Life as we know it

Sorry no pictures! Michael has the camera in Brazil right now so when he gets back maybe then will I have some for you. I realize I have not done well at this blogging thing all year... and now August is almost over! So what is new? Lets see...
In May the Connors and the Sessions came for a weekend and we went to see the National, went to Disneyland, and celebrated Brandi's birthday and Michael and I's 7th anniversary! Packed alot in in 3 days! It was really soooo much fun. When we are together my face literally gets sore from laughing so much. Then the next weekend Bob and Gesse came into town (i can't remember why?) but it was great to have them.
Then the next weekend we went to Sacramento for Michael's cousins wedding and then went to San Fransisco for a night with bob and Gesse. That Sunday was Fathers day and it was great because Michael and Bob took the boys to the AT&T Park and had a tour and played a little baseball. Meanwhile Gess and I went shopping and also had the best frozen yogurt I have ever had! I can make this fathers day a tradition!
Next... actually on our drive home Ashley called and found cheap flights so I could come for her 30th dance party! I couldn't resist! I was just going to take Drew with me but in that same week My grandma Ruth was diagnosed with liver cancer and no one was quite sure she was going to live a few weeks. So i brought Owen with me. Let me just say that Ashley's party was the most fun I have ever had at a birthday party!!!!!!! I danced my heart out. I did miss Michael alot though especially during the slow songs. I felt like I was in junior high again! Then we got to go and visit my grandma. I am so grateful I did because I got to sit and visit with her and tell her how much I love her and what an amazing women i thought she was. She is still alive but she is confused and when Katie saw her last Sunday she didn't recognize her. so i am so happy i got that brief moment with her.
The day after I got home Karalee, Austin and Kade came to stay for a few days! I love having them around the world just seems right when we can do everything together. It was nice because Karalee was around for a few weeks so we got to hang out for the 4th of July the came and went swimming we had BBQ's and we went to the fair. By the time they left it was time for Kelly to come visit and for Beach week!!!!!!!!!! Michael was in the middle of finals so he came when we could but he was just to busy. I am always so grateful for my family whole picks up the slack for me when Michael's not around. I hope someday I can repay them with their families! I would survive without them! We had a great time at the beach and the Connors even stayed a night at our house before going home!!!!!
Then the next week my grandma Fern took a turn for the worse. She had a little stroke sometime on that Sunday. She couldn't walk and she was slurring her words. She didn't eat or wake up for 2 1/2 days. We were all preparing for her to go but that Friday morning she wakes up and wants her favorite eggs and some fruit! It is so crazy! It has been amazing to watch my Mom. She takes immaculate care of grandma. She has really taught me alot through this whole process. Wow what a women!
Then on Friday, Bob and Gesse came into town and on Saturday morning... MICHAEL GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought those last few weeks were going to kill one of us but he did it and I am soooooo incredibly proud of him!!!!!! I don't know how he did it. I never saw him stressed or frustrated(except the last few weeks) He is amazing, you all should be jealous!
Then the next day I hopped on a plane with the kids and went to Aspen Grove for a Bryan family reunion! It really was so fun. Heide and Matt were there, Kelly last minute flew in, Coleen and the kids! It was great! Until wed. night when my grandma Bryan was getting ready for bed she fell. No one checked on her until the morning. They found her on the ground( her bed never touched) shivering and VERY confused. It was really scary/ sad. She always had the most amazing memory. It was so weird to see her like that. I never expected that. Also that night Owen started barfing which stared a whole epidemic of stomach flu!!! Not fun when you are staying in very close quarters!( or in a minivan in the parking lot... POOR DANE!!!) My dad had driven, so the boys and I hitched a ride home. My dad was not feeling so good but did mention it to me. Also he hadn't slept for 2 nights straight so about 3 hours into the drive he tells me he feels like what he imagines it feels like to be on drugs. I start freaking out but he wouldn't pull over!!!! He let me drive for 1 1/2 hours total. That had to be the longest drive of my life. My poor dad was so sick we almost got a hotel in Barstow. The last 2 1/2 hours seemed impossible. Somehow we made it. We were singing every word to Les Mis we could think of and that's what kept us going. The next day Summer and Tyler were being sealed. I really wanted to be there but with the stomach flu and all the driving we decided it wasn't going to work. Sorry Summer! Congrats!!! It looked like alot of fun!
On Sunday Owen gave his first talk in Primary. He wrote it and knew every word. But when the time came... it was me who gave his talk! He wouldn't say a thing! oh well! I got it on the flip so I will post it when Michael gets back! Which leads to Monday morning when I took Michael to the airport! He has been gone for 5 days now. We miss him so bad!!!!!! I am so grateful for technology we have been able to talk or sykpe every day! We went to the beach twice this week because finally the weather is Great!!!!!! Michael gets home on Monday, then he has a San Fran trip, then the next weekend is Seth wedding and the we leave for Germany the day after he gets back!!! So to say the least this summer has been CRAZY. I love you all and if i have neglected you at all, now you can see why.

piggy face

Here is a video for you Mom. sorry it is sideways I didn't realize i couldn't rotate it! We have been a tad busy... i went to visit kel and Heide in DC while Michael took the kids to Utah. then we went to Disneyland with Jaden and Alex before our summer block out days. then we went to San Jose and San Fransisco for a wedding. Then I took the kids back to Utah for Ashely Connors amazing 30th dance party and the day after we got back Karalee came to stay with us, it was the 4th of July and then the lifferths left on Sunday! so i think I can be excused because i really haven't had a min to blog!!!!!!! this summer has been so fun so far except that we have only been to the beach 2x so far because it has been so overcast!!!!!!!!! we are definitely going tomorrow! i am really bad at pictures so if i find some i will post them. On a side note i just want to vent right now because I just went to a wedding and i was excited to see people and talk but every person that came up to talk to me talked about their hair. I love doing hair and i love that i can do it for people i wouldn't see otherwise but seriously do you think i want to talk about you hair while i am at a wedding or relief society or whatever it it you see me at? seriously give me a break.

