Romi's Memory Game

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

"I Can't Understand the Words that are Coming Out of Your Mouth"

Sam had his 2 year check-up today. He looks just great according to the pediatrician, but then I already knew that. He is just great. We love this boy. He is just so fun to be around (most of the time.) We went to the zoo with some of my work friends yesterday and he had such a good time. He just giggled and got excited about every animal.

His language skills are getting better and better and that is also fun. I can actually have conversations with him that make sense. On the other hand his Spanish is not progressing as well as I had hoped. He says several words in Spanish and seems to understand Daniel and his family when they speak to him in Spanish, but take this for example: My mom bought him some DVDs in Spanish. I put Franklin the Turtle on for him and he seemed to enjoy it. A few days later he said, "Mom, I want to watch the turtles that say "Blabla-Blabla". Perfect! He knows they're trying to say something, but it's just not intelligible.

Vital Statistics: 27.8 lbs 47.9%
35.5 inches 79.7%

I'm Just Wondering...


I was just at Lowe's and I observed that there are an inordinate number of handicapped parking stalls.

Really?


There are that many people with physical infirmities shopping at a do-it-yourself home improvement warehouse. Huh.

Just Bein' Cute

We're having a pretty good summer and Sam is keeping us entertained just by being himself. I asked him today if he wanted "a little bite of brownie." He said, "No", which shocked me because he loves brownies. I said, "Really?" and he answered "No. I wanna big one."
What a relief. I was afraid he really didn't want a brownie. Crazy!

We went swimming a few weeks ago with Aunt Lucy.
Sam preferred the jacuzzi, which he named "the baby pool", to the big pool. I don't blame him. There were a lot of big kids in the pool and they were playing a little too rough with footballs and splashing a lot. The big pool was also a little cold for my preference.

(Don't worry! The jets weren't on and the temperature in the jacuzzi was not very high. Also, there was no posted age rule and he survived, so there.)

Not that Sammy spent a whole lot of time in the water.
He would get into the "baby pool", sit for a moment on the step, and then a very important thought would strike and he just had to share it with Lucy.

So out he went......Told Lucy what was on his mind......And resolutely returned... ...to continue his musings for a few seconds more......until the next very important and brilliant thought would strike.(Repeat ad nauseaum)

We're loving the pools this summer. This was at Daniel's company's summer party. We had good food and got to see (and hear) a lot of bad karaoke. (I know, is there any other kind? And these people weren't even intoxicated.)
Sorry ladies, he's taken.



My sister-in-law Melissa and I love ourselves a good carnival and so when we heard about Draper Days we knew we had to check it out.
When Sam saw the animal train he knew he had to check it out.
and the pony ride
The concert (Beatlemania) was great. Even Sam loved it. The fireworks were fun, but there was no funnel cake. Seriously people. Daniel said that was the only reason he came. We were all pretty sad about it.

Sammy has discovered the wonders of bubble bath.

We've had lots of fun times with Dad.
And Sam even came home from a boys night out with Uncle Jeris with a new tattoo. Sweet!
Yeah, this would be one of the two uncles who drew anchor tattoos on him when he was 2 months old. I need to keep a better eye on these guys.

Samuel's Birthday

(and Independence Day)

Sam had an early birthday party with Daniel's family the week before the 4th because we were going to be in Idaho for the real thing.
Sam loves birthdays and especially likes to have "Happy Birthday" sung to him (it's his new favorite bedtime song) and then he always blows out the candles.
He's pretty obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine right now. He knows all the character's names and is crazy for anything Thomas.

Over the Fourth of July we had a Hobbs Family Reunion. It was fun to see all the family and spend some time visiting.
If you are wondering why Sammy looks nude in this picture it is because he had just jumped into the wading pool. He is diapered.
So we sang Happy Birthday again and he blew out the candle on his Thomas cake.

He got lots of nice gifts. Daniel and I got him a golf set and he LOVES it!

He has an excellent swing.
(Look how skinny he is! It's the Chokit Mook diet.)
The next day we went to Jackson Hole and had a good time. We saw the "shootout". (I have to say I liked it better when it was only 5 minutes and had no musical numbers. Now it has been sponsored by a local theater and it is just not the same.)I always wish I had taken more pictures. If anyone has more pictures of the family reunion please email them to me. I can't believe how few pictures I have of the whole weekend.

