Jimmy & Ang

Present Spoiler

2011-12-27T09:12:00.003-07:00

It's always hard to get presents for Jimmy. It seems like he just gets what he wants when he wants it & doesn't wait for a birthday or holiday. So he lacks the need for things. This year, I thought I would finally get something that he hadn't gotten for himself first. So I had heard good things about Tom Shoes. Jimmy has mentioned before that he wants some casual shoes to wear with jeans. So I went to Nordstrom's website and got some Tom's. A few days later Jimmy and I were on a date and we stopped at the mall to get a few things for Christmas. While we were there he said he wanted to stop in Journey and see if they had some casual shoes he'd been wanting. Dang! So he found a pair he wanted (some Croc canvas slip on shoes, that he said are so comfy) and ordered them in his size. That is how we work with Christmas, we shop together and get what we want and then give it to each other. So usually this would be fine but this time I wanted to get him some shoes. So I told him I had ordered him some and said we'd just take them back if this is what he wanted. When mine came in the mail, he decided he liked them and wanted them too. ( I was just going to return them) He got light colored ones and I ordered dark so I figured he could get them for his birthday in January.

While we were at the mall, we looked in a jewelry store. He has lost his wedding ring (3 times). After his first gold one was lost. I got a titanium one off Ebay, and then he lost that one and he got one at Walmart. So needless to say, with his track record of loosing rings, I wasn't about ready to buy him one for $300+. We ended up looking at ones for me. It was fun trying them on and seeing my finger sparkle with big diamonds but at the end of the day, I can't justify spending money on something like that when we could put that money towards a family vacation or something. A ring you can't take with you after this life, but memories and building relationships are priceless. So I left there with an idea of what style Jimmy liked and they told us that Tugstan rings were nicer than the Titanium we probably would have bought. So I went home and found a Tugstan ring and ordered it off Ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/320799657811?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1985wt_1165

It was only $12.48 with free shipping! So I was excited about giving Jimmy this gift and surprising him on Christmas morning. This made up for the shoe thing.

That very day Jimmy came home from grabbing some stuff for me at Walmart and he had on a Tugstan ring from Walmart (for $50). It looked almost just like the one I had picked out for him but mine was better. So I told him he needed to take it back that I had ordered one already!

So Jimmy had no surprises this Christmas! But he got a nice ring and he'll be getting a pair of shoes he likes in a couple weeks! I guess great mind just think alike, right?

Christmas Day

2011-12-26T20:47:00.014-07:00

After staying up with the older kids until 11:30 we told them we needed to sleep in until 8 am. At about 7:50 Sophie came into our room and a few minutes after that Conner and Kali came in. They had both slept on the guest bed so that we would all be on the top floor in the morning. I guess Conner woke up at 7:30 and then woke up Kali because he was so excited.

We came down and they waited on the stairs while I went to see if Santa had come. I took my camera and took pictures of each child's pile. When I got to my pile to take the picture, I realized that when Jimmy had went downstairs to "grab his phone" right before bed, he was actually setting out a crock pot and a cozy blanket for me. That was a nice surprise.

(our family pile of gifts from Santa)

(Scotty's pile)

(Sophie's piles)

(Kali's pile)

(Conner's pile)

(my pile)

(Jimmy's pile)

I had put up a gate on the stairs the night before because I was afraid Sophie would wake up in the morning and instead of coming and getting us she would go downstairs to see if Santa had come. One of my favorite parts on Christmas morning is seeing the kids faces as they see what Santa brought them. The gate worked great- no one saw before they were supposed to.

Jimmy was in charge of recording with his phone and I took pictures. Scotty slept about an hour after the rest of the kids woke up. It was fun for them all to see what Scotty got and how he reacted to his cars track.

(this is a Messi Barcelona jersey Conner really wanted and Santa brought one for all the boys with matching shorts, so cute)

This year Santa didn't set out as many gifts and Jimmy and I wrapped some from us. I also set up a little store for the kids to come and each pick out gifts for each other earlier in the week. They were things that I had gotten from either garage sales or DI so they weren't expensive gifts but things I knew each person would like. They did chores for me or actually paid me money for the stuff so it was really from them. Kali made a shirt for Jimmy to wear and Scotty to play on. It was another idea I found on Pinterest. <http://thebluebasket.blogspot.com/2011/09/tutorial-car-shirt.html#more> She drew a town with fabric Sharpies and then gave Scotty some cars to drive around on it. Jimmy gets a little back scratch/rub (which he is always asking me and the kids for) and Scotty gets to play cars. She did a great job on it!

So they each had a few gifts from Jimmy and I and 3 gifts from their siblings. Each hour or two we would let them choose a gift to open. It was so fun because it made the gift giving and getting part of Christmas last all day long.

I couldn't find a couple shirts I got for Kali while we were in St. George and a shake and go fire truck I got for Scotty there too. I bet they are somewhere together but I still need to find them- it's bugging me. Another thing that bugged me about Christmas was no snow- it just doesn't seem right. It was so nice yesterday that we opened the sliding door and the kitchen window and let the cool air in. I am not too big of a fan of cold weather and snow but there is just something about the clean white blanket of snow that makes the season feel so cozy and beautiful. Next year maybe we'll take a two week cruise during Christmas break to Hawaii and purposely get out of the snow but this year, I missed the snow.

We decided we'd just have the kids snack on some pop tarts and goldfish crackers they got in their stockings before church and then cook a big breakfast after. We had church at 11 and they had a great program filled with Christmas music and one speaker. I got released as the primary 2nd counselor and then recalled as the 1st. I've really been doing the 1st counselor responsibilities all along but since we were getting a new member of the presidency we decided to make the switch so it would be easier with the Stake presidency to know who was doing what.

We came home to make the breakfast and Jimmy told everyone it was mandatory to get back in their jammies. It was going to be a jammie day. Kali put on her new velor sweat pants and Sophie ended up in her dress the rest of the day (mainly because I never helped her change) but the rest of us went and got our comfy stuff back on.

When we went to make the traditional spam and eggs we realized we only had 4 eggs. That would just not do! Jimmy's dad always would make Bisquick muffins, spam and eggs and hash browns for Christmas morning. I still remember turning up my nose at the spam part of the eggs and picking out just the eggs to eat. But now since I've tried it, I've decided I like it. (kind of like the book Green Eggs and Ham but for this it would be called Scrambled Eggs and Spam) We brown the spam and so it is just a bit crispy and Jimmy puts in cheese with the scrambled eggs. I know, I know, not the most healthy but once a year we spurge! So since we didn't have the eggs, we decided to make Bisquick pancakes (another favorite for the kids since I usually make whole wheat blender pancakes and they never have just white flour ones) We had 6 pieces of bacon in the fridge from the salad I made for Jon & Luci's so we cooked that up and then I made the pancakes look like reindeer. I saw that idea on Pinterest. <http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2011/12/rudolph-pancake-breakfast.html> We also had hash browns. It was a hit!

(those are plates my parents gave me a couple years ago that we used as a family the whole time growing up. Makes me think of my childhood when I see that pattern)

(this morning (26th) Jimmy went out and got some eggs and we did the spam & eggs this morning instead)

After we cleaned up, Jimmy and I went and took a nap. I used my new blanket Jimmy gave me. The kids did well without us and let us sleep! Scotty was taking a nap too.

After our naps, Jason and Kassie came over with a ham to cook, some rolls, mashed potatoes, and green salad. We also had some of the leftover stuffing casserole and frog eyed salad. It was a great meal. We played Ticket to Ride and watched a basketball game while dinner was cooking.

After they left we played Qwirkle some more and let Scotty watch some of his Cars 2 movie.

It was a great Christmas! It is so fun watching our kids get gifts that they are so excited about. I'm sad the day is over but know it will come so fast again next year and we'll make more fun memories. And next year, I'll take more pictures at our family get togethers!

Atkin Christmas Party, Pajama Party and Christmas Eve

2011-12-25T21:28:00.003-07:00

On the 21st, we got together at Jon & Luci's house for our Atkin Christmas party. Jimmy's parents were there & Jason, Kassie and Arianna came too. Luci had made pulled pork that we ate on rolls, baked beans, funeral potatoes, and we brought a green salad. Everything tasted great. McKenzie sat between Scotty and Sophie in the kitchen & we ate in the dining room in peace. It was great!

We had a white elephant gift exchange in the basement. (we took some pictures of this one) Jimmy got some safety goggles and the pink basket that Jon is holding Kali stole from him. Sophie is holding a ipod speaker bag with towel that got stolen from her but she ended up with a purse/wallet that she really likes and she got to keep the lotion that was in the other gift. I got some Bath and Body works lemon soap that I am loving in our kitchen.

On Christmas Eve Eve (23rd) we got together with Ken, Gina, Brigham & Emma, Steph & Bryant, Andrea (my cousin) & Andy and his parents. Everyone wore their jammies and we had breakfast for dinner. We had breakfast casserole, fresh fruit with dip, sweet rolls and juice. We haven't been good at taking pictures at our family get togethers so no pictures of this event either. Bums me out. Pictures are so fun!

On Christmas Eve, we invited Jason, Kassie & Ari over (we were in jammies again for this too). The other kids had already opened theirs at Steph's house so Jimmy and I opened ours. Mine are the comfiest jammies I've ever owned. We got them at Costco the brand is Aria. Typing about them now makes me want to go slip into them. I'll be right back. :) OK, much better and I got some grey slippers to match.

We had a chicken, veggie, stuffing casserole, fresh baked bread, frog eye salad (Jimmy's favorite that we never make) and they brought a green salad. After we cleaned up dinner we did the nativity. We were short some people. We only had one wise man, Kali, one Shepherd, Conner, two angels, Sophie and Ari, Scotty was baby Jesus, Kassie was Mary (perfect since she is 8 months pregnant) and Jason was Joseph. Jimmy was the narrator and I was the producer. Then we watched a you tube video Breath of Heaven. Very pretty music with the nativity story. (I took some pictures with Kassie's camera so someday hopefully I'll get them on here)

After that we opened a family game, Quirkle. It's a fun game that we've played several times since. We stayed up until 11:30 on Christmas Eve with Conner and Kali playing and then Jimmy and I were up until 2 am! Crazy us for letting the kids stay up so late!

