We're not zoned for this

For those of you who either live in the neighborhood of 2300 East in Springville, or have driven through or have in other ways seen the chickens/roosters (what's the difference anyway?!?!? JK!) roaming around the streets- today is your lucky day! As I was coming home to meet Abby off the school bus- I turned the corner onto our street to see not one but TWO Springville Police Animal Control trucks getting their nets and cages out to catch those pesky birds that love to stroll the neighborhood (it reminded me of the Animaniacs cartoon of "The Birds"... really funny!) I of course had no other choice, my hands were tied and I had to whip out the handy cell phone to see what I could get.
Here's the play by play:
Man and Woman Animal Control employees in the yard of the neighbor (who doesn't own the pesky birds).
Their nets perched over their shoulders planning their attack. It looked like they were on the prowl.
The man quickly grabs his net with both hands and the rooster took off running right in front of my car and I'm almost positive a few swear words came out of his mouth because he was just defeated.
The woman then motioned for me to stay where I was as she chased the bird across the street, only to have her almost trip over the curb and also be defeated... by the bird.
I'm sure I've found more humor in this than most of you, but it's a good day and this my friends just made it a little better.

Sorry the pics are more blurry than normal. Remember two things- it was my camera phone, but also take note that I was laughing REALLY hard! It was a sight to be seen by all... I'm just sorry you missed it. Although, Aunt Ruth Ann did call to tell me about the trucks parked outside and I was SO excited to share my excitement with her about what they were doing there!
Oh, I need a life...

P.S. I really have nothing against birds of this sort, I mean- I eat them for pete's sake. But for some reason it seemed odd to have them as household pets and to let them wander the streets. Where's the coup?

My Brenna

Brenna Elizabeth Carlton is a funny child... she has some of the best facial expressions and comes up with really witty things to say. (I take full credit for the wittiness by the way!) This morning as I was taking her to school, I looked at her in the rear view mirror and asked her how she was doing and she responded that she was good and couldn't wait to see her friends at school. I then told her that sounds great and I hope she has a fantastic day, to which she smiled big and said "I love you mom". Then she said "how about we start saying that everyday at my school- I want us to say what we just said when you take me to school everyday, okay?" Awww... so cute huh? (Yeah, she totally forgot once we walked in the door, but I got my I love yous in and all was well.) Then her randomness struck again and she said "Um mom, I can't believe that. I just sawed a guy on the corner by the gas station who was eating smoke. That was so gross mom, why would people want to eat smoke." I guess Brenna's going to need the "say no to drugs" talk soon. She immediatley started telling her teacher all about the smoke eating man when when she got to school as well...
It was precious.

"black friday" psychoness

I'm not one who necessarily loves or hates crowds. If it were up to me and let's say I was planning a trip to Disneyland, I'd much rather go in the spring or fall when it's not as crowded as the middle of August- just because you can get more done when the lines aren't as long, and it's a little less stressful. But the last 2 years, I've found myslef needing to go out shopping with all the other phychos the day after Thanksgiving. My mom, Janna and I headed to just 2 stores... the first being Target. I do have a slight crush on Target and it's team members- but we were insane to even attempt it! Luckily my Aunt Ruth Ann called us on our way up there and they had just driven by and told us to not even attempt to find a parking place because it was packed! So, we parked across the street at Roberts Crafts (stop #2) and headed into Target.



We brought our handy 2-way radios and mom went to the toy section and Janna and I went to electronics. Shopping carts were being used as bullets to plow their way through the crowds- it was "typical", but crazy. Anyway... we found what we wanted (mostly) and made our way to one of the 32 check-outs open and were done there.

Ahhh... no make-up! Janna sneaked on more than me, but there were people there completley done up and I just don't comprehend that. Who are they trying to impress at 6:00 in the am???

P.S. My friends neighbor went to Kohls but not until later in the morning (not for the 4am opening) and an employee told her that they had to call the police because there was a fight between customers! I am SO mad I wasn't there to witness that!!!! That would have been a way more entertaining blog entry than this.

Thanks again Aunt Sandie for staying home with the kids!

It should be against the law

I have a not so secret obsession. I feel the need to take pictures of things, people, myself, the sky, whatever... all with my camera phone! It's seriously an obsession and one day I'm gonna get caught- so when that day comes, I will stop. But until then... here's some of my finds. I promise my intentions aren't to be mean- it's more for laughter purposes and I am proud of those that also put their camera phones to good use. My boss has on occasion sent us pics from his adventures, my cousin finds fun things to document in random airports across the country, this same cousins children ask to use their parents phone to take pictures of misc. things, and I'm sure there are many more of you. Some things in life just make me laugh and that's the whole point.
Anyway- here ya are:

Sometimes they're of me

And sometimes they're of Shrek made out of snow from the guy down Canyon Road who has a lot of time on his hands, as well as a talent. This changed "characters" all winter long... my girls LOVED it!

And sometimes they're of people with interesting hair styles.
This one is where my fetish started... I was at the local USPS and the line was long... what else was there to do?

