The Chicken and the Bean

2 years of fun

2011-11-13T13:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a post in over 2 years! Here are some of pictures of what we've been up to :)

Free picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Happy Birthday Macy!

2009-10-14T21:12:00.001-07:00

Macy turned 6 today! She's been so funny about her Birthday this year, normally she will have a theme or she'll know exactly what she wants. This year everything has been on a whim, we went to the party store and she looked around and then picked out dog invitations, then she wanted to have her party at chucky cheese but decided on Jumpin' Jacks, I asked her what kind of cake she wanted and she said she didn't care so I took her to the store to look and she said she just wanted to have balloons on it (which turned out TERRIBLE!), we asked her probably 1000 times what she wanted for her Birthday and it was never the same answer, I got a DS, a new IPOD, some paint and a new coloring book,or some cars.
So, in spite of lots of non specifics she had a really fun party and I think was really happy with her gifts.
We gave her a "alive" Husky puppy that she had asked for a couple of times off the TV and new shoes. Brady gave her Bendaroo's, she was REALLY excited about those. She got lots of fun presents from her friends and she is so lucky that her friends know her so well and get her exactly what she wants.
She had her party at Jumpin' Jack's, which is a bounce house, she invited some friends from school and they all came. We got her balloon cake and I had all these cute visions in my head of what it would look like and when I opened the box I was SO let down (first time I have ever been disappointed in Harmons), but of course Macy didn't care.

I am so lucky to have Macy as my daughter, I am so glad she is who she is and has the personality that she does. I love you with all my heart Bean!!

Pierced Ears!!!

2009-10-04T16:57:00.001-07:00

We are driving to Costco and Macy say's "Mom, I think today is the day I want to get my ears pierced, I have a good feeling about it" and I think to myself, REMAIN CALM! (as she tends to retrack when I get to excited about "girly" stuff) and I said "OK, do you want Daddy to be there?" and she says "Yes" so we pick up Bryan and head to the mall. She was amazingly calm, didn't seem nervous at all! After the first ear she looked like she was trying so hard not to cry and Bryan said "Macy, it's ok if you have to cry" and the waterworks were ON, she said she didn't want to do it again so I had to hug her while she did the other side. After a few moments and a gumball she was smiling and excited to show her friends.

Waiting for her turn

The smile tells me she isn't aware of the gun at her ear

I tried to catch it as it was happening...

Done! Sad but we made it

She looks so beautiful!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADY!

2009-09-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

I had the best day with Brady today! Bryan stayed home to have breakfast with us and then Macy and I played Brady and all his new toys until Macy had to go to school and then Brady and I cuddled and played all day long (he did take about a 45 minute nap, in Macy's bed). We ended the day watching the new Scooby Doo movie with the family.

Brady had a Scooby Doo birthday party with his friends, the guest list included:
Zach & Taylor Apgar
Reagan Coles
Logan Wayman
Sophia Casal

We borrowed the Apgar's jumparoo and let the kids just play, then did presents and cupcakes. He is so lucky to have friends at such a young age!

We had family over on Sunday and Brady got lots of great presents and got to FINALLY cut into his Scooby cake! We had a special cake made for him.

He loved it, he kept saying my cake!

We gave him a Scooby motorcycle and he loves it! He looks so cute, I just wish it went a little faster!

(I am going to post a slideshow tomorrow)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SON! I LOVE YOU EVER SO MUCH!!!

Caught up!

2009-09-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

I know ridiculous! I just put 4 post on here that took me less than 10 minutes and yet I can't seem to find the time to just do them as they happen. But I had to update before Brady's Birthday post tomorrow.

Spiderman undies

2009-09-13T22:18:00.001-07:00

Just had to post it! Going through all of Macy's old clothes and we found her old Spiderman undies, Brady was so excited he had to put them on. He looks just as cute in them as Macy did! ;)

Sprinkler Party '09

2009-09-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

Macy & Brady had their annual Sprinkler party REALLY late this year. We did the slip & slide, water balloon fight, water balloon game & breaking in the new swing set! They had so much fun with all their friends.

Can't wait 'til next year!

Such a boy

2009-09-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

There was this HUGE bumble bee ~dead~ on the deck and Brady walked up to it and touched it (Macy was in the house crying because she walked passed it) lol! He thought it was so cool!

What a boy!

Big helper

2009-09-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

French Toast

Brady loves to help me in the kitchen. It doesn't matter what we are making he will come in and say "I help". He'll be a great cook!

1st day of Kindergarten

2009-08-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Macy started Kindergarten today. Such a big day and I think we both handled it pretty well. :)

We started the day with Yummy donuts. Macy loves to help make them just as much as she loves to eat them!

You can't really tell in the picture but they are both covered in cinnamon sugar, luckily a bath was to follow.

Macy's 1st homework assignment

Bryan came home to have lunch with her before she left, he's such a good Daddy!

Macy all ready to go!

Her High School Musical backpack she picked out
(I love how the backpacks are bigger than the kids!)