Ugly Sweater Party, Grand America & PJ's

2011-12-25T21:21:00.009-07:00

On the 17th (Dec) we got together at Ken & Gina's house for our annual Ugly Sweater party and also to celebrate Blake's birthday. I already wrote about what we did for Blake's part of it in an earlier post. We had it at Ken and Gina's house and had stroganoff and potatoes. The last couple years we have had it closer to Christmas but this year my parents were going South for Christmas and we wanted to do it when they were here. My mom had a stomach bug though and after we went to the cemetery they went back to my house and missed the rest of the get together. We were all sad they weren't there.

I am kicking myself that we didn't take any pictures. No one did! Ryan had rigged together a sweater with a stuffed animal and it played music, Ken had a big Santa face on his sweater. (I had given it to him for his birthday) Emma wore the sweater I had gotten for Brandon for his birthday (he had to work) and she had strings of beads draped all around it. Steph had cute out Snowmen from a previous sweater and pinned them on a plain black sweater. Ashley had a plastic pair of ski's in a clear pocket on her sweatshirt. I wore a pioneer looking apron that went to the ground. It was yellow and red. Jimmy, Conner and Aaron wore ugly cardigans. Kali wore a cute red sweater but then we uglied it up with a stocking that clashed. Sophie wore her dog sweater but it looks cute even though on an adult it would of be ugly. Camile borrowed a sweater from someone in her ward- she gets double points for that.

Steph's best friend, Michelle, came with her little boy, Hudson. It was fun to see her.

We had prizes courtesy of my mom and I think everybody got something. Except me, I was the prize giver (with Steph's help) and at the end, there wasn't anything I wanted.

Then we had our white elephant gift exchange. Some of the highlights were the colt and horse picture (that keeps getting exchanged for the last couple years) I added a oval wooden (cut from a tree) picture of a horse. So now it's a set. The little ping pong table showed up again too but it came with a big bucket of nuts and chocolate. Aaron stole the toilet paper and soap from Kali which she was grateful for. We had a great time. Since mom and dad weren't there, they ended up with the two last gifts.

The next night, Sunday, we went and dropped the gloves off down town at the homeless shelter and then we went to the Grand America for the window display. Everybody gets a card and you try and find the star in each of the displays. At the end, we turned in our cards for sugar cookies. There was a life size ginger bread house that was neat and pretty trees all decorated through out. It was a fun adventure.

Next we went and looked at the lights at Temple square but the drivers got in a traffic jam so they let us out and then we walked around (Scotty stayed with Jimmy) and then we caught Trax back and met them in the parking lot where we started across from the Grand America.

Then we went to Steph's house and had chili and baked potatoes. The kids opened their jammies from Nany Nette and Grandpa. Sophie was so excited to have the same nightgowns as Carlie and Ellie. Kali and Emma got the same jammies and Conner and Brigham got long johns to go under their clothes when they go sledding or snowboarding. The girls all put theirs on.

Scotty's new thing when he gets a picture taken is he smiles real cute when you tell him your taking a picture and then he says, "I wanna see it" when you finish. He loves to see how he looks. So cute!!

We also gave mom & dad their 2012 Calendar. They loved it!

M is for Movie Maker & Artist, Kali

2011-12-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

So for our family Christmas card/letter this year, we are keeping it short and sweet. For those who want more details and pictures, I suggested they check out our blog. But since I just barely started blogging this last month, I have some major catching up to do. To help me stay on track and focused, I am going to use the layout of our Christmas card and expand on the tidbits of info and do a post for each.

M is for Movie maker & Artist, Kali. Kali has the creative bug. She can always be found writing stories or scripts, taking pictures, drawing, recording herself singing, or sitting with me at the computer looking through Pinterest. (an online pin board with tons of craft and home decorating ideas)

When I need advice about where to hang something or if a color looks good with a project I’m doing, I ask Kali for advice. She has a good eye for that kind of stuff.

She has a blog too that she updates every so often.

She keeps busy with jump team two days a week at school and is often found practicing on the driveway with her friend, Madi. Jump Team is a jump roping after school activity that she does with 45 other 6^th graders. They get to travel to other schools and do assemblies. At the end of the school year, they have a performance for their families.

Her favorite colors are blue and green and you won't ever catch her wearing pink. (except for at Jocelyn's wedding I got her in a matching dress with her cousin, Jenna) She likes to be comfy and wears her soccer warm ups to school all the time. During warmer weather it's her soccer shorts and basketball shorts. Her other favorite thing to wear is skinny jeans- a criteria for Kali when she puts something on is it has to be comfy. She likes to play soccer during recess and during the holiday break she's been practicing jump roping in the garage so she'll be picked to be on the traveling team.

She loves noodles. She doesn't like meat very much. She likes veggies but not much fruit. Her favorite thing to drink is water and hot chocolate. She doesn't like juice but she'll have soda sometimes.

Kali enjoys being social and has lots of friends. If we were the same age I bet we'd be best friends. She likes to giggle and be silly but is also very responsible and a great babysitter. I enjoy doing projects with her- it's fun being her mom and watch her grow.

E is for Energetic Scotty Loves Cars

2011-12-22T08:23:00.002-07:00

Scotty is our little ball of energy. He seems to always be running somewhere. We left him with some good friends, The Lowes, when we went on our family cruise in April. While he was there he discovered CARS! I feel bad that we didn’t figure that out sooner. He was always surrounded by My Little Ponies and Littliest Pet Shops at our house. Now he puts his cars in the Pony houses like a garage and puts the Littliest Pet shop animals in the back of his trucks and makes lots of car noises as he plays. Vroom, vroom!

He likes to play tackle with Conner. He backs up until he bumps into something and then runs full speed at Conner & then Conner topples over with Scotty.

He also loves to sing! He knows lots of songs and loves to sing/yell to whoever will listen. He enjoys going to nursery at church and we recently started a playgroup with 4 other boys that live in the houses right by ours. He's learned all of Sophie's Let's Play Music songs and so I'm hoping he'll want to do piano too in a couple years.

He likes electronics. He enjoys borrowing Conner’s Ipod &our IPad and playing Traffic Rush and Angry Birds.

He loves playing outside. He would be out there all day if there was someone to always watch him. We got him a deal on a used mini electric 4 wheeler and he loves to ride that around with two of his little buddies who also have them.

He wants to be big like the other kids. He won’t sit in his highchair anymore and we got a crib net for his crib to keep him in . Before we got that, he would get out of his crib and play at 2 in the morning. I am thankful for that crib net!

He loves chocolate, reading books and he’s a really good talker!

R is for Rosie our new Black Kitty

2011-12-22T08:12:00.004-07:00

Our neighbors had a litter of kittens in the spring. Sophie was over their every day holding them. She kept telling us they were for sale for free. We decided we weren’t going to get one until my neighbor sent me a picture of Sophie holding one of the little black kitties. Melted my heart.

So we let her buy it for free.

Kali and Conner were kind of bugged. They wanted a dog. But now Rosie is very well loved and adored. Kali has her sleep in her loft bed with her almost every night. Sophie carries her around like a baby. (and so does Jimmy) Scotty picks her up and then drops her back down.

She was the inspiration for Sophie wanting to have a kitty party this year.

When we go out of town we let her be an outside Kitty with our neighbors cats. (her mom and sister are still there) It's been great having that option. Since the weather has gotten colder, she has been not wanting to go outside though.

I had a kitty, Paws, when I was younger and I loved how she would burrow down in my covers at night and sleep by my feet. I would try and dress her up in doll clothes and feed her bottles. (that didn't work too well) She got hurt one night and her tail was broke when she came home so we had it amputated. She had just a short stub left- she looked like a bob cat. So I guess that's part of the reason I had a soft spot in my heart when Sophie wanted this kitty so much.

We're all glad she's part of our family now!

R is for Riding and Playing in our boat

2011-12-22T08:04:00.005-07:00

We got a boat this year! Jimmy found a used one in California that he liked. It is an inboard boat and so this year we learned how to surf. Jimmy and Conner got good enough to drop the rope. I was able to get up and hold on but that’s it. Kali learned to wake board this summer but knee boarding is still her favorite. Conner learned to jump the wake and get some good air while wake boarding.

Kali had her 11th birthday party on the boat. We swapped the girls around tubing. It was a huge hit! We borrowed LuAnn's tube which can hold 4 girls at a time.

Scotty loves to go boating. Whenever he says prayers, he prays to go boating. Several times him and Sophie got on the 4 person tube (with the older kids) and loved it. Whenever we wanted them to get off Jimmy would go a little faster and then they would say they were finished. The bigger kids always wanted to go faster! Especially our niece, Emma, she is a wild woman when it comes to tubing!

We’ve made fun family memories boating!

Y is for Year Flew By

2011-12-22T07:48:00.011-07:00

We had our oldest niece, Jocelyn, get married this August in the Portland OR temple. (Jimmy’s oldest sister, Julie’s, daughter) I can’t believe how time has flown since I first met her. She was only 9. It was a wonderful wedding and a great weekend seeing the family!

Jimmy’s parents sold their house in Oregon and bought a home in St. George. Jimmy went to Oregon with his siblings to help them pack and then also went to their new home with Conner to help unpack. We went there to visit once during the hot summer. What I am really looking forward to is visiting during our long, cold winter.

Each year for the last 7 years or so, I have made a family calendar for my parents and grandparents. It is fun to look back over the year and see what we've done and how the kids have changed. It's always crazy to me when I write in the birthday's. Like my niece, Carly, will be turning 8 this August. Kali will be 12 and Conner turning 14! It seems so far away and then before I know it, that month is here. Here are the pages I designed for the calendar. I thought it summed up the year pretty well. My parents and grandparents love getting it each year. Here are the pages below- not it order.

I also have made one for Jimmy's parents and grandma the last couple years. Here is a link to theirs. <share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Aas2TZw5btGNC> They opened it last night at our Christmas party at Jon and Luci's and they loved it.

