Anyone have an extra rabbit's foot?

My bad luck started last Wednesday. I should have just realized it was a bad omen. My closest guy friend, Brent (Shane is my closest MAN friend) ;), got married this past Saturday. I remembered 3 days before the wedding that Shane and my temple recommends were expired, which isn't enough time to get in the meetings with the bishop and stake president. So, we missed Brent's sealing. The reception was down in Saratoga Springs (about an hour away). We decided to go down early to take Kaden (and his friend Halle) to the Thanksgiving Point animal petting zoo place. (Pictures to come later....for now, I am venting...haha). Well, what should have been a 45 minute drive (tops!) turned into a 2 HOUR drive because some stupid truck driver decided to veer off his predetermined course and hadn't measured his load properly, which resulted in the thing he was hauling getting wedged under an overpass. It was on the other side of the freeway from us, but of course the stupid Utah drivers all had to rubberneck. Then, when we were about 10 minutes away from the freeway exit, there was a sign that said, "Accident 7 miles ahead. Major delays." I thought, "Good thing our exit is before that!" And about two seconds later we were stopped in the worst traffic jam of our lives. What should have been 10 minutes took us 45. This time a Wal-Mart semi had somehow flipped on it's side and was blocking all 3 lanes of traffic....on the other side. BUT of course the stupid Utah drivers had to rubberneck (no one was hurt, no big deal, blah, blah, get over it people!). We finally got to our friend's house and went to the animal farm thing where Kaden rode his first horse ever! (again-pictures later) We went back to our friend's house and ate yummy spaghetti, then left 5 minutes late to get to the ring ceremony. Mapquest said that the church where the reception was was about 18 minutes away. Not only did we get lost, but we ran across ANOTHER accident on the way (yet again-not blocking traffic at all, but stupid rubberneckers). So we were about 10 minutes late to the ring ceremony. When we did get there, Brent was right in the middle of saying his vows. We tried to sneak in the back, but right at that moment, Kaden decided to have a complete. melt. down. that we wouldn't give him any of the Ginger Ale (they had it in cups for toasting after the vows). And to make it even better, he started screaming right by the videographer! Towards the end of the ring ceremony, Lexi decided to put in her two cents and filled her diaper with so much stink I think they ended it early just to leave the room. When I was changing her diaper a few minutes later, the video guy walked by me, chuckling. I apologized for Kaden's screaming and asked if he can edit it out. He laughed and said, "Oh yeah. That was nothing. I have heard much worse." Liar

*You think it's over? Not even close....keep reading*

The reception starts and I have two kids with clean diapers now. Sweet! Shane went to go get the delicious food while I showed off our two kids to Brent's mom. :) We talked to the giddy couple for a bit, then sat down to enjoy our treats. (Brent swore he never heard Kaden yelling while he was saying his vows.....thank goodness for the euphoria that accompanies a wedding day, right?) Kaden saw some Japanese lanterns hanging in the middle of the room and kept yelling, "BALL!! BALL!! BALL!!" We kept telling him he couldn't have the ball, but he was fine after we filled his sippy with yet more Ginger Ale. I went to go get Shane and I some drinks. It was delicious red punch....and it lasted all of 2 seconds in front of Lexi. Shane didn't see me set his drink down in front of him (his eye disease, remember?), but I thought he had. He was holding Lexi, she leaned forward, and WHOOSH....Shane and Lexi's white shirts turned a very pretty pink. It was all. over. the floor.....and table.....and chair. I started laughing because, by this point, what else can you do? Shane took off to the bathroom to fix his shirt and get paper towels for everything else. Brent happened to be standing nearby and he saw the mess. He came over and helped clean everything up (despite my numerous protests that he make his best man do this so that he could get back to being the center of attention). Shane got back and while the men cleaned up, I went and put Lexi in her p.j.'s. (Sooooo glad I had brought them!) After that, Shane and I both agreed we were DONE. We apologized yet again to Brent and his new wife (they couldn't have cared less.......totally thinking about something else, but what? haha). We headed back to our friend's house (the Hurtado's) and hung out for a bit. It was so nice to just relax and not worry about rubberneckers or Ginger Ale or red punch. And bonus- Lexi LOVES Halle!! Around 10ish we decided to head home. The Wal-Mart truck wasn't cleaned up yet, but it was out of the way and no one cared anymore. We cruised home and around 15 minutes away from our home, saw a sign on the freeway that said, "Construction 7 miles ahead. MAJOR delays." Shane and I looked at each other and didn't even have to pause to think about it. Luckily the next exit was for a highway that goes towards our home, so we quickly took that. BUT, just to end the day properly, there was construction the. whole. way. on that. PLUS another accident!! (I so wish I was making this up.) We finally got home, put the kids to bed, checked some Facebook stuff, and went to bed!