Brady saying Good Bye to Sis

And a kiss!

I don't think Brady realized what was happening exactly because when I got home he ran to the car saying "Hi Macy!" and then he turned to me and asked "where's Macy?" and I said "At school" and he said "oh" and just looked at the car...SAD!

I cried on the drive over to school and then when she hugged me good bye, I don't think she noticed either time...whew! I'm glad that Megan and Taryn were there when we got there I think Macy was a little nervous to be by herself.

Macy in front of her school

Me & Macy Bean

Macy & Taryn

Taryn, Macy & Aiden

Me & Macy, Megan & Taryn, Amber & Aiden

Houston was at recess and he ran over to say Hi to the girls & Aiden before they went into class

Macy & Taryn playing before they had to go to class

Standing in line waiting to go in, like good girls!

And there she goes, without even a look back :(

I can't believe my little girl is this big, it came before I even had time to think.
I love you Macy Laine with everything I've got!

I can't help but think of the ABBA song, so I am putting the lyrics...

Slipping through my fingers

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that Im losing her forever
And without really entering her world
Im glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see whats in her mind
Each time I think Im close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake, I let precious time go by
Then when shes gone theres that odd melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt I cant deny
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
(slipping through my fingers all the time)
Well, some of that we did but most we didnt
And why I just dont know

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see whats in her mind
Each time I think Im close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers...

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Schoolbag in hand she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile...

Cowabunga Bay

2009-08-03T07:35:00.001-07:00

Friday Bryan took the day off to take us to Cowabunga Bay, the new water park in Draper. All the different colors of the slides are just so temping to us as we drive by!

Macy and Brady before all the fun began

Bryan waiving at us before testing out the first slide

Macy and I waving taking her on her 3rd slide

Me & the kids on the lazy river

Sharing an ice cream

I will say that my kids are a little too young and timid to go here. It didn't help that the first slide Macy went on she got a face full of water and it didn't help that I then took Brady on that exact slide and give him a face full of water. :{ But Macy was brave enough to go on a couple more slides with plenty of time in between. I think their favorite was just playing in the pool area, it only goes to 3 ft tall so Macy could roam far and free (with no life jacket), and Brady could just sit by me and splash in the water.

Brady found a grasshopper in the water and picked it up, the kid loves grasshoppers and can catch them so easily, he played with it for quite a while letting it jump off his finger back into the water only for him to grab it again and then hold it under water. It was funny to watch him, every time it would just he would yell "grasshopper!".

We ended the day by getting a vanilla ice cream cone with a sunburn, delicious!

24th of July

2009-08-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

My parents had us up for a BBQ on the 24th and the kids had a lot of fun playing with their Aunt Sara, Uncle Collins and cousin Rachel. Tried to get some cute pictures but the kids were pretty tired by the time I got out the camera.

Mini Chiropractors

2009-08-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

The other day Bryan had me try to crack his back and then Macy and Brady took turns crackin' each others backs! Too cute!

New Play set!

2009-08-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

We set out a space in our backyard when we first moved in for Macy (& kid #2) to have a play set, but I wanted to wait until we had a fence. Well, 3 years and kid #2 later it has arrived!!

And what a pain!

First we had to dig out all the weeds and grass (not sure why we kept misc pieces of grass but we did), then we got the boxes out with all the pieces of wood...

End of day 1

Holy Mother of Pete! There were SO many pieces and NONE of it was labeled so while Bryan and Al put together the ladder and rock wall (which were the 1st things in instructions ~wierd~) Linda and I organized all the pieces...

End of day 2

On the 3rd day Bryan, Al & Troy got to some serious work and almost had the whole thing put together! The kids were so excited, they could hardly wait!

End of day 3

Bryan and I got started really early on day 4 hoping we could get it finished. I had a family party that night so I left Bryan and Al working and around 7:45 Bryan let me know it was finished!

End of day 4
YEAH!!!

Macy & Brady could swing all day if it weren't so hot outside! I think Brady loves it more than Macy even though he can't swing himself. He will only let me push him though. He always tells Bryan "No, I got it Dad" and he will swing slowly back and forth until he isn't moving anymore. The slide is FAST! Since it is wavy Macy bounces on it and always lands right at the bottom and it hurts her bum. Pretty funny. They have had lunch quite a few times at the bench and Brady has already fallen off the ladder once (Bryan was watching, not me).

They could probably climb onto the house from their play set but we aren't going to tell them that and just pray they never figure it out. But I won't be surprised the day Macy runs in and yells 'Mom! Brady is on the roof!'

THANK YOU GRANDMA & GRANDPA PINO!!
We love our play set!

What a day!

2009-07-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had to go feed my Mom's nasty cat and on the way down the hill Macy asked if we could stop and see if Rebecca and McKenna were home. We stopped by but couldn't stay long since we were supposed to be going to lunch with Grandma and then feed the ducks at Sugarhouse park. While we were at Coles and Lisa's they got out their bird "Boomer". I couldn't believe it when I looked over and Brady had it on his shoulder! Had to get the camera...