C is for Cruise with Atkin Family

2011-12-22T07:44:00.008-07:00

For Christmas last year, Jimmy’s parents gift to us all was a Mexican Riviera cruise, kids and all, for their 50^th Wedding Anniversary. (we decided to leave Scotty though since he couldn’t go to the kids club yet. Our friends, Deb and Stu, from California watched him)

The kids had a blast hanging out with their cousins and hitting some of the cruise sponsored kids activities. We had a private dining area with 5 tables where we would meet every night. We went to the beach, zip lining (14 total- it was so fun! I went upside down with the guide on one), paragliding (Conner went with Jaiden), and on a boat ride.

We had a private party one day in one of the lounges. It was a surprise party for Mom & Papa. We had punch, cake, did karaoke, and Jocelyn made them a movie we watched with pictures and music. Our brother-in-law, Jay designed some t-shirts for all of us and we wore them for the surprise party. We even pulled off the surprise, they loved it!

Kali loved doing karaoke during the day with her cousins. Sophie got up once too and sang, Mary Had a Little Lamb. The kids also loved swimming, mini golfing, basketball, and getting ice cream cones whenever they wanted. We got all dressed up a couple times for formal nights. WE got a big family picture taken that Jimmy's parents bought for each of us to keep. (our is hanging in our front entry) One night we skipped the sit down dinner and went to the buffet and played cards. We saw the family friendly comedian a couple times also. There were lots of Utah families there because it was our Spring Break. Conner found a friend, Kamryn, that he kept in touch with after. (more when we first came home than now)

Sophie enjoyed Club Carnival. They face painted her face a few times and did art projects. She took a nap every day late with me in the cabin and then she’d get to stay up late with us.

That was a once in a lifetime experience being there with everyone in the family minus our two missionaries. The kids keep asking us when we can do another cruise with their cousins.

H is for Having Fun at Bear Lake

2011-12-21T08:52:00.003-07:00

We have become friends with Conner's teacher from last year, LuAnn Albaugh. And this year she is Kali's teacher. She comes to the kid's games, we've been to her house for dinner and BBQ's after boating and she's been to our house as well.

She has a friend who owns a cabin in Bear Lake. She arranged for us all to go stay there for a few days this summer. She has a boat and we took ours and another family, the Wallins, came with us. Their son, Janson, plays on Conner's soccer team as well and they were in LuAnn's class together.

We had a great time boating. We tubed, wake boarded, water skied, and surfed. I learned how to wake surf but I can't let go of the rope yet. The water was really high so there wasn't much beach area. We found a place one of the days that we let the kids play at for a few hours. Scotty and Sophie had a great time digging and wading in the water. Because the water was so high this year, it wasn't as aqua as other years.

I also had time to read a book, The Help. It was nice to be able to relax and not worry about laundry, cleaning or soccer carpool. One night LuAnn got our a bunch of glow sticks out and the kids had a a great time playing with those. They made jump ropes out of them and that looked really cool while they swung around.

Jan Wallin's dad had passed away earlier in the year and so her mom, Deanna, joined us for our trip. It was nice to have her along.

I don't have any pics from our trip but Jan took a ton so I'll need to get some!

R is for Remembering Blake

2011-12-21T08:20:00.005-07:00

This year had been a year of healing since my nephew passed away. On Sat. evening we met at his grave with family and 19 candles to remember what would have been his 19th birthday. We shared memories of him and acts of service that we did in honor of him for his birthday present.

Ryan found a lady at DI that was doing Christmas shopping with her kids and paid for their cart of things. I put some things on KSL for free and a lady came and got it for her nephew. Gina's dad helped out an older man and woman by giving them a part they needed and fixed their microwave. Ken is going to go to the temple and do work there for his service. Jimmy gave an extra tip for someone to buy a present for their child.

We lit the candles and sang happy birthday.

We also gathered 19 pair of gloves to give to a homeless shelter and Ken and Gina wrote up a tag that I put a picture with to attach to the gloves. Mom & Dad donated the puffy vest that was supposed to be Blake's Christmas present and then we also gave some cash also. We went to the shelter on Sunday and delivered what we had. It smelled like smoke and was a little scary. We were greeted by a nice homeless man as we entered and then another came out and started telling the kids to stay in school and do well. He said for most them that was their downfall to where they are today.

Gina read a letter she had written to one of the donor families that have been staying in contact with them. Their son received part of Blake's femur bone. I know it's been nice for them to hear how Blake's gift has changed their son's life. Some other people have also written to them. Two people are able to see now and I can't remember what the other one was.

Another thing my family did this year is run in a 5k for a Donation organization. We were out of town for Jocelyn's wedding so we missed it. They wrote Team Blake on their shirts and had a poster. I hope we do it again every year.

We also got together on the one year mark of when Blake passed away and I wrote a whole post about just that day. You can read that here

http://jimmyandang.blogspot.com/2011/11/year.html

I is for Inspired during Ragnar Relay

2011-12-21T07:24:00.004-07:00

Last fall we were invited by some friends to do the Ragnar Relay. It goes from Logan to Park City (about 200 miles). We were crazy enough to say yes and then wondered why we had the whole time we were training. We called ourselves the Thunder Cats and had some tshirts made with our logo and then on the back all the cities and towns we ran through. All 12 of us (six couples) took 3 legs of the race each. Mine was 13 miles total and Jimmy's was 18. I trained with a friend in the neighborhood, Aimee, and that was one of my favorite parts of the experience. I enjoyed visiting with her as we would run. Jimmy trained by himself and with Road Runner (Andrew, beep, beep) and Giraffe (Richard).

We had two SUV's we used. We were in the first group. I had the third leg and Jimmy had the 6th. We started at 5 am and we had to get there about an hour early. CRAZY! It was COLD and WINDY! At this point, I was wondering what I had gotten myself into! My first run was almost 5 miles and it was my most uphill. I made it through that one with pretty nice weather. I wondered how I was going to do it 2 more times though. We didn't sleep well the night before and I was tired!

I took a pen and wrote on my forearm, BUSTING IT FOR BLAKE! I decided to think about him during my next two runs and have him help me make it through. My second run was in the heat of the day. It was about 5 pm and there wasn't any shade in my run. There was no wind (I could have used some of that 5 am coolness) just hot asphalt under my feet and no shade. I was hot and tired.

While I was trudging along, feeling a bit discouraged I would keep looking down at my arm. I was thinking about Blake and a Lonestar Song Came on my Ipod, I'm Already There. During these lyrics a breeze came and blew through my hair. I felt like Blake was there with me, helping me along.

I'm already there

Take a look around
I'm the sunshine in your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind
I'm your imaginary friend
And I know, I'm in your prayers
Oh I'm already there

That was my hardest run and I made it! Thanks for your help, Blake!

Jimmy had a really hard second run too! (He also wrote that on his arm) It was 8 miles and all uphill, some of it really steep uphill. He was amazing the whole time though and had a bounce to his run like he wasn't even tired. It seemed like his leg just kept on going FOREVER. He had tons of road kill (that's when you pass people). I mostly got road killed on my runs. :)

We went to a high school after his run and had a hot meal of spaghetti (tasted amazing) and showered (in luke warm showers- it was awful) And then we went into the dark gym and found a place on the wrestling mats to sleep (or at least try to sleep for an hour or two until our turn to run again. I was able to doze off for a bit, I had white noise playing on my ipod to drowned out the commotion.

It was about 3 am when we got started with our last leg. It was cold out again. I started my run a little before 5. It was dark still but just showing signs of the sun getting ready to come up over the mountain. This last leg was my easiest. (thank goodness) Deanna's was her hardest right before me (7 miles and much of it was uphill). I got to go back down the hill. :) The sun came over the mountain while I was running and it was beautiful. It was about 4 miles. It was a great run for me, until the end. It showed me ending on the road on our map but instead it had me go up a dirt hill at the end for about 1/2 a mile. It was the longest 1/2 mile ever!!

But I did it! And then Jimmy ran his easiest leg too. ( I say easy but 4 miles isn't so easy when you've had no sleep and already ran 14 miles) Now we just needed to wait for our team to finish off their legs too. We went along with them for the next couple legs and cheered on Giraffe (Richard) and Road Runner (Andrew). They had their hard legs at the end. And they were straight uphill- and did amazing. Richard was sick for the whole thing and had ran 10 miles through the middle of the night. He was a delirious after.

We went to breakfast with our SUV group (we always called it van though because that's what everyone calls the two groups. Van 1 and Van 2) at a sit down place and felt like falling asleep at the table. (I think Brain did for a bit) Then we went to the Park City High School and waited for our last runner, Sharlynn, to come in. We would run with her on the track to the finish line as a team. What a great feeling of accomplishment I had as we ran as a team through the Ragnar tunnel.

I was inspired by my memories of Blake, by Jimmy, and by my teammates. We finished in 31 hours.

We signed up to do it again next year with our team the very next week. Now we are thinking... What did we get ourselves into again?

S is for Soccer Stars Conner and Kali

2011-12-20T19:56:00.005-07:00

I still remember the first year Kali played soccer, she was 5 and in kindergarten. She never complained about going to the games. But she wasn't interested in playing in the game. Sometimes she would come and find me on the sidelines and not go back to sit with her team so she could go back in. On the last game of the season, it was freezing and she was wrapped up in a coat on the ground. I was freezing too, so I said to her after halftime when she wouldn't even go over by her team, "Come on, let's go, Kali. You aren't even playing, let's get out of the cold." I didn't think she would object since, clearly she was cold and had no desire to play. But she started to whine and said she didn't want to go. When I asked her why she said, "If I go, then I won't get the treat after the game." So for the whole season, I sat through games she wouldn't play in & I could have just gotten her some Twinkies and Capri Suns and saved myself a lot of cold mornings.

