Pageant Mom

I blame you. Yes, all of you out there who have commented on the cuteness of my son. Too many "he is adorable" comments went strait to my head and so we went ahead and put Cameron in a baby contest. It's ridiculous really, he isn't even 1 yet and I'm flaunting him off trying to get him to make us some money. I am a pageant mom!

The city near ours was having a Summer Festival, and as a part of that, they hosted the annual baby contest. I brushed up on all my Toddlers and Tierra's episodes, and marched Cameron in his best suit, hoping for nothing less than Ultimate Grand Supreme. What I got was not even close to what I had prepared myself for. Rather than strutting my son's stuff across the stage, there were tables lined up against the walls with the appropriate age groups written on lame paper. We selected our age group, and then sat Cameron in front of these 2 ladies for 2 minutes while they just smiled at him. It was awkward for sure! We then moved to another line where Cameron got his photo taken, and then-we just walked out. Bizarre!

"Crowning" was later that afternoon; again, nothing as I had expected. We invited the uncles down as well to support and in retrospect found that was highly unnecessary. Crammed into a hot gym with at least a thousand other people, we waited as the announcer went through each category. Randomly I might add. Cameron's award came as one of the first mentioned. Later I realized that we were lucky to get an award as not all babies did. So here you go, my son is the Most Charismatic baby in all of Orem. 

We stuck around thinking he might win more than one award, (a little arrogant? perhaps) only to later realize that you can only win One total. His prize? A basket with a stuffed bear, some sidewalk chalk, a small book, and popcorn. (who gives popcorn to babies? An odd choice). It was a fun experience, but one I will probably not do again. It all seemed pretty lame truthfully. But eh, at least I have proof that my baby is darling. No wait, not darling, charismatic. 

Summer Days

We are well into summer and I am loving it. The high temperatures reminded us today just what summer is all about, and that isn't too exciting. Being that I am one who likes to run on plans and schedules, sitting around during the heat isn't my idea of fun. So - I've put together our family summer calendar and I must admit I have been really excited about and proud of my accomplishments.

Growing up, my mother made us a copy of our summer calendars so that we would know what things were going on during which days. She made a plan for the entire 3 months so we were rarely bored with nothing to do. This has carried over into the life of us kids now. Tessa inspired me to get one together, and even though my kid is far too young to understand, it gives us a fun summer plan and we'll have plenty of pictures documenting this year to put in our annual scrapbook.

It turned out really cute. And, that my friends, is the main purpose to share it with the internet world. Maybe someone out there will be motivated to make a summer calendar for their kids (and personal sanity)

Your song

While driving up to Rexburg this last weekend, I was thinking about music. Not too odd being that I was alone in the car (Cameron was sleeping) and the radio played quietly in the background. As I sat there and thought about it, I smiled as I realized that a lot of people in my life have "their song". A song that will automatically make me think of them. So - I wrote it down. Just for a fun memory's sake moment. My apologies that not every person that I know and love has a song, it is nothing personal.

So here you go - your song:

My brother David: Ants Marching, Dave Matthews Band. Not really sure where this came from but I think this song was played a few times when we drove to Seminary. Or maybe it was just before your mission. Not exactly sure but you played it a few times and now it's stuck with you.

Lovely Lauren: Ugly Girl, Anti Barbi. One word - Provo. Your CRV. and 8th North.

Susie Harris: Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler. Walnut Creek Stake Dances. We would dance like crazy to this song. It isn't even that great of a song, but it holds great memories and I like that part.

Tessa: Goodies, Ciara. We were in Rexburg, I was visiting you and Cory. You were just married. And you played this song as we were driving to who knows where. And now it's your song. Deal with it.

Dallas Pierce: Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight. You would bring over your PlayStation box thing and the game American Idol. This was that duet song you chose for use to sing together and I DID NOT know the words. At. All. And I looked like a fool. But you sang Gladys' part like a fool too so I didn't feel so bad.

Brad Jackman: If I had a Million Dollars, The Barenaked Ladies. Speech Class, Junior Year. We had to lip sync a song as an assignment. To this day I have no idea how that helped with speech class, but whatever. This was the song we sang together, in the amphitheater of Clayton Valley High School. 6th Period. To this day I the song makes me smile and cringe all at the same time.

Lesli John: Bubbly Toes, Jack Johnson. Freshmen Year, BYUI, Colonial House 408. You were doing a modern dance number to his song and played it over and over again while you showed us your dance. Can't hear the sone without thinking of you on that green carpet rolling around.

