Kids | Monica Buckles

Category Archives: Kids

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Christmas Time

December 19, 2007 – 6:36 pm

Christmas is in full swing at our house, and the kids are beside themselves with excitement. My middle child is by far the most excited. He only wants one thing for Christmas, but if he didn’t get it he might be totally bummed.

Ash and I FINISHED Christmas shopping last night for our kids. Yeah! We had a good time while grandma stayed home and watched the kids. It is such a relief to be done.

I tease Ash that he is “Bah Humbug” about Christmas, which really isn’t true he just hates all the fuss about presents and Santa and that stuff. So yesterday while shopping I found the cutest sign for him that says it perfectly.

Cute huh! Anyway because we don’t like to get wrapped up in the what are we getting for Christmas nonsense we have always tried really hard to make the giving part the fun part. We spend a lot of time doing fun Christmas activities like making Gingerbread houses with grandma, and visiting the lights at Temple Square. This year we decided to try the Polar Express up in Heber. It was a lot of fun. The kids really liked it, even our 12 year old. The price was a little steep, but I think it was worth it. Oh and did I mention that Dallin H. Oakes just happened to be on the train to.

Kids and their cousins with Santa on the train.

Â Dallin H Oakes talking with the kids.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Merry Christmas!

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Utah | Comments (1)

Ben’s new baby

December 8, 2007 – 7:45 am

I went yesterday to see Ben and Megan’s new baby. He is to cute. Let me introduce Curt Corey Benjamin Brust.

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Friends | Comments (1)

Day out with daddy

December 4, 2007 – 10:56 am

We have been clocking a LOT of work hours for a pretty long time now, and need to find a better balance to life. We have decided the last few weeks to take at least half of our Saturdays off, and do something fun with the kids. This past Saturday we took the kids and headed up to Salt Lake to see the children’s museum at the Gateway mall, and check out the Robots exhibit. (My oldest was thrilled ;0)

I haven’t ever been to the children’s museum in Salt Lake, but we really enjoy the one in Palm Springs, and the one in Seattle as well, so it sounded fun. It wasn’t bad, but the Robots exhibit was a little disappointing. There wasn’t much to do except line up dominoes, which my kids could do at home. The rest was just a lot of looking at displays, and watching short videos about how robotics works or how they made the movie Robots.

The rest of the museum was fun. We enjoyed the TV studio, and sending messages back and forth through a tube and a laundry line. Cole loved playing in the water down stairs, and shooting balls through a tube in the garden area.

Dallin took the news cast very serious, but Cole not so much. He was to into seeing himself on TV.

After the museum I talked Ash into going to the Festival or Trees in Sandy. We had a great time looking at all the beautiful trees, but I forgot to take pictures. Maybe next time.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Family, Hubby, Utah | Comments (0)

The Scare of my Life

November 18, 2007 – 9:33 am

Wow I just had the scariest experience EVER. I don’t even know If I can write about it in complete sentences, because I’m still shaken up. Yesterday I went to pick Ash up from the airport (very common occurrence lately) and when I got there 20 minutes late he wasn’t out front waiting. I called his cell phone and it went strait to voice mail which either means it’s off or he is on it (I thought probably on it).

I left the kids in the car on the curb (with Sadie to babysit, and the doors locked, with the cell phone) and decided he was probably waiting inside where it is warm. When I got inside and looked around his flights baggage carousel he wasn’t there so I went and talked to the airlines baggage counter. The ~~incompetent~~ nice airline employee asked if she could help me.

ME: Yes, my husbands flight just got in and he wasn’t on it could you look into it for me.

Employee: Yes mam that flight has already arrived.

ME: Um yes, but he wasn’t on it could you please check if he ever checked in for the flight.

Employee: Oh, ok. Sure.

Employee: (after rapid typing) No we don’t show he ever checked in, sorry.

ME: (thinking: what do you mean sorry, find out more) OK what about his flight from Honolulu to Phoenix did he ever get on that plane.

Employee: We don’t show that that plane ever took off.

ME: (a little louder now) What do you mean it never took off? If it didn’t take off he would have called me.

Employee: I’m sorry that’s all the information I have.