So I thought that would probably be the end of Kali's soccer. Until she got asked to play in a start up competition team. She said she wanted to try it and so we thought we'd give soccer another chance. Now 3 years later, she's been playing on the same team and she actually likes to go in the game and she plays hard. She enjoys practicing and they don't even give out treats after the game. The girls she plays with are great girls and she's become great friends with them. We have a carpool in the neighborhood with 5 other girls and it's fun to listen to them chat while we go to and from practices. Tonight I drove and they were talking about shaving arms, how often they showered, if they showered at night or in the morning and if they sweat during practices.

They are a good team too. They are hoping to be Premier in the next couple years. They won the Adidas cup tournament over the summer, their division last year, and they won in futsal last year. This session of futsal they are playing against their other futsal team for 1st place. So either way, their team will come in first and second.

Conner has been loving soccer ever since he first played when he was in 1st grade. He played rec for a few years and then a neighbor started a competition team. Conner had already tried out and made another competition team but we decided it would be a lot more convenient for us if he practiced close. He played on that team for 2 years and then he really wanted to try out for a more advanced team. It was hard for him though because he loved his coach and teammates. It was hard for us too because we enjoyed the team as well. His cousin, Brigham, ended up trying out for the new team as well. They took three new players and Conner and Brigham made it!!

It's been great having them on the same team. We are impressed with the boys he plays with. He has learned and grown a lot this year. They are a premiere level one team- meaning they are with the best premiere teams. They struggled this season with winning games. Their goalie got hurt and was out the whole season. They didn't move down though to the lower premiere level so we'll see how they will do in the Spring with their goalie back. They are also playing indoor soccer and futsal during the winter.

Conner has been showing Sophie some soccer tricks and now she's saying she wants to play in the Spring. Conner asked me if he could coach her team. I told him if dad coached then they could together. She played a couple years ago and liked to make butterflies with her hands and look at the shadows during the game. I've learned from experience though not to rule out soccer for her. So we will see if she is still interested in a few months.

T is for Two Trips to Park City

2011-12-20T15:09:00.006-07:00

My parents wanted to go on a camping trip for a family reunion this summer. Jimmy brought up a house boat at Lake Powell and that got looked into and then my parents started looking into something closer. So what started out an idea for a humble camping trip ended up a mansion in Park City. We had a great time!

Highlights include:

-hiking

-boating (two days)

-Oreo eating contest without using hands & laying down

-jelly belly spitting contest

-cheese ball & shaving cream contest

-Karaoke

-poker with starbursts

-lots of great meals

-treasure hunts

-hot tubing

-great devotionals morning and night

-playing pool

-pictures of Blake that Steph hung up all around the house

-getting eaten alive by mosquito's during our family pictures

-Emma & Kali performing a dance I taught them

Because of some issues with the house, they offered to let us come again! So we went the first weekend of Nov. We had just done some neat things as a family for Blake's one year anniversary since his death and it was great to get away and spend some more time together as a family.

Some highlights from the second trip included:

-sledding

-movies

-watching a beautiful snow storm (that made it really scary getting back down the hill)

-great devotionals morning and night from the General Conference edition of the Ensign

- Karaoke

-hot tubing

-playing pool

-coloring

-poker with starbursts

M is for Middle School Student, Conner

2011-12-20T14:39:00.003-07:00

So Conner finished off his last year of elementary school in May. He had a great 6th grade year! He had a neat bond with his teacher, Miss Albaugh. They had a fun year. He was on the jump team with other 6th graders that Mr. Bilboa (another 6th grade teacher) ran. They got to travel around to other schools and perform. At the end of the year they had two parent performances for the parents and we got to see what they had been working on all year. We went to the second one and Conner had won the double under contest in the one before- so we were bummed we missed it.

At the end of the year, Conner was awarded the Hope of America Award in an assembly with all the other 6th grade students. He didn't know he was getting it. Each teacher chose a girl and boy from their class to get it. The parents stood in the back behind the divider in the gym so the kids couldn't see them and then we walked up when his teacher called him up.

Conner was excited but nervous to start 7th grade. He missed the back to school night when you figure out where all your classes are and make sure you can get into your locker. They have an A day and a B day so it can get confusing. After he'd been stressing out about it all weekend, I went to school with him early, helped him get his schedule (he couldn't find it, another thing he was stressed about) and we opened his locker a few times, and started going around to his classes. After we went to most of them, he told me he was okay and I could go.

He's adjusted well to middle school. He has been very responsible checking his grades on-line and making sure to get his homework done. Last term, he got on the honor roll and barely missed the high honor roll. He told me his new goal is to get on the high honor roll next time.

A is for Aspiring Pianist, Sophie

2011-12-20T14:27:00.002-07:00

In the fall of 2010, Sophie started taking classes from Melanie Johnson. It's a program called Let's Play Music. Her teacher is amazing and I am so happy with all that Sophie has learned this past year and a half. Last year, they did lots of singing, games & playing their bells. It looked like they were just having a ton of fun but they were actually learning! This year they have started playing the keyboard. I go to class with her once a month (last year it was every other time) so I can keep up with what they are learning and how to help her. I am excited to be learning along with her. Maybe I will be a pianist after all. (since I don't remember hardly anything from when I took piano as a kid) So sad....

The picture above is at their year end recital last year.

S is for Started Kindergarten, Sophie

2011-12-20T07:10:00.006-07:00

Back in Aug. Sophie started Kindergarten. Her teacher is Mrs. Littlefeild and Sophie just loves her. She is young, no kids yet and from California. Sophie goes in the mornings at 11:30 so we have some time in the morning to take it easy.

She is excited that she can read (a little) and sometimes just makes up words that she thinks fits better with the story while she goes along. She loves to play with My Little Ponies and keeps wanting to add to her collection. She watches You Tube videos of My Little Pony toys that kids get and lets me know what she wants her next one to be.
Before school started she lost her first tooth and got her hair cut in a short bob.

I got to go on the field trip to Cornbellies right before Halloween with Sophie's class. That was fun taking them around to the jumping pillows, the wooden play sets, the duck races, the corn maze, and the straw play set with slides. The picture of us above is on the tractor hay ride we did at the end.
This is a picture of Sophie at Jocelyn (her cousin) and Ty's wedding reception in August. She had a great time!
Sophie being a reindeer at the school sing along. The kindergartners sang Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. They had a Polar Express party in class also for their last day before Christmas break.
For her birthday (last Friday), she brought a book to class with a picture of her in the front cover with her signed name. She chose There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell. She instructed me (after we had bought the book) that I needed to sing it when I read. I love this idea her teacher has instead of bringing in treats. Sophie sat right in front of me and giggled the whole time. She is such a happy girl!
She had a kitty party on Sat. She wore a new pink kitty shirt. We made tails and ears for all the girls. We made little collars and then I did a shrinky dink tag for each of them with their names on it. They loved to watch them melt and shrink with my embossing heat gun. We made kitty heads with pipe cleaners for whiskers and played pin the tail on the kitty and a mice toss into the kitty's mouth. Sophie made a little sign that said "Fansy (she sounded it out herself) Feast" for the goldfish crackers she put in a bowl on the floor. She loved opening her gifts and was so excited about the things she got. She wasn't interested in cake or ice cream. Nanny Nette helped make a kitty cake for her and helped me all day get ready for the party. Grandpa took Scotty on a Walmart shopping trip to get him out of our hair for a couple hours. It was wonderful having the extra help. Scotty took a HUGE nap and slept through the whole party, it was great! At the end we gave each girl a frosted pillow box with a thank you note (her invites were similar) and we put a Kit Kat bar, goldfish crackers, mouse, her tail, ears, and collar (if she wanted to take them off), and her kitty she made. Sophie was was so happy with how it all went and how many of her friends came! It was a great 6th birthday!

Thanksgiving in the heat!

2011-11-29T20:14:00.004-07:00

This year we went to St. George for Thanksgiving. Jimmy's parents moved there this summer and I think we will enjoy getting out of the cold for visits during the winter. Although, it wasn't too cold here either.

The highlights from our trip were

-The Kendall Family (Jimmy's sister) drove in from Texas

-Sophie saying, "look DYU" When she saw the big D on the hill.

-Kneaders when we rolled into town

-Girls shopping while the boys golfed

-the bug net that kept Scotty in his portacrib at night (got it new from a lady down the street $1 off KSL)

-Kassie (our sister-in-law) & Arriana came from SLC

-Jon Atkin family came from S. Jordan

-a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner

-bingo ($10 for the winners, we had 3 winners in our family)

-pies

-homemade French toast with Kneaders bread

-Snow Canyon hiking

-In & Out

-Tuacahn's live nativity, hot cocoa, Santa, dancing to Christmas music, pictures by the tree

-Pizza Factory

-spam & eggs, hash browns & biscuits the morning we left

Just One More Book- pleeeeease!

2011-11-16T06:08:00.008-07:00

A couple months ago, I went to an Osborne book party at my neighbors. I've always believed it's important to read to my kids. With my mom being an elementary school teacher, she has always stressed the importance. Sometimes it's good to get a reminder though to step it up a bit. The lady that sells the books based her presentation on the Read-aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. It is a great resource for finding studies that have been done with reading aloud to children and has great suggestions for age appropriate books. Very motivating!

The lady that did the class had some great ideas to help get more reading done with your kids. One of her suggestions was to display your child's books so they can see the cover. When your child can see the cover, it makes the book so much more interesting to them and more likely to pick up. She even went as far as to say they will grab books and look at them rather than playing with toys.

Sophie's books had been in a basket in her closet. It seems like we would usually read the same few books over and over. So I wanted to change that. First, I brought in an unused bookcase that was in the guest room. Then I found some shelves that used to be in the front room but since I had redecorated and not found a new place for the shelves. The lady suggested putting up a rain gutter and displaying the books in that (you can get it inexpensively and in different colors and styles) but I like free even better so I stuck to what I had on hand. (the bookcase and the shelves I got at garage sales a few years ago)

So it has worked. Sophie reads a variety of books now. I switch out the ones that are displayed, I have her pick from the ones that are out when it's reading time, and then put out new ones and I rotate with some of the ones that are in Scotty's room. She keeps saying, "this is my new favorite book," and then says it again when I introduce a new one. I usually read two books to her at night and then have her read one to me. She would have me read to her for hours if she had her way. Yesterday we cleaned up her room and she had books all over the floor mingled with some little stuffed animals. My plan worked, yeah!!

