cut hair/pink hair

This happened a month ago! Oops.

August 23rd:

Well, I heard Adelynne wake up one morning and I just lay in bed trying to sleep. When I finally rolled out of bed I went straight to the bathroom. Adelynne came in shortly with a sly smile on her face, and anxious to tell me her big news. But she stopped short when she saw the look of horror on my face. I looked horrified because I saw that Adelynne was missing some hair, a fairly good section of hair. "Did you cut your hair?!" And suddenly Adelynne had no exciting news to share with me. She went and hid under her blankets and would not talk about the incident the rest of the day. I guess all it took was one awful look from mommy to put some sense into her mind. (I don't know if that is good or bad).

Keep in mind that these pictures were taken about 2 days after the deed was actually done, so by this point mommy's angry face was kind, loving, and forgiving.

You really can't tell from this picture that she cut her hair

She now has bangs

You can see how this side has some new layers

All in all, she didn't do the worst job she could have done. My friend Kim fixed her hair up after these pictures were taken, but Adelynne was concerned about getting all her hair cut. I had to reassure her that only some of her hair would be cut.

Amy's Pink Hair August 30th

The girls' Great Grandma Spann gave them this stuffed animal pony that they can color all over, and then I can wash it clean and they can color it all over again. Cute idea, I know. However, it is the kind of toy that should not be used as a pillow for bedtime. And this is why:

This picture was taken a day after and it is not as bright as it was the first day. She had bright, bright pink hair, and she refused to wash her hair. Dustin and I felt like we were turning our baby into a punk rocker. She went to the store and to church with this hairdo. Her hair stayed pink for about 2 weeks, fading slowly.

Go ahead, Dad, you can say it.

I must preface my post today with my Dad's favorite blonde joke. I'm sure its much better said in person, but you'll get it, I'm sure.

There was a brunette driving down a country road in her fancy convertible. She was enjoying her drive when suddenly she had to stop for a flock of sheep. She was so excited to see the sheep since they are her favorite animal. She wished she could take one home with her. Then she saw the shepherd and went to him and asked him if she could have one of his sheep. He said, "No way, these sheep are my way of life! I wouldn't give you one even if you paid me." The girl begged and begged to have one of the sheep. Finally the shepherd said, "Okay, if you can guess the number of sheep in my flock, then I will give you any one of my sheep." He said this thinking there is no way she could guess the number of sheep in my flock. The brunette looked over the flock, and said 153 sheep. The shepherd was stunned, for she had guessed exactly how many sheep were in his flock. So he said sadly, "Go ahead and pick out your sheep." The brunette went over and picked out the cutest sheep she saw and took it back to her car. She put the sheep in the passenger seat of her car and was getting ready to drive off when the shepherd came over to her car and said, "Wait! If I can guess the true color of your hair, can I have my dog back?"

So yesterday morning I took the girls to the library for story time. Adelynne enjoyed her story and was working on coloring the hat they were making to go with the story that was read. She was the last child in the room coloring, and I was thinking, we need to get back home so we can eat lunch and get Adelynne to preschool. Well, we made it home around 12 noon, and Adelynne starts preschool at 12:30. So I made the girls their lunch and encouraged them to eat quickly so that Adelynne wouldn't be late. And they did. We got Adelynne to preschool by 12:30. Amy and I came home and I put her down for her nap. I was playing on the computer for an hour and then I decided to take a nap as well. During my nap I heard Dustin come home. He didn't bother me and went about his own business. A while later he came in the room and asked where Adelynne was. I replied matter-of-factly, "She's at school." Dustin checked his clock and said, "Well its a good thing I asked because its 3:20." (Adelynne is done at 3:30). Then Dustin said, "Wait!" and he checked his clock again and said, "Its Tuesday!" Then I realized my mistake. Adelynne doesn't go to preschool on Tuesdays. She only goes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I foolishly went and picked up Adelynne and explained my absent-minded mistake to her teacher.

So Dad, go ahead and say it.

What one does on a Sunday afternoon with Grandpa and a bowl of cheerios

Water Park and a Water Fight

One evening, while in California, we went as a family over to a neighborhood water playground. The little girls had a blast running through the water spouts and cooling off. Sorry for the overload of pictures, but little girls in swimsuits are so stinking cute!

Heather and Adelynne

My darling niece, Katie

Uncle Joe trying to persuade Amy to get wet

I finally just ran Amy through all the sprinklers and got wet myself.

Amy wasn't too happy with me

after getting her all wet. I'm such a mean, mean mommy!

Amy pondering again. I love that little baby tush!

So this is mid-water fight. Since I got all wet with Amy, I decided that everyone needed to join in. I grabbed an In-N-Out cup and filled it up and started the water fight with my Dad. Soon most everyone had joined in, minus Grandma and Aunt Amy (party poopers). So this is Adelynne hunting down Uncle Joe. You can see my Dad right through the trees, wet, and filling up his cup for his next victim.

almost got him! Adelynne would get so frustrated because her cup would spill as she was chasing people down. You can see me soaked in the background.

