Rest in Peace Lucy

Tonight we had some very sad news...Brooklyn's most beloved hermit crab - Lucy - passed away. Lucy didn't have the longest life, but she sure was loved. Brooklyn played with her, bathed her, and even brought her over to my house for play dates. Lucy was lucky to have such a great little caregiver. I'm not really sure Brooklyn completely understood, but I think she handled it much better than I did. They will be laying Lucy to rest in the garden, tomorrow some time. I've already promised Brooklyn that I will take her to get a new crab...that probably eased the pain!
The worst part about all this is that I was just telling mom, as we passed by the store where we got Lucy, that I was impressed with how long she had lived. I guess I jinxed it.

Friday Night Lights

For Judson it was actually Thursday Night Lights to kick off the first high school football game of the season. It started out a little rainy, but lucky for us it stopped about 30 minutes prior to kick-off. We were all very excited to be there, but no one more so than Brooklyn. About every 3 minutes on the ride to the game she asked if we were there yet. This was really the first game that Jack was able to enjoy. Last year he was just a tiny baby who slept through every game. This year he danced, clapped, and had a great time...inspite of the humidity.


The best of all...Judson ranked #3 in the city beat the #1 ranked team. All in all it was a great start to an much antispated high school football season.

Happy Birthday Mom!

We love you MOM and I'm so glad that you are in our family. You are the best mom that anyone could ask for. You are selfless, kind, funny, sweet, giving, loving, a great listener, fashionista, a good friend, and the list could go on and on. We would be truly lost without you. The grandkids love you and you are such a great Mimi. We've often had "Grandma Fiestas," so fastforward a few years when the grandkids are teenagers and these might be a few things that might be discussed at a "Mimi Fiesta."

1) What did you wear today?
2) Did anyone tell you how nice you looked at work today?
3) What did you eat today?

My siblings can add to this list. Mom is always concerned about our well being and she has certainly taught us a love of many things. The two most important is the love of family and others and also the importance of dessert. We had dessert after dinner our whole lives. Dessert just is a nice ending to a day.

Thanks Mom for all you do for us. You are the best. Happy Birthday!

Brings a Whole New Meaning

A few blogs ago, Britni blogged on their blog about which Disney Princess she was.
http://joelcallfamily.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-am-pocahantas.html
I then took the test and discovered I was Belle.
I found this picture somewhere and it brought a whole new meaning to Disney Princesses.

It's nice to see that they aren't perfect either.
The Belle in this picture is making a face that I've seen Brooklyn make a million times.

Random Summer Picture Catch-up

This post is going back a ways...I noticed in my camera that I had many pictures that I had never blogged about. I thought no time like the present.

In case you haven't heard me complain, I am the Activities Committee in my ward. Notice I did not say the Activities Chairman...NO you read correctly, I am the whole dang committee. Lucky for me Joel, Brit and my parents (who are not even in our ward) come and help me with every activity. In May our ward started off the summer with a Ward Fear Factor. I thought this was going to be fun, but seeing that only 5 families...not counting ours came, I guess it wasn't our most successful activity. We had fun anyway. Joel is showing you his yucky food he was forced to eat.

This other picture is of our friend Janielle. I've never seen someone dive into a whip cream pie, eat 10 gummy worms so fast in my life. She was amazing.

Also this summer, dad got some organizing systemn for their canned goods. My mom asked me to help clean out her cupboard and get her canned goods organized.

It was a nice idea, but it took up way too much room. I really should have done a before and after picture. My mother's cupboard is often the bane of my existance.

This summer I also got a disturbing letter in the mail. It was a way overdue Dish Network bill, wrapped in a plastic envelope. It was totally burned up. Attached was a letter from the post-office telling me how sorry they were, but they "receive over 1 billion pieces of mail a year" and it's really hard not to make mistakes. Come on, a believe a burned up piece of mail is more than a little mistake. What's up with that. Here is the picture of the letter and my piece of mail. It still smelled of smoke so badly that I had to put it in my garage, so as not to stink up my house. What has this world come to when you can't even rely on the mail service.



There have been many an earlier blog about our family vacation in South Carolina. We had such a fun time with all the family. Sad but true I only took 2 picutres. We were at the Dillard House (I think that was the name of the place) or dinner. I snapped 2 pictures of the littlest girls. Clair is showing me how she ate every bit of everything off the chicken bone. Ick...she didn't get that from me, since I am not into any bones in my food.