I would say we have a good number of books but I am always adding to our stash. I like to get them at DI for $.25 to $1.50 or at garage sales for $.10 to $1 per book. I have also gotten some off of www.half.ebay.com. When I want a specific title, this is the way to go. It's about $3 for shipping and sometimes the books cost as little as $.75.

Another new find is Jibjab Jr. app for our Ipad. You know those little dancing elves at Christmas time that you add your face too? It's usually all over Facebook. Well, this is an app by them with children's story books. You put your child's face, name and skin tone in and then there is a story that you read them that is animated. There is a cute pizza one for free and then you can preview their others and read part of the story with your child's picture. To buy the book it is $7 for unlimited editing with who's face is in it or get a new book each month for $3 with limited editing. Last night, we spent at least 30 minutes putting the kids faces in and reading the previews and the Pizza book. I might need to invest in the monthly membership. It is great fun and would be nice when we are away from home to have a collection of personalized books. My 11 & 13 yr old even like to play with it and read the stories.

Here's a link to you tube to see Sophie reading the pizza story. (I can't figure out how to make the link live and to upload a video takes FOREVER! So if you want to watch it, you'll have to copy and paste, sorry!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD0pno_SPos

JibJab Jr. Children's Books Starring You

With JibJab Jr. Books, you can make your child the STAR of the show. In just a few simple swipes, you can create personalized storybooks that feature your child's face and name. Your child will be enthralled by the great stories, colorful art, and awesome animations in every JibJab Jr. book. So download the app, turn out the lights and take your child on a personalized journey!

Download from iTunes Download from iTunes >

Add Faces (Boys or Girls)

Easy photo upload from your photo library, Facebook or from your iPad2 camera!

Personalize with a Name

Each book can be customized with your child's name for a truly personal experience.

Choose Skin Tone

Because Sophie and Scotty love me to read to them so much, I also have recorded myself reading several books to my computer, then I transfer it into Itunes (a folder called "books read by mom") and download it onto my little ipod nano. Sophie gets how it works and eventually Scotty will too. I say the title of the book at the beginning and then wait a few seconds so they can find the right book. Then I say "ding" each time the page needs to be turned. The Ipod isn't as easy for her to handle as a CD would be though so I need to burn them on a disk and then I think she would be able to do the whole thing on her own. What a fun thing for my grandkids too eventually. I would have loved to listen to books read by my grandmothers.

My first job & wreaths!

2011-11-14T08:24:00.007-07:00

As a junior in high school, I had a class called career exploration. We got to pick two different jobs and go there for the last two hours of the school day & try it out. For the first half of the trimester, I went to a kindergarten class at Longfellow and helped the teacher. Those kids were adorable and they were so loving and sweet to me. The little girls loved it when I wore my cheer leading uniform for game days.

For the second half, I wanted to actually get a job after I was done with the temp position. My friend, Jeremy was a delivery boy at Staker Floral and one of the girls I cheered with (that was a year older) had gotten a job when she was finished with career exploration. I started a week before Valentines Day and I got thrown into the busiest season they have. They hired me to start working there within a week. So I would go there and work for free during school hours and then start getting paid once school was over.

I loved it- immediately! The people I worked with were great. We had so much fun. Jeremy was a riot and the ladies I worked with were so sweet. The girls my age became some of my best friends and I loved the girls that came home and worked there during the summer when they got back from collage. It was a dream job!

So not only did I work with the best people ever but I learned how to design. I watched for a good year before I became brave enough to do anything big. But by the time I was finished there, (4 years later) I could do casket pieces and wedding flowers.

I've done family members wedding flowers over the years, arrangements for my mom and of course stuff for my own home. I probably do wreaths the most- since they need to be switched out several times during the year.

So I thought I would show my most recent projects.

This first one isn't really anything I made from scratch but I love it! I found this moon with wire around it with a crow glued on at a garage sale for a buck. I didn't love the crow but I did like the moon. Later, I found this cute little homemade sewn owl for another buck. I love owls so I had to have that too. At first I didn't think of paring the two together but then it hit me. (that's usually how my mind works- I like two things and then they come together to make something cool that I love)

The next wreath I made this last weekend. I went to DI with Kali on Sat. after her futsal game (indoor soccer- with a smaller, heavier ball and different rules). Since garage sale season is over, I hit there more frequently. I found a big wreath for $5. It was ugly. It had garland wrapped tight around it, white non-working Christmas lights and then wired Christmas ribbon again wrapped around really tight. (the ribbon, about 5 yards, was actually really cute and I will use that for another project- the rest went in to the trash) It had no shape and luckily whoever made it, didn't glue anything on to it.

First, I lightly spray painted the wreath a sparkly gold color since my door is dark I wanted the wreath it pop. Then I went and found some flowers from my wreath that I am going to need to redo for Christmas this year. (it has been weather beaten but the flowers still looked great) They are some flowers that were 75% off at Bath and Body works after the holidays a few years ago. They had displayed them in big vases all over the store. I am not a huge fan of some fake flowers but these were velvety and classy looking. I also lightly sprayed them with the gold spray paint to give it a glittery look but keeping the burnt orange color.

Next I went to the basement and found some dark orange berry vines that have been just sitting around for years. I'm sure I got them for a great price too but I can't remember the details. I poked those in first, then the flowers, wrapped some gold ribbon around it, and then used some gold spray painted curly willow to finish it off.

I had left over of the orange berry vine so I put it on the backs of the chairs on our front porch.

I bought some fall colored pillows at DI to set out there ($1 to $3 each) and also 3 wooden pumpkins that were a set to put on the little table ($5 for the set).

For my next project, I got my inspiration from Pintrest. My new favorite thing is that website. I'm not just going to get ideas from there though, I am going to actually do many of them. Here was the post about how to do the scrabble wreath http://www.livinglocurto.com/2010/11/diy-burlap-scrabble-wreath/ I just did my own thing though and then used the scrabble tile idea.

I had gotten a scarf at DI for a buck, I was going to keep it to wear but then I got the idea to make a wreath out of it. I already had a Styrofoam wreath form to do it with. I cut out brown and white pinstripe fabric (one of Jimmy's too big shirts) and hot glued that on the back and up the side 1/2 inch. Then I laid the middle seam of the scarf in the middle of the wreath and glued that down. Then I glued it around the side of the wreath. I made some flowers out of fabric and lace and placed them on one side (I like the stripped scarf so I didn't want to cover it all up with the flowers) For the finishing touch, I put on the scrabble tiles. (I still have 1/2 the scarf left so I might do another for a gift or something)

A Year

2011-11-03T06:29:00.006-06:00

The phone was ringing so early. It was about 6 am. I didn't get it in time before the answering machine picked up. When I looked at caller ID, it was my parents. So I called them back & they didn't pick up. They were already on the other line talking to someone else. It was only a minute before they called me back. I went in to Sophie's room, she was in my bed because I didn't want to wake anyone up. My mom said "Angela, Blake died last night." She told me the little she knew about it. He had come home from a Young Men's Youth activity. They had played laser tag. He talked to my brother, Ken (his dad) and his mom, Gina, for a minute and then went down to go to bed. He needed to wake up early in the mornings for school. About 45 minutes later their little dog, Cocoa, kept barking so Ken went to make sure everything was locked up. Gina thought maybe their was a burglar in the house since Cocoa wouldn't be quite.

When Ken went in the basement to he saw a light on and when he rounded the corner to Blake's room. He was laying on the floor. Ken screamed to Gina to call 911 and then Ken yelled to Brandon, 15 yrs old, in the other room to come help him. They gave him mouth to mouth and CPR until the ambulance came. They were never able to get his heart to start beating again. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

So my parents had gotten their call around midnight and had waited until early morning to call me and my sisters and brother. My parents were driving from Idaho to Ken and Gina's as they called us.

I went and woke up Jimmy quietly so Sophie wouldn't wake up. We sat on Sophie's bed and cried. We decided not to tell Conner and Kali until after they came home from school. I didn't know how I was going to tell them their cousin had died.

After we got them off to school and Sophie and Scotty at a neighbors to be watched, we went to Ken and Gina's. It still didn't seem real. How could this have happened?

That night, Pleasant Grove High School had a candlelight vigil. Blake was a senior there. There was a huge crowd paying tribute to him. (the picture below is of Ken (Blake's dad) and Brandon embracing at the vigil)

The next days were filled with tears and planning. I got to work on a video of Blake's life for the viewing at the mortuary. I sat at a computer with Blake's best friend, Aaron, who also made a video and we went through thousands of pictures. It was therapy for me. I loved seeing all the pictures of him and his smiling face. He had a full and good life. His parents had taken him to experience a lot of the world for someone who was just 17.

Months later, we found out that Blake died of his heart beating out of rhythm and that caused cardiac arrest. He was a strong, healthy, active young man but they think he had probably had some cases of this happening before in a smaller degree.

Yesterday was a year from the night he died (late at night). We met at the Mt Timpanogas Temple late in the morning and went through a temple session with my family and a few close friends. Ken went through for Blake. It was a tender, spiritual experience.

We got together for soup and salads in the evening with Gina's and our family. Gina read a children's picture book to us called, Wherever You Are my love will find you. She gave a copy of the book to each family. Inside the book was a scrapbook page they made of pictures of what Blake loved to do

and a photo of the pallbearers from the graveside services on the day of his funeral.

On the left side 4 back, was little Brigham (11 yr. old then) who is too small to be seen. His other brother, Brandon, is in the back. This picture is worth 1,000 words to me.

Gina had also written a poem for Blake a few days ago. She emailed it to me and I put it together with a picture of him. I printed a 4x6 copy for everyone that came to the cemetery and then I made a 12x12 for Ken and Gina.

Then we went over to the cemetery. Ken & Gina had invited Blake's friends and the youth of their ward. They had white balloons for everyone to sign with sharpies, hot chocolate, and donuts. While we went to the temple, Kali had babysat her three cousins, Scotty and Sophie. She helped them all write a note and color a picture for Blake to put on his grave.