I ended up taking McKenna, Rebecca, Spencer and Bryson with us. We went and picked Grandma up and grabbed some lunch. In the car Brady grabbed Rebecca's arm and leaned his face against her and just held on, it was too cute!

A goose bit Macy's finger but she thought it was pretty cool

Grandpa helping Brady reach the geese

Grandpa met up with us after a meeting.
Such a cute picture!

My kids in a tree

Coles' kids in a tree

Grandma & Grandpa with the kids (in a tree of course)

Macy trying to pose but Brady wouldn't leave her alone

Brady walking up the stream, he was mad at me in this picture because
I told him it was time to get out

Brady almost falling asleep while Rebecca swang with him

I had so much fun taking everyone, I rarely get to spend time with my cousins so I'm glad I stopped by. I have so many fun memories of Sugarhouse park with family and friend parties, I hope my kids can have just as many memories at this fun park.

4th of July

2009-07-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

As always we went to the Copperton Park the morning of the 4th for breakfast and races. However, this year we accidentally to showed up an HOUR early because Bryan and I couldn't remember what time the races started. We're late every year so we just couldn't believe that we could be late if they started at 9 so we decided they HAD to be at 8. Well they start at 9. We did want to get there early so that Macy could practice because she was going to be racing for her first time, she was brave enough this year, and Brady loves to race his sister!

While we were waiting Adam and Tyler were throwing the Football around and Macy and Brady wanted to play too so they were so nice to let them in on their game. Brady even caught a few and Macy did her best to tackle.

They both ran and Macy actually would have won 1st place if they gave out a 1st place prize. Luckily Grandma was standing by with (more) prize money. :) Brady got caught in front of two girls that were holding hands and they basically clothes lined him but he's so tough he didn't fall!

Getting ready to race

And they're OFF!

Clothes liners!

Bryan after winning the shoe race

Hula hoop in action!

After Brady's nap we went over to Sam and June's to swim and have dinner. Macy was a fish this year! She was doing so well and didn't really need any help! Brady was more in and out. He didn't care for his floaty but loved this little hammock thing that they had!

Jumping to Grandpa

Brady and Logan

Brady and Anna
(He loves her!)

Getting ready for fireworks

Macy picked out AWESOME fireworks this year! The nice thing about when we end fireworks at Sam's is that on our way home we get to see the whole firework show at Riverton park on the drive. By the time we pull up to the park we get the finale (it's worked out that way 2 years in a row!).

Disney Channel fest

2009-06-23T14:28:00.001-07:00

Today we went down to the Gallivan center for the Disney Channel fest. The kids had so much fun! Macy was being a little shy and didn't want to go out on the grass to dance with all the other kids so we sat and watched the dancers for a bit and then looked at all the booths.

Took pictures with Mickey

Took pictures with Snow white and the 7 Dwarfs

Got Milk :)
They gave out free Creamies

And got their faces painted! Brady just couldn't stop looking at Macy and laughing. Then she growled at him and he really got scared!
They both looked so cute!

Snowbird -BBQ Cook off

2009-06-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

We went to Snowbird for the BBQ cook off and had yummy (but expensive!) BBQ and listened to some good music. The kids danced and I think most of the people were watching them instead of the band, which you'll see why it's too cute! Brady fell numerous times dancing so hard so he has calmed down in the video...

We tried to have Macy take a picture of us, Bryan should have worn his glasses!

Our kids just makin' themselves comfortable!

Dancin'

We are hoping it won't be so rainy next year so we can go to the brunch instead of dinner!

Lagoon!

2009-06-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

We went to Lagoon with Sara, Randy & Garrett. We had so much fun despite all the rain!

Me, Macy, Garrett & Sara
on the Tilt-A-Whirl
(Sara got sick after this ride :) hee hee)

Macy on the Bat
Her 1st big girl ride!

Sara & Garret
on the kid swings

Macy and Garrett
Space ships
(I think we get this same picture every time we go!)

Me & Macy
Egg drop
(or what ever it is called) :)

Thanks Sara and Randy for inviting us!!

LDS Temple

2009-06-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

My Mom and I took the kids through the new South Jordan temple. It was very pretty! We got to the room that looks like a chapel and Macy walked into the Pews and sat down and my Mom said "Oh, Macy let's keep going" and Macy said "No, I want to sit for a minute" and so we all sat down and she just looked around and sat and after a few minutes said "Ok, I'm ready". It was pretty cute. And on our way out Brady saw a big picture of Jesus and he kept saying "Bye, Jesus!" over and over.
The view of the valley is amazing!

Sweetest daughter

2009-06-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after dinner Macy made Bryan and I stand next to each other and hold hands in the living room, she then ran into the other room and told us to close our eyes. When she came back she said "open!" and she was holding a picture she had drawn of Bryan and I standing next to each other holding hands. She said it was a picture of us on our wedding day. So cute!!!