Me, dodging Heather and Adelynne, and very wet.

It was lots of fun to go after everyone and get them all involved. It was much better than just watching and spectating the children. My sister and mom ran off to the big playground hoping to stay dry and the rest of us tried to get them. My sister thought she escaped until Adelynne got her from behind, unexpectedly. My mom ended up hiding in the bathroom. Sheesh. So the rest of us got wet and had fun!

In Utah

So after the Davis Family Reunion, my mom took my girls back to California, while I stayed in Utah with my sister. I was only with my sister, Amy and her husband Joe for two days before we all headed to California too. But it was a fun two days without the kids, just me and my sis. On Sunday evening we went to a park to hear Joe play in the Utah Premier Brass Band that he was in. My cousin Brittany and her hubby, Matt came and met us there. When the concert was over I walked with Matt and Brittany back to their house and on the way we stopped at the little house that Dustin and I used to live in when we lived in Provo. So, this is the house. It wasn't our first apartment as a married couple, it was our second. But, we did bring Adelynne home to this little house. I have many memories of our two years in this house: hosting Easter with cousins, sending my sister on her mission while we lived here, hosting our very first Thanksgiving feast with my family (minus sister), and my dog dying (not a happy memory, but one none the less). I did not bury my dog here however, but he was placed in the economy size freezer in the shed in the back until we drove him to California to bury him in my grandma's backyard. My family loves telling everyone how I put my dead dog in the freezer. Sounds morbid, I know, but if you are like me, and have/had a profession in the animal kingdom, it really isn't that strange). Anyway, this is the house, cute isn't it?

And here I am with two of my beautiful cousins, Emily and Brittany. Amy snapped the picture for me, wish she were in it too. But we all met for ice cream and had a great time chatting.

Davis Family Reunion

The main reason for traveling back to Utah with my mom, brother, nieces, and my daughters was to see my great-grandmother, Nana, Alice Bennett who is 98. My Nana lives in Florida, but she traveled to Utah for her family reunion, The Davis Family. I was grateful for the opportunity to quiz my mother about this line of my family history. If I remember correctly, my Nana is a granddaughter to Brigham Young's granddaughter. This is the chain of people from Brigham Young to me: Brigham Young, Valet Young, Miriam Valet Decker, Charles Davis, Alice Davis, John David Bennett, Patricia Irene Bennett, Tracy Irene Biggs. I have a wonderful heritage, and I am super proud to be a descendent of Brigham Young! Going to the Davis Reunion was a first for me, and I was very glad that my grandfather was there as well as my mom's sister, Jill and some of her children too. I didn't know any of the other people.

Cousin Daniel-I used to change this boy's diaper-now look at him! He's going to be a senior in high school.

Big sister to Daniel, my gorgeous cousin, Lisa-marie. She's expecting the first great-grandson on this side of the family.

having fun in the bounce house

Daniel picking on J.D., another one of my cousins. J.D. will also be a senior this year. They grow up so fast!

The 4 great-great-granddaughters to Alice Bennett

Picture for posterity: 5 generations of Brigham Young's descendents

My mom's children and grandchildren

Back row: Uncle John, J.D., Joe, Amy, Nana, Daniel, Aunt Jill, Papa, Chris, Adelynne, Mom, Amy, Me, Lisa-marie.

Front: Jordan, Mark, Kathryn, Heather, Courtney, Charity.

After the Davis Reunion, we all went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open house. It was a wonderful experience to be in this beautiful temple with so many family members. I especially enjoyed the opportunity for my daughters to walk through the temple. Adelynne was especially excited to get to go in the temple. She became so excited when she saw the baptismal font. She was shouting (as loud as she dared) "There it is, there it is! Its so special." She was very excited to point it out to me. Then she just oohed and ahed over the beautiful chandeliers in each of the rooms. It was the perfect experience for her, especially considering the opportunity she had to give a talk on the temple in primary a few weeks ago.

Sac Zoo with cousins

While in California, my mom and I took my girls and my brother's girls: Heather and Katie, to the Sacramento Zoo. The four little girls had a blast together, and they were awfully cute (until nap time). It was odd for me going to this zoo because I remember going as a child on school field trips and such, and it seemed so big to me. But actually, it is a very small zoo. But it has some great animals anyway. It was a fun activity to do with the girls.

Listening to heaven

I just listened to a moment of true, pure love. I love the feeling of heaven in my home. As I lay on the couch, still sick from this torturous cold, Dustin took the girls off to bed. As is usual bed time routine, he began singing "I am a Child of God." Just as I switched on the television, I heard Adelynne and Amy singing along. I quickly turned off the tube and listened intently to the sweet, untrained voices of my little angels as they sang along with the deep tenor voice of their daddy. The words of this hymn have never touched my heart in such a manor, despite the numerous times I have sung it myself. Sometimes heaven is just closing your eyes and listening.