We sang a Child's Prayer

Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

Pray, he is there. Speak, he is list'ning.
You are his child; His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer; He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.

Then we sang I Feel My Saviors Love

1. I feel my Savior’s love In all the world around me. His Spirit warms my soul Through ev’rything I see. 2. I feel my Savior’s love; Its gentleness enfolds me, And when I kneel to pray, My heart is filled with peace. 3. I feel my Savior’s love And know that he will bless me. I offer him my heart; My shepherd he will be. 4. I’ll share my Savior’s love By serving others freely. In serving I am blessed. In giving I receive. Chorus He knows I will follow him, Give all my life to him. I feel my Savior’s love, The love he freely gives me.

Then Gina had Brandon (16), Brigham (12), and Emma (10) come up. They had signed a yellow balloon instead of white. Then we all let our balloons go. Some of the kids had flashlights that they were shining on the balloons as they went up and it made them look like they had lights inside them. The moon was a crescent shape and it was reflecting off of the balloons as they disappeared into the night sky.

Blake was an amazing guitar player. This year his brother, Brandon, started taking lessons. My brother, Ryan and Brandon changed the words to a Pink Floyd song, played guitars and sang last night. It was so touching. I'm sure Blake is so proud of his little brother. They were so close and Brandon misses him so much. And I am so thankful to my brother, Ryan, for spending lots of time with Brandon. I bet it's healing for both of them.

Then we shared memories of Blake. A friend had written a rap for him, it had neat words. I'd like to get them from him. Another girl was an artist and had pencil sketched a picture of Blake and then made a collage of the things he loved. That was amazing. She had framed it for Ken & Gina and then also gave them the smaller original. Other family members and friends shared stories. Steph and Camile (my sisters) did a cheer that spelled Blake's name that we used to do when he was younger. That was fun. His young men's advisor had spent the last night with Blake playing laser tag. He told a funny story about Blake from that night. It was neat hearing what people had to say.

When we came home we put the little two to bed and then let Conner and Kali stay up for a bit. Conner said he was scared because it was about the same time Blake had died. So he came into our room and we laid in bed and talked about the past year. He recalled how he didn't cry when I first told him about Blake. But then when I told Kali he was sitting on the couch with Jimmy and he broke down. He was only supposed to be in bed with me until Jimmy came to bed but then Jimmy saw on the news that a 13 yr old boy died yesterday in S. Jordan when he was hit by a car crossing the street on the way to school. So Jimmy came to bed and cuddled with Conner all night.

It was a emotional day yesterday that had a healing effect on me. Ken and Gina planned a very special day for us all. I am grateful for families and for my knowledge that families can be together forever. I love and miss you, Blake!

Hitting the Yard Sale Jackpot & Yard Sale Tips

2011-10-17T06:44:00.012-06:00

I started this post over a month ago and never finished it. It is such a pain to place pictures in the right place after downloading them. (that's what took the longest) So I didn't post all the pictures I wanted to for sake of time. I am certainly rusty at this!

I LoVe hitting garage sales early on Saturday mornings. I have a physical reaction when I see garage sale signs. My mouth waters a bit and my heart beats a bit faster! (that sounds crazy to admit but it is true!!)

Jimmy was out of town this weekend (Lake Powell Man-cation) so when Scotty woke before 7, we jumped in the car and hit the bank, I withdrew $60 bucks (usually I do $40 but I decided since Jimmy was living it up on a houseboat, kidless, I'd treat myself to a little more)

So here is what I found....

Home Sweet Home plaque (trade with Brooke from cheerleading classes for her girls this summer) free :) (all decor on top is from DI or garage sales)

Our family is forever temple plaque and a family plaque (not shown) (free- Brooke)

a large black & white (vintage, antique?) wooden cat $1 (I got the other two cats at DI last year and I like putting them out at Halloween)

A tiny bike for Scotty $1

A pink, black and white dress for Sophie. $1 (she wore it to church on Sunday- so cute!)

A red Theodore California"church" purse from the 60's $1 The cute old lady told me she didn't use it much because it was a pain to transfer all her stuff from one purse to another. Then she asked if I would use it and if I liked it. I love, love the style!

metal wall hangings (6 of them) $8

(I spray painted them black and put them in Kali's room for her to use as magnet boards for pictures and notes)

7 baskets for Kali's shelf (Brooke) free :)

Two small vases/pitchers (green & aqua) for Kali's room $.50

a Metal letter C to put in Conner's room (I am going to spray paint this orange so I'll post a picture when I get it done) $1

a kids art display board $1

An old copy of Green Eggs and Ham $.10 ( I memorized this book when I was little... I can't believe I haven't had a copy until now)

5 little cars for Scotty $.25 each (Each time I stopped, I would tell him I would look for a car for him. I could leave him in the car and he would play with his new truck and wait for a new one. He was such a little trooper and it well worth the $1.25!

A huge framed print $5 (I might take out the print and put something else in it eventually, but for now I have it hanging in the hall in the basement)

A pair of jeans for Sophie $3 (a little pricey for a garage sale but still cheaper than DI)

A pair of black and grey stripped leggings for Sophie $.50

6 homemade, fresh, hot cinnamon rolls to bring home to my hungry kids $.50 each (I should have bought the whole pan) My kids loved them and there were none left for Jimmy when he got home last night

Fabric for a Peacock costume for Sophie. $3

2 pairs of shoes for Scotty, a multicolored Nike pair and an all black Air Jordan pair $2 each (he needed them badly, I've been holding off buying new ones at the store just for a day like today :)

Hat for Conner $.50

My most exciting purchase was made at the very end of the day. I was leaving to go to Kali's soccer game at around 3 and thought I would stop at the neighbors sale to see if they were still out. My friend, Emily, was selling some benches she got to go around a fire pit they haven't gotten yet. She sold me all four benches for $5 plus she threw in a wall growth chart for free. The benches are wobbly and need some screws and a little TLC but for $5 I couldn't go wrong! (plus I think they are charming just how they are)

I know I left out some little odds and end things but at the end of the day I still had $15!

Sometimes friends say "you are just lucky to find things at garage sales." I don't think that's true. I think everybody can find treasure at garage sales. So here are some tips that work good for me that I've learned over the years.

-I stop at garage sales even if it doesn't look like they have anything good from the road. I would have passed up that little old ladies on Sat. (I got the red purse and two small pitchers from her) She just had two little tables out and most of the stuff I wasn't even remotely interested in. But then in the middle of what seems like junk will be a treasure. So don't prejudge. (plus the lady was the sweetest- that was worth my stop right there.)

-hit them when they start, the good stuff goes fast especially when it's priced good, I wake up early on Sat. mornings I get up around 6:30 because I am so excited and I look online to find where some are that start at 7. (KSL classified is where I look) Most of them start at 8 or 9 so I hit some early ones first. I usually just stay close to home there are plenty to be found.

-if you see things are priced high, grab a simple item and see if they will come down in price (I don't try to rip people off and usually things are priced good, but some garage sales are just overall priced too high, by the end of the day when they haven't sold anything they will come down) So if this is the case, I don't waste my time at these ones and just leave. There are always tons of great priced garage sale treasures just waiting to be found!

-think outside the box when you see items. Imagine them painted/sprayed a different color or re purposed.

-keep a list of items that you are looking for, (hold off buying items at the store because as soon as you do, you'll find it for 1/8 of the price at a garage sale) If there are tons of things at the yard sale ask if they have an item (ex. toddler boys shoes size 7) then they can direct you to the right area or tell you they don't have it so you don't waste time looking. Sometimes they may not have it out but be willing to sell it. On Sat. I asked if they had any tiny My Little Ponies and the lady went inside and came out with three and then she didn't charge me for them when we totaled my amount.

-don't be afraid to stow things away for Christmas and birthdays. I found a brand new hat for Conner on Saturday that I am tucking away. Kali accidentally saw it and wanted it so if he doesn't like it, I know she does. I've found ipod docks that I've given the kids, toys, clothes, ect for birthdays. I also have found things I use for reward charts. Sometimes I give the kids things that they need now after I go garage "sailing" but more often I tuck it away for later.

-sometimes there are cute boutique homemade items at garage sales that are super cheap. These are great for girlfriend, Visiting Teaching, and Mother's Day gifts. I keep that in mind when I shop.

-I used to grab things at garage sales for great prices and then resell them on Ebay, craigslist or KSL. Baby items sell great on KSL- especially during the winter when there are no garage sales. Also name brand clothes in great condition. (Gymboree has been my best seller for clothes on Ebay)

-for everything you bring home, take an item to DI or a local thrift store (or have your own garage sale) It's easy for things to add up. So make sure you are getting rid of stuff you no longer use or have outgrown.

I have garage sale withdraws during the winter! DI is fun but not as cheap! I'll have to do a post of some of my latest DI finds though because there are treasures there too! My house is decorated with garage sale and DI finds in every room. I would say that's where most of my home decor comes from.

For my friends that live close and want to come around with me next spring. I'll help you find treasures of your own!

Better late than never!

2011-10-16T20:42:00.005-06:00

So it's been about a year and a half since I've posted. Yikes! I feel over whelmed every time I think about starting up again. It's not like I blogged very much since I had baby #4 and it seems like I slowed way down once he came along. As a result of my long absence to blogging, I had a hard time remembering how to change my header and I forgot how to change my background color... but one thing at a time.

So last November, my friend, Cecily, ( http://www.mychaosmybliss.com ) from the days back in the Village (Ogden, Weber State) came to the American Fork Amphitheater (by the Mount Timpanogus Temple) and took our family pictures for us. With those photo's I made the collage (the one in the header) and ordered a big canvas from Costco. I ordered it for Jimmy for his birthday (it was more of a present for me though, :) & I have it hanging in the entry hallway.

Just tonight, I was inspired to do a project with the Family Proclamation to the World with a family picture in the background. I did this for a Christmas gift for Ken & Gina and their family a couple years ago with their family picture.