Starbucks

2009-06-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

I can't remember when I bought Macy her first Starbucks but it had to be after 2!

Well I'm starting Brady early, he got tired of Macy getting a Hot Chocolate or Vanilla steamer and him only getting a sip of hers (yes he did tell me all of these things, maybe in not so many words). :)

But look how happy he is!!

Ahhh, the joys of Starbucks

Swim Lessons

2009-06-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

I AM NOT GOING TO SWIMMING LESSONS!!!!

Was Macy's mantra for weeks now, she had her first lesson yesterday and much to her surprise she had so much fun and now loves it! Luckily we missed the rain storm by seconds. Hopefully today is just as lucky!

Dentist appointments

2009-06-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Macy and Brady had Dentist appointments last week.

Macy did so good, exept she had a cavity...UGH! When we went back to get it fixed she didn't even flinch when they numbed her mouth and the only complaining was after because her mouth was numb and all she wanted to do was bite her cheek (they told her not too). She refused to smile for me so I could take a picture. -smart girl :)

Brady couldn't wait to get up into the Dentist chair! He looked so tiny! -No cavities...yet...

Gossip Girl

2009-06-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

At Steve and Angie's wedding Macy saw this little boy and girl kiss, they were about her age and she just couldn't believe it! She is very curious about kissing right now. She watches when Bryan and I kiss, she giggles when she see's someone kiss on T.V., etc. Well she HAD to know all the details of this kiss so she asked the boy all about it, who initiated it, how long, what kind(!?). Hilarious. Well that wasn't the end, we get in the car and Macy say's "I have to tell Taryn about this" I handed her my phone and she calls Taryn and tells her all about this kiss, I recorded part of the conversation, luckily it was the funniest part.

Macy's Graduation

2009-06-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

Macy graduated Pre-School! We are so proud of her, she learned so much this year I am nervous to send her to regular school next year for fear she'll be repeating a lot of the same info. Her teachers said that she was super smart and that she was reading on a 2nd grade level! And they think the teachers are not going to be sure what to do with her next year since she knows so much (which doesn't help my anxiety). She gets her smarts from her Dad. :)

She did an AWESOME job at her graduation program, the teachers had put together a whole program and I can't believe they got her to do all moves and sing! She was mouthing exactly what her teacher was saying because she had it all memorized. She ended up in the corner seat so when they would stand up she would be behind the boys on either side of her, well my little girl just pushed herself forward and stood in front of them! Al said he could see both Bryan and I in her that day; Bryan in the lack of dancing ability and me in the making sure she was in front. :)

She chose Carl's Jr. for lunch (her favorite restaurant) and then Bryan and I took her to see the movie UP. Then for her graduation gift she asked for a pet, we agreed on a fish. She got a cute goldfish with black spots, she wanted to name him fishy but we convinced her to think of something a little more unique and we came up with speedo. She is taking VERY good care of him. She is so grown up.

Bearded Brady

2009-06-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

Macy needed the stamps because she was "mailing a package" and 10 minutes later she walks into my room and say's with a serious 'crap I'm in trouble' look on her face "Mom, come here. Brady did something". NOT looking forward to the mess I'm about to walk out to and Brady turns the corner and I about died! It was one of the funniest things I've seen...I'm sure you'll agree.

Once I got over the laughter I took him to the bathroom to show him what he looked like. He couldn't stop laughing either!

Sad...what are the odds!

2009-05-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

Friday Brady was hungry so I opened the pantry door just at the guy delivering our dirt rang the doorbell so I walked over to answer the door and as soon as I did Brady fell and started screaming. So I ran back over and picked him up walked back to the door and the man got all freaked out and said "He's bleeding! He's bleeding!", I look over and Brady is pouring blood from his mouth. :(

I guess he had stood up on Freddy's snack jar and it tipped and he fell and cut his bottom lip with his two top teeth. It took forever to get it to stop bleeding and I felt horrible!

Then it started to feel awfully familiar! Macy was about the same age when she fell down the stairs at Erica's house and cut her bottom lip with her top teeth! So Bryan and I looked back at our pictures and noticed that it happened two days (and 4 years) apart from each other. Macy fell on May 12 and Brady fell on May 14! What are the odds!

Silver lining...
Brady's wasn't as bad as Macy's so I don't think he'll have the scars she does.

And
luckily we aren't having anymore children or I would be nervous every May!

Goooooaaaaal!!

2009-05-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Macy made a goal in her soccer game yesterday!!!!
First one of the season (and her life)!
:)

Hi Shandell

2009-05-13T16:29:00.001-07:00

The kids were playing in the basement and I went down to check on them and Brady walks up to me and say's "Hi Shandell". It was the cutest thing! I won't let him call me by my first name so I just had to record it because I'll have to make sure it doesn't happen on a regular basis. :)

Soccer

2009-05-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

Macy's first soccer game was a couple weeks ago and boy did I regret signing her up!
It was raining and so cold!