Chad Portlock: One Boy, One Girl, Collin Raye. When I visited y'all in Florida you played this song a few times. Then Cindy and I learned all the words and sang it over and over again. It was my first exposure to Country Music in general. All because of you.

Dad: Mountain Music, Alabama. It's just your kind of song. I can see you tapping your toes and clapping your hands, with your head tilted back as you just enjoy the rhythm. Too bad mom never understood the value of good country music; she just was missing out. And I must include the entire Big River album. That is YOUR album.

Diana Hulme: I think we're alone now, Tiffany. Can you not see this moment in your brain? Camping and dancing in the tent in the middle of the night after too much sugar intake? Hilarious. And stuck in my brain forever.

Seth Gutierrez: Taking Chances, Celine Dion. You called me that one day and I was watching Ellen, and Celine was one singing her new song. Which resulted in changing the course of my life as I knew it.

Courtney Diehl: Something with Fiona Apple. I can't remember the song until I hear it, and then I know that it is yours. I wish I could remember the name but it has slipped my mind now that I am sitting down and making a list.

Mark Morrell: Obviously, there are many. But 2 in particular are I'm Yours, Jason Mraz. And Someday soon, Ian Tyson. Both of these songs you played in the car on our first date. Not on purpose, just in the mix that you had made and kept in your car. One of them became our wedding song. The other was your ringtone for a long time.

Brook W.: again, a title that I can't remember at the moment, but it is Cody and your wedding song. I'd know it the minute I heard the first note. It's gone at this moment, but when I hear it, I think of you.

Stephanie Inskeep: Turn it Up, Aaron Lines. You introduced me to this song as we drove to the beach one day. And I loved it so much I listened to it a hundred times that entire year. I still love to listen to it. And it's yours forever.

Again, sorry if I left you out and you were hoping to see your name on there. It isn't anything personal, I just sat and jotted down what came to mind at this moment. I think it would be interesting to see what songs others associate with me. Funny how a moment can stick with your memory forever.

Mrs. Kammeyer

Lauren and I have a funny thing where we address each other by our full, married names. Not all the time, but when starting a phone call, or first saying hello. It is such a funny thing, and I'm not sure where it started or why it stuck, but it did. And I love it. Mostly because we were both so wanting to be wives, and now that we are we just love to be refer to each other as Mrs. It's delightful; so there you go.

I got to spend a day with lovely Lauren while she was attending her sister's wedding festivities in Salt Lake a few weeks back. I stayed with her little girl while she went to the sealing, and then we hung out while we waited for the luncheon to start. The kids were darlings; Cameron really loves other children so he was in heaven while I pushed the 2 in the double stroller. We even had a few strangers stop to take pictures with them. Especially the Asian visitors - they thought the 2 were such a sight. Miss Pleasant Grove took a gander with her attendants, and we had several gawkers who I am sure thought they were twins. It was fun for me to just stroll the temple grounds with them letting people think whatever they wanted.

The grounds were beautiful, as usual. It made me want to return to visit again; which I most defiantly will. We sat in the South Visitor Center while waiting for the luncheon and I was impressed with all the cool things they had there. I have never been in there before so I really liked the little setup they have of the history of the building of the temple; and the model of the temple with the rooms shown inside. Neat stuff. 

It was a beautiful day and even better to spend it with my dearest friend. The kids were troopers, making it through the entire day without a nap. It was hilarious that Lauren's daughter fell asleep before she got to her car in the parking lot. Would not be jolted awake in the transfer or anything! Hilarious!

I just admire this woman to the moon and back. She is a very treasured friend to me, and I couldn't be more lucky to get to call her my best girlfriend. Looking forward to our next get together; I can only hope that Cameron and Lauren's kids are good buddies so that our get togethers can result in more fun for everyone. 

Guys Nights

I really am not the one who should be writing this post, but I wanted to be sure to give a shout out to those who make up Mark's childhood memories. One of his friends was in town before their move to Texas, so a little reunion was put together to celebrate the buddy-ness of their lives. Not everyone of the ol' gang was able to attend, but these 5  had some good laughs as they shared memories around the fire pit and bean bag tossing game. Betty and Bill came out for a moment to say hello as well, and they smiled as they saw the boys all grown up with their families, still hanging out in their backyard like they did when they were young.

Mark, Marshall, Theron, Makey, and Josh G., Mark tells lots of stories and has lots of good memories with these guys. So it is great fun that they can get together again for the short time that Josh is in town.

{Just Life}

I've got plenty of things to blog about, but right now I want to take a nap before Cameron's nap is over. So - in an effort to hit 2 birds in 1 nap - here is a short post about a a bit of what we've been up to lately.

