AI

American Idol that is. Ummm, I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but yes I auditioned for American Idol. I really had no intention on being the next American Idol. I mean come on, I have had like 3 voice lessons in my life and those were back in High School. But I was thinking while watching last season that it would be fun to try out. Then they came here, so DUH! I had to do it. Just like I thought it would be, it was a BLAST! The lines and all the people really weren't that bad. They have things figured out so it all runs pretty smoothly. There is a lot more involved then I thought. For example, did you know that you have to pass two auditions before you ever get to audition for Randy, Paula and Simon. Of all the people who try out in each city, only about 100 of those actually audition for those three. Most of those are for laughs. Who knew?

It is really hard too. The first audition you do in front of EVERYBODY! It was down at the delta center, and everyone sits in the arena. After a bunch of singing as a group and promotional stuff for the show, they start the auditions. They just set up a bunch of tables on the floor, and two producers sit behind each one. Then you go down in groups of four and you each get 15-30 seconds to show them what you are made of. When I got down there, I had a Josh Groban song going on one side, and a Kelly Clarkson song going on the other, and I was getting so confused trying to find my pitch. I really wasn't all that nervous, until I realized I couldn't find my pitch. Then my heart started racing. I eventually found it, and luckily before my turn. I sang Godspeed by the Dixie Chicks, and it was alright, but not good enough. I didn't pass. Bummer! None of my group did. And actually in the 5 hours of auditions I watched, only about 25 people did. Everyone would cheer like crazy when someone actually got through, because it didn't happen very often. Of course you get through if you are really good, but also if you are really bad. I saw a few people get through that I can't wait to see on the gag reel.

So yes it was a giant time consumer, but it was so much fun! I am glad I did it. I think I got in a few of the shots while we were singing our "group song" and while doing some of the promotional stuff with Ryan Seacrest. So if you watch the show, look for me in January!
Here I am waiting in line bright and early in the morning. I had to be there at 5:00 am!
I had to take a picture of the awesome boots my sister-in-law Gretty let me borrow. I didn't want to buy new shoes just for this, so she was so nice to let me borrow them and the cute bracelets I am wearing.
This is a bad picture, but this is a picture of the guy who was trying to get us all excited as we came in to sit down. He also taught us our group songs, which were Ain't No Mountain High Enough, and Get Ready. He was a really good singer himself.
Here is Ryan Seacrest giving us a motivational speech before we had to do about 30 different takes with him saying a line and then the crowd cheering like crazy. It got a little old. They came up with some pretty cheesy lines for us, like "Welcome to Happy Valley", (we tried to explain to them that that was Provo, but they didn't listen) or "Welcome to Salt Lake City, the most wholesome place on earth."
Thise is what the place looked like when everyone was seated. They filled almost the whole lower bowl of the delta center. (Energy Solutions Arena, whatever)
Here is what the audition process looks like. Tons of people all around, everyone singing. I actually ended up auditioning for that table number 7. I was sitting on the first side that they auditioned, and it still took 5 hours to get to my turn. I feel bad for the people sitting on the opposite side in the last section. They must have been there until 10 or 11 pm! I was done by 2:00. It was lots of fun. I recommend it to everyone!

Curly Cody

I recently discovered a new toy.....Cody's hair! I have always wanted a child with curly hair. Ryan and I have the genes to pull it off, but up until now it looked like we were 0 for 2. Just for fun, I tried putting a little gel in Cody's hair, and I was so excited at what I discovered. A little curl! Here are the results.......

He wasn't too thrilled about having his picture taken, but he sure was cute!

I was playing with color in this picture, that is why it looks a little funky.

My non-curly haired boy is pretty cute too! Although the humidity of the beach in this picture is bringing out a little curl in his hair too!

The Bum Scoot

I kind of miss this strange little scoot. He could move pretty quick. He wasn't really performing for me until Ryan turned on his favorite dancing song. The boys like to turn this song up really loud and dance.

(Please excuse Ty's outfit, we had just gotten home from church and Ty hurried and changed his pants, but nothing else.)

...and he's off!

Cody has been working on becoming a full time walker since the beginning of June. After a few failed attempts at walking, he discovered a bum scoot that he thought was far more efficient than both crawling and walking. He has been using that for the past month with a little crawling and a little walking in between. The last few days though, he has mostly been walking around the house. It is crazy to see my little baby walking everywhere. I am really excited about it. He isn't afraid to crawl/bum scoot anywhere, so he gets really, REALLY dirty in a day. Walking is a lot less dirty! I have a hilarious video of him and his bum scoot that I will post later, but for now, here is my walker!

Reality Check

My brother Mike has informed me that my blog makes him feel bad. He claims that when he reads it he dreams that his life could be as perfect as ours. All my posts about frollicking in the country, playing at the park, what I love about.....it all just seems too perfect. So, I apologize for only posting positive things on my blog. Our life is not perfect. We have our ups and downs. We have days like today where I put my kids to bed at 7:30 because they were driving me absolutely bonkers. So this post is only for Mike. Any who continue to read on I will put this warning: This is going to be sad, ugly, and downright depressing. Read at your own risk.

My Wish List

1. I wish I could get Ty to stop hitting, biting and pinching. I think I have taken away every single one of his toys for hitting. The plan is that every day he goes without hitting, pinching or biting, he can get a toy back. So how come I still have all his toys? Any suggestions?

2. I wish I could keep my house clean. I try, and try but it is always a mess. I will spend a whole day cleaning and then the next day it is a complete mess again! Why?

3. I wish we could get our yard under control. We have done a lot of work on it this year, but there is still SO MUCH to do. It frustrates me!
4. I wish I could be more patient with my children sometimes.

5. I wish I could get some self control and eat healthier.

6. I wish my teeth were straight and I didn't have vampire fangs.

7. I wish I could afford to buy a beautiful knotty alder front door with a dark stain on it.
instead of this ugly thing.......

8. I wish I could take pictures like Skye Johansen!

9. I wish I had scrapbooks done for my boys already. I am such a slacker!

10. I wish my family, especially my brother Mike, all lived here in Utah.

Well, I think that about does it. Not so perfect after all, huh Mike!