Driver Of Excellance

The general manager of the Volvo Jaguar store presented me with this award the other day.  It's for winning the Driver Of Excellence award for 2011.  It goes along with the trip to Cabo.  I've never received a fancy award like this, especially one that is heavy enough to bludgeon someone to death with like they do in the movies.  I feel like I've won a Grammy or something.  I'm thinking that I will just leave it at work because something like this is a disaster magnet for kids and cats (see my broken wedding cake topper for reference). 

It's a little hard to read so this is what it says:

Drive the Experience

Driver of Excellence

2011

Presented to:

Heather Ross

For Your Commitment to

Creating Lifetime Customers

Ken Garff

Logan Extravaganza - Part 3 Bingo!

Usually when we get together as a family a rousing game of bingo ensues.  Each family brings two prizes per person.  We have a dollar limit of $1 per prize.  It's fun to win stupid little things.

Bucket O Prizes

Ryan and Emily

Xander really wanted to win the army helmet and canteen that we brought.  He was ticked that he hadn't won yet.

Paizley enjoyed the bingo marker tiles more than the game

Zach manning the bingo ball

Paizley is always the biggest helper.  As much as a three year old can help.

Steven helping Xander with his card

Heidi taking her turn

Logan Exttravaganza - Part 2 Constructing A Faringo

We had a couple of birthdays in our family that fell around the dates of the extravaganza.  Hailey's was the 23rd of May and Ryan's is the 3rd of June.  Heidi and I decided it would be fun if we made some pinatas to break open while we were in Logan.  We made a flamingo for Hailey and a sock monkey head for Ryan.  I think they turned out better than I could have hoped.

There were presents to open for the birthday kids....and of course cake!!

paper mache balloons

Paziley is always a big helper

The Faringo

The monkey

My mom made Ryan a death by chocolate cake

Emily loves skull and cross bones and Ryan loves bacon

Ryan is obsessed

Ape man

The monkey only made it through one hit

Anger management anyone?

We ordered cupcakes from Cold Stone for Hailey

Everyone enjoyed the candy

Logan Extravaganza - Part 1 Ceremonial Pitching Of The Tents

Hailey's apartment wasn't big enough for all of us creepers to sleep on the floor so we decided to pitch tents in the snifty backyard space at her apartment building.  Of course true to Memorial day tradition it rained on Saturday and Sunday.  We were able to get the tents up on Saturday before we got too wet. 

Hailey, Zach, Grammy and Boppy slept in one tent.  Heidi, Steven and I slept in the other one.  Ryan and Emily slept inside because pregnant people generally don't like sleeping on the ground.  I was able to convince the tiny menace that she should sleep inside also because it was defiantly on the cold side.  Paizley can't seem to keep the covers on herself at night,  she's a flailer.  Xander just fit himself in where there was room (usually in between Grammy and Bobby). 

The best part of the weekend was Sunday night at 2:45 a.m. when the sprinklers came on.  Our tent was sitting right on top of one of the heads, I'm sure you can imagine what that sounded like.  Then one of the other heads was positioned just so that it sprayed under the rain flap and right into my face.  Heidi, Steven and I had to take turns covering the window with my jacket for ten minutes before the sprinklers finally shut off.  Good times.   

Banner to welcome the guests

We were greeted with a flamingo theme

Heidi and Hailey looking rexy







Welcome!!

Boppy and the balloons to welcome the guests

Grammy, Boppy and Heidi

Creeper with tent poles

Almost there

Erected (hehe) tents



Logan Extravaganza

A couple of months ago my sister Hailey emailed everyone because she thought it would be fun if we all got together at her house in Logan for Memorial day weekend.  After much calendar checking, rearranging and gnashing of teeth we all confirmed that we would be in attendance.  The weekend quickly grew from a simple family get together to only what can be described as a three day extravaganza.  Actvities were planned, assignments were made, fun to be had by all.