In Honor of Those Who do this EVERY DAY all summer long: We Cub Scout Salute You

So we spent the day at Webelo's camp. My first thought is that whatever they pay the poor teens who work as staff at this camp is far too little. This is very likely the world's worst job.

Furthermore, my mom used to say that 10 was the golden age for boys. I do not believe her.

In addition, I have decided I am not a scouting kind of person. I may not even be an outdoor kind of person.

Here is the dialogue that took place countless times today.
Webelo: Can I do this?
Me: No. We need to be doing such and such right now.
Webelo: But I'm just gonna do it really fast, okay?
Me: No, and besides that is kind of dangerous.
Webelo: I'm just gonna do it for a second though.
Me: NO.
Webelo: Come on, please?
Me: I'm saying no, and it is time for this activity right now, so let's do that instead.
Webelo: Okay.
five seconds later
Me: What are you doing? I told you not to do that.

I had told the boys that at the end of the day Daniel and I would treat them to ice cream bars. Hence this conversation.
Webelo: How much do ice cream bars cost?
Me: I don't know. Don't worry about it. It's our treat.
Webelo: But how much do you think they cost?
Me: I'm really not sure. Probably about $1.50.
Webelo: Oh, well the pocket knives are only $2.50.
Me: Huh, well, we're getting ice cream.
Webelo: I'll just take the money and put it toward the pocket knife.
Me: That's really not an option.
Webelo: Why not?
Me: For two reasons. First I am not going to let you buy a pocket knife without your parent's permission. And second, when someone offers you something it really isn't polite to request the cash value instead.
Webelo: Well that's stupid.

I couldn't believe it! That little stinker was mad at me for the next two activities. He did finally get over it though. I, on the other hand, am still a little mad.

On the positive:
I returned home with a greater appreciation for my little terrible two-year-old.
(And a greater dread for his cub scouting years. I will kill him if he ever asks someone for cash in lieu of a gift.)
We won first place for distance in the catapult competition. Daniel is especially proud of this. The boys "built" the catapult last week and Daniel spent a few hours this morning tweaking it. It throws a tennis ball a good 75 feet.
There is a rumor that we're going to be released so that I can be called as a nursery leader. Yes, even that would be a welcome change as there is a definite lack of goodwill around here.

Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go.
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

Deja Vu

Motherhood is doing everything at least twice daily.

Child's daily bath...at least twice.
Fixing dinner...at least twice.
Fixing chocolate milk...at least twice.
Shoes on and off...at least twice.
Repeating yourself...at least twice.
Repeating mistakes...at least twice.
Responding "What?" to "Mom!"...at least twice in less than 30 seconds.
Fixing owies...at least twice.
Thinking "I told you so"...at least twice.
Watching/reading the current favorite TV program/movie/book...at least twice.
Singing the same song...at least twice.
Returning your child to his own bed...at least twice.
Getting up during the night...at least twice.
Wiping noses...at least twice.
Wiping bums...at least twice
Saying "Sit down"...at least twice.

And no matter how many times in day I think to myself, "I have so done this 100 times already today" I am always willing to do it again tomorrow. And that's what motherhood is.

Have You Ever

Once again this is stolen from a friend's blog. I've done everything in BOLD.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (If my own disastrous version of The Baby-sitter's Club counts)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie (Really just a scene for a BYU film class, but I'm counting it.)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth (Do humans count?)
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing (It was only about 45 minutes from Boise to Seattle)
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someones mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten cooked whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Played the game "Have You Ever"

What have you done?

Zion Park


This last week we took a trip to St. George with my parents and Lindsey. Daniel, Sam and I took a bike ride up Zion Canyon. It was hard on the way up, but the way down was fast and easy. We had a great time. Poor Sam was sleep deprived for the whole week and fell asleep in the bike seat on the way down. Daniel has video of that. I'll post it later.

We rode up to "Emerald Pools" and took a short little hike just to the lower pool. Sam liked going up and down the hills. We saw several lizards and once we saw a lizard and a snake in a stalemate. Neither was moving, maybe because there was a group of about 20 hikers gathered around taking pictures of the standoff.

On the way down we found some wild turkeys. I have never seen them before and I was impressed at their size. Sam made turkey noises at them and fell asleep about two seconds later.

It was a beautiful day.



