What the WHAT??

The other day I was surfing the J.Crew website (I love J.Crew sooo much - some day, when I am very rich, I will be one of their BEST customers).  I had left it up on the computer and in come the kids starving for lunch (that's right, me as a negletful mother haden't fed them a whole two hours - they're worse than a newborn).

As Audrey sits down at the bar, she looks at the computer and says "Oh mom, you look just like her!" she exclaims as she points to a blonde model on the webpage.  (okay lets be honest here, I am no model but to a six year old, no one is as pretty as her mom - I love this stage!!)

By this time, Jackson has sat down to eat and is now also looking at the computer.  Audrey changes the web page and another model pops up and she says the same thing "oh mom, she looks just like you too!"

Jackson says, "Dude, no she doesn't, she has a girl-stache."

To myself I am thinking, "What the what?? How in the heck does he know what THAT is or what it would even look like??"

Audrey says "What's a girl-stache?"

"It's when a girl has hair on the top of her lip." Says Jackson.

Audrey then turns to me, "Mom, do I have hair on the top of my lip?"

Geez - thanks Jackson!  I can't wait for those teenage years. . .

Welcome to the world baby Nora!

Happy 3rd day on the earth baby Nora! Today we got to meet the newest addition to the Kourtne and Travis Ringger clan! When she was born, she weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 ounces and was 19 inches long. I understand that almost-3-year-old big brother Will was kind of weirded out by seeing his mom in the hospital with a new baby in her arms. Don't worry, it's normal for you to be weirded out by a girl - it's going to happen a lot in life.


What a beautiful baby. The kids and I gazed and marveled at her for about 40 minutes and then Nora decided she'd had enough of sharing her mom and wanted her all to herself. Jane is currently in baby-destruction mode so she was confined to the stroller the entire time. After 40 minutes of not being the center of attention, she was ready to go (see below). Congrats Travis and Kourtne - she is beautiful and perfect in every way.

Jackson the Bear

Congrats Jackson on becoming a Bear! Isn't scouting the best thing ever?!! It was fun for us to have Nathan for a full 7 hours when he returned home from Korea and before heheaded to Washington D.C. We did however have a very important pack meeting to attend during that time. At least we could be together as a family.

If it is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder- then I am really, really, really fond of Nathan by now.

We love you babe! Don't forget to say hi to Barry and Michelle. XOXO!

Even Audrey came to support her brother (of course we had to wear 'Very Berry' lipstick - it's one of her staples)
Getting awards is a major highlight for Jackson - good job buddy.

Listening in on conversations from the back seat...

Audrey: "When I grow up, I'm going to have a cat and some kids."

Jackson: "What about a dog Audrey, don't you want a dog?"

Audrey: "No Jackson!"

Jackson: "Why not?? Dogs are great."

Audrey: "Because it will bark at all my visitors."


Thinking to myself: How can a six year old be more logical about a dog than I was 3 1/2 years ago?

"I'm 9! Hey did you know I'm 9? Ya, oh ya - I'm NINNNNNNNNE!"

Jackson has been very disappointed that it has taken me this long to post his birthday blog. His birthday was last Friday, August 14th. Okay Jackson, here it is in all it's glory. I sincerely hope you like it. Unfortunately, Jackson's dad was out of town for his birthday so I tried my best to play super mom to make up for it and honestly, it has taken me this long to garner enough energy to finally write about it.

Nathan and I actually surprised Jackson with his own room as an early birthday surprise. The week prior to his birthday, he spent with his grandpa Bob so we painted and put up bead board in his absence. Grandma was away on a trip so grandpa took care of Jackson all week long shuffling him to and from his BYU Sports Camp (many thanks dad! You're the best). I think they had a great time bonding and I know Jackson really had a great time both at the sports camp and just hangin' with grandpa! When he got home, he asked me a million times if he could go again next year - hopefully he didn't ware out his welcome with my parents. (I don't think so because they invited us to dinner with them yesterday - we ate yummy fish my dad caught a few weeks ago in Alaska)

On Friday morning, Jackson got to go golfing with the scouts. Henry, Jackson's friend, invited us all up to their pool to go swimming with them in the afternoon. When he got home, we opened a few gifts and then he packed up for the ward "Father's and Son's" outing. Thanks to David Lindford for taking Jackson - his son was away at a camp of his own and couldn't make it back and Jackson was missing a father so they decided to go together- David didn't want to miss hanging out with his friends and Jackson didn't want to miss hanging out with his so it really worked out. I love great neighbors/friends! I don't know what I would do without the Lindfords it's just like having my family living next door. I surprised Jackson and sent up a big birthday cake with David and had him bring it out after dinner. Jackson was so surprised that when they brought it out and started singing - he thought "Wow! What a coincidence! I wonder whose birthday it is?" Jackson said he had a great birthday and I'm glad he felt special - isn't that what a birthday is all about?? I love you so much Jackson! I can't believe you're NINE - as you have said before "It's my last year in the single digits, better live it up."

Thanks for the FANTASTIC party you threw my kids. We all had a great time. The food was wonderful and the company was fantastic. The kids all loved their gifts and your generosity. We love you. Here are some pictures from the party.



