Practice Makes Perfect

Preston asked me to wake him up an hour early so he could study his Chinese. He wanted to go and retake a test during advisory. Later that day he texted me and told me he was going to stay after school to retake the test again with the feedback he got from this morning. (It is a verbal test.) I'm glad Preston made the extra effort because he got 100% on the test after school. I'm also glad his Chinese teacher worked with him and allowed him to retake the test a few times. Preston basically didn't have a year of Chinese. Last year it was all online run from St. George. I know the teacher did the best she could, but it was such a weird year. I never heard him talking Chinese the entire year. I have been wondering if he is behind everyone else. I'm glad he is working so hard right now.

Once I brought Preston home, Maysen and I went out to eat at Zupas. She loves it and I wanted to take her there for her birthday. With her birthday being on a Sunday, today was the next best thing. We then went to Deseret Book so she could pick out a temple bag. Rachel made Maysen one that has worked okay. I asked her if she would do it and she modeled it after the one my grandma made me. The problem is, Maysen has really heavy temple shoes. We needed to get her ones with a heal so her dress would fit. The bag works great with slippers like I have, but the heaviness in the shoes throws everything off and makes carrying the bag awkward. Anyway, we found one that will hopefully work. The bag Rachel made was awesome because you can just hang the bag with the dress and everything ready to go in the closet. We couldn't find any bags like that. But, it is pretty and I think it will work better for Maysen.

Stockton texted me a picture of him with Alyssa. He has mentioned her a few times on his blog. He studies calculus with her. Yesterday I was teasing him and told him I thought Alyssa was imaginary because I had never seen a picture. He sent me this today. Hahaha

Stockton & Alyssa

Weston went to see Mike today. Mike ended up doing a root canal on him. Shannon couldn't believe that they were able to get Weston's pain fixed on a p-day without even calling the mission president. She says she has no idea what they would have done if Weston was in Chile. Mike was so awesome to do that for Weston. He has never even met him. He has heard about him from us, but this was the first time they met in person. Weston told his mom that my brother was 'dope'. Hahaha. I am so grateful I was able to call my brother and he was able to give Weston the help he needed. Crazy that out of all the places in the entire world Weston could be serving in, he was serving in the exact area where my brother is a dentist at the exact time Weston desperately needed a dentist. Weston and Shannon were both really happy. I am very thankful that my brother is indeed dope.

Maysen's 24th Birthday

Holy cow! Maysen is 24! That is hard to believe. And not hard. Time is weird. I got quite the surprise this morning. I woke up around 4:30 and immediately started wondering if my kids in Logan were safe. I grabbed my phone to check find my friends and noticed Stockton and Jorja weren't at their dorm room. I panicked as I searched my phone to find them. Where were they at 4:30 in the morning??? When my app updated it showed them in Alpine, Wyoming. It took me a few moments to register that they were coming here! I couldn't believe it! I hurried upstairs and waited for them to come. I only had to wait about five minutes for them. They were disappointed they didn't surprise me. (Although they did.) They had been talking about crawling through the dog door if they couldn't get in. Haha. I'm glad I was up when they arrived. Best surprise! Maysen heard us talking, so when Jorja went in to sleep in the other bed where Maysen was she was able to tell her happy birthday. What a great surprise for Maysen. My kids are awesome.

Stockton & Jorja at 4:30 in the morning

Stephanie, Stockton, Jorja

We had crepes for breakfast. I forgot to bring up the crepe makers though. Mike and I did pick up some pre-made crepes. They weren't as good as the homemade ones though. Whoops. We watched stake conference online, which was nice. We had cake and ice cream. Jorja brought Maysen cardinal salt and pepper shakers. I think it is awesome that every time Maysen looks at those she will remember how much Stockton and Jorja love her. I also got her salt and pepper shakers. Hahaha. Jorja and I think alike! We also got her a 5 minute dungeon add-on and a Pokemon black ds game. Hopefully she was happy with everything!

Maysen

Maysen's second birthday cake

Forgot to bring candles again. We had three 4 candles. Probably because I'm in my 40s and always have my birthday here.