Seriously people do you think that is an acceptable answer? I mean my husband is missing, and all I get is a “I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

So from there she tells me that even though we bought the flight through them, they contract another airline to fly to and from Honolulu, and that I will have to call and talk to them (she doesn’t even offer to call for me, or give me the number.). I go back out to the car where my kids are asking where is daddy and all I can say is I don’t know. I call 411 and get the other airlines number but can’t get a human on the phone so I’m stuck talking to a computer and after 20min all I find out that my husbands direct flight from Honolulu to Phoenix left Honolulu at 2:30 am (3 hours late) and arrived in Kana Pali. Kana Pali what the hell is that?

By now It’s been about 45min and still no answers. I decided to drive around and park and go into the airport to the other airlines counter dragging all 3 kids who by now are panicking to, and not leave until I get an answer. When I get into the airport not only do they not have a counter for that airline, but nobody has even heard of that airline (not reassuring).

By now I’m not only hyperventilating, but I’m pissed. I march up to the original airlines counter and explained (to a lady who wasn’t doing anything at the time) the situation and the ~~witch~~ nice lady tells me that if I want to get in the back of the line she would be happy to help me as soon as it was my turn. Seriously people! By now I’m starting to worry that they are going to have to arrest me for making a scene in the airport. I (in a very loud tone) told her that no I would not get to the back of the line, that I had been in the airport now for over an hour and a half, and she damn well better start giving me some answers. (Oh and by the way I had talked to Ash’s dad on the phone and he explained that Kana Pali was in Maui, and that the only reason for stopping there would be an emergency landing, not helpful.)

Right about then I got a text message from Ash that he had just landed in Phoenix, and that he would call me in a minute to explain. I burst into tears, and was shaking. I can’t even tell you how scary this was. It turned out that yes they landed in Maui, because they lost a communications antenna, and a 10 min fix turned into 3 hours (after the 3 hours that they spent waiting to take off from Honolulu.). When I asked why he didn’t call, he said he didn’t want to wake me. I explained that waking me would have been better than what I went through, and that from now on he isn’t aloud to fly.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Family, Hubby | Comments (2)

Halloween fun

October 31, 2007 – 12:23 pm

Halloween is in full swing at our house, and I’m feeling baa-humbug about the whole thing. It’s not that I don’t love Halloween, or any other holiday for that matter, but I hate the busyness of it. Of course since procrastination is my middle name I waited until last night to buy candy, and find a costume.

Every year my kids ask me what I’m going to be, and I tell them “a grumpy old mommy”. They don’t think that’s very funny, so this year I did go out and get a costume, well sort of. I’ll post pictures later. Since I’m joining in the Halloween ~~crap~~ fun I thought Ash should to, so I made him go out last night and get himself a costume to.

Halloween just isn’t fair to us Weight Watchers girls. I am totally over my candy addiction except when Halloween rolls around. Wish me luck tonight.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Family, Hubby, Weight Loss | Comments (1)

Not for the squeamish

October 17, 2007 – 8:23 am

OK so we just got back from St. George, and we had a great time all except the first night their. Now comes the disclaimer. If you have a weak stomach click away now.

Really

I mean it!

OK anybody still with me?

So my youngest son woke me up at 4 o’clock in the morning our first night in St George telling me that I needed to change his shirt. In my dazed stupor I asked him why what happened and then I smelt it, and didn’t need to wait for the answer. I staggered out of bed, and ushered him into the bathroom where I flipped on the light to discover that my fear was correct. My son was covered from his chin to his toes (no exaggerating) in POO! Not puke like you might have guessed POO. Really. and he’s almost 5! All I can guess is that he was REALLY REALLY asleep. Don’t worry, this is one thing I didn’t take pictures of.

It took me an hour and a half to get him, the bathroom, and his bed cleaned up, and then two more days to completely get rid of the smell. By the way, sorry to the owner of the condo who probably would never rent to us again if he finds out what happened. I’m sure I cleaned and bleached away all the evidence.

So what is the sickest thing your kids have ever done?

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Utah | Comments (0)

UEA Vacation

October 12, 2007 – 8:23 am

We are off on a much needed vaca to St George. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I’ll post pics when we get back.