On the bright side she has done so well this year! Kicked the ball more times an I can count AND almost made a goal and we are only 3 games in. She runs so fast but she's too dang polite she moves out of the way so someone else can kick it. :}

Brady's Hair Cut

2009-05-12T10:57:00.001-07:00

Most of you know and most have seen him but I have yet to blog about it, so here it goes. The pressure was on to cut his hair, Bryan had given me until summer and as soon as it started to get warm I started to panic and thought about it daily! I think the decision was finally made for me when over Easter week-end two different people called him a little girl (even though he was in jeans and a blue button up shirt, I mean give me a break!). I looked a pictures on the Internet because I didn't want him to have a typical boy haircut and emailed them all to Erica, so she had an idea of what we were going for. Then the day arrives :( I pull up to Erica's house and am instantly sick to my stomach. We go downstairs to her salon and she gets everything ready and says "Ok, Shandell you can put him down now" and I just stood there and said "I don't think I can". He was SO good through the whole process (had to use a little candy towards the end). I absolutely love his haircut! Erica did an awesome job, Thank you, Thank you! He looks a lot older and so much more like a little man now (NOT saying he looked like a girl before!).

Before...

So Long!

Almost left a mullet :)

After...

How handsome!

And now a month later I look back and I miss his long hair, he has such nice hair! I will keep it short over the summer but who knows what we'll do with it next :)

Easter

2009-04-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

What a week-end! Bryan took Friday and Monday off, Macy was so excited about that!

We dyed Easter eggs on Thursday night. Brady HAD to be involved and it was all Bryan could do to keep him out of the dye.

Friday Macy was so excited to have her Daddy home that she wanted to make him breakfast in bed, so we made eggs and toast. He loved it! What a sweet little girl who loves her Daddy ALOT! Then Bryan took all of us to the Dinosaur museum, they both thought it was pretty cool.

Saturday we went to Nana's for the annual Easter egg hunt. Brady got to ride on Nana's walker but I'm not sure he thought it was that fun, he likes to be running around with all the other kids. :) Macy and Mary got to do their hunt together. While we were up in Nana's room I spied the golden egg in a tree and when we got outside, it happened to be in Brady's area! So as soon as the lady said go I ran over (with Brady of course) ;) and "helped" him get the egg. He only picked up about 5 other eggs, but got some fun sand toys and a dollar. Macy got a bucket full!
Easter morning the Easter bunny spread eggs all over the house, the kids had so much fun filling their baskets. The Easter bunny got Macy the Crayola 3D market set and new helmet and he brought Brady some cars and a new helmet. We went to breakfast with the Pino family and then over to G & G Pino's for another Easter Egg hunt! They also got some new clothes and movies. Brady is so funny, he pulled out each piece of clothing and said "oh cute".

We had G&G Dixon over for dinner and played a little Wii, the kids helped Grandpa get through the rest of his walk by walking with him. ;) After they went home Macy jumped up into the bottom of the counter and got a big goose egg and had to lay on the couch for awhile. :(

We had such a nice Easter! Had to do a slideshow to show all the pictures!

Sucky Broke

2009-04-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

SOME HOW the tip of Brady's sucky got cut off! He tried it out, it wasn't the same so he handed it back and said "Broke". He has done so well, hasn't cried at night at all only a little before naps. Every once and awhile he will say "sucky?" and I will hand it to him and he looks at it and says "broke, sucky" and throw it on the floor. We haven't been able to get him to throw it away, he'll walk over to the garbage with it but then he just can't put it in there.

Macy is not happy about the whole process she keeps telling him that she will find him a new one and say's we are mean parents. :) She never had a sucky so really it was a new thing for all of us.

It was hard to take that step, he's growing up so fast! He seems to take it all so well. My big boy.

Best kids EVER & Book Nazi

2009-03-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

So I'm starting this entry with the Book Nazi story.
I am think that Macy's teachers think that I am a book nazi and that I force Macy to read books and always make her read hard books, well we all know this isn't true considering the previous post about her reading to her friends.
The other day I asked Macy's teachers to give her harder books (they had previously but then started giving her the easy books again) well the teacher put her hand on my shoulder and said "they don't always have to be hard for her to read", which I followed with "they aren't hard for her, the one's you are giving her are too easy". Well two days later I was waiting outside the school door to pick her up and Brady was in the back seat in the car and a little boy in Macy's class said "I see Macy's little brother" and the teacher looked and this is what she saw:

and said "and look, he's reading a book" Ha ha, I about died.

Best kids EVER!
Monday I was in my room getting ready and the kids were out in the living room playing and then it was quite, for some time. I went out into the living room expecting bad things and this is what I walked out to:

My kids LOVE books, what can I say!

Ha Ha Ha Ha!

2009-03-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Bryan does not want me to post this but I was laughing so hard I couldn't breath so I'm going to.