Stockton & Maysen

Jorja's instagram post

Random picture of one of Maysen's favorite comics

We played games, ate and cleaned up. Stockton and Jorja headed back for Logan this evening and we headed out about an hour after they left. The story about them coming.... apparently Jorja texted Stockton at 1:00 am and asked if he was up. He had just gotten home. She asked him if he wanted to go to the cabin to surprise Maysen. He was up for the adventure and five minutes later they were on their way. Jorja had gotten Maysen the cardinal salt shakers that day. She wanted to give it to her. She remembered we were at the cabin and that it was Maysen's birthday. They decided to just send it and I'm so glad they did. Something that will always be remembered and appreciated. 

I drove the first third of the trip and traded places with Mike. He finished everything up. While Mike was driving I got a phone call from Shannon. They were on the phone with Weston, who was in a lot of pain. His tooth hurt. Like REALLY hurt. Shannon knew my brother is a dentist in Albuquerque, where Weston is serving. She called to ask for help. I was able to get Mike on the phone. He said he could see Weston at 7:30 in the morning. He doesn't need to make an appointment, just walk in. Yay! Hope Mike can help him! Anyway, we got home around 11:00. Not too shabby. Quick, fun trip. I hope Maysen enjoyed her birthday and I hope she has the best 24th year! I think it's going to be a good one!

No More Wrapping

I took Jorja to the dentist this morning. She might have to get the same surgery Maysen and Stockton had when they were in 4th grade. They both had gum surgery. Eric wants Jorja to be seen by a periodontist, so we will have to figure that out. Jorja had a meeting with Packer and some of the other student government people. We didn't get out of the dentist office as early as we hoped, so we asked for a school excuse that she could give them. Haha

Bode, Jorja, Sadler

I took Maysen out to lunch to OHOP. While we were there I got several text messages from Jorja. She got her Step to the U grades. Two As and two B+s. She was shocked. She thought she would have three As. She had a 98% in the class she got a B+ with one assignment and final paper to go. They were both graded today. She got a 200/200 on her final paper and a ZERO on her assignment. That zero dropped her from a high A to a B+. Jorja spent three hours on this assignment and there was no explanation as to why she got a zero. If she even received 50% she would have an A in the class. I'm positive this is a mistake and have asked Jorja to write to her teacher. She is scared. She sent the email but says that Jose has never responded to one of her emails the entire semester. Great.

Maysen had an appointment at the burn unit today. Her wounds are healing up SO WELL! She doesn't have to wrap them anymore. It looks like she will only have minimal scaring. The burn doctors were awesome. They spent a lot of time with her and answered all of her questions. It was great. It is crazy going to hospitals now. They had guards before the parking lot asking why you were there. They had people stopping you at the entrance asking where you are going. They said Maysen had to go alone. I told them that I needed to be there to see how to wrap her. They said, "Oh, you need training. Okay." Then they let me in with her. I was glad because her appointment was pretty long and I think Maysen would have been a bit nervous alone.

Jorja and Sophie hung out today. They went to dinner and then came over here to make cookies and then delivered them to random people. Well, people who slid up on their stories when they asked who wanted cookies. This is the only picture I have of their adventures. I'm always after Jorja to take pictures, but I forgot to bug her about them today. I'm always after her to do it because she is the only one who usually does anything different. When I get behind on my blog it is easier if I have pictures to jog my memory. Although, I took zero pictures with Maysen at the burn unit, so I can't get after too much today.

Sophie

Mike finished the cinder blocks on the duck pond. It's looking so good!

Teeth, Caroling and Pageant

I'm always so focused on getting pictures of gingerbread before people leave that I forget to take pictures of my own kids! I got a picture of Preston's today. He made a candy bank. That got robbed. He actually had a lighter to his house. The candy strips were on fire. He said something like, "I love it how no one is stopping me from doing this." He is the fourth child.

Preston

 Mike made a duck house and 3D printed two ducks

Preston didn't go to school today. He had to get four teeth pulled. He didn't complain at all. Eric was so funny when he was working on Preston's teeth. He kept telling stories of things he would do with Mike as they were growing up. One about how Mike made a magic mushroom grenade with his dad's gun powder. He thought he put a delay on it, but that didn't work. He lit it and it blew up in his hand. Eric said he thought Mike lost his arm, but it was just like a cartoon. Lots of loud noise and smoke. When it cleared Mike's hair was standing up and he was covered in black, but his arm was intact. Eric said Mike would chase him with flaming toilet paper and Lincoln logs. He remembers running up on the roof and Mike shooting the flaming Lincoln logs at him. I asked Eric why he hung out with Mike. He said because he was a ton of fun, always doing something crazy and most time it would backfire on him. Ha! The last story he told was Mike made a zip line across a gully in his yard. He had the pulley attached to his backpack. He jumped up to go and his long hair got caught in the pulley. Ouch!

