Here's a shout out to Natalie!

To my dear cousin Natalie, consider this an offical shout out to you. Thank you for reading my blog - how you accomplish all you do in a day, I will never know! And to my lovely sister Stephanie who is also a faithful follower of the 'Life in the Red Brick house', I am honored you take time out of your day to take a quick glance at what's going on in my life.

Okay, now that I have done damage control, I will write about some of the happenings of late. In my previous post, I wrote about Audrey attending her first drive-in movie. Thank you to the Lindfords! She had a total blast and talked about it nonstop. She just couldn't get over the fact that the sound came through a little speaker that you affixed to the window of your car! How cool is that? (In this day and age, I am certain she would be just as enamored of a corded phone - I don't think my kids even know what they are)

Today, Audrey was playing with Daisy and Eden when all of a sudden she started saying that her back hurt. When Sally, my neighbor, lifted up her shirt to see what she was talking about, a wasp flew out of it. She was stung three times. Lucky for us, she is not allergic to bees! She was also stung last summer - she is just so sweet she must attract them! Sally, who knows just about everything (and I truely am not being sarcastic - she knows everything) immediatly put a baking soda paste on the stings and that helped a lot. Audrey is pretty brave, she didn't cry too long.

Nathan took Jackson to his soccer game tonight so I got to stay home with my girls. I finally watched the season finale of Ugly Betty. What a cliff hanger! Can't wait until the fall episodes begin.

This post is dedicated to Kourtne (yes, I spelled that right )

I have to give two snaps to my sister-in-law for reading my blog. Okay, lets be honest, we know it's not the most happening place on the web but I must say, I do try to post a photo and a paragraph every day or two. Well, unbeknownst to me, my sweet sister-in-law, Kourtne has been a faithful reader of mine and I didn't even know it! Thus, she is the reader of the day! Now- I do not mean to offend anybody else who has been reading my blog because I appreciate you all, but it just was exciting to know that she read me and I never even told her about my blog! How AMAZING is that?! (I have to remind some of my own flesh and blood to look at my blog so I felt honored to say the very least!)

This holiday weekend has been a fabulous one. It began by Nathan arriving home from Korea on Friday instead of Saturday! He walked through the door and into the kitchen and surprised me so I totally screamed. Jane looked a little frightened but by Sunday, Nathan didn't seem so scary anymore. On Saturday I cleaned some of the house, finished laundry and took care of kids and hubby. Hubby worked in the yard all day and read the whole entire book for book club - in one day- unreal right? That's just one of his many talents! (Thanks babe - you saved us!)

Audrey was either posing or pouting . . . I can't remember but as you can see, both looks are very similar.

Sunday we enjoyed another chaotic Sunday morning - I don't care what time church is, I am ALWAYS scrambling to get ready and out the door on time. What's up with that? After church, Nathan's family came over for a quick dinner (we also celebrated Kourtne's B-day - ahhh, to be soooo young! 25!!) and we went and put flowers on his brother's grave out in Kerns. This is a Ringger family tradition we do every year. Nathan's brother, Will, died from SIDS when he was 3 months old. Nathan was 6 at the time. Will would have been 30 this year. I can't imagine what Nathan's family went through when that happened. I am so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that we can be with our loved ones again someday. Jill (Nathan's mother) has expressed this same sediment when talking about Will. On a much lighter note, Audrey did entertain us on the way home. We were listening to some song on the radio, I can't remember what exactly it was but Audrey all of sudden began interjecting "chickaboom, chicaboom, chickaboom" on each beat of the song. Okay, you probably had to be there but that is what we get at our house on a daily basis. Where does she come up with these things?

Don't blame me if there is hair on your piece of cake!

