Dreyton's Birthday

Have you ever sent your children to bed and found out they weren't sleeping? I thought my girls were in bed. After being told to go to their room, the girls decided (Jasmine decided) it would be fun to dress up. The girls were giggiling and when I went to check out what was happening, this is what I found. They both said they weren't tired! Dreyton's birthday started out at the soccer game at 8:00 a.m. Yes, it was a very early game, but we made it. Jasmine wanted to take a picture and this is the result. I guess her picture taking skills need improving. My neck isn't so beautiful, but Jyllian is cute.

Dreyton plays defender on his team. We would like to see him be a little more aggressive with the ball, but he does a good job. The team won 5 to 1



Jyllian wanted her picture taken too!

Party guests from left to right, Dominique, Jonah Perez, Dreyton, Jordan Rudd, and Jasmine
We served hotdogs, chips, soda, and of course a birthday cake. Yes, that is an Elder's tag in the picture. They stopped by during the party to get a drink of water. Donovan was very kind and asked if they wanted to stay and eat. The missionaries were out tracking on bicycles and it was quite humid on Saturday.
The boys at the Skate Station. We bought the boys rollerblades a month ago. I was trying to get them outside to do some physical activity. They have fun racing each other, but they had a few falls.

Jasmine had her first experience on skates. It was funny to watch her. She was very unstable and fell a lot. She got the hang of skating by the end of the session.

Dominique fell and hurt himself, luckily nothing was broken.
The birthday boy posed for his picture.

Spring Break

Here we are at the Fort Wilderness Campground in Disney World. Jasmine and Jyllian thought the sand was pretty cool. Dominique and Dreyton helped put up the tent you can see in the before dad's help and after dad's help pictures. Don't be fooled by the look of "fatigue" on the faces of our boys in the after picture. They still had enough energy to run all over Epcot to find their Pokemon toys later that afternoon. Our friends told us that it was fun camping here, but I would have to disagree with them a little. It took us a little while to set up the tent, and the kids were very hot in the Sunshine state. It was a very nice campground, but if you are in a hurry to get to the parks, don't try it! We only spent one night here, and I didn't get very much sleep thanks to the go-lucky camping neighbors we had. I haven't camped in a tent for a very long time. In fact, I think it must have been at least twelve or thirteen years. I forgot how much noise there is at night with other campers, and it's hard to sleep with your children in the same sleeping area as you. Jasmine and Jyllian are definite "jimmy leg" girls.

It was a very warm afternoon, and we were all wanting an ice cream cone. As you can see, Jyllian wasn't eating her ice cream cone fast enough. Jasmine's cone was dripping from the bottom. Don't you hate it when your cone starts dripping from the bottom?

Don't tell mom I spilled chocolate ice cream on my clothes!!

This was Jasmine's Hello Kitty book that she purchased with her birthday money while visiting "Japan."

In the Epcot center, there are different countries to visit. I took a picture at this same spot within "Italy" in 1992 and sent it to Donovan on his mission. He thought I looked so hot! (Donovan typed that last sentence) I came with my family in the wonderful motorhome. I believe this was my last road trip with my immediate family, before I was married. The boys always try to pose or do something silly when we ask them to take their picutre. At least, they still allow us to photograph them. Luckily, none of our children drowned in the fountain of King Neptune although they nearly fell in when we took the first picture.

Quick, look! You can see Dominique being a kind and great big brother here. Actually, Dominique is a wonderful big brother most of the time. We are very pleased with his example for his younger siblings.

Here is the whole fam damily at Magic Kingdom on my birthday.

King Arthur almost met his match when the three mousketeers...um, I mean three muskateers grappled with Excaliber!

While Dominique does his best Fonz impersonation, Dreyton finally was able to purchase the hat he has been wanting to get since last summer. I think we may show this picture to Dreyton's first prom date and ask if if she would like him to wear the hat to dinner and the Prom ball...

There is an All Points Bulletin (APB) for the whereabouts of Corida Florida's (AKA Jasmine, AKA Ho-ta Bedota, AKA Dad's princessa) front teeth. Any information leading to the safe recovery of the aforementioned dental anatomy may result in financial compensation.















Have you seen this lost girl? She may come up to you on the street corner trying to sell you some chiclets. Please be generous as she has a trying childhood.