Preston

Preston was a little sore the rest of the day. He didn't feel well enough to go to the Christmas pageant tonight. Maysen stayed home with him. Jorja couldn't go because she was going caroling with student government. They came over to our house for hot chocolate after. Mike and I went to the pageant. It was nice to see his family. Tage was Mary and she was adorable. Scoop was her donkey. Haha!

Scoop and Tage

I talked to Stockton for just a bit today. He didn't have too much time, but he had a hard week this week. Stockton called right as Jorja and I walked into JoAnn's Fabric. I gave the phone to Jorja and she talked to him most of the time. I think it was better that he talked to her. He needed that. Those two love each other. I am incredibly thankful that all my kids get along. It's the best.

50 Years

Today would have been my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I wish my mom was here to celebrate. She was only here for 27 of them. Cancer stinks. I hate it. My dad is down in New Mexico today with my brother Mike. Blake is getting baptized tomorrow. I won't be able to go. It's hard having my family live so far away. We did get a new picture of Stockton that popped up on google photos. Yay! He looks so good!

Elder Stockton Smith

Preston got two teeth pulled today. Mike took him to the dentist this morning. The dentist is Mike's best friend when they were growing up. Mike sent me this picture and said, "Preston looks like a duck." Preston needs a lot of teeth pulled. They just did two today. I guess his baby teeth don't want to fall out.

Preston

Jorja had a field trip today. She missed three days of school this week. Two school field trips and one day of the MTC. Great, she is going to have to dig herself out of another hole again. Mike had today off. We spent it working on The Amazing Race. Jorja has asked us to put on a race for their dance date next Saturday. I'm not sure she realizes how much work is involved. It's okay though. This has given Mike and I something to throw ourselves into now that Stockton is gone. This will be good for us.

We went to the library today to figure out a place we could do a challenge.

Jorja and Mike played with the ducks for awhile. Jorja had to work tonight. As soon as she was out the door, Mike and I were back working on the race.

Jorja, Kiki, Quacky Chan

 Jorja & Kiki

 Jorja & Kiki, Quacky Chan & Mike

 Jorja & Kiki

 Mike with Kiki & Quacky Chan

Mike and I have talked about a lot of things for the race. I was really excited to have the kids do the Ferris wheel at Scheels. We were going to have them dye an egg and then have to carry the egg around for the entire race. They would need to take selfies with the egg. One of the selfies would be at the top of the Ferris wheel. We thought it would be cool to have a token come out in one of the envelopes. Well, that's not going to work. The Ferris wheel is closed down for awhile. I guess about a week ago a 14 year old autistic boy fell off of the Ferris wheel there. Dang it!

I thought it would be cool if the kids had to milk a cow at Wheeler Farm. I looked into that. They do let you milk their cows, but not in February. Mike and I went to the farm store today to figure out how to make a cow milking simulator. Haha. It's kind of hard, but I think that is what I like about it.

Preston & Mike

Mike, Preston and I all went to Nicklecade. We are thinking of having that as part of the Amazing Race. Our thought was to give them wrist bands and a roll of nickels. The challenge would be to earn enough tickets to buy an item Mike picked out. I think he wanted to get a plastic scorpion that cost 30 tickets. We aren't sure if this will work. It was $3 to get in and a roll of nickels is $2. The girls are giving us $20, but that is almost half of their money for this one challenge. It could be cool, we're just not sure about it.

Jorja had to stay late at work today. It was kind of sad because she really wanted to go to Joe's birthday party. She was able to stop by for about twenty minutes, but dang it! They kept her an hour late at work! She had a lot of fun at Joe's party. I wish she could have had a little more time there. Oh well, thems the breaks.