Unfortunately I forgot my jump drive today so I'll have to start posting pictures tomorrow.  Prepare to be amazed for the next few days at the festivities!

Every Introspective for Friday

Two nights ago my family was over at Laron’s house and we were there late. Now last night we had a few errands to run and my kids were running on several hours less sleep than usual. That turned out to be too much for Paizley, she had a melt down at Wal-Mart. Now I took her out to the car to wait for Heather and Xander. Paizley was so mad and hungry and tired the she screamed at me for the 3 minutes it took for Heather to finish. And then she cried half way home. Michael Medved was discussing the modern role of the father in the family today. He claims to have only changed three diapers while rising his three kids, I believe his statement. But his larger point was that meaningful interaction by fathers is not in a job that all parents dislike, cleaning up after all the messes. I believe meaningful interaction is possible with daily activities like, bathing and feeding are both things I liked to do. Both of my kids liked to pour water on my head after I finish washing their hair just so everyone has a "wet head". Michael also pointed out that is should not take away from time spent with your wife. With the Gospel we now we can to forever families and I remember one of my favorite things I read on my mission from President Hinckley in September 1996 Four Things to Help our Families and Nation

President David O. McKay was wont to say that a man could do no greater thing for his children than to let them see that he loves their mother. Is this old-fashioned? Of course it is. It is as old as truth itself.

Steven Ross

Stressed Out!

I've known that we are going out of town this weekend for quite awhile.  I've been planning the things I needed to do to get ready.  Last week I even made a list of what we needed to buy and dig out of the basement.  Why is it that, even though I've felt busy all week and I have crossed several things off my list, do I feel so totally unprepared to leave tomorrow morning?  I still have laundry to do, things to find, things to pack and projects to finish. 

Don't get me wrong I love a good procrastination as much as the next person, my mantra for life is pretty much why do it today if you can put it off until tomorrow.  But I feel like I have actually made an effort to get things done in a timely manner this time.  I'm sitting here at work thinking about how much I have to do at home and freaking out that I'll be up until 1:00 am.  Hopefully this weekend will be relaxing and that will make it all worth it.  Aww happy family memories.

Shakespeare 6th Grade Style Part 2

I went last night to see Luke Ross (My brother's oldest son, eleven soon to be twelve) in his school production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. I was very impressed with his performance and the whole cast. Shakespeare is a mouthful to our modern ears and they were able to deliver their lines for even "Granny" in the back row to hear. So I had fun watching what I hope was a good experience for all the kids involved. I am sure the faculty at the school put in a lot of extra work and I know the cast did because they did such a good job

 I must say I am a little biased, I was in several plays in High School and even one in the sixth grade, and so I might have enjoyed the plain fact that it was Shakespeare. None of those I was in were Shakespeare. But more than that it really did remind me of the fun times I had. It was not just being in the spot light it was fellow cast members the director and the stage crew. I was not involved in sports and I have no musical talent so even the band could not let me in. It was a couple of friends who said I should go with them when they were cast in the play, that led me to the group of friend I had so many good memories of high school. So to see my nephew be able to be part of what I enjoyed (much like Xander and the Lego) makes me happy. And to have a good stage presence was a bonus.

Steven Ross

Shakespeare 6th Grade Style

Last week I ran over to the other Ross household to use their computer for a minute (our house is still located in the stone age, we dont' have the Internet).  Luke told me his class was putting on a production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream the next Wednesday.  Of course I said we would come and have been excited about it all week. 

It was a condensed version of the original play, only about 35 minutes.  Luke did a really great job.  He was cast as Puck, the mischievous elf.  He was even able to pull off the tights with a manly flair.  I thoroughly enjoyed his many cartwheels and throwing of glitter.  I had a hard time hearing some of the other kids when they delivered their lines, but not Luke he did great at projecting his voice.  I think we may have a budding thespian in the family, I can't wait for his next foray into acting.