St. George

We had breakfast every morning at the Bear Paw Coffee Company. It was so yummy! I really wanted to try the Fudge Brownie Waffle with Vanilla Bean ice cream, but I restrained myself. Not that the Creme Brule French Toast, the Vanilla Strawberry Waffle, or the Blueberry Pancakes with Home Fries were healthier choices.

St. George has a fun little plaza downtown with a fountain and a little wading stream. Sam loved playing in the water.
He loves Aunt Lindsey. She played with him a lot and took him down a big scary slide at the playground at the hotel. Funnily enough these two have a little rivalry going on. They are best buds and then they fight over the same things. Sam would pretty much share with everyone but Lindsey. He knows she's the competition I guess.

This is a cute swim towel hand-me-down my mom made for Lindsey. I can't decide if he looks more like a boxer or a samurai. The only reason Lindsey is sharing this with Sam is because it is a little too small for her now.
The pool at the hotel was great. They had a kids pool that was only 2 feet all around and Sam had a great time in that. We've been going to swimming lessons and Sam loves to blow bubbles and "swim" with a noodle. He will even go all the way under the water.

Bryce Canyon

On our way home we went through Bryce Canyon. It was awesome. Sam was fearless and we had a death grip on him at all times. It is an amazingly long way down.

Here is our poor exhausted baby desperately in need of a nap. We really wore him out.

I wish I had remembered our camera for all the other fun things we did. We hiked up to see some petroglyphs and had a barbeque with Jeris and Suzanna at her parent's condo's pool. We went to Tuachan and saw the Sound of Music (Really good. It's one of my favorites) and Les Miserables with my grandparents. It was a fun and relaxing vacation. I think I'd like to make it a yearly event.

It's Been Decided

People are always asking which one of us Sam looks like. We don't think he looks a whole lot like either one of us. The computer program couldn't make up its mind either. Maybe he's just a really good blend.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Blank family tree - Free genealogy

Travel Bug

I am in the mood to travel. I want to go somewhere new, interesting and far far away...or even close by. I don't care I just wanna go. There is a lot of the world and this country that I have never seen. Now all I need is a lot of money and a nanny ('cause really, who wants to travel with a toddler) and did I mention the money?

create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide



create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

Random Things

Sam and I thought this was really funny. We watched it about a million times. Sam says, "Wanna sing. Watch "hey Dude". Click on the link.
Check this out


Sam got his first skinned knee on Monday. He showed it to me and said, "Mom, my knee is broken." He's very proud of his "owie" and of course he shows it to everyone.


I was so tired the other morning when Sam came in to wake me up. I told him I was so tired that I didn't think I could get up. He stroked my hair and said, "Come on Mommy, get up. Come on." I rolled out of bed and he said, "Yea Mommy! Bravo!" I had to appreciate the enthusiasm and encouragement.


Sam got pretty disappointed yesterday because I wouldn't help him get inside his Little People toy barn. He kept asking me to help him "get inside". It was hard for him to understand that he was just too big.


His new favorite drink is "Chokit Mielk" (Chocolate Milk)

Sam is terrified of Cosmo (BYU's mascot cougar). It's kind of a love hate relationship. He is always excited to look for Cosmo at games. He waves and calls his name, but if Cosmo gets close Sam scrambles for higher ground. He doesn't think I offer much protection so he goes for Uncle Jeris (who is tall) or Daddy (who is strong), but Mom probably wouldn't have a chance against Cosmo. We were having dinner with Mike and Dottie after a basketball game when Cosmo came walking into Brick Oven. Sam freaked out. Now he thinks Cosmo can show up anywhere. He looks for him at home, especially when it gets dark. He peers around corners and asks, "Momo? Momo?"



And just a parting thought. I'm hoping for a better Mother's Day gift from Sam this year. Last year I got two big bruised bite marks on my arm. Happy Mother's day.

Sam's Girlfriend

We take weekly excursions to The Bean Museum (more on that later) and Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point. This trip we took with our friends Jackie and Elise.

Elise is braver than Sam and held his hand passing the scary goats.

Stealing kisses.

We had such a fun time.

Workin' Out

Daniel and I have started doing a little bit of exercising in an effort to be healthier. Sam has picked up on it. Here he is demonstrating his moves with Uncle Pablo.

He counts out push-ups. He only consistently counts to three, so we do a lot of sets of three.

He likes to finish his workouts the same way I do, with a big treat. This was Daniel's mom's birthday. (Happy birthday Lucy!)