Back to School

Preston had a dentist appointment early this morning. He wasn't too happy about that. I wasn't too happy as I watched the look on Eric's face as he was with Preston. (Eric is our dentist and he was Mike's best friend growing up.) Eric asked me is we had to pull any teeth for Stockton. Yep. Pretty sure it was five in one day. He said Preston has the same thing. Shark teeth. His baby teeth don't like to fall out. Stockton would have two teeth at the same time. Preston is having that now. Although it looks like Preston might have it worse than Stockton. Eric said there was ten teeth that could be pulled. (Preston said the number was ten, I thought it was a bit lower.) There are two for sure that need to come out by January. It's up to us if we want to get all of them done because they are all going to have the same problem. Then Preston won't have to go under anesthesia multiple times. Not sure what we are going to do.

I woke up Jorja before I left for the dentist. She fell back asleep and woke up right before I got home. That didn't surprise me. She really wanted to go to school today. She looked absolutely adorable, I wish I had taken a picture. No way did she look like she had been on death's door this week. (Okay, huge exaggeration, but this week was awful.) I walked in with Jorja to check her in, and I needed to speak with the attendance people. I wanted to walk with Jorja to her class, but she begged me not to. She said it would be so embarrassing. I told her I would just walk down the hall and no one would see me. Still too embarrassing for her. As we were walking in the school Jorja said she wondered if anyone would notice that she was back and had been gone. I rolled my eyes and told her lots of people will notice. She said, "Bet" and shook my hand. I watched her walk almost to the end of the hall before she turned to go in her student government class. I heard people yelling, "JORJA!" from where I was. Jorja sure sells herself short many times.

My plan was to make gingerbread houses all day. I want ten houses by Sunday, but this week was crazy. I got an email soon after I got home saying the missionary plaques were done. I decided to hurry and get them. The place is about thirty minutes away. I had three plaques to pick up. Right before I got home Maysen called me. The van wouldn't start and she was heading out to lunch with a friend. I had no idea what to tell her. I don't know anything about cars. Maysen and her friend ended up making a Little Caesars pizza at home. Those pizza kits from Ella and Abby have sure come in handy. I hung up the phone with Maysen as I was pulling in the driveway. Several snap chat messages had come in from Jorja, and a text message that asked me to open my snap. Chill Jorja! Jorja wanted me to take her to lunch. I thought that would be great to see how she was doing, so it worked out. I went down and picked up Jorja and Dessa. I took them to Jamba Juice. Jorja was getting tired and loopy again. She had taken her medicine in her English class and it affected her mind right away. Maybe because she had an empty stomach? She struggled the rest of the school day. She was so tired when she went to theater after lunch. Her teacher gave her a new water and told her she was getting dehydrated. I'm glad she is on the mend, but she is so behind in school. The hard thing is her mind can't focus right now. She was able to move around and not be in pain, but her mind is still struggling. I hope she can pull these grades up. Going from being a straight A student to grades like this is not what we like to see.

I was finally in gingerbread land when Jorja came home from school. She was so tired. I sat with her for awhile and talked with her about her day. It was an emotional one for sure. Dessa came over after awhile to help Jorja with her math. I'm not sure if they got anything done though. I watched the BYU/Florida volleyball game while I was working on gingerbread. I sent Dessa a video. She had just added me on snapchat. I have three friends on there. Jorja, Hailey and Dessa. Jorja told me to add Madison and I wouldn't. I felt it was creepy to add her friends on that. Hailey and Dessa both asked to be my friend, so then it wasn't weird. Anyway, Dessa sent me this picture back. Poor Jorja is soooo tired!

Jorja & Dessa

After Dessa left, Jorja and I watched Chuck until Hailey got home from babysitting. We have watched many, many episodes of Chuck. Jorja drove down to Hailey's house and stayed there until 11:30. She slept with me again tonight. Mike told her to enjoy it because he was moving back in tomorrow night. Mike and Preston slept on the couch downstairs. Preston has loved having Mike with him this week. I was so tired by the time we got to bed. Last night I didn't get to sleep until 1:30 in the morning. I was up by 4:00. It was ridiculous. I did have a thought that woke me up and wouldn't let me get back to sleep. I don't want to talk about it here, but it consumed me. It had to do with Jorja and I talked to her about it in the morning. She followed my advice. Hopefully I can sleep better tonight. I fell asleep almost instantly and woke up around 1:30. Jorja was still watching Chuck and playing on her phone. I had her put the phone away and get to sleep. Her sleeping schedule is so messed up at the moment. Hopefully we can get things back to normal next week.

