Bedtime Kisses

Tonight while lying beside my son getting ready to read him a story for bed.........

Mom: "Charlie why do I like to kiss your face so much?"
Charlie: "Because it's awesome."

We were both laughing so hard that Mike had to come in to see what all of the noise was about. I love these moments as a Mom. They make everything worth it.

What Anniversary?

That's right, yet again I have forgotten my anniversary. Lucky for me, Mike forgot too. I had the upper hand this year because I called him the day after and wished him a "happy anniversary". (He is in Virginia and forgot also.) So that means I have remembered four out of nine. I know, terrible odds. This seems to be the running joke between us and I am lucky to have a husband who isn't offended every year. Maybe he should feel lucky to have a wife that never expects a gift. Thanks honey buns, I love you.

Not For Weak Stomachs

Warning gross pictures ahead. We were at my sisters house to watch my niece Mallory open up her mission call. On the way in the house I noticed a cute little snail and decided to take a picture.

Then I noticed another and another.

While we went inside Charlie decided to stay outside with his cousin McKenzie and look what they came up with. Gross!!

But to better news...

Mallory is called to serve in the Rome, Italy mission! We couldn't be more excited for her. She spent some time in France last semester and knows the language well, so we thought she would be using her French somewhere but instead she will learn Italian.

(Mindy, Mallory, Kim & Glen)

Italy was my favorite country to visit I'll admit that I am jealous and I know she will love it.

(Aubry and baby Mya)

A few days later we went to the American Fork Steel Days. We enjoyed some fun carnival rides which made me discover that I'm getting old. I attempted "Gravitron" with Adam and Mallory. If you don't remember it's the weird spaceship looking thing that spins so fast that your face is sucked back and it's hard to move. I used to enjoy rides like this but I found myself a little queasy afterward. Charlie kept asking to go on all of the rides that would make me sick. I also thought he was a little young for these rides so I stuck him on all of the little kiddie rides with Jane.

Adam and Mallory took him on a scary ride and he laughed the whole time. So I hope Mike's stomach is stronger than mine so our children can continue to have fun on the "exciting rides".

Thanks guys.

Doesn't he look a little small for this?
And my question to all of you is.. are you getting older? Are you still able to do all of the fun rides you did as a teenager?

Everyday Adjustments

Could it be possible that my children are having a hard time adjusting to our new baby Maggie? Yesterday seemed to be a hard day for Charlie and Jane. The morning started out with a lot of fighting over the same toys. They had each been taunting each other and both of them had spent some time on "time out". I knew then that it was going to be a long day for me. In one instance Charlie was teasing Jane in the mean sing song voice that we all used when we were younger. Jane started getting mad and I said "Charlie, I've asked you not to do that now please go and sit on time out." Jane perked right up and ran passed us and climbed on the time out chair. She started doing the "nah, nah, nah" song and I realized that she just wanted to beat him to it. She was smiling the whole time because she knew that she had something he was supposed to have. I am glad that they do funny things so I can laugh through out the day.
We started setting the timer so they could have equal time with each toy that they were fighting over. Of course as usual they didn't really care about the toys at all so they were able to move on to playing nice again.

Crosland Family Bash

We had a Crosland Family Reunion over the 4th of July weekend. We went up to a cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming and boy was it beautiful. We all get a long so well that it is just fun to get together. We had Mom and Dad and four of their five children able to attend. Unfortunately we missed out on having Matt join us. (He lives in New York and travels so much that he just couldn't make it this time.) We spent our days four wheeling and playing card games. We enjoyed some fantastic fireworks, thanks to the state of Wyoming. They have pretty fantastic stuff that isn't legal here in Utah. I am grateful to live in such a beautiful country. I hope that I can teach my children to understand how lucky they are to live in the United States. We have such a good life and are grateful for loving and supportive family. Here are some of our pictures.

Proof

I have proof that my husband just travels too much. The other day while at the grocery store he picked up some bloody mary mix (non alcoholic). For those of you who don't know what that is...I would say it's V-8 with a kick. This drink just happens to be his favorite airplane drink. After church yesterday he was sitting down taking care of our little Maggie. As I walked by he politely asked me if I would get him a bloody mary drink. Then he continued to place his order asking me to put in just so much ice and not to forget the lime. (Which he also made sure to purchase.) I was truly just staring at him thinking this was all a little silly and then he made it worse. He asked me to bring it to him with peanuts! Serious, he was not joking! I burst into laughter. After I contained myself my response was the appropriate "Of course Mr. Crosland, I'll get that right away."

Three Little Pigs

Yesterday we went and enjoyed Lehi's Rodeo days. We made it to the parade which was fun but long and then we went to the park to enjoy the carnival. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there weren't actual carnival rides but they had a lot of blow up toys. They also had a little petting zoo area, which I always love, maybe because I like petting the animals more than the kids do.

We came upon a pen with three cute little pigs and then discovered that they were drawing names for kids to go in and catch them. We watched a couple of rounds and Charlie just knew that he wanted to try it so we went and entered his name in the drawing. We had to wait a little while for his age group but when the time came his name wasn't called. I thought we might have to deal with a break down but he held in the tears. We decided to watch as his age group tried to catch the pigs. They were having a hard time and seemed to be more afraid of the pigs. Two little kids wanted out so Mike saw his opportunity he turned to the lady and said "My son would really like to do this". So she let us throw Charlie in.

It was a hoot. He was chasing and grabbing those squealing pigs. The other kids started to catch on. I was quite proud of him, he really got in there and held on to those suckers.Charlie ended up winning first place. Next year we are going to have to put him in the Strawberry Days Rodeo Muttin Bustin. I think he's ready.

Virginia Update

I just went on a quick little trip to Virginia. Fortunate for me I have sisters who stepped in and took care of my children. Mike and I left on Tuesday and went all around Wednesday with our sweet realtor Dawn. We couldn't ask for a better realtor to help us and take care of us. We are looking in a little farm area near the town of Warrenton. You can all look it up on a map if you want. It is about an hour outside of D.C.

Almost every home on the market is a short sale or foreclosure. Really it's quite sad. There are so many people there who had to walk away from their homes. Good for me, bad for them. The only problem that poses is that some people really trashed their home before they left.

We have an offer on a nice place but it could be months before we hear if it is even accepted. We may just be moving into a rental and then continuing our search after we get there.

Hogle Zoo

Charlie and Jane went to Hogle Zoo with out me. Kim, Glen and McKenzie picked them up and had a fun day with them. I kept waiting for them to come home. They were gone much longer than I expected which was quite nice for me. Here are some pictures of their adventures.

Nobody noticed that my son was yanking on the snake until the pictures came back.

Adorable Skirts

Look how cute these skirts are! My niece, Kim, made my girls matching skirts. They are even more adorable in person. The little one on Maggie is so small it's hilarious. Kim got a sewing machine for her birthday just last month and has been sewing up a storm. Fortunate for me I have become one of the benefactors of her great work. She also has a lot of her stuff on line at Etsy.com. You can go to the site and see every ones homemade crafts and talents. Her stuff is listed under the user name of "Kimmalee". Check it out and enjoy.

Little Maggie at one month.

Jane in her cute new skirt. Thanks Kim!