Cameron loves the piano. He just likes to sit up there and pound those keys. He'll take my hands and place them on the keys so that I can play with him. It is really cute. Sometimes I wish that I didn't have to worry about him falling right off the bench so that I could get the kitchen cleaned while he sat there an played. 

I've been getting myself in the kitchen more. Part of my summer calendar - which I should post it's cuteness soon - i've included "kitchen days" where I can try a fun Pinterest idea that sounds good to me. As a welcome weekend breakfast, we had lemon poppyseed pancakes with the Orange creamsicle tasting beverage. It was really good (although the beverage was a little too sweet). And I felt so fancy cooking with poppyseeds.

We are trying to put our pass of all passes to use, so we went golfing the other night just to get out of the house. Cameron was the cutest caddy ever. Loved it.

And 2 more darling crafts that I have to share because I am so proud of them. For my Young Women's lesson on the blessings of the priesthood, I learned a little bit of origami and whipped up these darling shirt and ties. Half the shirts had the printed "blessings" thing and then half were blank so the girls could write their testimonies or a letter to a priesthood holder in their lives. They were too cute.

And this idea came to me all on my own! No Pinterest involved. Which is HUGE to me. I was walking around this scrapbook store in the mall where I like to spend my time when I'm just walking to get out of the house. We had just got the print of our family picture taken in April and I was looking for a way to display it other than a frame. And this came together! Some cute paper and embellishments pasted onto the board - I couldn't be more proud of its cuteness. But I need the perfect display location still. Pat on the back to me.

Happy friday and the weekend to come. :)

Scott Boonon my Buddies

A concluding post about Mark's birthweek. After Vegas, we drove down to Anaheim to meet up with some friends at our favorite spot. It should have come as no surprise to those who know us that Disneyland was on the agenda. But before we hit the park, we spend a day at the beach for some solid sun and surf energy. One of the major reasons I want to move back to Southern California is the lovely beach. Just perfect in every way. We picked up our friends and drove to where we knew best, Huntington Pier. We stopped for Subway's to add to our packed lunch and then set up camp right on the surf's edge.

 The Sullivan's loved it. I don't think the girls stopped digging in the sand for a minute the whole time we were there. Dimaris and I sat and talked while the boys hit up the waves for some boogie boarding. Thankfully, my father taught me well, and I was a useful teacher in reminding Mark and teaching Ruston how to catch a good wave and ride it in. I was pretty good, I can't lie. Cameron took it all in like any baby would. He ate the sand, and stood in the water unsure of what to expect. But I filled my camera with pictures to document his life, and well, at least we have the memory.

Sadly, Dimaris and I had to suffer the consequences of no sunscreen on the legs post beach day. I have never been sunburned like this on my legs before. I thought my legs didn't ever burn. And I was going for a good S. California tan to take back to Utah with me. Sadly, I scorched my legs instead and had to hobble around Disneyland the next 3 days. Shame on me for trying to beat the sun.

Disneyland was wonderful as always. Mark's Birthday was welcomed with a visit from Goofy right off the bat, so that was fun for a photo shoot; always my style. We tried to ride a lot of the ones we missed last visit, intermixed with some of our favorites. We did the Animation Studio, and Casey Junior, and Pirate Island. The new Fantasy Fair was open so we checked that out; with good reviews. Enjoyed the new Mickey and the Magical Map show; more good reviews. Rode the carousel for Cameron, it seems to be one of his favorites. Enjoyed Pirates numerous times. Ran into my new Step-Cousin Tara which was random and wonderful. And caught the Iron Man exhibit where the Iron Man suits are on display. Very cool.

 Seriously with the smiles. The above family shot kills me. Cameron is totally aware of the Camera.

We sure love our Disney AP friends and that we get to enjoy the park together with them. So, you're wondering about the title of this post? Well, on the first day together, Ruston and family said hello to us with a hardy "what's going on with my buddies?" spoken really quickly. To get to the point - it evolved into scott boonon ... fill in the blank. (Scott Boonon my pizza? Scott Boonon my Pirates) I can't explain where the inflections go, but it's hilarious. And it was everywhere. And it is still very funny. And very Mark and Ruston and Miguel.

I must admit, I welcome the break from Disney during our blackout summer days. The heat and the crowds ruins the experience for me a little bit. But I wouldn't be surprised if we get a call come September. Not surprised in the least.

Happy Birthday to my Disney Lovin' Hubs.