Hailey & Jorja

Numb Mouth

I had my cavities filled today. Luckily Fabrizio was the one to do it. As he was sticking the needle in my mouth he said, "I wish your brother was doing this part." When he got his hand out of my mouth I said I would have kicked him! I did not like that at all. My lips and tongue was numb for several hours. My bottom lip felt really dry. I kept trying to lick it but it felt like I couldn't get my tongue to work. I looked in the mirror and my tongue was halfway to my chin, I couldn't even feel it! I tried to drink water out of my water bottle, kind of a straw thing. Didn't work out so well.

We had a tree guy come and look at pruning our apple trees. They were supposed to come at 8:00 this morning, but didn't show up. I called at 10:00 and left a voice mail. He called back. He felt so bad. He remembered talking to me, but the appointment didn't get into the system. He came over at 7:00 tonight. He was really nice. It is going to be expensive, but the tree branches are out of control and we don't want our trees to die. They are going to come and do the trimming on April 6.

Bowling Flop

I went to the dentist this morning and have two, maybe three cavities. Boo! I switched dentist awhile back and I haven't been too happy. I switched because Mike's (my brother) friend moved up here to work. He seems great, the problem is . . . I don't get to see him! Every time I have scheduled an appointment, they stick me with a random dentist. The first time I caught it. When the dentist came in I asked if he was Fabrizio. He wasn't. This time the doctor came in so fast. I don't really know Fabrizio, so I couldn't recognize him. Once the dentist had his hands in my mouth I noticed his jacket said Dibbles. I didn't know what to do then. To top it all off, the dental hygienist is creepy. He's not doing anything wrong, but for some reason he creeps me out. He takes forever, explaining everything. I'm sure some people like that, and some of what he says is interesting; but it is annoying when I spend one hour with him and less than five with the actual dentist. I think what creeps me out most is he touches my shoulder. I don't know why that bothers me, but it does. He touches it like we are good friends and are sharing in on a joke. I'm just thinking I want to get out of here as soon as possible. I had this guy last time. When I went to set up the next appointment I told him I wanted it with Fabrizio. He said, "He doesn't work on the days that I do." Silently I was cheering inside. I said, "That's okay. I'm only here to see Fabrizio." Anyways. Today I had Todd and NOT Fabrizio. I had to schedule my cavity fixing appointment. I told Todd I wanted it with Fabrizio and that Fabrizio was the only reason I was here. I told him my brother asked me to go to him. He has now made note of it on several computer screens so hopefully they will see. It seems to me that the hygentists just grab whatever dentist is walking by. If the dentists are paid by commission, that doesn't seem really fair. At least he will get the commission for my cavities that I am not happy about. I have never had this many cavities before. I have only had one cavity in my life. All of a sudden when I am going to this new office I have THREE cavities! Coincidence? I wonder . . . 

I took Preston to diving today. He tried to do a front flip. He has been able to do these before, but not with the proper technique. He practiced for a bit in the water before they brought him on the board. Here are his two attempts. (On a side note, I have no idea why the video hasn't been working on blogger. I don't know if it is just my computer, or everyones. BOO!)

First attempt = back flop

Preston's coach told him it was okay, and that everyones second attempt always goes better.

Second attempt = belly flop

Preston was a little sad. He tried so hard not to cry. I told him he could pick anywhere to eat. He wanted Little Caesars. He sat with a cheese pizza box on his lap all the way home from Provo. He was eating pizza on the way too.

While we were gone, Mike took Stockton bowling. They had a great time. Stockton won the first game and Mike won the second. Funny how Mike only took a picture of the score on the second game. Although I would take a picture if I scored 155!

Stockton

 2nd game

Dentist

Maysen needed to take the car today.  Usually on Fridays she gets a ride with someone.  He wasn't going to be there today.  Once she came home from school she wanted to go volunteer.  She needs the hours and I wanted her to go.  Then I realized that Jorja was staying after school to take a quiz.  She missed the quiz when we went to New Mexico.  I ended up having Maysen drop me off at Mike's work, then I took Mike's car home.  I had just gotten home with Mike's jeep when Jorja texted me saying she was able to get the quiz done in class so she no longer needed to stay after.  Oh well.  Preston had short day, and I had a car for no reason . . . so I decided to take him to Bahama Bucks! He ordered a pina colada and loved it.  He has loved pina colada ever since our trip to Hawaii.  The one at the Polynesian Center made him a fan for life.  I ordered a root beer float flavor.  I didn't like it as much as the watermelon though.