My brother, Ken, took the picture I used at my cousin, Andera's, wedding last year. My sunglasses were on the top of my head for all the pictures. Woops!) After I take down our Halloween owl art above the couch, I'm going to hang it there. It's going to be a 16x20 print in a matted frame. Here's a peek of the jpeg.

With both of these projects I used the program Memory Mixer 3. Whenever I want to do a digital project, that's my go to. It's user friendly and although it's limited in what I can do, I just don't have the time or patience right now to learn photoshop. (it's on my list of to-do's though)

Both these projects have reminded me it's time to get new family pictures taken. This year, my friend Steph ( www.steph@picsbysteph.com ) from Lehi is going to be taking our family pictures. She took our family pictures in 2005, when we only had 2 kiddos! This year, I taught her two girls cheer for the summer for a photo shoot trade. I keep telling myself I need to loose 10 lbs before we do it but it's getting colder and the kids are getting older!!

Mothers Day Last Year

2010-05-09T20:49:00.004-06:00

So last year at this time, I was in labor with Scotty. I remember wondering if it was the real thing because I wanted to go natural and I didn't know if I could do it without PIT. With my three other kids, I ended up getting it for some reason or another so I didn't know if my body would do it on it's own. I sat through all my church meetings and listened to thoughts on Mothers. I was so anxious to meet the little guy in my tummy and hoping that this was it.

So after having contractions all night and just sleeping in between them (sort of). I didn't want to bug Jimmy because I wanted to wait and use him to help me through the tough stuff. Finally, at about 5:30 I thought I have had enough at home and I wanted to go to the hospital. At this time, I wasn't sure if anything was progressing (I'd always had an epidural by now). And although, I wanted to go natural, I thought if this pain isn't making something happen then forget going natural and get me an epidural. I told Jimmy he could take a shower and we needed to get Sophie up to take to Ken & Gina's. They lived just a few minutes from the hospital. I wanted to stop by McDonald's so Jimmy could get some breakfast and I thought I'd want something too but then changed my mind (food just didn't sound good). I called my Dr. on the way to let him know I was headed in. He knew I wanted to go natural and wanted me to call him when I couldn't stand it at home anymore. He was going to play basketball by the hospital and said to have the nurse call him after I got checked.

The car ride was so uncomfortable. Every bump we hit made the contractions start again. They were coming every 3-5 minutes. Jimmy dropped me off at the front of the hospital so I didn't have to walk as far. I didn't make it very far because I had a contractions and it was so uncomfortable I couldn't move. It was kind of funny when we got inside there was another couple going up to have their baby too. They had theirs scheduled though and she was looking like she was fine, I was barely moving and wanted to moan with each step.

When we got to the room the nurse left to get my chart or something and so Jimmy and I were alone for a few minutes. I had told her I had wanted to go natural but now I wasn't so sure anymore. She said she'd check me and we could see what I thought. I was afraid I'd be at a 3 and all that pain had been for such little progress. So Jimmy gave me the speech that I had told him to give me. "Come on Ang, you can do it. You are strong and I'll help you get through it. You really want to do this remember." OK, that speech sounded a lot better when I wasn't in pain. I said, "I don't care, I am in so much pain I just want one. But I'll wait and see how far along I am. If I am close then I can do it."

So when she checked me I was at an 8. I was so excited, I think I cried a bit. I had done it!! I made it almost to the end and I could do the rest. They called Dr. Christensen and he came to the hospital instead of to basketball. I had listened to some birthing hypnosis that I had gotten off of Itunes for a couple weeks prior. So I remembered the visualization part that they talked about and I imagined that I was at a tropical waterfall with a small pond. It was beautiful with flowers and white flowing fabric draped around a nice massage table. Jimmy was there with me, looking handsome all dressed in white. When a contraction came, I would do a low moan and escape to my tropical Paradise. I would also picture my little baby coming into the world. Jimmy was encouraging me, telling me how awesome I was doing whenever I could have a contraction. Kara and Dave had given my neighbor and I a little class on the Bradley Method. (partner coached childbirth) So Jimmy was being supportive and involved. I had told him no blackberry during my labor. (not like there was down time anyway)

Dr. Christensen broke my water when he got there. There was no time for an IV or those monitors that they put on the baby to make sure their heartbeat is right. They checked it at the beginning but then said we didn't need it. Dr. Christensen just hung out in the room with us while I contracted. I felt so hot. Jimmy had the nurse get a cool washcloth and he would hold that on my forehead and give me ice chips.

There was no screaming or getting mad at Jimmy like I have heard sometimes happens. I felt in control and I felt powerful. At the end, when it was time to push it wasn't painful like I thought it would be. It just felt natural- it sounds crazy probably but my body was ready to have him. He was a little purple when he came out so we held oxygen to his nose.

I kind of felt like I was a bit in shock after- like it had all happened so fast. I didn't take any medicine after and now I wish I would have taken some ibuprofen. It was hard for me to walk and it hurt to turn or lift my legs to get off my bed to use the bathroom or scotch on my bed to get Scotty out of his little bed. I think I was really swollen or something and about a day after once I started taking the ibuprofen I was able to get around better. I was trying not to take anything that would get into my milk but being able to walk and get my baby were more important.

Gina came to the hospital a couple hours later with Sophie. Sophie was really cute with him. Mom and Dad drove from Idaho to come see us. Mom got the stomach flu on the way though and so she stayed in the car and didn't come in the hospital (poor mom) and then that night they stayed at a hotel so no one else would get sick. (and no one did) It was so wonderful to have their help. They do everything when they come stay. My house is never cleaner and my kids get lots of great attention. We all hate to see them leave.

Conner and Kali came with Jimmy later to see their little brother. They were so excited. They loved to hold him and didn't want to leave us.

I can't believe it's already been a year! It has flown by!

I am so grateful to be a mother of 4 healthy, happy (most of the time) kids!

Conner's 11!!

2009-10-05T07:58:00.002-06:00

Wow, I can't believe Conner is already 11. Less than a year, and he'll be receiving the Priesthood. He is such a great kid. He loves his little brother Scotty and showers him with kisses all the time. He is also so sweet to Sophie. It gives me a little glimpse at what a great dad he'll be.

He's been staying busy these last couple months. He has been playing tackle football for the first year. He says he likes the games but not the practices. He says they hit too much at practice. Since he is such a lightweight, he's not too excited about being hit by guys twice his weight. He looks so cute in his pads. He has also been playing on a competition soccer team again this year. His team is undefeated and it's been so much fun watching them play.

Conner is in 5th grade this year and has his first male teacher. He is liking him a lot and says he explains math really well.

Conner loves to hear stories from when he was little or stories from my childhood. He also loves to cuddle. Oh, I just want him to stay this age and not grow up any more. He brings such joy into our lives!

On his birthday, I woke up early and made homemade Carmel syrup (like Kneaders) and made some thick french toast. Conner loves that. We all sat around the table for breakfast as a family (that usually isn't how mornings work). He also opened his presents in the morning. I found a great garage sale that had tons of clothes his size in like new condition. (one still had the tag on even) So he got tons of nice clothes and I only spent 50 cents a piece. He had scouts and then soccer practice practice after school. So we got a late start celebrating. Jimmy's mom was in town visiting grandma so she came over. Conner wanted to go to Applebees. So we went there and had dinner. Then we came home and had his birthday brownie cake.

Love you Conner!

Now and Then

2009-09-20T21:52:00.002-06:00

Since weddings and anniversaries have been on my mind lately, I thought I'd post these funny pics of Steph trying on Jen & I's wedding dresses last year. Jen got married in 91- her dress cracks me up now. Jimmy and I got married in 97 and mine isn't much better. We were laughing so hard when Steph tried them on. Camile's dress is still looking like it could be worn today. I wish I would have taken a picture of it too. Anyway, my mom has a closet full of 3 wedding dresses, slip and veils. I think that's part of the reason my mom pushed for Steph renting hers. What do you do with an old wedding dress anyway? It could be neat to make a blessing dress out of- but too late for that now. (maybe my grandbabies)Jen's dress- (love the collar)

My dress

A Dozen Years

2009-09-20T21:35:00.005-06:00

Well, our anniversary is past and gone but I wanted to post this picture I took. Jimmy and I were introduced to the game Bananagrams a couple months ago and we've had fun playing each other. It's like a speed scrabble game where you try and use up all your letters the fastest. Anyway, I made a little crossword with words that describe being married to Jimmy for the last 12 years!

We went to Olive Garden and had dinner while we took turns holding Scotty. Then we went to Paradise Bakery and got some cookies to take home. (they were closing so they gave us a deal)

I am looking forward to another year with my best friend!

Scotty at 4 Months

2009-09-19T12:20:00.004-06:00

Scotty is already 4 months old! Wow, time has flown by. He is such a fun little guy. Conner and Kali love for him to be their alarm clock in the mornings. It's hard for them to wake up grumpy when they have little Scotty in their face. He smiles so big, cut his first tooth last week, rolls over, and laughs when we work at it a bit. He takes good naps during the day, plays by himself pretty well, and used to sleep until about 5 am but now that he's cutting another tooth he's waking up more. When he gets overly tired he does this little humming, moaning sound to get himself to sleep. Conner said he thinks this is the funnest stage. (I bet he'll keep saying that though)

At his doctor appointment on Thurs. he was 15 lb. & 25 inches close to 50%ile in both.

School, Football, Soccer & Amy

2009-09-19T11:56:00.003-06:00

Conner and Kali on their first days of 4th & 5th grade! I just want them to quit growing and just stay in Elementary School. The school year zipped by last year and I remember taking a picture of them on their bikes like it was yesterday. Sophie started preschool last week and this is her on her first day. She gets to go with her little best friend, Ava, so she hasn't had a hard time adjusting.

Sophie has gotten a lot of park time these last few weeks. Kali & Conner have soccer and football games on Tues, Wed, and all day Sat. So if there is a park close by the field that's where Sophie
wants to be. Scotty does good at the games and seems to enjoy the action on the field. We have friends on all their teams so it's fun for me to go and watch too. Since Scotty's birth, I just don't get out too much during the day so it's a good way for me to get fresh air and some adult conversations.

