Do you remember your first Bike?

While driving in the car this week, Cassidy asked for help learning to ride her bike "on two wheels." (This means no training wheels). This led to a discussion Alisa and I had about when we first learned to ride a bike. I grew up on a steep incline street. Our driveway was steep and there really wasn't much place to "practice" riding a bike. As such, I didn't get my first bike until I was nearly 8. I remember my older brother had a black mountain bike, and one day I asked if I could ride it. I never had a bike with training wheels, or had someone stand behind me and stabilize the bike, I just jumped on and off I went-that was it. Granted I was nearly 8 years old at the time, but I still felt very accomplished. After I mastered the whole bike riding thing I went to my parents and asked for a bike. My parents delivered by purchasing from a neighbor an old, yellow, banana seat bicycle. The picture above is not my bike, but looks very similar. I had a small basket that I took off the front handle bars and mounted behind the seat. I loved that bike. It was old, the seat was torn, but I love it. I would often do my best to impress the young girls on our street by standing on the long seat and cruising down the steep street. In my head I remember thinking that I was something to behold. Wish I still had my banana seat bike. Not sure what happened to it, but together we had some good times. Do you remember your first bike?

Spook!

The Halloween weekend kicked off with a Halloween party at Cassidy's preschool. Cassidy chose to be a witch this year. Mckay was invited to join Cassidy's class at the conclusion of the party for a little trunk-or-treat with all the parents of the preschool students.
Mckay as a Red Power Ranger at the preschool Trunk-or-Treat

Cassidy and Mckay Trick-or-Treating

Cassidy again was a witch, but Mckay not wanting to be a one costume man, chose to be Captain Hook for the evening's festivities.

Mckay was quickly a fan of the idea of people giving him candy.

Mckay's loot.

Cassidy's haul

Happy Halloween 2009 Everyone!

21 October- Alisa's Birthday

Happy Birthday!For Alisa's birthday, the kids helped me wrap her presents, and then with hid them in two large plastic bins filled with foam packing peanuts. First she had to find them, and then the battle ensued.

Dad starting the epic battle

Cassidy's packing peanuts snow angel

Photo after the Final Battle

It's what fun...is.

Several days before Alisa's birthday, we decided to take the kids to Lagoon. They had never been and honestly, it had been a long time since we had been there either. The weather cooperated and it ended up being a really fun day.

Mckay and Mom on the Jumping Dragon, and Cassidy and Mom on Odysea

Cassidy: "I want to ride on the high thing."


Cassidy and Mckay riding their favorite ride.

Mckay wanted to be the pilot of his own helicopter.

Funny Face Contest:

Dad's entry (Cassidy took this picture)

Cassidy's entry

Mom and Mckay's entry

Cassidy laughing on her favorite ride

Mckay and Mom riding the "high" ride

Potty Trained

The day after Cassidy's fifth birthday Mckay woke up and said,

"Mom, I changed my mind. I don't want to wear diapers any more."

So cold turkey, I took the diapers away.

He has done great. After two days he has going potty down to a science and he has perfected the cross-legged run to the bathroom. I am excited because Mckay is trained a whole year earlier than Cassidy.

So for the first time in 5 years plus one day, Taylor and I are celebrating a diaper free life. We have taken the kids places, and not needed wipes and a diaper. Life couldn't be better.

However, there is opposition in all things......

Mckay has discovered how fun it is to put a whole roll of toilet paper, or paper towels, in the toilet. I am much better at plunging the toilet now.

Today while I was plunging, I found something unexpected in the toilet. (please view the picture below)

I'm not quite sure what I should do...should I just chuck it, or should I try and clean it for the kids to play with again???

May it begin.....

The Ensign's love NBA Basketball season.

We love the Utah Jazz.

On Thursday, October 15 we were given some tickets to a pre-season Jazz game. (Thank you Tyler) We decided to brave taking the kids to the game. The kids were so excited. They got dressed as fast as they could in their Jazz paraphernalia. We headed off to downtown to celebrate the beginnings of another Jazz season. We had a blast, the kids were great, and the Jazz won.

Waiting for Dad to pick up the tickets at will call

Having two kids is a blast. Now that they are older it is fun to be able to do so many fun things as a family. Cassidy and Mckay are such good friends too. I love to watch them play together.

