bond Darren and Lije have.
June 16, 2006

The kids and I were gone on Father's day this year and my sweet hubby had to spend the day alone, but not completely (thanks Tyler and Jackie!). While in Idaho staying with my sister we made a package for Daddy to send through the mail. I interviewed the kids about their dad and since I ran across the letter with their responses I thought I'd post the interview before tossing the paper. You all remember my "filing" system right? :)


From and interview with Parker and Lexi on June 10th, 2008.

HOW TALL IS DADDY?
Parker - ten oh eight
Lexi - thirty feet

WHAT COLOR ARE DADDY'S EYES?
Parker - white blue I think
Lexi - Dark Blue

WHAT DOES DADDY DO FOR WORK?
Parker - He works on his computer.
Lexi - He works on the computer and finds out numbers.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WITH DADDY?
Parker - Play baseball at the park.
Lexi - Play soccer at the park.

HOW MUCH DOES DADDY WEIGH?
Parker - ten pounds I guess
Lexi - twenty point one

WHAT DOES DADDY LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
Parker - Play games
Lexi - Play with his kids outside

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DOES DADDY LISTEN TO?
Parker - His kind of music
Lexi - Elvis and Dad's work music and the 90's music.

WHAT IS DADDY'S FAVORITE TV SHOW?

Parker - Maybe Biggest Loser
Lexi - News


WHAT IS DADDY'S FAVORITE DINNER?
Parker - Mashed potatoes I guess
Lexi - The big pot of something that his grandma used to make when he was a kid. (gumbo)


WHAT DOES DADDY LIKE TO DO ON SATURDAY?
Parker - Take us to the park and watch baseball with me.
Lexi - Clean the house and play with us at sunset.


HOW MUCH DOES DADDY LOVE YOU?
Parker - A hundred dollars
Lexi - Everything in the whole world.


HOW DO YOU KNOW DADDY LOVES MOMMA?
Parker - Because I hear his say it and you guys kiss.
Lexi - Because you guys are married.



Just threw that one in today for fun. :)

Happy Birthday Momma!

Shauna Ruth Teuscher Wells

Today is my mom's birthday. She and I had such a great time together earlier this month. She had total knee replacement on one knee and I got to go spend a week with her afterwards. We watched movies, scrapbooked, planted flowers (she supervised), and ate M&Ms together. She is so much fun to be with. This is a picture of her at our reunion earlier this summer reading to all of her grandkids. She has seven kids and eight grands so far. Mom, I'd say that's pretty productive. I love you! Happy Birthday!

Wells Family Reunion

JUNE 5-7th, 2008

Alexia and Aunt Melissa at the Wells Family Reunion - thanks mom for the shirts!

It was my turn to be in charge of the annual family outing and it has traditionally be a campout. There are few pansies in the family who don't like camping (ahem...you know who you are) and I was in the mood for compromise. So this year I scheduled a weekend in the Cannonville, UT KOA right outside of Bryce Canyon. Most of us took the pansy road and stayed in cute little cabins or an RV, but my sister Alena and her family represented and roughed it in a tent.


It was a bit of work to get everything planned, but I steered the event down the "reunion" road and we had so much fun.

Those who wanted to got to see the national park.

We did some hiking (the kid friendly kind),

swimming (in a very unheated pool - brrrrrr!), ate some good food, and my favorite - a family talent show. I sent out a note to each family telling them they needed to have something to contribute. Everyone did great and I saw and learned some things about my family members that night. Plus I got it on video. I'd share more but Blogger is acting up on me.

Lexi's Talent






Darren and I showing off

This is my youngest sister Melissa (I have two more). She is 11 years younger than me. I love her to death. People say we look a lot alike although she's about 5 inches shorter than me. I take that as a compliment. She's beautiful inside and out. She's also single and at BYU plus she juggles. Know anyone we could set her up with? :) Don't kill me Miss!

I Heart Espee Park

Looks like the kiddos do too.

This was the perfect way to escape the summer's heat. 108 degrees and

it's here to stay for a while longer but school's just around the corner. We made our escape early that morning so it wasn't too bad. I put my swimming suit on and played with the kids to cool down and then sat in the shade and let them go wild.