Macy, Bryan and I were playing a game on the floor in the living room and Macy was standing against the couch. Well, she let out a HUGE "toot" and both Bryan and I looked up at her surprised and she said "I think I poo'd a little" and I said "You did" and she said "Yeah, I sharted", we walk her to the bathroom and she checks and says "oh good, I thought I sharted but I didn't". I am on the floor laughing I couldn't help myself. I can't understand why Bryan didn't think it was as funny as I did since he is the one who taught her what that means!

It's so funny when little kids say things they shouldn't and think it's totally normal.

Scooby Jamms

2009-03-04T15:52:00.000-08:00

I think it's about time we find Brady his own Scooby Jammies.
He loves to put Macy's Scooby night gown on and walk around pointing at himself saying "scooby, scooby, scooby".

Anyone know where I can get some???

Our little reader

2009-02-23T21:22:00.001-08:00

Saturday morning Brady woke up at 6:45, crying of course, and Bryan got up to get him to go BACK to sleep and when he left Brady's room he noticed that Macy's little flower light was on and thought we had left it on all night. Well, when he walked in her room she was sitting up with all her friends around her, each under their own little blankets, and was reading books to them. When Brady woke up this morning at 7:00, crying of course, I tried to calm him down so he wouldn't wake her up and a few minutes later she came out of her room and I asked if Brady had woken her up and she said "No, I was reading to my friends" well come to find out she has been doing this for a while, we aren't sure how long or how many mornings or what time she actually wakes up. All she could tell us was she does it "all the time".
I will say I'm happy about it because she is reading for fun and I'm relieved that she isn't waking me up. :)

I love you Macy!

Holy Hair!

2009-02-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

I keep going back and forth on what to do with Brady's hair, this is what I've come up with so far. Let us know what you think.

Macy's Valentine's Party

2009-02-09T15:43:00.001-08:00

Macy had a Valentine's party last week and invited all her friends. The kids decorated sugar cookies, Valentine hats and Macy really wanted to play Hokey Pokey until everyone got there and started playing then it was over it but I made them play once. :)

*at the party: Jack and Nixin Williams, Aubrey Nuckles, Ella (I forget), Halle & Chase Karren, Malory Emery, Savanna & McKenna Smith, Halle (& sisters) Beerman, Caleb Hendericks & Taryn & Houston Allred.*

Thanks to everyone who came, Macy is lucky to have such wonderful friends (well friends whose Mom's will bring them over).

Chips & Salsa

2009-01-08T08:42:00.001-08:00

Brady LOVES chips and salsa! I was eating it the other day, I had given him a chip and he kept trying to dip it in the salsa so I finally let him and he sucked the salsa off the chips and got the biggest smile on his face and made the loudest most excited sound I have ever heard. Which I was surprised because it is HOT salsa. He kept dipping the same chips and sucking off the salsa, I'll have to teach him about double dipping. :)

After a little while he followed me into the kitchen saying "sasa, sasa", it was so cute!

He takes after his Mama that's for sure!

Christmas

2009-01-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

I think this was my favorite Christmas so far. We stayed home the kids opened all their presents and then we cleaned up that mess then Bryan and I opened our gifts. Cristy and Peric came down and made us Swedish pancakes (they were delicious!), they didn't stay too long :( but then the kids played, Bryan took a nap and I read. When Brady went down for his nap Bryan went out side and had to shovel, it took him 2 1/2 hours but Macy went outside and played in the snow and had a blast!
Bryan's parents and Troy came over around 4:30 and brought dinner (which was extra nice!).

I know I am so selfish when it comes to Christmas day (I get that from my Mother) but after this year I realized how it's so worth it!

And just to make it clear, not all of these gifts are from Santa and Mom and Dad. We put them with ALL the gifts they get from extended family also. But it was really funny when our neighbor Morgan came over to play with Macy and she said "Oh my GOD, that is a lot of presents!"

Macy

Brady

New Bike (so he can quite riding the pink one!)

New Bike (she's still to short for it!)

Hi Ta Ta! Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T14:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Dad! We are hoping you can check our blog. Tell everyone Hi. Brady wouldn't talk or say Hi (as you can see) but maybe next time!

Love, Bryan, Shandell, Macy and Brady

F bomb

2008-12-19T08:29:00.000-08:00

This story is too funny not to share and I don't want to forget it later in life.

Last week we went to the bank and I asked the man for suckers for Macy and Brady when we got them I gave Macy hers and unwrapped Brady's and his was only a half a sucker and I said "Oh, weird. Brady's sucker is all funked up" and Macy said "Mines not f*cked up" and I just stopped and said "what did you say" and she repeated herself in the most calm manor and showed me her sucker. I started laughing so hard and kept making her repeat it (terrible I know but I couldn't help it).

It's kind of sad that such a foul word coming out such an innocent little mouth can cause so much laughter.

Never thought I'd see the day!

2008-12-16T18:08:00.000-08:00

I never thought I'd see the day that my daughter would WANT to play with a doll. YEAH!!!! My Dad bought her this doll for her Birthday and it has sat in it's box in the basement since the day it arrived. Today I brought it upstairs to ask her if she wanted it and she said "yeah!" and opened the box and hasn't stopped playing with it all day.