Ramblings

This post is really for my own journal more then anything so feel free to not read because i am not posting any pictures!
About a week ago i was G chatting with Kel Kel and we were telling her about Owen's birthday and Disneyland and a few other things we have going on. She said "Man you guys live a great life!"
Last night I woke up in a complete panic. I had a dream that I found Drew at the bottom of the pool and i struggled to get him out. it was like I couldn't swim. Something was weighing me down. Almost like that feeling when you try to scream and you can't. When I finally got to the surface I panicked and tried to do CPR. Luckily I was able to revive him but then I freaked out begging him to never go near the pool again. That is when I woke up. I immediately began to sob. It felt so real, more real then any dream I had ever had. I grabbed Michael and tried to get a hold of myself. Of course he woke up and was very confused but he just held me. I wanted to call my mom and convince her she needed to move and get rid of the pool, but i knew i couldn't. I also wanted to sign up for CPR classes right then and there, but it was 3 in the morning. Of course i couldn't sleep... all I could see was that sweet little face smiling at me under water. It makes me sick.
I didn't have any hair to do today (which is rare) so we got to just hang out and I even took a little nap! When Drew woke up I took the kids over to a friends to play. For dinner I took the kids to sushi and met Michael at his work with the left overs. We came home and put the kids to bed. It was an easy but great day. As I laid next to Owen we had a little chat about the holy ghost that melted my heart and then he was silent. I thought he had fallen asleep and I got up and he whispered "Mom?... I love you" the tears just streamed down my face.
Kelly's words keep ringing in my hear... "you live a great life!" It's true. I am so lucky I have a husband who loves to see his family happy. He loves and serves us daily. I have family and friends who i love dearly. And I have two beautiful boys who keep me on my toes, make me laugh out loud, and who love me unconditionally. I am living the life I always dreamed I would. Heavenly Father has given me so much sometimes it honestly scares me.

Owen's Birthday

Owen had a great Birthday. He loved that his friends were there to help him celebrate. When I asked Owen what he wanted for his birthday, he said without hesitation: I want a live zebra. Well, we didn't get him that, but we got him a pinata shaped like a zebra and a bike. He was very happy. Here are some pictures.

Happy 4th Birthday Owen!!!!!

It is hard to believe that it was 4 years ago i had this crazy little kid! He makes me laugh every day! He has changed my life forever and i am so grateful for that. Some days I wonder how it's possible one person could have so much energy and enthusiasm, but then i realize he is just like his dad! Owen told me along time ago he wanted a zebra birthday. so Angela picked us up and we met Coleen and her kids at the LA Zoo! They shared these cute zebra print binoculars and looked at all the animals. We had lunch by the zebras and walked around some more. Then we went to pinkberry! Owen LOVES to hang out with his cousins! Then we came home and had a great BBQ and swim party at my moms! Owen is so lucky to have so many people who love him! of course all who are far away were missed terribly (but he loved all the phone calls)! Michael got Owen an awesome bike! he just got on it and road off like it was no big deal! It was a fun filled day! thanks to everyone! i love this boy like crazy !

Yum!

Reasons why I know i go to Pinkberry too much:
#1: When i asked owen if he wanted to go with me to Costco and said "We could stop at Pinkberry?!!" (in a very persuasive voice) he replied, " Oh no thanks but you could just get me a small pomegranate with gummy bears!" ( in a much more persuasive voice) ... scary he know his own order!
#2: When the kid swipes my adorable hello kitty card he says... " oh you were just here last week i remember saying something about this card last time!"... yikes i am embaressed!
#3: i think about stopping there whenever I am out and about (which is everyday)
i am sure there are a hundred more reasons but oh well what can i say I LOVE PINKBERRY!
Btw I just finished a medium pomegranate with raspberries and dark chocolate crisps! MmmMmmmMmmmm! I am not going to worry about it until the day comes when i walk through the door and they say " Welcome to Pinkberry Mrs. Barnett would you like the usual?" i let you know when that day happens and then i will try to cut back!

OOPS!

Wow i feel like a bad mom for this one but i laughed really hard when i saw drew! i proved to myself once again that my kids aren't ones who can be ignored! i love my little trouble makers

The Negotiator

Last friday Michael and I took a weekend trip to northern California (which was lovely and i will post about soon). As we were saying goodbye to Owen he was watching Jimmy Neutron and completely sucked in. Michael told Owen "If you are really good and help tracie with Drew when i get back I will give you 5 dollars!" (i thought 5 dollars was big time i was thinking candy or something) Owen still was zoned so michael asked" owen did you even hear what I just said?" He stopped look at us and said, " yeah if i am good and help tracie with drew you will give me.... (he paused) smiled and yelled Ten dollars!!!!!!! We tried not to laugh michael said " nooo..." owen "8?" michael "no" owen "7?" michael "no" owen"6" michael "no..." owen "9?..." michael "no i said 5! 5 owen!" owen " 17?" wow! he has some skills it scary how that little mind works!

Thanks Claudia!

My friend wanted to check out this place to take pics so we took our kids and she took a bunch of pictures today she just posted these so thanks claudia you you did an awesome job!

What was i thinking?

So i have been crazy busy and also been a giant slacker so I apologize... but i am not going to update right now because i dont know where the camera cord is. (plus drew who was supposed to be taking a nap is crying in his crib) but i found this pic and thought wow! if i ever mention to you that i want to chop my hair off again just remind me of this photo!