I'm irritated that I forgot my camera in the car, but I'm sure Laura will post some pictures on her blog.

Ha I was right, I stole this off Laura.  Isn't he cute.

Loyal Customer

Since the beginning of our marriage Steven has refused to pay for hair cuts.  He doesn't see the point in paying $10 for someone to do it in a salon when I can buzz it for free at home.  When Xander came along naturally I began cutting his hair.

I swear Xander's hair grows like mine.  He needs a haircut every other day.  When the kids were in Idaho my mom decided he was badly in need of one (which he was I will admit). She told him that she was going to take him into Pocatello to get it done.  He threw a giant rip roaring tantrum that only his mom could cut his hair.  Apparently I'm the only one who can do it right.  Thanks for the loyalty Xander!  I have to make sure to take advantage of it now before he becomes a teenager and I can't do anything right.

I want everyone to witness my son was on the receiving end of a hair cut on Sunday. 

What a Toy!

Xander is now 7 years old. One thing I enjoy is that he likes some of the thing I liked as a kid (and still like today). He was in the car the last couple of days talking about Lego sets. We were discussing the new Lord of the Rings sets and just like me was looking a set that he would like based on some of the elements in the set. He is very interested in the Lego fish. 

I brought up the subject of Lego topic with my friend Rick at work. He feels that the recent Lego sets that have movie themes have too many pieces that are too specialized. There might be little something to that. As a kid I would build the set and never again put that set together whit instructions again. They were all Steven originals with influences taken from everywhere. But while I have, as an adult, rebuilt things according to instructions mostly upon a Ross kid request I think that Xander will do what I did. He already switches the minifigures around hats, heads, and even the hands (that was one thing I NEVER did it makes me cringe to think about). I think the more he plays the more creative he will be and all the Lego elements, standard bricks and all the specialized elements too, will combine for hours of fun for him.

Steven Ross

Happy Birthday Goat!!!!

Today is my favorite youngest sister Hailey's 22nd birthday.  I remember the day we brought her home from the hospital, she pooped on her onsie when my mom was changing her.  Later that night my dad broke out the video camera,  Heidi and I were ticked because Ry-Lame was getting all the attention with our new sister. 

Hailey is a very unique individual.  She is always creating songs and sayings to make everyone laugh.  I love that she always wants to spend time with my kids.  I'm so happy she's my sister!!!   

Have a great day Hailey.

Continuous Flow

I thought I knew what those two words mean. I guess UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) has a different definition. This mourning the news was highlighting a new intersection that is continuous flow intersection. As the computer model showed the difference we see the left hand turn has lanes the cross the oncoming traffic before you get to the intersection. There is still a light and you still have to wait. So unless they put a bridge in, oncoming traffic still has to stop and left hand turn lanes still have to wait. I think I need a civil engineer to explain how there is a difference and while he is talking maybe he can explain the use of a metered on ramp.

Steven Ross

Sad Sad Situation

Here's a fun bit of trivia about me.

When Heidi and I were in high school Nickelodeon started a new kids show called Blues Clues.  I admit to a slight obsession with the main character named Steve.  Looking back I'm not really sure why, maybe it was a foreshadowing of things to come, or maybe I'm just attracted to slightly geeky guys (see current obnoxious husband for reference).  Anyhoo we would usually make time to watch it before we had to catch the bus in the morning.

Heidi sent me this now and then picture today.  Would someone please explain to me how you go from being on a cute kids T.V. show to I just filmed a porno with your mom?  Shudder. I guess if we had the answer to that question there would be a lot less of the Britneys and Lindseys of the world freaking out and shaving their heads, or spending the duration of their twenties in rehab.  To quote a Bowling For Soup song "It's a sad sad situation" and I am seriously disappointed in you Steve. 

Opinions

Anne bought this plaque for me to hang in my cubicle at work.  Isn't it just so me!