Today (Memorial day) has been a fabulous day of working in the yard non-stop. I just know that if you came over and looked at our yard you would exclaim "You worked all day out here and THIS is what it looks like??!!" Sad, but true. If there is anyone out there who just can't get enough of weed pulling, bush pruning and garden preparation, please feel free to exercise that green thumb over here. I am pretty sure (uhh, ya, totally sure) I could put your skills to use. Nathan also showed his barbecue chops - nice chicken babe! How lucky am I- I hardly had to do a thing for dinner!
YUMMMMMY!
What a handsome hubby! Who's redneck baby is that?!
Ahh, my three kids - doing what they love to do best . . . Jackson-playing Nintendo DS, Jane-eating and Audrey-posing for photos!


THIS JUST IN AT 9:00PM MONDAY NIGHT. . . . .

Audrey was just invited to go to the Drive-in movie with the Lindfords. She was very excited and came running into the house exclaiming . . ."MOM!! The Limpurs invited me to the Drive thru movie! Can I go? I think I'm going to see something fun!" Okay, lets just see if she stays awake on the ride to the movie. Her first drive-in movie, just one of the joys of youth. I have fond memories of attending the movies with my Aunt Robin and Uncle Danny! I had great times going with my cousins. What fun! I'll let you know how it goes. Stay tuned . . . .

We're almost to the finish line. . .

This was what the sky looked like tonight - blue with fluffy pink clouds. What girl can resist taking a photo of fluffy pink clouds?


The last few days have been quite busy. It seems that somehow I am always running a smidgen late for wherever I need to be, so I often find myself leaning forward in the drivers seat with my fists clenching the steering wheel, my eyes opened wide, while I am muttering to my self in a quite but desperate, pleading voice "turn green, turn green, turn green!!" At the same time, in my much louder voice I am commanding my son to "pleeeeese put on your soccer shoes, you need to hop out as soon as we get there!" I swear, it's so stressful I can sometimes just feel the wrinkles on my forehead sinking in for good. I think the stress of being late to any event you have to go to can take years off your life - I can feel my heart beating faster so I know that can't be good!



Today Jackson had his end of the year piano recital so I took a few photos but the real entertainment was what happened once we got home - he stole the neighbors pink bike and tormented her in the culdesack with it. I just had to document it with my camera. It was one of those perfect spring evenings. There are many beautiful places in this world but to me there is nothing quite like a summer evening in Utah. I love the temperature, the smell and even the sound of fewer cars on the road. When Nathan and I lived in California, I remember telling him that I missed those Utah summer evenings.



Of course I had to throw in a few more photos of Audrey. Sorry Jane, no publicity photos for you tonight, you were already in bed.

Fun in the 95 degree sun!

It was oh so hot today so first thing this morning, Audrey just had to put on her swimsuit (of course her favorite swimsuit is the one with Little Mermaid plastered all over it- soooo cute, I know). Yes, we are still in school but Kindergarten has testing all week long so this is like spring break round 2 for Audrey, she is in heaven. I had to take some photos of her and one of her best girlies Eden - don't they just look so young and innocent? Ahh, those happy days before a mortgage, grocery bills, insurance payments, jury duty. . . . I could go on and on right?

Nathan is so fancy, he is in Korea all week so I am living large this week - I'll tell you what baby! He will however be home for the Memorial Day holiday. Today I asked him what we should do on Monday since he has a day off, he replied "work in the yard". Oh ya, that's right - isn't living on 1/2 an acre soooo much fun? All this space is soooo great - I mean, it's basically fire control all summer long as we try to keep the grass from burning up from the extreme heat of the desert we live in. Ahh, the lazy days of summer.




I just had to add this last photo of Jane in her high chair with buzz laying in wait of any droppings that may fall. It's actually not a very great photo but you get the idea. Jane is now eating what Audrey likes to call "real people food" and therefore half of it lands on the ground. No wonder Buzz is beginning to look a little chunky to me!

What do I do all day?

I know that in the quiet moments of the day you may find yourself asking "What does that Tammi Ringger do all day"? (uhh, ya, I was actually asked this question once by someone who has obviously much older children than I) Well, to answer that question, I have posted a few photos to show what I might do in one day...