It rained so hard on Saturday - it was cold and wet all day long (I'm afraid to think that fall is on it's way) Audrey, of course, didn't bat an eye at the bad weather outside, it just gave her a chance to dress up!


Pictures of Jane and her fist pigtails (or are they devil horns - sometimes I don't know....)

A few nights ago, we had pancake night - Audrey had made quite the artist statement with hers. It's called 'the flower' and 'the smiley'. Everyone should have an eccentric artist in their house!

It's the final countdown

Summer is winding down fast (Wah wah) and we are trying to squeeze every bit of fun out of it that we can. So what did we and the rest of Utah county do on Tuesday?? That's right, we just had to hit 2 buck Tuesday at Thanksgiving point gardens. It was beautiful but word to the wise, you might enjoy it just a tad bit more if you go when most of the children are in school. If you haven't ever been to the gardens there, they are beautiful! I can see why they charge so much to get in - they have to hire lots of people to maintain it. If you haven't been, go while it's cheep- this deal only lasts through August.


Jane just loves to swim - she even dunks herself under water - that can be fun and a little scary at the same time. I have to really watch her around water. Thank heavens she has to have food about every 10 minutes or else my whole body would look like a raisin after we were done - she would never get out!

Happy Birthday Jane

On August 8, (which happened to be my cousin Chelsey's 1 year wedding anniversary - you're no longer newlyweds!) my sweet baby Jane turned one! What a day that was - I celebrated by running the Provo river 1/2 marathon! That's right - at 4:45 am, Debbi and I woke up and our coach Brandon dropped us off at the starting line. We didn't actually begin the race until 7 am so I was really glad Debbi and I decided to do it together - I don't know who I would have talked to for two hours until the race finally began! My sweet husband and children were waiting for me at the finish line, cheering me on! What an accomplishment. One year ago on that day I was giving birth to a baby! My that year went by fast. I am not sure of my exact time but I am pretty sure I finished around 1:44:00. It seemed to go by a lot quicker then that time so I guess that's a good thing - it would have been awful if it dragged and dragged.

On a sad note, a week ago today (that would mean last Monday for those of you who don't want to figure it out) I woke up to find my service door into my garage opened and my truck door wide open - I asked Nathan why he left the truck door open and then we both gasped! We new immediately we had been robbed. They took my purse and Jackson's scripture bag. I was so sad - all week I talked about it. For some reason I just couldn't let it go - poor Nathan, he had to hear me talk non stop about it. I just felt so violated! What IDIOTS!!! I have to say that I know we should forgive and forget but COME ON - I just cannot forgive these IDIOTS! Okay, that is all I will say about that - really, I could go on and on but you don't want me to - (to my surprise, my wallet was recovered - albeit empty- and Jackson's scriptures were recovered too- minus one scripture bag - If I am going to look on the bright side of things, I am grateful these idiots are apparently not LDS as I am sure we would never have seen the scriptures again because as we all know, you can never have too many sets of scriptures)

Okay so back to Jane's wonderful first birthday . . . I was so wiped out after my race that we decided to celebrate it on Sunday morning since Nathan was leaving Sunday afternoon. Thanks to my sweet parents, Jane did actually get to open a present on her birthday here are some pictures . . .

"Hey, I know I'm new at this birthday thing but I'm preeeety sure that your hands shouldn't be all over my presents."

"Mom, do you think you could at least try and slick down this mop before you take my birthday photo? I mean really - I can't be lookin' like this in my wedding video montage!"

"Ohh, I love this bear - now what else did you get me. . ."

"Okay, hands off, just let me have a moment here."

"Is this really for me??"

"Really, really?"
"Let me just eat my way through this balloon - it might be faster!"

We were able to enjoy my sister Stephanie for a few weeks this summer. Jackson and Audrey always look forward to a visit from their cousins. Here are just a few photos. We love you guys and miss you tons!

Boy Stuff and Girl Stuff

Nathan, being the fabulous dad that he is, decided it was time to make Jackson into a man. He decided it was time that he and Jacks take a overnight backpacking trip on Lone Peak. They packed their packs, Nathan's probably weighed about 60 lbs. and Jackson's probably weighed 35 lbs. (I did the math and figured that at some point, Nathan would be carrying approximately 95 lbs. up VERY steep terrain - what a trooper). They had cell phone service the whole way so I got to talk to them a few times. I got detailed reports of what was happening and all the wildlife they had seen. I just picked them up this morning and Jackson said that he had a blast and that this was definitely making it into his "What I Did This Summer" report when he returned to school - I think that means it was a hit! Thanks babe - what a great dad you are!

Since the boys were off for the night, Audrey and I hit the theater with Bobbi Ann and her girls - we saw "Hello Dolly" at the Hale Center Theatre in West Valley City. It was wonderful! I have seen a few Broadway plays before so when it comes to local productions, I get a little sceptical but it really was good - I think the actors were all spectacular. This was the first play I have seen at this particular theater and I will go again - most definitely! The girls got a little restless but they were pretty good - it was really fun to do something with my sister and her girls (sorry Kendra and Stephanie - we missed you!) Sisters are the best! (Sorry we can't see your face Maddie, Audrey was making a political statement - we call her the family lib)