Not quite One

he just started to crawl. but we're in the very beginning stages still. it's like he knows how but doesn't like to. he can stand on his own for several minutes. i guess we'll have a very short crawling stage. pulls himself up in his crib. most mornings he'll just sit and entertain himself until we come get him. that part is nice. foods i know he'll eat without a fuss: yogurt, graham crackers, plain applesauce, & ice cream. everything else can be a bit of a battle. his most predominate word is "boppy" or "buppy". it's cute when a puppy is running by and he says "buppy" and the stranger thinks my kid is smart. or he's with mark and says "boppy". again, strangers think it's cute. still no mom. rough gig i tell you. is not afraid of dogs; did not get that from me. large dogs will run up to him while he is sitting on the driveway and lick his face or sniff his hair and he just laughs and reaches out for hugs. i am 6 times the size of the dog and i am afraid, not sure where he got his guts. loves the park and laughs when we go on the swings. points to everything. recognizes grandma diane and laughs out loud, pointing to her picture. eight teeth and four more coming in. lamby is his favorite stuffed animal. he sleeps with it every night and gives it the cutest squeeze when we hand it to him.

Las Vegas

The original plan was to just go to Vegas, which in and of itself could be a spectacular trip for our vacation needs. I had arranged with our BFF's to stay a few nights at their abode. They are always too kind to open their door to us and make us feel so welcome. The drive was mostly uneventful, with the exception of the last 15 minutes when Cameron got car sick and had a few barfs in the car. That was a first for us, but we managed it well if I do my own judging.

After a quick clean up and visit, we were on our way to see Le Reve. Caught dinner at a little sandwich shop and then fought the traffic to the Wynn hotel. The drivers in Las Vegas, I tell you! It was a little white knuckle there at the end when we couldn't find the parking quick enough and had to run to the theater. But no worries, we made our seats with 4 minutes to spare. whew.

The show was delightful, although I wouldn't recommend it if it's your first Cirque ever. I chose this one specifically because of the water feature, and that was indeed an amazing feature. But the acrobats were lacking. Obviously because there was water. So - there you go.

On Saturday we were delighted to spend some time with our friends. They took us to the Red Rocks where we saw ... red rocks. And some old handprints. The weather was perfect and even though I was wearing flip flops, we climbed all over those rocks! It was picturesque. 

We never feel like our stays are long enough, and so appreciate their willingness to let us come. Thanks to them for an amazing weekend. (and an amazing suggestion in the sandwich shop which we have wished for a few times since).

..to be continued...again... 

Viva Le Reve

Birthdays are great. A fun way to celebrate life, and all the good things that the blessing of a healthy body has to offer. And, so, when it was time for Mark's annual celebration of life, what better way than to Vive Le Reve - Live the Dream. :) I know, I'm clever. 

Mark has mentioned wanting to go to a Cirque du Soleil show many times, so I went the surprise route, and arranged a little weekend trip to Las Vegas to see the show. And I never once had to lie to Mark about it. He knew we were going somewhere, and that I had a sitter for one night. He just didn't have a clue that it was this, and who the babysitters were. I hate to boast, but it was a pretty solid home run. 

While he was away at work, I filled up some leftover balloons with Helium and decorated the room with them. I had seen it done on Pinterest for a different thing, so I reinvented it and made it birthday themed. Then I got little pieces of colored paper and wrote different things that had been done during the last 365 days. Trips, memories, milestones; just whatever I could come up with. I put the tickets in a little box and wrapped it up like the gift. So when he got home, BAM happy birthday surprise for my hubs. And he loved it. 

So yes, we celebrated. And for the record, we don't always have week long birthday celebrations. This year, it just happened that way. A few days before we were on our way to Vegas, we had an invitation we couldn't refuse to Disneyland for the week following. I mean come on - we were already more than halfway there, we couldn't just say no. So - we tacked on a Southern California trip along with the Vegas adventure for one happily wrapped up Birthday package for Mark.

...to be continued...

Another Side

I am now a part of a "blended" family. If I take the time to sit and think about it, it is a little weird. The part about having step-siblings, and more than just us Wrights - it's weird. But, in times when I am not "thinking" about it and I'm just living life - it is the coolest thing ever. Meet the other side of my family; the Cheney side. I've only spent but a few hours with these folks, but they are just delightful. The girls are exactly the kind of people that I like to be friends with, and the boys just blended perfectly with our bunch of guys.They have a more dominate female showing in the grandkids department, but the males still beat out the girls at 5 - 3. (The Wright's are at 5 - 2). I don't suspect that our lives will cross paths too often. In fact, I think it will be quite rare for most of us, but if there ever is an event planned where we all get to be together again, I will be ecstatic.