I had to take pictures in case she changes her mind tomorrow.

Jingle Bell Rock

2008-12-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

Macy, Brady & Taryn were rockin' out to Macy's favorite Jingle Bells song. Over and over and over and over... :)

Mean Mom

2008-12-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Since Brady's hair is so long I thought I would mess around with him a little bit. :) He looks cute but he definitely couldn't pass for a girl. Bryan was not happy with me and made me take them out immediately. Good thing I got pictures before.

Grandpa!?!

2008-11-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I think this is the funniest story and if I don't put it on here I would regret it! So. Last week while we were standing in the check out at the grocery store Brady took the sucky out of his mouth and pointed towards the magazines and said "Grandpa!" and I didn't know what he was talking about until I looked over and on the cover of Soap Opera Magazine there was a picture of Victor Newman (from Young and the Restless) and Brady just kept saying "Grandpa" over and over, I was cracking up until we had to move and he freaked because he couldn't see the picture anymore so I let him hold the magazine until we checked out.
Well today while I was watching Young and the Restless (Yes I do watch it DAILY and I don't need to hear any greif!), Victor was on and Brady ran up to the T.V. and kept yelling "Grandpa, Grandpa!" I tried to record it but of course he wasn't doing it the same but I'm putting what I got on...

I couldn't find a great picture of Al but to see them next to each other is kind of funny.
I think Al is much better and younger looking!

Tom and Jerry

2008-11-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

One of Macy's favorite cartoons is Tom and Jerry. She wanted to have her and Brady dress up as Tom and Jerry this year for Halloween. They looked so cute!

Create Your Own

Scooby Dooby Doo!

2008-10-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Macy has passed her LOVE for Scooby on to Brady! He walks around all day saying "cooby", carries one of Macy's Scooby stuffed animals (which, she was nice enough to give him one but of course he would rather have the other one), pulls out all of Macy's books until he finds all of the Scooby books, he also carries around a coloring page of Shaggy & Scooby that Macy colored. It is really cute!
So in celebration of how much we love Scooby Doo we carved him in Macy's perfect pumpkin.

Happy Halloween! Scooby Dooby Doo!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Patch

Macy had so much fun picking out the perfect pumpkin

Brady didn't want us to hold him or his hand the whole time

Yes that is Brady in the wheel barrow

Brady was not in the picture taking mood

Macy and Brady

excited to be at the Pumpkin Patch

Camp Rock Birthday!!

2008-10-15T10:25:00.001-07:00

Macy is really into Camp Rock and the Jonas Brothers so her Birthday party was Camp Rock. We had her party at Classic Skating and they did bounce houses and the jungle. Macy and 15 of her friends had a ton of fun! She got a ton of really cool presents, Thanks to everyone who came!

Happy Birthday Macy

2008-10-14T21:08:00.001-07:00

It amazes me how time goes so quickly. Every year I make a slideshow of Macy and at the end I put a picture of her on her birthday, 1 year, 2 year, etc... and I can't believe that she is already 5 and even though she hasn't put on a whole lot of weight since she was 2, she has gotten taller and has a personality that is amazing to me.

I will say that year 4 has not been my favorite, watching her and helping her try to figure out who she is. Realizing that she has her own opinions, thoughts, reactions to things was hard for the both of us. I am hoping that this year will be a little smoother, if not then I am REALLY in for it in those teen years!!! :) Maybe it's karma.

I love my daughter with everything I have, I couldn't get through my days with out her. She fills my heart and she fills our home.

Happy Birthday Macy! We love you.

First Freaking Snow

2008-10-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

NOT HAPPY when I woke up at 2 in the morning and saw snow, went back to bed hoping it was a terrible dream.

Unfortunetly for me it wasn't but Macy was so excited that it had snowed she immediately asked to put on her snow clothes and go outside. I haven't bought her a winter coat, gloves or hat yet BUT I did get her new snow boots! :) She went outside in her mismatched outfit and did a snow angel and threw multiple snowballs and her Daddy's....snowballs.

Sadly Brady had to stand inside watching his sister play. He made it perfectly clear he was upset.

Keeping Tradition

2008-10-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember my Grandma would make "Halloween Cookies", they are molasses cookies which she would cover in orange frosting and then let us decorate. So in keeping tradition Macy, Brady and I decorated Halloween cookies (well Brady just kept picking up cookies and taking a bite out of each one). Macy had lots of fun being so creative. They are almost too sweet to eat and really they are the best without the frosting, but I wouldn't want to miss out on the memories.

Show and Tell

2008-10-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Macy had Show and Tell at her school, it took her two days to figure out what she wanted to take! I thought for sure it would be Doggy since he DOESN'T leave her side unless she is at school but she said "No, my teachers have already met Doggy". As we were getting ready for school I told her she had to figure it out so we weren't scrambling at the last minute, and she asked me if she could take Brady. Oh! I thought that was the cutest thing ever! So Brady got to be his sisters show and tell. All of the kids thought he was so funny and cute.

