I mentioned that I wanted to have some professional pictures of the boys taken and I finally arranged it. We had tentatively planned for Tuesday, depending on the weather. Tuesday came a bit windy and cool and Krista asked if we were up for it. I told her that I was psychologically prepared to do it that day so we better just go for it. Parents of young children who have stressed over photo shoots can perhaps relate.

Aside from being mostly interested in throwing rocks in the river and fighting with sticks, the boys did pretty well for the pictures. And of course there is that terribly frustrating task of trying to get the child to smile they way they really smile, rather than that contrived phoney smile. We never did quite get that from Cameron.

Never above bribery, I promised the boys a treat if they cooperated and they requested ice cream cones. So we raided the frozen foods aisle at the local grocery store and along with two half gallons of ice cream (strawberry for Cameron, chocolate for Eli) I bought a frozen pizza for dinner and some much needed Halloween candy for the hard working mother.
Then we came home and ate our stash while we watched Biggest Loser. Just a little ironic.

The pictures turned out great, I hope to post some soon.

Disneyland turned out to be everything it is cracked up to be. Well, I guess not ALL my dreams came true, clothes don’t wash themselves yet. But I think Cameron and Eli would say all their dreams came true.

You’ll notice a pin on my dad’s shirt. It was his birthday and so his entry into the magical world was free. He wore the pin all day and received countless enthusiastic birthday greetings from the employees. They were sincere and pleasant and I thought often of the phrase that describes Disneyland as “the happiest place on Earth.” The boys were pretty good sports about waiting in line. Except Eli had a bad habit of escaping under the chains and by the time we reached the ride all of the people surrounding us in line knew him by name. “Eli…. ELI…. ELI!”
If it looks like there are bags under Eli’s eyes from sleep deprivation, it is because there are. In all his excitement he and Charlie were whispering and giggling long into the night and before the sun came up in the morning. Eventually he could keep his droopy eyes open no longer and I pushed him around with the stroller in a reclined position to try and let him sleep. (Very hard on my back!)
On our way back to our cars at the end of the day we had a very tired crew. (Myself included.) It was raining and each adult was either pushing a stroller with a sleeping child or carrying a sleepy child. Eli in true form smiled and said “cheese” as soon as I wielded the camera, so the sleepy effect was completely lost.
Some people argue that there is no point in taking your children to Disneyland when they are too young to remember it. I’m quite sure neither Cameron or Eli will remember their day at Disney. But I will, and as corny as it may sound, it was absolutely worth it.

This picture says “You WILL get close to me!”

I had an “admire my sister” moment while in Las Vegas. (Are those moments frequent enough to merit the quotation marks that imply they have their own name?) She spent hours and a great deal of stress in the weeks and days leading up to the relay so that those involved would have a good experience. Then, to top it all off she had 5-6 house guests for a week. She is very talented and extremely motivated and I just want her to know publicly (GAG!) that I think she’s great and I appreciate what she did for us. You too Will!

Normally I don’t blog while on vacation. But at my sister’s house technology, and today time, are so readily available I thought I’d go for it.

Today several members of my family started a Ragnar Relay Race in the Valley of Fire. All day I’ve felt left out of the excitement and adrenaline. My designated post has been here at the house with all the wee ones. Yes, there have been a few moments of excitement amongst us.The name of their relay team is Team Mandelbaum. Watch this to really understand. Each of the 12 team members have three legs and the race lasts over 24 hours. I really want to participate as a runner someday…
Of course, more pictures to come!

I just can’t proceed on my blog without pausing and recognizing General Conference. I’ll just mention three especially poignant moments for me.

Just a minute while I step upon my soapbox.

After making minimum payments on her credit card for years Ann Minch still owes $5,943.34. She is furious because the company keeps raising her rates. A few questions for you Ann.

Do you understand that using a credit card is spending money you don’t have? Do you consider that wise? You you expect that by making minimum payments you will ever pay off your debt? Have you calculated how much you will actually pay for that $25 meal at Applebees after interest? Was it worth it?

Apparently out of anger she closed her accounts with Bank of America and withdrew $5,000 from savings. Here is an idea Ann, take that money and pay off your credit card and enjoy a good nights sleep. Yes I understand that 30% interest is a burden indeed, but a burden you brought upon yourself. A ridiculous interest rate does not release your obligation to pay the money you owe. And you aren’t the least bit noble in my book for “taking a stand” against credit card companies. I agree that they are making a hefty profit at the card owners expense, but the card owner became a card owner and accumulated debt of their own accord.

From an article about Ann, who is getting a great deal of attention over her stubborn belligerence:

Minch calls the credit card companies “evil, thieving *blank*,” which, she says, “have reaped ungodly profits in your behemoth casino scams, then lost — only to turn around and usurp the wealth of this great nation by the outright rape and pillage of middle-class Americans whose sweat and toil built it.” She adds, “Every last one of you should be rotting in prison.”

Huh. What irritates me most is that she represents a group of people without an ounce of common sense who have never, by their own fault or maybe not, bothered to be educated about credit and financial management. The same type of people Richard would cringe about because they spent hundreds of dollars a year on overdraft fees. Typically I just shrug and let it be, but when someone is making a fuss like this it is difficult not to be frustrated.

You can watch her YouTube video here, but be prepared to be annoyed.