Next time I am going to hunt up some four leaf clovers before I go on a long drive.

The joys of an eye disease

I have posted a few times about Shane's RP. I remembered a funny story about Shane's dad, Rod, (whose condition is more deteriorated than Shane's) that I have to share. :) Living with a someone with RP could be challenging, but I find it FuN! So, when one of Shane's many sisters graduated from high school (it was June of '08), the event was at the Dee Events Center (basically just a massively huge auditorium). Rod went to use the bathroom and, after washing his hands, turned to leave. He has to look down when he walks (since he (and Shane) can't see below eye level) otherwise he trips on everything. (which also makes for fun entertainment) So, as Rod is trying to leave, he sees this guy walk right in front of him, trying to get around him to the stalls. Rod is watching the guys' feet as they both try to move around each other. Rod said that when he moved to the left, the other guy moved to his right, which happened a few times before Rod finally chuckled and said, "You wanna dance?" At which point he looks up at the guy.

It's a mirror.

As if that isn't great enough, there was another guy in the bathroom doing his business and watching the whole thing! Probably wondering what this guy is doing in front of the mirror, then talking to himself! LOL Needless to say, Rod was embarrassed, but is a big enough man to laugh at himself. hahaha

Grandpa Porter and Lexi

P.S. I have plenty of funny stories with Shane, too, so don't think I won't post those, too. :D

Happy birthday to me!

This past Tuesday, August 18th, was my 24th birthday! This was the first birthday in two WHOLE years that I haven't been preggo for (which was AWE.SOME. that I wasn't this year). :D It was a week long Lorettapalooza party!! We went out to eat (tons) and played Rock Band (tons) and I was even serenaded by a 17 year old boy (Shane was there, too-I'm not looking for jail bait). I don't know if I am wiser, but I definitely feel another year older. :) Enjoy the pics!
The best cook in the world (yup, that's right-my grandpa!!) made me this delicious cake! yummm...

Lexi happily munching on her graham cracker at Red Robin.

If you enjoy public humiliation, go to Texas Roadhouse for your birthday. I thought restaurants stopped doing stuff for your birthday-NOPE! My traitor friends ratted me out when we were there (actually, it was the traitor 17 year old brother of my friend) and the waitress wouldn't believe me when I told her it wasn't really my birthday and that they were all lying. The servers bring out this saddle and make you sit on it while everyone yells "Happy Birthday" at you, then they hand you some ice cream for being a good sport. I tried really, really hard to keep my face down so no one would recognize me (and I made Kaden join me-haha).

As I was getting off the dumb saddle, I let them take one okay picture of me.

After dinner, we went to their house and played Rock Band!! (From the right) Shane rockin' the drums, Danny wailing on the guitar, and Jared (the traitor 17 year old) was singin' along while Kaden runs in circles.

Stephanie on the guitar, her two brothers Josh (standing) and you already know Jared.

Lexi (and Kaden in the back) loving Rock Band.

On my actual birthday, Shane took the day off of work (he didn't even do that for his own birthday!) and I got to sleep in til 8:00!! It was heaven! Then I took a long shower without hearing, "Mama done?". We watched Twilight while Kaden took a nap, then went to the park and had some friends meet us there.

Kaden, of course, headed straight for the slides. :)

Liz!

While Kelly and Liz babysat (THANK YOU!!) Shane and I went to Souper Salad for dinner (first time eating out without kids in two years-no joke-it was heaven). Later, everyone came over for cake and ice cream and yet more Rock Band (I can't get enough-seriously). :D

The cake my cute mommy made for me. It's a mayonnaise cake (so not kidding). You use 1 cup of mayo instead of eggs and oil. It is DELISH!!