Family photo, we are celebrating a win.

Our seats were great. The kids sat so much better when the could see what was happening in the game. Cassidy's goal was to dance and get seen on the Jumbo Tron. She would dance at every break. In the third quarter we made it.

For real life....this is Mckay's excited face

Taylor is always full of fun ideas. During the game, we left one of our cars at a state building where I work. When we stopped to pick it up, Taylor unloaded the kids from the car to go down the slide before we finished our drive home. It was dark and freezing, and the kids loved it.

October 12- Cassidy's Birthday

Cassidy waited and waited for her birthday. To her, this was the biggest day of her life. She was so excited she woke up twice in the night and then was up for the day by 7 am. Mom thought she would sleep in a little bit, so I had not decorated the day before. The first thing Cassidy did was look in the kitchen to see if it was decorated. I decorated as fast as she could after that!!! After a brief morning celebration Dad left for work. Cassidy, Mckay and I walked to the library to get Cassidy her very first library card. Then I had to head off to work for a quick meeting. Michelle, my sister-in-law, came over to watch the kids while I work. I told her to try and give both the kids a nap. While Cassidy was laying in bed, Michelle heard her say,

"This is the worst birthday ever...I have to take a nap."

Needless to say, Michelle let her get out of bed.

Morning Hugs!!!

After I got back from work I took Cassidy to get her hair done up for her party. I never knew there was such a thing as glitter hairspray.

Cassidy loved it and glitter is still stuck in her hair today.

We went to Bouncin Off the Walls for her party. So many people that love Cassidy came and made it the perfect party for her.

Thank you to all those that made the time in their busy schedules for Cassidy.

The Braggs

Cassidy and Pa Pa Eric
Brianna and Mason. Two of her 14 cousins.

Uncle Hunter performing a dare devil trick.

Cassidy and the "Burger"

Cassidy and Annie

Camille, the Aunt that always plays Barbies and Makeup Thank you for all the wonderful gifts. Cassidy loves everyone of them!

This was the best birthday ever!!!

The Apple Dumpling, no, The Apple Juice Gang

Wins-consin, October 8-10th

I have a sister that lives is Wawatosa, Wisconsin. Cassidy thinks she lives in Wins-consin. At the beginning of the month we had a sister/parent reunion at Ashlee's house. We spent a day as tourist in Chicago and a day in Ashlee's home town just outside of Milwaukee. It was a blast! Thanks to Taylor and Michelle for keeping the kids while I was gone, and to Mom and Dad who made this whole trip all possible.

This is me at the beach. I had never seen Lake Michigan before. It was fun to visit, but I am glad that I don't get the winter chill from that lake.
I love the sound of leaves crunching under my feet.

This is my kind of beach. Felt like a canyon and a beach all in one. It was really cold, the ten minute visit was all I needed.

We went to "So you think you can Dance?" in Milwaukee. It was a great show. Made me miss my dancing days. I just may have to purchase the "So you think you can Dance Exercise DVD" now. Get me back into shape, like my dancing days.

Mckay loves garage trucks. When we saw this yellow truck I had to snap a quick photo. We only get to see green and blue garbage trucks here in Utah.

Mums grow everywhere in Chicago. The busy streets are lined with beautiful arrangements, and they never need sprinklers. Wow, how would that be? The flowers at the Chicago temple were just beautiful too.

I love water fountains, especially if my kids aren't around to climb or fall into. I loved this one, I love the circular effect.

The Chicago temple and our rental suburban. Driving all around in a suburban with my sisters brought back so many memories. We must have matured some since the Weaver suburban days; we all willingly took turns in the backseat/middle, no more fighting over where we would sit.

September 29

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!

Sorry the post is a little late....we still love you.

For a month before Taylor's birthday Mckay kept saying he wanted to get Dad a really, really big bouncy ball. When we went to Target they were all out. So instead Mckay chose dart guns. Taylor knew for 2 days before his birthday that he was getting "shooters" because Mckay was too excited to keep it a secert. During gift opening Mckay thought that because he was giving the gift he should open it.

Birthdays are so fun when you have kids to celebrate with. The kids were so excited to give Dad their presents.

Taylor got off work a little early and we hit the afternoon showing of "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs." It was a great show, but it was even better because it was the first movie that both of our kids sat through. We didn't leave the theater once, and we weren't scolding the whole time. What better birthday gift could the kids give their Dad??