Katie's Portraits

While I was in Idaho staying with my sister Katie (okay actually she married my brother Brad but I claim her as my sister because I like her better - just kidding Brad... -ish). Anyway she is a photographer. Check out her website http://katieportraits.blogspot.com/. She is really good at what she does. It was too cold when we went to do location but she graciously agreed to let my kids into her studio and the results were great!

One of these days she is going to visit me here in AZ. Maybe I'll have her bring her camera with her for updates. Thanks Katie for capturing the kids' personalities beautifully. Staying at your house makes me wonder why you and I live so far away from each other.

Under Construction

Hey all! I'll be updating and posting from my summer adventures now that I'm home for a while. So at first I'll post them on the day I finish them and after a while I'll post date them. So mom, if something turns up missing go back a month or two to find it.

Birthday Breakfast with Parker

This year I told the kids instead of having birthday parties with friends, (they already had parties with extended family in NM) I'd let them take their best friend to breakfast. When Parker's birthday rolled around (June 26th) I was at girls camp so I called him quickly that day and promised breakfast when I got back. Lexi took her friend Kalissa when she went and so I assumed Parker would want to take Carter. But everytime I have asked him about it he has told me that since I'm his best friend he wanted to take me. He's never budged. So today was the big day and where does any five year old want to go to breakfast? Where else? McDonalds!

Thanks for inviting me sweetheart and for being my best friend too! You are such a sweet kid. Mom loves you tons. Being 5 is FUN!

I'm in the middle of playing catch up on my blog so for Parker's Birthday post head back to June. I think it's possible to assign a diffent post date so that's what I'm trying next.

Happy Fourth of July!

I love this holiday. But I have serious issues with it here in AZ. First of all today's forecast showed a high of 109. Hardly the kind of weather you want to get out and celebrate in. My friend Renae did her very best to drag us out last night to enjoy some fireworks and though we spent the evening marinating in our own juices the fireworks were worth it. I miss sparklers. How can you be a kid on the 4th of July without sparklers? There is just something about writing your name midair with a sparkler to make the holiday seem official.

Because we are without family close we celebrated today with just the five of us. Alexia and I went to the store for the ingredients our traditional red, white, and blue jello calls for. While there I decided to call Darren and tell him to open his anniversary gift from me over the phone. I know - it's a few days early - but I'm going to miss it anyway while I'm in NM helping my mom after her knee operation. I bought him an ice cream maker over a week ago and since he mentioned this morning wanting to buy one today in order to make homemade ice cream for the holiday I thought I'd just let him have it. I also wanted to pick up anything I might need for it while I was there at the store. The kids and I had wrapped it and hidden it in the house in order for him to have something to open while we were gone. I handed Alexia the cell phone and told her to tell daddy where it was hidden.

"Daddy, go in the living room and in the enematainacenter on the left under the TV it's there." Daddy opened it while we were on the phone and we finished our shopping.

Let it be known that this might just be the last hold out of cute words Lexi says. When she was younger it sounded more like "inna-taina-senna." Her aunt Becca and I used to make her say it over and over because we thought it was the cutest thing ever. I'll be so sad when it goes too. Anyway tonight at the dinner table I asked her again to tell dad where we had hidden his present in an attempt to hear her pronunciation of the word.

"I told dad to go to the enema-taina-center (it has evolved it seems) and get it out of the cupboard under the TV."

Darren knew what I was getting at... "Lexi, it's enter-tain-ment-center."

"I know dad, I've just got an accent."

HA! I almost snorted when I heard this.

Here are a few pictures from our 4th of July celebrations:

Lexi and her bff Kalissa just before the fireworks began last night. Man my night shots are bad.

The highlight of our festivities here in AZ - RED WHITE & BLUE JELLO - designed by Lexi this year and never eaten by Parker.

With Liberty and Justice for All!

Let's eat! On the menu tonight Catfish and Shrimp on the barbie!

On a totally unrelated note these are Lijah's feet. This is what I spent most of Wednesday looking at. Poor baby couldn't keep anything down and just wanted to lay on me all day long. My children know that my lap is strictly off limits during the months of June, July, August and part of September. It is just too dang hot! But he ignored my rule and camped out all day moaning and groaning and making me look at his cute little feet. Seriously I was so in love with his little feet at the end of the day I was snapping pictures like crazy. My favorite part? The absence of dirt under the nails because of the uber hotness going on outside. I could just eat these toes.

I Just Love a Good Sprise!