Sometimes your neighbor calls you over because she found a parrot in her front yard.. not a common occurrence.

Or maybe as you're driving through the lovely town of Randolph, UT- you see a sign like this that causes you to turn your car around just to get a picture.

And while touring the Jackson Hole Mountain Man Festival- the grammatical errors are what might catch your eye.

And another of me. It's my phone and I don't like red lights.
(Look and Brenna trying to sneak in the picture!)

And this one was too funny for some reason. This is at a fly infested place to eat (I forgot what it's called) but they have buffalo roaming nearby (hence the fly problem) and this here is the girls "facilities". The mens was referred to as "He Pee"--- they're pretty witty in Star Valley.

And I of course had to document the Morrissey concert I went to this summer with my old roommate Kam. We're both kinda in love with him...

And this my friends is my personal favorite!

You know it's a good day when you're strolling around the local Wal*Mart and you see cute polygamist wives/daughters/sisters/whatevers shopping in the fabric section. PRICELESS!
(I know I do live in Springville, but I have never seen this before!)

There comes a point...

...when you know your children watch too much television. I've had several obvious signs that my kids fall into this category, but what happened tonight tops it off for me. I must be in one of those "moods", but this cracked me up! Here's a couple examples of what I'm talking about:

• Mom, I really want _________ toy- it's SO cool, but batteries aren't included.
(Note to self: too much TV time)

• Brenna can sing and shake her bon-bon to Hannah Montana songs like no other 4 year old I know. See my girls blog for a perfect example!
(Noted again... too much TV)

And here is the cherry on- top for me at least:
• As Abby was changing into her pajamas tonight- she took her shirt off and said: "Aahhh- this feels so good" (while stretching her hands above her head) and then she proceeded to wave her hands in a motion that is more commonly knows as airing out her arm pits! WHAT?! Where does she get this from?! I'm never good at not laughing at my kids when they're being funny, which only eggs them on, but oh well. We all had a good laugh!

I guarantee that the people who live in this household don't do what she did tonight, but I do feel quite confidant that I can pay my homages to either Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Life with Derek, or maybe even Hannah Montanta... I can totally picture Billy Ray airing out his pits on his daughters show, can't you?

How can girls as cute and these be so crazy?
(Don't answer this question unless you plan on being nice?)

They're crazy--- CRAZY I say! But I love 'em!

I heart shoes!

It's not a secret that I'm a lover of cute shoes- and it's been a while since I've added to my shoe collection, so I decided it was time! Yay- and I had good luck too! Sometimes I pretend to be classier than I really am and think that having the right shoe will help me achieve this pretense I have... so anyway- these are the 2 new pairs of shoes I came home with the other night. You know how sometimes you go out shopping for one specific thing and you have no luck whatsoever... yeah, not me (this time at least)-- I am happy with my purchases! I actually went out looking for boots only, but the store I was at was having a sale and I while I was deciding between two boots (both very similar) I opted for the less expensive one, and then found the brown heels and ended up getting both for the price of the "not selected" pair of boots! Yay! Seriously... I know I'm being a dumb girl but for me- shoes do it. I don't indulge in too many girlie things, but shoes make me happy... so there!
Now I've just got to learn to walk in heels... I'm kind of retarted that way.

Abby Jane is 6 years old!!!!

I officially feel old- and that's not my most favorite feeling. I think I'm having heart palpitations over the fact that Abby is 6 freakin' years old today! She is having her first "friends" party this afternoon and can't wait. This morning I couldn't stop laughing at her as she was getting ready. Everything had to do with the fact that she is now 6 and 6 year olds can do this and that and on and on. It was really funny! Her hair had to be a certain way and she said that if she wore a sparkly shirt- everyone would know it was her birthday! Plus she is convinced that she grew---- overnight! Pretty amazing huh?!

Most of you know my Abbers, but for those of you that don't--- she's a nut! She's one of the smartest kids I know and I really don't think I'm just saying that because I'm her mom. Her brain never shuts off and she always wants to know the answer to everything. She's a very inquisitive little girl. She has the best imaginiation ever and can quote the funniest things and she remembers everything! She is very tender-hearted and sensitive, with a huge heart! I'm so glad that I have my sweet Abby Jane in my life... being a mom is hard, but I wouldn't give that job up for anything! I love her and her quirks SO much!

Happy Birthday Abby Jane!!!! I LOVE YOU!

Learning how to walk!

Doing her infamous "we did it" dance from Dora!

Abbers- age 2.

With Uncle George & Aunt Cheryl on the Winnie the Pooh ride @ D-Land!

Minnie Mouse for Halloween- almost 3 years old.

Nasty looking hot dog, but funny pic of Abby

Easter Sunday- 3 years old!

Hanging out in the new house in Utah!

On the carousel with Cinderella- 4 years old.

Here's Miss AJ on the 4th of July this year.

And here she is today... missing a few teeth, but still SO cute!