They will be invited to more movies again in the future.

This is what happens when I shower

Sometimes it is just easier for Mom to wait to shower when Dad gets home from work.

The Great Escape

No, this isn't a post about how my children sucessfully got by their parents bedroom to raid the treats downstairs, although I suppose my children do share some of the same clever characteristics of the stars of this great film.

To be brief, if you haven't seen the movie "The Great Escape," then it is time. Whether you are a fan of classic war films, or just Steve Mcqueen, then this film is for you. Alisa and I stayed up late last night watching it again, and laughed that it had been almost a year, yes a year, since we had watched it last. Far to long for our liking.

The basic premise of the show: Several hundred prisoners of war are being held in a German camp. These prisoners of war decide they can still "cause trouble" by creating elaborate escapes, thus drawing more and more men to "guard" them. The more men guarding the camp, means less men fighting the war. The writing is superb, the acting is fantastic. I can make assurances that if you have not seen this film, that you will certainly enjoy it. If you haven't seen it in awhile (a year or so) then it is time to see it again.

Have you seen the movie? Have a favorite scene or quote? Any comments from first time viewers?

The things I love most...in no particular order

CASSIDY

• Cassidy is my sweetie. Every morning when she wakes up and comes downstairs I say, "Good Morning Sweetie" She climbs in my lap and will cuddle for about a minute. Some days it is the only cuddling that I get from my independent daughter. I love my morning hugs and kisses.
• Cassidy is thoughtful. Three times a week she goes to preschool. She typically earns smarties for writing her name. She always saves half the pack to share with her brother on the ride home. She won't get her seat belt on until she knows what colors Mckay wants and she has fished them out of the bag.
• Cassidy is creative. She is always coming up with new games to entertain her brother with. This week I went into their bedroom, she had tipped the rocking chair on its side, tied jump ropes from the bed to the chair, and swung blankets over it to make a new house. She and Mckay played in the new fort for hours. They just laughed and laughed.
• Cassidy loves to sing and dance. Several times a week Cassidy will put a show on for us. Last week I was driving the kids to my mom's. It was early evening and I was afriad that Cassidy would fall asleep in the car and then stay up late that night. As we were driving it began to rain. For 30 she sang songs she wrote about the rain. "Rain....Rain....Rain....you are wet. You make rainbows.....Rain...Rain...Rain." Lucky for me, she didn't go to sleep.

MCKAY

• Mckay is my cuddle-er. He loves hugs and kisses and rubbing my arm and patting my face. He is also my early bird. I don't like waking up early, but I love the one on one time I get with my little man in the mornings. Many a days have been spent watching cartoons before sunrise with Mckay hugging me and leaning his cheek against mine. His newest move is to sit on my lap facing forward. He then reaches both arms up and pulls my head even to his. He pushes his cheek hard against mine to tell me he loves me.
• Mckay loves his apple juice!!! If I would let him, that kid would drink all day and never eat except the occasional candy. He reminds me of his Dad who loves to drink beverages (non-alcoholic!) This week he asked me for some juice, and wanted to make sure that I added the water because that is how he likes it. (We always water it down or we would be broke from buying apple juice.
• Mckay is sensitive to other's feelings. Recently I was having a challenging day trying to balance work and feeling like a good mom. We were playing on the floor in his room. He climbed on my lap and asked, "Mom, why are you sad?" Then he gave me a big hug and kiss and just sat there. Some how he knew that I didn't want to talk about it, I just needed a love.
• Mckay loves garbage trucks! Last week while Cassidy was at school I spent two hours outside with Mckay waiting for the garbage truck to come. He was so excited as it pulled into our circle. He gave me a play by play description as it emptied every garbage can. The best part was he sat on my lap the whole time.