My friend Kristan also came this summer. We had such a great time. Since she is from Georgia, she taught me how to make fresh peach pie. I had a nice time playing tourest in SA.


So here is my post of Random things, from the summer. It was long, it was probably boring...but it is finished.

Bowen's 2nd Birthday!

Bowen had a great birthday! Here are some of the highlights...

Good morning birthday boy!

Here he is talking to Mimi and Papa...they were the first to call and sing him happy birthday. He got to tell them thanks for the cool cars and neat tools.

Then the next day he had his party at the fire station! Here is Bowen in the truck.

One of my favorites...Here is Bowen and the girls with Chase the fireman! It was a great party...one of the best kid parties I've ever been to. The firemen were so nice and really wanted the kids to learn with out it being to preachy!

Here is the whole group!

Here is Bowen's cake and a picture of him blowing out his candle...I had to hold it close for him...he kind of had a wimpy little candle blowing technique...but it did get the job done once I brought the candle closer.

Look at our happy little fireman...he had a great time and I hope a memorable party. We only wish you all could have been there!

Scroll Down

Ros and I must have been posting at the same time...be sure to scroll down to see Bowen's Birthday tribute. Happy Birthday big guy!

Mark your calendars

With the Olympics quickly coming to an end (I don't know what I will do without Bob Costas, he's become a part of my family), this means that the Fall TV season is quickly approaching and to that I say...hip hip hooray! Sept 25th will be a great day and here's a little preview of the laughs that are expected.



My favorite's of Dwight's suggestions are "Flapping," "Nasal Projecting," and "Murder Checkers." There is no way the Chinese could take us in Flapping, under age or not! :) What were your favorite Dwight Olympic events?

Ah HA...I knew it.

Check out this video from CNN. I'm telling you, I smell a cheater!



I say if they find she is under aged, they not only take her medals away, but the team medal would need to be taken away too, since she contributed to those scores. Hey, I've got an idea...let's ban them from London 2012. I do believe they've missed the true message of the Olympics. Beijing '08 is forever going to have an ugly scar...the scar of the hosts that cheated!

Happy Birthday to My Son!

I am about 30 minutes early for this post...but I just can't seem to get over the fact that my little man is going to be TWO! No more a baby...but not quite a kid! I asked him today to please stop growing. He just looked at me with those sparkling blue eyes and smiled that beautiful full lipped smile that melts my heart! It took my breath away to think how fast he and my girls are growing up. Please someone tell me how to stop babies from growing up!

Just days new to this world...and already stole my heart!

So sweet...and pretty good natured...even as a baby! And this boy likes to sleep!

And that smile...to paraphrase the famous Aunt Bugga..."Don't it melt ya?"

Bowen has always thought he's a big kid and can do anything his sisters can...he's been "chasing" them since he could crawl!

Have you heard that this boy can eat? Heaven help us when he's a teen!

He loves his daddy...and his face lights up when Stephen comes home! Being away from Bowen is hard, but he always makes it worth it with the best reunions! He makes you feel like a rock star!

Everyone can't help but love Bowen...and when he has his party hair (aka -faux-hawk) even old men stop to tell him how cute he is!

I love you Bowen! I am so glad Heavenly Father sent you to be a part of our family. We would be incomplete without you!

Dinner Disaster!

Last night I thought I would make my kids something extra special for dinner. I found these cute pasta shapes with Mickey, Pluto, and Donald. On the back was a homemade mac and cheese recipe. So, I slaved over a hot stove and made a huge batch of homemade mac and cheese. The kids were so excited. Cheers of “It smells so good!” and “When can we eat!” rang in the air. After testing a little bite, I thought it was wonderful. I proudly served up nice big helpings! As soon as the prayer was said, my kids dug in. I was busy in the kitchen when I realized not much eating was going on.