I am a Child of God

and He has sent me here.

Has given me an earthly home,

with parents kind and dear.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do,

To live with Him someday.

What a night

So yeah, it was quite the night. With the storm sirens sounding, torrential rains beating down, thunder vibrating the walls, and the the storm guide suggesting we seek shelter in our homes' safe zones, I was feeling a little sorry for the newcomers to Indiana. It was a threatening evening. Dustin and I bundled up the girls and ourselves in preparation for a trip down to the apartment basement, but we never went down, much to Adelynne's dismay. It didn't help that I developed a raging fever on top of this lung-hacking cold of mine that I've been fighting all week. After Dustin decided we were okay to stay inside, he put the girls to bed while I fell into a feverish sleep on the couch. It was 9pm when I got up and went to bed. I lay there wishing I could go back to sleep and wondering if I should go see a doctor the next day, when at some point I finally fell asleep. Then at about 2:15am Dustin and I woke to Amy screaming in terror. Dustin jumped out of bed and went to her. He was comforting her and trying to put her back to bed, but instead she screamed louder when he tried to put her in her bed. Finally in frustration, Dustin asked Amy what was wrong, and she cried as loud as she could that she was scared. Why was she scared? Apparently there were scary bugs in her bed. Dustin checked her bed and found no traces. It must have been a nightmare. But she would not settle down unless in our arms. So I held her in our bed and kept reassuring her that there were no bugs and mommy and daddy were here. After a while it seemed that she was settling down into her restless sleep. She was climbing over me, trying to find a place to settle, when she looked back at the spot next to me and cried out in terror again. I grabbed her up and held her and told her there was no bug there, it was just the bed. My child was really freaked out. Then this morning, when Amy and I woke up in my bed, she proceeded to tell me about the scary bugs. "They gone. Keelled the bugs, they all gone." Whatever this nightmare was, she remembered it well.

Then Adelynne, who has been up for quite some time, comes in to greet me with a smile, which soon fades when I notice the haircut she gave herself. That's right, she cut a good chunk of hair off the front of her head. Pictures coming soon. It looks a little like a front mullet, but not too bad. Now she just has some bangs.

Oh, what a night.

The Jelly Belly Factory

I was anxious for a visit with my cousin Tammy and her new baby boy, Bryce. During our visit we decided to take a trip to the Vacaville, CA Jelly Belly Factory. Thinking the girls would enjoy the tour, we mistakingly embarked with anxious children. Only Tammy knew the truth, yet didn't say anything, as she was embarking on her 100th tour, (or something like that). So I don't recommend this tour for children under 5. Its a little long for little girls and mommies that have little girls. But at least it ended well with all the Jelly Belly's you could ever desire. But really we did have a good time with Tammy and Bryce. It was a treasure to hold little Bryce, to comfort his little cries, and to encourage his sweet smiles. And I loved sharing and swapping mommy stories with Tammy. I wish we could do it more often!

cute, cute girls

little Bryce

he wanted to eat Jelly Belly's too

she looks like a pro driver

lovin' the ride

all tired out on the drive home. yes, she fell asleep like this

not asleep, but cute anyway

Continuing On....

Our first Sunday in California with my family was my Uncle Scott's and Aunt D'Anna's mission farewell. They are called to serve a Church Education System (CES) mission in Sri Lanka. For this farewell they gave talks in church, the grandchildren sang, as did all of the adults in their family. The Spirit was so strong and present throughout the meeting, and I am SO glad that I was there to wish them a teary goodbye with the rest of this gang. Below is evidence of the awesome family I have always been a part of. When something big or small occurs in this family, we come out in packs. Rows and rows of the Biggs Family members take up chapel pews, displace regular attendants, (sorry)! take up all available parking spaces, shove into small homes, eat any thing resembling food, and always, always have a memorable time.

Here is the gang.

LtoR: Uncle Scott; my Dad, Guy; Aunt Lanea; Uncle J'Earl. My dad and Uncles are the 3 little boys of their family of 9 children.

As soon as a few pictures were snapped and tearful hugs and goodbyes were given, we sped off to the airport to get Dustin on his flight to Indiana. Here is Amy and Uncle David, enjoying a good snore in the car.

One of the things my Aunt D'Anna said in her talk that touched me the most (and that I remember), was that she shared why she wanted to serve this mission and leave her family and home behind for 18 months. Paraphrasing her words: "she wanted to express to Heavenly Father her gratitude for the blessings she has received in her life." This may not mean much to those that don't know my aunt and uncle, but to those who know something (because I don't claim to know all of her life in detail), know that yes, many blessings have been given to my aunt and her family, more blessings than trials, but there have been many difficult trials throughout her life. I am grateful that my aunt has remained faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ despite trials, that she is serving a mission, that she is a great example of patience, endurance, faith, and charity.