Okay, so I was going to try and write a caption under each photo but since I am such a computer DORK!! I will just write all of the text here -

In the first photo, I am modeling a jacket I finished this week. In the following three photos, I am showing off the fish costume I had to make for my beautiful daughter. Yes, for a kindergartner's final project, they have to pick an animal, study that animal and recite some facts about that animal. Oh yes - I almost forgot, they have to come to school dressed as that animal. "Please just use whatever you materials you may have laying around the house". Okay, you don't give this girl a challenge and expect it to be compiled using duct tape and safety pins! Yes, I spent all day on this but she was representing me! Pluleeze!

Later that day, we went to Jackson's soccer game. I just had to throw in the photo of the coach surrounded by twelve boys waiting for instruction. (If it was me doing this job, I would be coaching with a 44oz big gulp in hand) I have to give major props to anyone who will take on a coaching job like this - they don't get paid and they are there for practice and for the games. Thanks coach!

The final photo is of my darling Jane - Hey, you can never have too many photos of a baby right?

5/11 -The day after Mothers day.

Happy Mothers Day! Yes, that one day a year all mother's look forward to has come and gone. Once again, Nathan was away for the blessed day, working for Uncle Sam (don't we have such a nice uncle?). Jackson did however make me breakfast in bed by himself. He brought me toast with jam and a plate full of candy - how can your day not be perfect when you start it out right with a plate of candy? Although Audrey decided to pass on the "making mom breakfast in bed" part, she did make me feel good by doing everything I asked her to do with a pleasant "I would love to do that for you because you do so much for me and today is YOUR day!"(I promise, I did not hypnotize her to say that in the night). She even sat through church fairly reverently which is a major accomplishment for my very wiggly 5 year old.

Nathan did however make it home last night so he celebrated this evening by making me dinner(pizza and yummy cake for dessert) and bringing home beautiful red roses. Yes, what a stud muffin he is. Oh, what did I get for mother's day you may ask? Well yes, I think I addressed that issue a few blogs back - remember the iphone issue? Ya, that was my present - oh snap! Why did my iphone break so close to mother's day? Just kidding - it's just what I wanted.

On Sunday I made dinner for my wonderful mother, dad, brother and his family and my sister and her family. It was fun for me to host on such a special day. Thanks for coming everyone! I love you all so much. Thanks Nathan for making it special for me today and thanks Jackson and Audrey for making me feel special on my day (no Jackson, there is not an official Kid's day - but don't worry, I'll make you breakfast in the morning - just like I do every day).

I had to get out of the house today - for the safety of my children and the sanity of my brain. I have been wanting to take them to the Walter Wick exhibit at the Museum of Art at BYU so I decided to take them there. Walter Wick is the artist who created the "I SPY" books. It was so interesting to see the exhibit - apparently he builds the scenes and then photographs them. I thought it was mostly computer generated but it is not. They have a video that explains how each set is created. My kids really enjoyed it and I enjoyed being with them -especially in a "nag" free environment. When we are at home all day, I can think up a million jobs for them to do but sometimes it's just nice to get away and remember that we can just have fun together.

After the museum, I took them over to the Wilkinson Center on campus and got some lunch at Subway. BYU is pretty dead right now because it is between semesters so it was nice to visit at a quieter time. Jackson says he can't wait to go to BYU - looks like our brainwashing technique is working! Audrey just hopes that by the time she gets to college, they have figured out an on-campus transportation system more conducive to her "no walking" policy.

Can you guess the outside tempeture in this photo?

Yes, by what you see in these photos, you may think that it is probably very hot - I mean so hot, why wouldn't you want to dawn your swimsuit and run through the sprinklers? Well, in fact, it is actually only about 62 degrees! It never ceases to amaze me how resilient children are to cold weather. Although, I have to say that in the spring, 62 degrees does seem hot but in the fall, it feels so cold. Was I really like this when I was little? At what point do we cross the line from wearing flip flops in the middle of winter and not feeling the wet and cold on our toes to zipping up our coat and reaching for the scarf and gloves?! Oh, the innocence and joy of youth. As you can see, Audrey is the only one that is mine in the photo, the other three are my adopted children - my neighbor and I share custody.