Preston

I almost forgot!  Mike had a trip to the dentist this morning.  He needed to get a cavity filled and a crown on, I think.  Mike texted me that he threw up all over.  He had laughing gas.  He said it was weird because the nurse lady jumped back and he thinks the dentist started cleaning the floor.  He thought, "I didn't just throw up, did I? . . . . . Then why am I wet?"  It was so weird for him knowing that he threw up and not being able to do anything about it.  He was quite embarrassed. I tried to talk him into working from home, but he didn't want to.  I went and picked him up at work around 5:30.  His teeth were hurting him by that point.  He came home and slept for a long while.

Max came over today.  My dad had a Passover dinner he wanted to go to.  I made waffles.  My dad's recipe, but I don't have my dad's waffle iron.  Max passed on the waffles, but at least food was offered.

The End of Statistics

There is a lot of snow outside.  Our school district decided to do have the kids come in two hours late.  I had Maysen miss her vet class today. That school district didn't cancel or have late start, but they said no one would be penalized if their parents kept them home.  Maysen used the time to study for her statistics final tonight.  She is so worried about that!  I left before all the kids were out the door.  I went over to Judy's house to work on Stockton's Christmas present.  She lives a few doors down, so I was able to walk.

Mike FINALLY got his tooth pulled today.  I hope, hope, hope, hope, hope this is the end of the pain for him.  I can't believe the dentist didn't pull this tooth in the first place.  It's his wisdom tooth for crying out loud.  As soon as Mike came home from the dentist he packed up and headed to Idaho.  Mike got tracks put on one of the 4-wheelers.  He wants to get that up there before we go for Christmas.  Mike bought a small trailer, but it can only hold one 4-wheeler.  We will take the second one up with us when we go.

Maysen had her statistics final.  She wanted to go thirty minutes early because she thought she could start early.  She couldn't, but better early than late.  I had no idea how long the final would take, so I decided to sit in the car and read a book.  I ended up sitting in the car for three hours!  Ha!  I didn't expect that.  I was starting to get worried that I missed her and her phone wasn't with her.  I almost texted her to see if she was okay, but if she was still taking the final I didn't want to bother her.  Maysen is so happy to be done with this class!  She feels like she did okay, but it will be nice to know for sure.  She really does not want to take this class again!  She is hoping she gets at least a B so she can still qualify for the Regents scholarship.  Maysen's last semester of high school is going to be so nice with no math!  She will have to get 80 hours of volunteering in for her vet class though.  I think Maysen will like that a lot more.

Stains

Mike had two giant presentations to give at his work today.  He won a hundred dollars for having the most voted on presentation.  He thinks they went well.  I would explain what they were about, but I have no idea.  Even though I have been told multiple times.

I had a dentist appointment today.  When I was there I asked if Mike could get an earlier appointment.  He has one scheduled for the end of the month.  He has been in almost constant pain for the last three weeks.  He keeps thinking it will go away, but it never does.  He has gone to dentists about this in the past, and has gone to an ear/nose/throat specialist before.  Sometimes the pain is in his ear.  He has had a root canal done, but nothing seems to help.  It's frustrating because it comes and goes, so he never knows how long the pain will actually last.  This time it has been awful.  He woke up at 4 in the morning completely miserable.  He carries around pain pills with him everywhere he goes.  The dentist can't get him in until Tuesday.  Made me wish Mike (my brother) lived up here, or that the practice we go do was set up like his.  Their practice is open until nine at night (or something like that) and it is open on the weekends.  I hope they can help him.  I haven't been too impressed with the dentist.  I have had bonding done on my front teeth.  My front tooth was chipped when I was seven and fell off of my bike.  The bonding is great, but after awhile stains creep up on it and it is impossible for me to get them to go away. My dentist in Georgia was great and would file down my bonding and redo it.  Mike has even done that for me when I went to New Mexico. This dentist leaves them stained.  They have told me I could get veneers.  They even gave me a quote.  After insurance it would be over $2,000.  Long story short, I wish New Mexico wasn't so far away.