Here is how the conversation went…

Me – “Clair eat your dinner!”
Clair – “I don’t really want it.”
Me – “But Clair mac and cheese is one of your favorites!”
Clair – “Mom this isn’t the right kind of mac and cheese.”
Me – “I know this is different, it is special mac and cheese. I made it special for tonight!
It tastes good I tried it!”
Clair – “Mom, it tastes like vomit in the back of my mouth!”
(I promise this is what she said...I can't make this stuff up people!)
Me – “Clair it tastes GOOD!”
Kate – (with hesitation) “Mom, it isn’t good.”
Me – (with desperation) “Doesn’t anyone like it?”
Bowen – “NODDLES!” (…while eating a big fistful)

So, Bowen was the only one to eat it and Kate & Clair only like that fake cheese stuff! So much for my special meal! :( Hungry kids at the Bright house last night!

Kate's New School in the NEWS!

Kate isn't in this article...but one of my neighbors is shown shelving books in the library with her little girl in her lap! It is a beautiful school :) ...all be it without a playground! :(

http://www.wyff4.com/video/17236724/index.html

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Back to School - First Grade

Kate went back to school today...and officially started 1st Grade. She looked darling and was excited. (She's holding a little "good luck" pig Mrs. Manuela gave her.)

Her teacher is Mrs. Smith (13 years experience!). Her classroom looks like a fun magical place where lots of great learning will occur!

This year we get a brand new school...Rodolph G. Gordon Elementary - the gators!

Clair really wanted to help me take Kate to school! (Bowen went down the street and played with Mrs. Manuela and Katharina.) This is Clair with one of Mrs. Smith's "Smith's Super Kids"! Kate got right to work! Good luck in 1st grade my little Kate Kate Super Kate!

Kool Kids

Staying cool in the South Carolina summer heat can be a challenge. This year Aunt Britni

got us this fun backyard "stay cool" toy! We have really enjoyed it on those afternoons

we don't have enough time for the pool, but want to get cool!

Bowen and the TP Project

So the other day I was downstairs reading, Kate was playing on the computer, Clair was watching "Super Why", and Bowen...what was Bowen doing? Well, I thought he was upstairs with the girls! I heard him start to cry and then it got more frantic! I asked Kate why he was crying and she said she didn't know why. I told her to find him and see what was the matter. Well, she couldn't find him! So I ran upstairs...the crying was real frantic now...and I can't find him either. So I really start to panic...is he trapped somewhere...I look in the storage spaces (most are locked but a few aren't)...nope...I run downstairs! I can hear him, I look in my closet...nope...under my bed...nope...in my bathroom...nope, but the cry is closer...in the toilet room...aha! There he is. He went in and closed the door so he could do his TP project and then couldn't get the door back open. This is what I saw...

It was an entire roll...I had just replaced it! He was so happy to see me...he was in total panic mode. I had to walk away to laugh!

Ain't they purr-tee!

I know I am biased....

but ain't my kids purr-tee!

Back to School

In honor of KATE (my niece) starting school tomorrow and Joel (Coach Call) officially starting school on Monday...I thought I would treat you all to the High School Musical 3 movie trailer. After all...it's their senior year! :)



Good luck with your first day of school Kate. I look forward to seeing pictures of you on your way to 1st grade! Enjoy your new school, new teacher, and the fun of 1st grade...it's a good year!

Slightly Vendicated

Last night as the USA took Gold and Silver in the All-round Women's gymnastics, I felt like we were slightly vendicated from the Team competition disappointment. Shawn Johnson was my favorite and I felt like she was ripped off by the Judges on both her vault score and her balance beam score. Although I was a little sad for Shawn, I did tear up as I saw Nastia Liukin hug her dad after she took the gold.

Way to go Nastia and Shawn you did us proud, inspite of the judges poor scores.

UPDATE:
Just a little update on my latest Olympic Obsession...see my blog below. I was watching synchro diving with Joel, Brit and Brooklyn. I guess my obsession has carried over because my niece Brooklyn, at 3, has decided that she wants to be a synchro diver when she gets older. I asked her who her partner was going to be and she said, "Why you Aunt Emily." As flattered as I was, I of course told her that when she was older I would be way too old to be her partner. (Nevermind that I would never want to throw myself off something that high.) She has now dubbed her friend Brinley to be her partner...she even practices diving off their couch, onto the automan and she was pretty good.

So watch for Brooklyn and Brinley to represent the US in the synchro diving events in 2024 (Just in case you are wondering...Brisbane is courting the Olympic Committee to host this Olympics...yeah! I've always wanted to go to Australia!)