I been tagged by my sis, Jules

10 Years ago...
I was managing an apartment complex in St Louis and expecting my second child any day.

5 things on my "to do" list today...
1. Clean the house...Monday is my cleaning day.
2. Chase a 2 year old, although my money is on the 2 year-old!
3. Finalize and send off my taxes...gotta luv Uncle Sam
4. Make dinner for my wonderful and hungry family
5. Have family home evening

5 snacks I enjoy...
1. ice cream
2. hot chocolate
3. peanuts
4. apples
5. my mother in law's mint brownies...see you in July, Anne ;)

5 places I have lived...
1. Orem
2. Provo
3. St Louis, MO
4. Vegas baby!
5. Newberry, FL (within the thriving metropolis of Gainesville, FL...Go Gators!)

What would I do if I were suddenly a Billionaire????
1. Pay off my husband's stupid student loans
2. Shop 'til I drop
3. Buy my husband a boat and a houseboat on Lake Powell (Donovan says THIS is actually first)
4. Donate to a worthy cause

5 jobs I have had.
1. Accounts payable for Better Built Manufacturing Inc (a stellar business)
2. Travel agent
3. Apartment manager
4. Retail at Mervyn's and Northern Reflections
5. Waitress at Lone Star Steakhouse (it's amazing how a short skirt brings in the tips! j/k)

Five Favorite TV Shows....
1. Samantha Who
2. The Biggest Loser
3. Survivor
4. Without a Trace
5. Law and Order SVU

Husbands Full name: Donovan Jones Lott

How long have you been married: 14 years and counting

How long did we date: 2.5 years before Donovan's mission; 2.5 months after the mission

Who said I love you first: Donovan

Who is taller: Donovan by 12.5 inches

Who sings better: Neither of us will be on American Idol (unless we are singing alongside William Hung)

Who's smarter: Einstein, duh?!

Who does the laundry: Me

Who pays the bills: Me

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: Me

Who mows the lawn: Depends on the week

Who cooks dinner: Me

Who drives: Donovan

Who's more stubborn: Hmmmmm...Donovan. Oh my Gosh! Kristen, can you back me up here?

Who kissed who first: We kissed each other (first date!)

Who asked who out first: I asked him out first

Who proposed: Donovan

Who has more siblings: I do

Who wears the pants on the family: Donovan

5 things you don't know about me.
1. I like to sew and quilt.
2. I love my feet massaged.
3. I am neither a morning nor a night person...I am at my prime around 1 pm. By the way, did I mention that is when my baby is napping, and my other kids are still at school?
4. I can pass up chocolate...sorry Anne and Kristen, but Donovan loves my leftovers.
5. I have Larry syndrome...I have a hard time staying up after 10 pm...just like my dad.

Spring Fun

Dominique, Dreyton, and Jasmine are now on spring break. It was about 85 degrees on Sat. The kids wanted to go swimming, but the sprinkler would have to do. Miss Jasmine got stuck in the bucket, and Donovan thought it would be a great picture for our post. All of the spiders, mosquitos, cockroaches, ants, lizards, snakes and every other living creature are now out in full force. I hate creepy crawly things, epecially when the land on me. It just freaks me out!

Friday night we went to the bat house on the University of Florida's campus. There are thousands of bats that come out of this gazebo at dusk. The bats fly across the road towards the gator lake. Yes, there are also alligators in the lake and you would not want to waterski there (well, I know someone who probably still would). I know Kristen and my sister Julie would pass up the opportunity to see the bats, but it really is quite interesting.

I finally conned Donovan into getting a piano. I've wanted one for about ten years but really couldn't justify getting a piano. I now have a daughter that is of age to play, and I told Donovan she isn't getting any younger. I've been searching for pianos for about three months, and this was in the paper. It is four years old and I felt it was a good deal. As Wayne (Grandpa Lott) would say, "Such a deal." The kids haven't quit playing it since it arrived, but I know the newness will wear off.

Dominique loves to play the trombone. It appears that I may end up with a musical family as Donovan does have a musical gene (although it must be recessive for him as he can only play the radio, and he is really not that good at even that!). I am currenty bidding on a guitar for Dreyton's birthday, so shhhhhhh. Don't tell him anything about it in case we get outbid.

We have tried everything to assist our 7 year-old to stop sucking her thumb. We have taken away toys and privliges, we have used bad tasting thumb paste, we have offered rewards, and we have even beat her with a whip (Ok, not really...just wanted to see if you were reading this whole thing. Now drop the phone and don't worry about calling Child Protective Services). Does anyone have any good ideas to help Jasmine use her opposable thumb for something more than a pacifier??