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Hubby, Utah | Comments (0)

Party at My House!

September 22, 2007 – 7:49 am

Well Ash is still out of town, and I’m really bored. Not that I don’t have plenty I could be doing, I just don’t feel like it with him gone. So I decided to have a party at my house last night. We had a scrapbook/stamping party from 7:00 until whenever (the last guest left at 2:00 this morning).

So I’m sure you are probably wondering what I’m doing up at 8:00 in the morning after getting to bed at about 2:30. Well my youngest son has an internal clock that goes off at 6:00 every morning and makes him think it’s time to get up. I wish I could find his snooze button.

So check out some of our stuff.

I didn’t really do these, but I’m totally going to steal the idea.

This is going to be my Christmas cards, but there is some blue mittens

that are going to hang from the white strip with twine.

Anyway we had a blast, and I’m definitely doing that again soon.

By Monica | Also posted in Friends, Hubby | Comments (1)

Writers Block

September 18, 2007 – 10:03 am

I have total writers block right now. It’s not for a lack of stuff to talk about, it’sÂ a total lack of what to say about it. I’ve got lists of stuff I could tell you all, like my kids first day back at school, my husband traveling for work again and won’t be back for yet another week, my parents plan to move out of “T-town” and into the country of Idaho, the stuff going on in Iraq with my brother in law, taking care of my mother in law while she is now doing radiation and her hubby is out of town to.Â I just can’t seem to get the motivation to write any of it. (plus I have a new camera, and the photos are stuck on it until the technical one in the family gets home).

I can usually write some crappy article for work that will do, but this time I can’t even do that. I’m just staring at the cursor willing it to write itself. All of this is leading me to eat ridiculous amounts of candy that won’t look good on Friday when I go to weigh in for Weight Watchers.

I guess I do have something to write after all, to bad its all whining.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Family, Hubby, My Work, Weight Loss | Comments (1)

Hawaii part III

September 10, 2007 – 7:17 pm

Here is Dallin Boogie boarding. This is right before a rip tide got a hold of him and swept him out. Ash had to swim after him and help him back in. Quit a scare.

This is a picture from the top of the Pali looking down on Kailua.

Another photo from the Pali Highway looking towards Kaneohe bay.

This is Blow hole just east of Hanamua Bay.

This is the house that Ash grew up in while living in Hawaii.

Hawaii Temple

Hanamua Bay

They view from our condo.

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Hubby | Comments (1)

Hawaii Part II

September 5, 2007 – 6:58 pm

Here is a little more of our wonderful vacay. Sorry it has taken so long, I’ve been busy getting the kids back to school.

Kuhio Beach park. This is a statue of “Duke” the inventor of modern surfing.

Fun on Waikiki. Cole is just hoping the parrot doesn’t think his ear is a tasty worm to eat.

Sadie having fun at Kailua Beach

Cole liked the sand much more than the ruff surf.

To be continued…

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Hubby | Comments (0)

Back from Paradise

August 28, 2007 – 11:02 am

We are home finally (2 weeks is a long time to be away from home), and it’s back to reality. We had a great time on our trip, but I’m glad to be home in my own bed. We did and saw so much I don’t know where to start, so I’ll just post some pictures with a little commentary.

Our first stop was Seattle where we hung out with family and friends

This is my nephew, and my best buddy. He calls me everyday, and tells on his mom when she’s being mean ;0)

We had dinner at the most white trash restaurant ever, but the food was good.

Notice the onion rings that you order by the foot. Seriously by the foot. My dad ordered 2 FEET, who can eat 2 feet of onion rings. Come on people.

Then it was on to Hawaii. Of course no trip of ours would be complete without a major disaster. This time it happened to be a natural disaster.
We arrived at the airport to find that not only was their a category 4 hurricane headed for Hawaii, but they had a earthquake earlier that morning.

Our first stop was the USS Arizona

Cole was obviously impressed.

The quit reverence, and calming spirit were amazing.

This is part of the ship that is still sticking out of the water, and oil bubbles out every few minutes.

This is the original anchor for the USS Arizona.