Just another day in the red brick house.

Well, I experienced another "first" today - every once in a while Audrey and I will kind of argue about what she can wear to school or in public (if we are staying home, she has free reign of her closet which can make for interesting color/pattern combinations). This morning, she wanted to dress Jane. I said we could get Jane dressed together - that was not good enough for Audrey- she wanted to do it on her own. "Okay" I said, lets see what you can find. Ugh, I came back in and saw what she picked out and I said no, Jane was not going to wear that - so today was a first for me because not only do I fight with Audrey about what she wears, I fight with Audrey over what Jane will wear. Honestly - is this what it means to have girls in a household? Is this just the beginning or is there someway to nip this in the bud? Help me now.

Nathan treated me to an hour tonight. He took Jackson and Audrey to Jackson's soccer game and I got to hang out with Jane at home. It was 75 minutes of bliss. Hey guys I love ya but sometimes quiet at night is nice too. Thanks sweetie for offering to go without me. That was soooooo nice:)

Harmony and balance have been restored to the red brick house.

Today was a very good day . . . I replaced my iphone first thing this morning at the Apple store downtown. Over the weekend, Apple announced that it would allow its customers to replace water damaged iphones for a flat fee of $199 (I know, still a lot of money for a phone) which is much better than the regular price of $399. I am so glad to be a cell phone user once again. I really have to think hard to remember what life was like before a cell phone (why bother trying to think that hard?).

Since I knew I had to go down to the Gateway anyway, I told Audrey that she could put on her swimsuit and play in the Olympic water feature they have there. We were very lucky, she was the only child playing in it (very unusual). We were there at 10am but it was alreay 72 degrees. The weather was amazing today. I have to say, Utah is pretty great when it comes to weather - just when you can't stand winter any longer, along comes spring. Nathan knows that I can never move to another place with winters harsher than Utah and compared to many parts of the country, Utah's winter is pretty mild.

Audrey would live in her swimsuit if I let her. Tonight I was testing the sprinklers out and she wanted to put on her swimsuit and run through them. I had to veto that one. Jackson was bummed that he didn't get to go to the Gateway this morning with us but I promised that I would take him sometime this summer. School just gets in the way of having fun sometimes. Nathan is still in Monterey, California for work - I am so jealous. I miss California so much (sigh) maybe someday.....

Jackson has a soccer game tomorrow night so maybe I will take my camera and try to get some photos of him to post on my blog. I love watching soccer games in the spring and fall - lucky Jackson likes playing or else I don't know what I would do!

I just love babies!

Don't you just want to kiss this face all day long??

Kendra's Prom Dress

Here was a stylized photo I took of my girlie! Isn't she great?? Yes, I made the dress and it took me about 30 hours total. Just keep in mind I am in the very beginning stages of photography so everything I am doing right now is just for practice. You're never too old to learn a new skill!


This is the perfect prom photo. What a couple of beautiful people!!

Waiting for My Nails to Dry!

Okay, so I have been playing around with some new photo software on my computer and I had to post this picture of Audrey. We paint her nails at least twice a week so as you can imagine, she has become very good at waiting for her nails to dry.

To iphone or not to iphone.... that is the question.

Okay, so I was actually more attached to my phone than I thought I was. A little unhealthy right? Nathan and I spend the greater part of the day discussing whether or not to replace it. I say no - but then he says "oh, but you loved it so much!" and then I am left with that rolling around in my head for a while. What to do??? I did however clean out the pantry today. I felt that was a major accomplishment for a day so therefore, I did not need to do anything else the rest of the day - so I didn't - until I had to pick up Jackson from school and take him to piano and then visit Costco for a few necessities (hotdogs, papertowels, white bread - what more does a home with three young kids need?). Is it any wonder why I haven't started a blog until now? See how exciting my life is? Oh, I have to give major props to my wonderful neighbors for including my kids in their annual "Junkfood" night. The only way to explain this is as follows....
eight kids
two parents
mom's out of town for weekend
dad is in charge
any questions???