The gorg roses from Kelly, Scott, and Liz. I am a sucker for roses since I rarely get them from Shane so Kelly gets a lifetime of free babysitting now. haha

Kaden and Liz playing "Where's Kaden?" It was adorable.

Kelly entertaining Lexi.

Here are Kaden and Liz playing their game. :)

This next video I have to explain a bit. When we were at Danny and Stephanie's house for Rock Band, Kaden was just kind of hanging out and playing on his own. He didn't really pay any mind to what the grown ups were doing....until he heard the right music. The boys chose to play a song that puts the Rock in Rock and Roll. One where the lead singer should be called the lead screamer (not my type of music). I was worried about how Kaden would react to this song, since someone was screaming singing along. Kaden was fine until it got to the really loud chorus, then....he freaked out. No, I mean the good freaked out. Suddenly Kaden turned towards the TV and started dancing and clapping and laughing so hard!!! Everyone playing the instruments and singing along was laughing so hard at Kaden that no one could finish the song and they flunked out. It was hilarious! They played it again a little while later, so I recorded Kaden to see if he would do the same thing. He still loves it, but it isn't quite as big as the first time he heard the song. lol
P.S. You can see Kaden do the sign for more after clapping for a little bit. hahaha

Park fun!

I haven't been the world's best blogger this summer, but there is too much to do outside! Kaden is officially addicted to playgrounds...mainly slides. When we went this past Saturday, he spent 45 minutes STRAIGHT going on slides again and again and again (and again). I stopped counting after a while, but trust me, it was a TON of sliding! :) I, of course, forgot my camera, so the best pictures we could get were from the crappy camera phone. Bad quality, but you get the point. :)

Kaden doesn't normally like the swings (he would rather be on the slides, big surprise, I know), but this time Daddy played the whole "oh you kicked me!" game and Kaden loved it!

I put Lexi on the swings for the first time! Normally she is happy just chillin' in the stroller, but this time I thought she should get in on the action.

Yeah. She couldn't have cared less. Actually, she might have enjoyed it if the older guy next to us wasn't being soooo loud with his 11 month old grandson (who couldn't keep his eyes off of Lexi...hahaha)

Whatev. We'll try again next time (so later today...lol).

One of his many, many katrillion times on the slides. I was really proud of Kaden because he normally climbs back up the slides, but this time the park was uber crowded so we taught him to use the stairs and he did! Every time...without complaining! He is such a great kid.

Lexi loved the slide! You can't tell from this picture because we made her sit at the end to get a good shot and she was just like, "Ok, forget this, let's slide!"

Kaden went down next to Lexi and she loved watching him. :)

Let's go!!

Never forget...

Von Rechenberg. Imagine living with that name! Well, I was thisclose to having it. My grandma on my dad's side came to America after WWII. I have a lot of German in me (including the stubbornness part, as Shane likes to remind me) and have always been proud of my heritage. Other people have pioneer ancestors....I have ancestors who lived in the middle of hell. I got an email today that, as I read, I thought there is no way it is true. I checked it out on Snopes.com and found out it IS real. I was shocked and appalled. Here is the story:

There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena Sendler. During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a nurse. She had an 'ulterior motive' ... She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews, (being German.) Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids..) She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got
placed into foster family homes or adopted.

In 2007, Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize...
She was not selected.

Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming.

If you want to hear more of this courageous woman's story, click here.

Not an English major....

While I was cleaning out the couch today (yup, under the cushions...I am such a great homemaker), I kept finding long lost Whoppers. (I am so not admitting when the last time was that we actually bought Whoppers.....) I was piling them on top of the arm rest next to where Shane was sitting and the following conversation took place:

Shane: What IS these?!?

(pause as we both review what he just said)

Me (laughing hysterically): You wanna try that again?

Shane (embarrassed laughter): NO!

(I continue laughing as he sits there looking at the Whoppers)

Shane: Well, that's what you get when you hang around kids all day!! (BTW, he is at work most of the day...so I don't know where this "all day" crap is coming from.) WELL, I saw the one and was wondering what it is, so I started asking what it is, then I suddenly saw the others, so I changed it!

LOL Seriously.....it was awesome.