Jiffy Lube

Today was a LONG day!  We started with a 7:00 orthodontist appointment.  We were in and out there and were able to make our 7:30 dentist appointment.  Brilliant that I scheduled them on the same day.  I actually had no idea that I did that until a few days ago.  I called to change the orthodontist appointment and they said that it would be short and to come a few minutes early.  Glad we made it!  Both boys' teeth are great.  Stockton now has yellow elastics instead of orange.

Preston

The dentist (Mike's best friend when he was growing up) told the boys a lot of stories!  Like the time he made a flame thrower using a spray bottle of gasoline and toilet paper.  He chased Eric up the roof with it. Mike would also shoot flaming lincoln logs at him.  Mike also almost blew up his own arms.  I can't remember the details of that story. Preston didn't believe him at all.  He said, "You're lying.  Who would give him permission to use a flame thrower?"  I love how innocent Preston is.  When we were talking to Mike about the stories he just said, "Eric shouldn't be telling you those things."  Nice deflection.

On the way back from the dentist we stopped at Steve and Shannon's house.  Stockton and Preston don't have school today.  Neither did Jacob and Weston.  They were able to play a bit.  Steve stuck a couch piece in the back of our van.  They are giving us their old couch, which is also the same couch Mike grew up with.  We are taking it a piece at a time. 

Our next stop was donuts and then Jiffy Lube.  My stickers expired in October.  The guy at Jiffy Lube was really nice.  He let Stockton and Preston go underground and look at the bottom of the cars.  My pictures didn't turn out very well though.

Stockton and Preston

We were at Jiffy Lube forever!  Well, it seemed like forever.  It mostly seemed like forever because we had been gone all morning and were very tired.  At least I have my new sticker so I don't need to worry about being pulled over anymore.

Preston and Stockton

Jorja was alone most of the morning.  I did not realize we would be gone this long.  She didn't seem to mind though.  Jazzie came over and played for a few hours, so Jorja was thrilled about that.  We watched Lincoln, Ella, Abby and Millie while Bubs and Ange went to the temple and dinner.  I am so glad I never had to raise a baby in this house. There is not a lot of places where a baby can just crawl.  Our Georgia house worked so well when the kids were little.  I also forget how exhausting it is to have little ones.  At least they are adorable!  We had a great time with them.  Preston played outside for a long time with Lincoln, Ella and Abby.  I finally had to force them to come in.  "It is 6:00 at night in November and none of you are wearing jackets.  Time to come in."  I'm glad they had fun!

Dr. Mike

Mike has this giant creepy painting hanging in his garage.  One of his patients painted it for him and then guilted him into buying it.  Haha! He definitely didn't want to hang it in his dentist office.

I had to take a picture of Mike getting Skye ready for school this morning.  Awesome that my brothers can do girls hair.  They do it better than me!

Mike & Skye

This afternoon Mike gave Mike and I a check-up.  No cavities.  I am hoping Mike will be able to do veneers (no idea how to spell that!) on me sometime.  I would love not to have to deal with bonding anymore! At least my bonding still looks good from when Mike fixed it in February.

Mike & Mike

 I tried to recreate Mike's painting while he was working on my teeth.  Didn't work.

Once we left the dentist office, we packed up and headed home.  Blake was so cute giving Jorja loves before we left.  At least we get to see these guys in a couple of months.  That makes leaving so much easier!

Jorja & Blake

 Preston & Larkin in the background

We made it home safe and sound around 1:30 in the morning.  Our bed is amazing.

1st Cavity

Boo!  Maysen needed to get a cavity filled.  Her first one.  The first one for any of my kids.  The cavity was on the outside of her tooth, right where the bracket from her braces were.  Maysen didn't enjoy the experience, but she said it wasn't that bad.  Her dentist is Mike's best friend.  They spent a lot of nights camping in Bells Canyon.  I told Eric that Mike and I went to the 2nd Reservoir.  He said he would die if he tried to go up there again.  He couldn't believe I made it.  I showed him some pictures.  He said, "I love it up there."  We do too.

Eric, Maysen, and the assistant