Cole woke up long enough to shoot the guns.

Well this is turning into a novel so I’ll post more later.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Family, Friends | Comments (1)

This is the post in which I try to impart my simple minded wisdom

August 10, 2007 – 7:39 pm

I’ve had something weighing heavy on my mind and heart for the last year. My daughter turned 12 years old in the spring and leading up to her birthday I started feeling a sense of dread. It’s the same feeling I got when she was baptised. She went in for her bishop’s interview and all of a sudden I was panicked. Did I teach her enough? Does she really know what she needs to know? Have I completely failed her?

While in with the bishop I was amazed at the answers she gave. I attribute her very mature answers about the gospel to wonderful primary teachers who loved her and taught her well. I am eternally grateful to all those who teach my children and set good examples for them every day.

I’ve spent the last 8 months worried about the reality of raising a teenage daughter in the world today. While contemplating this I attended Women’s conference a few months ago looking and praying for some inspiration on how I might do this. A little voice whispered to me “teach her, her divine nature and the rest will come.” As I thought about this answer I realized that knowing that you are a daughter of God is the key to everything. If we truly knew who we were I’m convinced we wouldn’t make some of the choices that we do.

I know that this has been a problem for me my whole life. In theory I know that I am a daughter of God.Â I feel his love and influence in my life, but my self esteem keeps me from really believing that he worries about little old me. In theory I believe it all, but I struggle to feel it. I know that if I truly felt my divine nature I wouldn’t have made the mistakes that I have.Â I think that knowing you are a daughter of God is a gift and a talent that some are born with and others have to work at.

I was reading a blog yesterday, and it was about this very topic. It really hit home to me that I’m on the right track with teaching my daughter. I’m focusing on divine nature, and self esteem and praying that the rest will fall into place. Of course this isn’t an excuse to not teach the other basics, I’m just setting my focus in this direction and living on faith.

Go check out Segullah, and hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do. It is not only inspirational, it’s inspired.

By Monica | Also posted in Family | Comments (0)

Happy Birthday to ME

August 9, 2007 – 8:30 am

The last thing I said to Ash before falling asleep last night was “I’m going to sleep in tomorrow for my birthday.”

I woke up at the crack of dawn to my 4 year old saying he is going to throw up.

Happy Birthday to me.

By Monica | Also posted in Family, Hubby | Comments (1)

Hiking Timp Cave

August 8, 2007 – 2:07 pm

I came up with a brilliant plan to hike Timp Cave with my Cub scouts. It was a great plan in theory until 6:00 am when my alarm went off, and then it didn’t sound so fun.

We met at the church building early in the morning and headed up the canyon on our adventure. Lucky for me only 4 boys decided to roll their butts out of bed this morning other wise it could have been very ugly for Kama and I hiking up the trail with 12 eight year old boys.

As we got started I started to doubt that I was going to make it to the top with how out of shape I am. The trail is VERY steep, and is about 1 1/2 mile up. The elevation rises by about 1500 ft. I kept having to remind the boys to stay away from the edge.

Kama taught us all a cool trick. If you stand behind someone while going up hill and put 2 fingers on their back it makes it so much easier for them to hike up hill. You don’t need to push, so it isn’t a strain on you but it gives the other person a huge boost. The boys took turns trying it out, and couldn’t believe it really worked.

It took us about 1 to 1hour 15 minutes to get to the top. Not bad considering last year I took a group up and they only made it 2/3 the way up before 3 of them were whining that they were going to puke their guts out and we had to turn around and come back down.

When we got to the top we rested for 15 minutes and then our tour started. The guide was awesome, and let the boys help her guide the tour.

Here are some pics of our great adventure. Enjoy. Oh and by the way we made it all the way up and back down with out any bodily injury ;0) This is more than I can say for another group who had someone smack their head on a low rock in the cave that required a hospital trip and stitches. Yeah for us, no blood.

Wow it’s a long way down!

By about here I thought I was going to die ;0)

Yeah we made it to the top, and no one died.

Check out the elevation!

This was our awesome tour guide. She deserves a raise.

How awesome is this!

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Utah | Comments (0)

Monica Buckles