Sleep Walking

I've often been told by Keith's family the tales about his antics while sleeping. These include sleep walking home from a sleepover in the middle of the night and shifting beds with friends (who will remain nameless since their wives read this blog) during sed sleepovers. Not to mention the strange things I've experienced in our married life, some during our honeymoon. I'll spare the details as to not embarrass my hubby :) Luckily they didn't scare me too bad. I never even thought about one of our kids inheriting this trait of nighttime activities....until last night.

About 2 am I heard one of the kids bedroom doors open. I figured it was either Dustin going to the bathroom or Hillary/Claire waking up, needing something in which case they'd find their way to my room. When neither of my suspicions came to fruition I decided to investigate. The door to the girls room was open and when I looked in Claire was missing. I quickly looked around the room, back down the hall and into the bathroom with no sign of her. It was at this point I got a little nervous and headed down to the main level of the house and searched each room with no luck. Just as I was about to hit panic mode I heard footsteps coming up the basement stairs.

I looked down the staircase and saw Claire with her pink blanket wrapped around her, making her way to me. I said her name, "Claire-Bear" but got no response. She didn't look my way, change her body language or say anything. I picked her up and she went stiff on me, wanting to get back down, so I let her. Only then did it hit me, she was not awake. I continued to follow her back up to her room and watch her climb back into bed, cover herself up and rollover to snuggle with her blankie.

Okay, then...now what? I decided to go back to bed only to hear Claire burst into a screaming fit and start running toward my room. No question, she was awake now. All I could make out between her sobs was that she'd had a bad dream and was asking if she could sleep with me. I lay her down next to me. Good thing Keith's at scout camp so the bed wasn't crowded. She slept until 10 this morning and when I've asked her she doesn't remember a thing. Guess I better be on my toes from now on when I hear someone get up in the middle of the night.

Done With Diapers

Claire is potty trained!!! After eight straight years, my days of diaper changing are done. Not to mention that half of those years we had 2 children in diapers at once! I couldn't have asked for things to go better. It only took about a week (I started last Wednesday) and we're already on our 7th day with no accidents. I must say that I'm a little proud of myself. I did a much better job staying patient and positive with Claire than I did with the other 3 and it sure worked. She is dry during the day, during the night and she even tells me when she needs to go. LOVING IT!!! Way to go Claire Bear!

My Mosaic

1. MY NAME: Anyone who knows me has heard the story of how my parents really wanted a boy and my Dad started calling me his little Sammie before I was even born. The joke was on them!!!!

2. MY FAVORITE FOOD: Salad....I could eat it anytime! I even ate it with breakfast foods like pancakes and french toast when I was pregnant.

3. MY HIGH SCHOOL: Good old Lehi High! Pioneers, baby!!

4. MY FAVORITE COLOR: Green....and a close second would be brown. Good thing they go together!

5. THE PLACE THAT I LIVE NOW: Utah.....This picture is actually one of Mt. Timpanogos which you can see out of my kitchen window!

6. MY FAVORITE DRINK: Dr. Pepper.....probably my biggest temptation and weakness.

7. MY DREAM VACATION: I don't really have one so I chose Hawaii. It's one of those spots you always want to say you've visited.

8. MY FAVORITE TREAT: Cheesecake......any kind!

9. WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP: I don't have a specific occupation, but it would have to be something to do with music. Can you imagine me having a mosaic without a piano on it???

10. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO ME: My family :)

11. A WORD TO DESCRIBE ME: I had trouble coming up with something without sounding too cheesy so I asked my hubby and he said "benevolent." This picture was the only good one I could find.

12. A NICKNAME: For as long as I can remember my big brother has dubbed me "Little Black Sambo." His daughters will even call me that occasionally. I don't see the resemblance.

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I tag anyone who wants to do this. It's a lot of fun! Here are the instructions:

Step 1. Go to flickr.com

Step 2. In another window open: http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php

Step 3. Choose 4 columns, 3 rows

Step 4. Answer the questions in the search bar of flickr, pick your favorite picture on the page and paste the address into the mosaic maker. Create the mosaic, save it to your computer and post it as a picture.

New Family Pictures

For the first time in almost 8 years, all 31 members of Keith's family were in Utah. We took the opportunity to get pictures taken together again. They turned out GREAT!!!

Hillary is 4!!

As I lay in bed last night reminiscing with Keith about the events that took place around 4 years ago, I found myself in tears. I remembered how we had two choices set aside for her name, just waiting to get a look at her to make a final decision. I had suggested the name Hillary not long after we learned she was a girl, but the name was quickly put out of the picture by Keith. He didn't want her name to be linked to Hilary Duff or even worse, Hillary Clinton. The moment she was delivered I remember collapsing back onto the bed for a brief moment until I heard the doctor declare "She has red hair!" I shot back up and took the first look at my beautiful baby girl and pressed my lips to that little head full of soft, red hair! It wasn't long until she was passed to Keith who almost immediately told me, "She looks like a Hillary." I agreed.

Hillary=Cheerful

Ann=Gracious (This name belongs to both of her grandmothers)

Happy Birthday, Hillary!!! Mommy, loves you more than words can say!!!

I Love These Kids!!!

Disclaimer

The following two posts are mini-novels of our trip to New York. If you want a detailed description, please read in full. If not, please skim through the pictures. Enjoy!!!