Brady's 1st Year pictures

2008-09-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

These are Brady's 1st year pictures we had taken on Saturday.

Isn't he DARLING!!!

Brady's 1st Birthday!

2008-09-16T20:51:00.001-07:00

OK, so I have been trying to upload a slide show of Brady's 1st Birthday but for some reason the slide show that shows up is of some other people kissing and telling each other they love each other in Spanish! So I am just going to upload a couple pictures for now and until they can figure it out the slide show will have to wait.

Brady's 1st Birthday was so fun! We did a Prince theme and I wanted him to get books as gifts (because we have so many toys) so I made picture book invitations with pictures of him and a little "story" about Prince Brady, they turned out DARLING! He had a crown and I had a cupcake cake done in the shape of a crown. We had all of Brady's favorite foods: Macaroni & cheese (Megan made one, it was delicious! Thank you), Chicken fingers, Watermelon, & BB Salad.

Brady is so lucky to have so many people that love him: Grandma & Grandpa Pino, Grandma & Grandpa Blakely, Nana Pino, Great Grandma & Grandpa Dixon, Uncle Troy, Sara & Randy, Sarah, Collins, Aunt Susann & Taylor, Kyra & kids, Allred family, and the Apgar family.

We gave him a little horse & Macy gave him a little truck and a big ball. He got a ton of books and a perfect amount of toys! His favorites are the car station (from G&G Blakely) and his 4 wheeler (from Uncle Troy), & his cell phone (from G&G Pino). The morning after his birthday he just sat in the living room looking through all his books, it was really cute! He would pick one up turn a couple pages then throw it on the other side of him, until he had gone through them all. Then Macy and I sat with him and read a bunch, he loved it!

Thank you all our family and friends for making Brady's birthday so special!

Our Rock Climber

2008-09-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Macy and I went a fair with our friends Kristen and Taylor last Saturday, we walked the girls over to the rock climbing wall and the instructor asked Macy if she would like to try it and I couldn't believe it she said yes! He put the harness on her and she started to get scared but then he walked over took her by the hand and put her on the rope, she started to climb but didn't get very far (those walls aren't made for tiny little girls) but she was so excited and proud of herself for even getting up a little bit. Then the instructor picked her up and put her really high and she tried it again, it was so exciting to watch her be so brave! She did say the funnest part was letting go and swinging down.

Back to school

2008-09-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

Macy went back to school last week. The first pictures of her at home was before she realized she was actually going to school that day, you can see how easily her expression changed! :) Luckily she left school with a smile on her face, unfortunately she forgot how excited she was when we took her back the next time.

Park City

2008-08-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

View pics

We went to Park City for our Anniversary and made it into a family trip. Sunday I took the kids to the Silly Sunday Street Fair on Main St. and we got to watch a Drum circle, a little kid juggle, lady walking on stilts and a band perform. On Monday we took the kids to the Alpine Slide and the new Alpine Coaster. I took her on the slide first and just went as fast as I could because I figured I could slow down if she got scared but she was LOVIN' it, she kept yelling "woohoo!". Then she went with Daddy and said it was funner with him because he went faster (I guess I wasn't going as fast as I thought) :) Then I took her on the new coaster ride they have and it was "Freakin' awesome!" as Macy put it. We were going so fast I kept telling her to let me know if she needed me to slow down and she said "No! Faster!!", I was laughing (mostly out of fear). Poor Brady just had to sit at the bottom with one of us and play on the picnic table. :( The trip was cut short, but we had fun while it lasted!

Too Cute!

2008-08-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

"Too Cute!!" As Grandpa put it. Al took this picture yesterday while Macy and Brady were riding his old tricycle (with a little help from Grandma, of course). Brady HAS to do everything his sister does, which she is starting to realize is annoying. I thought I had more time before I heard the "Mom! Brady keeps bugging me". But the second he wakes up he wants his sister, if I don't take him to her room he will crawl there the second I put him down.

I'm lucky they love each other so much!!

Cheese!

2008-08-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

So this morning Brady was sitting on the dishwasher door (sitting on things is his favorite thing to do these days), and I was taking his picture and said "Brady say cheese" and I swear he said it, and of course I missed the picture so I said "Ok, Brady one more time say cheese" and he DID say cheese! I couldn't believe it! Of course I have been trying to get him to say it again all do but he won't :(

I take it back! At dinner I told Brady to say cheese for Daddy and he did! Now I have Bryan to prove I'm not lying.

Ok Ok Ok

2008-08-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have been putting off the whole Blog thing, but I am giving in! Now you can all quit bugging me about not having one! ;)

Of course I will be putting a million pictures of my darling children on here and I will do my best to keep everything updated. Wish me luck!

BTW: The reason our blog is called The Chicken and the Bean (in case some of you don't know) is because those our our children's nicknames. How Brady got the nickname "Chicken" I can't remember but we ALL call him that. Bryan started calling Macy "Bean" right as soon as I got pregnant with her.