TAYLOR

• My favorite tv show is The Office. Taylor has bought me every season on DVD. This month season 5 came out on DVD. In two weeks we had watched all 26 episodes. He is always thinking about what I like and what I want to do. Thank goodness for DVR. We will get to watch season 6 before it comes out on DVD!
• Taylor is obsessed with the Utah Jazz. I love the Jazz too! 5 days until the pre-season starts. Last night I pulled out our video camera. I rewound the tape that was in, just to see what was on it. Taylor and I sat and watched it. There was a clip of Taylor and Cassidy playing outside in the snow when Cassidy had just turned two. He asked her who her favorite Jazz player was. "k-linko" was her immediate answer. It is so fun to have something that our whole family loves to do together. (It is also great that every game will be in High Def this year!)
• Taylor is creative and funny. Many a nights Taylor puts the kids to bed. I love to sit in our room and listen as he tells the kids stories that he makes up. The kids just laugh and laugh. Occasionally I will have to remind him that we are trying to put them to sleep, not get the to wake up. Taylor went through a phase that the stories were always about animals. One animal would be in danger and the other animal would scare the danger away. (or something like that) One night as I was taking a turn, the kids really wanted me to make up a story. Taylor gave me some ideas and an outline. I tried my best to be funny. About one minute into the story, Cassidy looked at me with big, bored eyes and said, "Mom, can you just read us a story?" So Dad is the good story teller and I am the good story reader.
• Taylor coming home from work is always the best part of the day. The kids always ask me when Daddy is coming home. When we hear the garage open up, their big eyes light up and the run to the door, yelling to me to come and take the child proof lock off. It is so fun for me to see their excitement. I love the hug and kiss as he walks through the door. We always try and sit down and talk about the day. It never happens because the kids are too excited to tell Dad all about their day and perform a new dance or song.
  
  
  I love my family. They are the most important things in my life. I am so blessed to have such a great husband and kids. We are all so happy together.

(The pictures of the kids are during a dress up show that they put on while my parents came to dinner for FHE this week)

Mckay's Art Work

Cassidy loves to color and color. Every once in a while, Mckay will join in. Last week I was cleaning out a bin in the basement and Mckay found a permanent marker and snuck upstairs. He was very proud of his drawing. :)

I quickly grabbed the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I knew I could depend on it.

The first week we were in the house Cassidy made a master piece on the wall with Sharpie and it instantly came off.

Who knew, the cheap kind of permanent marker doesn't come off with

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

I guess it is good we have left over paint in the garage or we would have a permanent reminder of Mckay on our newly painted walls.

Circus is in Town

11 Elephants on parade
The Circus Ringmaster was a magician this year and performed many impressive illusions. This year my younger sister and brother went along with us. Thanks to Camille for holding Cassidy for much of the first half. Thanks also to the Salt Lake Tribune for letting me steal these photos (our camera was having issues.) If you have an opportunity to go to the circus this weekend, then I would recommend it. It was enjoyable for all ages.

Brothers Golfing Trip

Spent last weekend with three of my brothers in Grand Junction, Colorado playing golf. Had a wonderful time, and am hopeful that we could all do it again sometime soon.

Tanner, Taylor, Mckay and Grant

Isn't it about time

Before

After

Staining the deck has been on my to-do list for too long. I think it turned out well.

New Cassidyisms

MOM: Cassidy, are we all children of God?

Cassidy: No, some people are adults.

DAD: Cassidy, why haven't you put all of your toys away?

Cassidy: Dad, you are not the judge. Jesus is the judge. Are you Jesus? I don't think so.

2010 World Cup Qualifier

United States vs. El Salvador at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Final Score U.S. 2 - El Salvador 1

Kyle Beckerman is a member of Salt Lake City's Major League Soccer club, Real Salt Lake. This was his first opportunity to play with the United States National team in a World Cup Qualifying event.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Growing up I loved sleeping in.

I remember summer mornings when my mom would make

me wake up before 11am.

How rude.

Now I can't even imagine sleeping in past 7:30.

This past weekend I was away from work, I could have slept in,

it just physically wasn't possible.

I don't know what Taylor and I were thinking when we had a son that is a morning person. :) Many a mornings I do everything I can to make Mckay think that it is still the middle of the night and get him back to sleep.

Today was no where near a success.

I arrived home from work and the kids were happily playing. About an hour later, Cassidy and Mckay were BOTH showing signs of being tired.

I had a mental pep rally. Go Lisi Go.

I attempted the impossible, putting both kids to nap at the same time.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!!!!

Yahtzee!

Giddy Up!

Bingo!

Sweet Success!

I quickly climbed into my bed and got a full hour of fantastic sleep.

This was a marvelous Monday.