Are They As Cursed As Planned

More thought needs to be put into curses. I know they just made up, but just like Scream is a self aware horror movie, how about a self aware curse. Instead for being cursed to be pirates for all time and not enjoy it. Why were they still able to do pirate stuff like plundering and pillaging in the wonderful ship like the Back Pearl? Wouldn't it have been better to be living for all time as a pirate on the bottom of the ocean and not enjoying it? Or how about turned into starfish on the beach? Then they would not have been able to affect any innocent people. Time and time again from The Mummy to Lord Soth curses attached to people rarely make the ambitious power hungry bad guy less of a threat to all the people around them. So next time you are tempted curse someone eliminate the back door option to world power and just out right eliminate them altogether.

Steven Ross

Special Moment

For several reasons I'm always the last one ready in the morning.  Not the least of which is I've never been a morning person and have a hard time getting out of bed. As I get older I've realized I'm not really a night person either, I think that I'm a middle of the day person now. 

I joke that in our marriage Steven is the girl and I'm the guy. He's the one always telling our life story to everyone who will listen and I'm the one annoyed by that. He's the one always rearranging the furniture when I'm perfectly happy the way it is. He's the one taking the lead to make sure the kids get to church, I'm the apostate.  

I've never been a spiritual person.  It's something I've struggled with all my life.  I think I've always just gone through the motions because that's what you are suppose to do.  I've never really had that defining life moment where it all seems to make sense.   I've tried before but my apathy always seems to get in the way.  I guess I'm feeling a little melancholy today.

Coming downstairs this morning I happened onto this scene, Steven reading the Book Of Mormon to the kids.  It makes me happy when I see things like this, because if it was up to me my kids would come up seriously lacking. 

I'm An Owl

When I got to work this morning this picture was in my inbox.  I'm fairly confident that it's the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Steven Ross

Steven has decided that he feels a little left out and wants to post periodically on the blog.  I figured that we will just sign Steven Ross underneath his posts to distinguish them.  I do feel he glomed onto my creativeness a smidge bit today but whatev. 

I Have Grown Up

When I was young Saturday came around and when I woke up I would try to avoid waking my parents and quietly turn on the TV to watch cartoons as long as possible. I knew when they go up it was time to clean the house. And the ensuing hours (it actually would have only taken a couple of hours had all six kids pitched in) I would drag my feet and half heartedly clean what ever room I was assigned. Now I have the same job as my parents convince my kids a little bit of focus in the mourning then relaxing the rest of the day in a clean house.

Steven Ross 

My House Is A Ginormous Hogstye

It's been a rough week for me, what with being sick earlier and some other stuff I'd rather not get into.  I haven't been super motivated to do much.  Last week my house was fairly clean, not spotless because that's not how I roll, but I wouldn't have been embarrassed if someone dropped by.  Flash forward a week and it seriously looks like we are living in an episode of Hoarders.  I don't understand how it can fall apart so quickly and thoroughly.  The kid's bathroom smells like pee, my room is drowning in a mountain of laundry, my stupid cat won't quit barfing everywhere and don't get me started on the dishes.  It's almost to the point where it's too discouraging to start.  But I know come Saturday my head will have officially exploded and I'll get it all cleaned up just to start the cycle over again.  I'm just grateful I have a husband that is willing to help me, even if he doesn't fold the towels right.

No News Is Good News.......I Guess

Yesterday Steven had a meeting with the guy at Franklin in charge of the shut down.  They didn't have any new information for us.  They are still talking a couple of months out which puts us now at the end of July.  They still aren't committing to a definite date.  Don't get me wrong I'll be grateful for every paycheck but I am getting a little tired of being in limbo.

Tats

A couple of weeks ago when the kids went to Idaho, we met my dad at Heidi's house in Layton to make the hand off.  Hailey rode down with him so he would have some company.  While we were there Hailey discovered a stash of temporary tattoos, so of course everyone had to get all tatted up!

 Paizley had to pick the pin up girl, she would not be persuaded otherwise.