It sure has been busy though. We have games and practices every night of the week. Put on top of that homework, Scouts, Activity Days, piano (Kali), choir (Kali), and a new pet Guinea pig, Amy. Jimmy is also helping coach both soccer and football so that has added to the craziness. As much as I'm loving watching the kids play, I'll be relieved to have our nights back and our Saturdays at home. Then I guess it will be time for basketball and indoor soccer season though so I guess life stays busy.

Shrinking Mama of 4

2009-09-19T07:58:00.002-06:00

So a couple of months ago, I decided to join Weight Watchers. So by combining following that program and working out, I've lost 12.5 pounds. It's been slow but I'm heading in the right direction. That is partly to blame for my lack of blogging. It seems like between having a new baby, trying to keep up on house work, and working out everyday, I have hardly any time left for blogging. I get so far behind reading everyone's blogs that it takes me forever to catch up. (sorry for no comments anymore when I read your blogs- I love hearing what everyone is up to though) I do think blogging is important though and I need to recommit to posting again. It's like my journal and my family loves to read through it.

Jason & Kassie's Wedding

2009-09-19T07:46:00.003-06:00

So I'm about a month behind posting this but at least it's a stat to getting caught up. On the 15th of Aug. Jason & Kassie got married. It was great to see family again- that's twice this summer that the whole klan has gotten together. We are excited to have Kassie in the family! Now all the siblings are married on both sides of our families.

S'mores Cupcakes

2009-07-05T17:04:00.004-06:00

For Father's Day, the Relief Society puts up a treat buffet for the men to enjoy during priesthood. This year, I made s'mores cupcakes and they were so yummy and a great way to enjoy s'mores without smelling like campfire.

S'mores Cupcakes

1 yellow cake mix (follow directions on box)

1 c. crushed graham crackers added to batter

1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Hershey bar

put into cupcake tins and bake as directed on box

Ice with a jar of marshmallow cream when cooled and dip in a bowl of the mini chocolate chips. Poke a small section of a Hershey bar in each. (I put two teddy grahams on top of a cupcake and it looked really cute but more kiddish so I didn't do it to the rest and I ate that one)

If your not going to eat them right away, put them in the fridge so the marshmallow cream doesn't melt.

Father's in my Life

2009-07-05T15:58:00.003-06:00

In Relief Society, on Father's Day, we went around the room and each said something about our
Fathers that we love. We did this last year too and it always makes me cry. There are so many great qualities my dad has and so I could relate to what a lot of the ladies were saying. My dad is a great grandpa. He has been coming with my mom to help out when I've had a baby- (besides Kali- my mom flew to Albuquerque by herself for that) He is so great with the kids- he always carts the babies around and bounces them softly right to sleep. He sometimes falls asleep himself. I can imagine him as a young dad doing the same thing with me.

Some of the girls in my ward have already lost their dads. It made me think how grateful I am that mine is still in great health. It made me realize though that I shouldn't take advantage of the opportunities I have to still tell him how much I love him and what I love about him. I am still lucky enough to have my dad's dad alive also. I can see where my dad gets his loving touch with kids. My grandpa is also such a softy. Just recently when we were at my parents house, my grandpa was there visiting also. A country song that he likes was playing and he scooped Sophie up and started dancing with her. When he saw that she was sleepy, he kept rocking her around to the music and she fell asleep in his arms.

The other two dad's in my life are Jimmy and his Dad. I remember the first time I met Jimmy's dad when we were engaged, we were driving on the freeway in Oregon and a mommy duck and her little ducklings were crossing the road. He started saying in this concerned tender voice, "Hurry mommy duckies and baby duckies, hurry, hurry." It was so cute and I knew then that he was a softy too. He is such a family man and although there is a bunch of us, he loves it more than anything when we can all be together.

Jimmy is such a wonderful dad. I love to watch him look at our kids. There is a light a sparkle when he sees them. A few weeks ago in sacrament meeting we sung I am A Child of God for the opening song. Sophie loves that song and usually she doesn't sing in sacrament meeting but this time she sung out with all her little voice could give. Jimmy was holding her and watched her with tears rolling down his checks. It was such a tender moment. At night we always check on the kids before we go to bed. Jimmy has a hard time letting them sleep with all the kisses he plants on them while they are sleeping. Some wives beg their hubbies to have more kids, not me- Jimmy has wanted to have our last two so bad and just waited on me to be ready. However, if we have anymore, I might have to be the one to do a little persuasion. Although, I think he would be easy to convince.

Not only are these Dads all wonderful men, they are also all worthy priesthood holders which means so much to me. This last week, Jimmy tweeked his back and was in a lot of pain. After dealing with it for a couple days without relief, he asked his Dad and brother, Jon, to give him a priesthood blessing. Not only is Jimmy feeling so much better now, but it was also a great example to our kids to reach out when they are in need of a father's blessing or a blessing of healing. I am so grateful I had the priesthood in my home as I was growing up and that I can enjoy it now also with my own family.

I am so grateful for the great examples of fathers that Conner and Scotty have to look to. Conner is so loving to Sophie and Scotty (not so much to Kali), it gives me a little glimpse of the kind of dad he'll be someday.

Scotty's Blessing Day

2009-07-04T19:31:00.003-06:00

Last Sunday, (June 28th) we blessed Scotty. What a neat blessing Jimmy gave him. We had lots of family here from the family reunion- all of Jimmy's side was there along with Camile & Aaron's family, Ken & Gina with Brigham & Emma, Steph & Bryant (the Newlyweds) and Mom & Dad. This month in our ward we have a theme of a Music enriching our lives. So our sacrament program was members of our ward sharing their favorite hymns and then we would sing it. It was a great meeting.

After we came to our house and had brunch. We had a yummy breakfast casserole, muffins, juice, yogurt and fresh fruit. I told Camile I'd post the recipe for the casserole.

Breakfast Casserole

1 lb sausage browned (can use ham too)

6 eggs beaten

4 cups shredded cheese (your choice)

4 cups shredded frozen hash browns- thawed

1 cup milk

1/2 t. salt

mix all together and bake for 35-45 minutes at 350* (super easy to make the night before and then just pop in the oven- I quadrupled the recipe and put it on one sheet cake pan and two 9x13 pans)

Family Reunion at Bear Lake

2009-07-04T09:05:00.004-06:00

Last Monday, we had our family reunion with Jimmy's side of the family. All six kids, twenty two grand kids and Mom & Papa all got together for a week of boating, wave running, games, yummy food, hot tubbing, talent show, Family Olympics, Cory's birthday, Karaoke, basketball, softball, Kassie's bridal shower and more yummy food! We stayed in a huge house with 10 master bedrooms, 3 fridges, 5 ovens, 2 hot tubs and enough room for all of us and then some. Here's some pictures of the fun week!

Bird Business

2009-07-04T08:53:00.002-06:00

We have had hundreds of birds in our backyard! There has been an infestation of grasshoppers and the birds are in heaven eating all of them off our lawn. The other day it started raining hard and one of the birds came in a vent on our roof and ended up in our little utility closet. We could hear it flapping around in there every once and awhile. Sophie was especially curious about it but I told her not to open it because the bird might fly at her face and peck her nose. I thought I scared her enough not to open the door but awhile later she came to me and told me the bird was black. After trying to figure out what to do with it over night, I came up with a plan. I got a laundry basket and a baby gate and I was going to trap it and then let it go outside. When I opened the door it started flying into the basket and then decided to go higher and flew right past a squealing Jimmy into Conner's room. It flew to the window and smacked itself and then I opened the window and it flew into the back of my head as I was trying to get the screen off. (that's when I screamed) When we got the screen off it flew right out into the field behind our house and I'm sure it had a great big breakfast of grasshoppers.

Spooning

2009-07-04T08:21:00.002-06:00

When we were in Bear Lake last week, Conner stubbed his toe in packed down sand while playing football. After it didn't feel better and was bruised and swollen we took him in to the Dr. when we got home. Sure enough he had broken it. So he has a orthopedic shoe that he runs around it (he is getting around great and tries to still do as much as he can).

A few mornings ago, I saw he was laying in his bed awake. So I walked in his room and asked him how his toe was feeling. He said good then said, "Is Scotty still sleeping?" When I told him yeah, he then said. "Will you cuddle with me for a minute?" So of course I cuddled right up to him and wondered how much longer until he'll think he's too old for that. I need to take advantage of it as long as I can. He is so sweet and I don't want him to get any older. I look at Scotty, who at moments looks so much like Conner to me, and think how fast it's gone since Conner was an infant. Time goes by so fast!

Challenger Soccer Camp

2009-06-28T22:51:00.003-06:00

The second week of summer vacation, Conner and Kali had a British Soccer camp I signed them up for. British pros come to the US and teach camps all over the states. They both loved it and were so sad when the week was over. They had a crazy hair day one day and the last day of camp they had a world cup tournament. Conner was on the Brazil team and Kali, England. They spent time the day before getting their uniforms just right. They both learned new skills and improved throughout the week.

Sophie's Wardrobe

2009-06-28T22:26:00.003-06:00

Sophie is so silly when it comes to clothes. She has three things she likes to wear- her purple pajamas with the flower, her red velvet Christmas dress and her swimsuit. Her pajamas and her velvet dress are both long sleeve and meant for cold weather but she still sports them in the summer. Her swimsuit seems more normal to wear now although it has nothing to do with her actually getting wet. It also seems like she has a constant weggie as she is wearing it. The only time she is not wearing one of these things is when we go to church or when I take her out of the house with me somewhere (lately I haven't been doing that much). Usually, the minute we get home she wants to change back into one of her 3 favorites. I hid the red velvet dress from her up in her closet, it's been out of site for weeks, somehow today it reappeared though! Dang it!

Down and Derby

2009-06-28T22:16:00.003-06:00

Conner had his pine wood derby for Scouts a few weeks ago. This was his last year participating. His first year, we had some car troubles and his didn't even make it to the end of the track. Not the best way to start his pine wood derby experience. The next year, ('08) Conner and Jimmy spent more time on his car and he came in 5th place. He was so excited his car made it down the track and even more excited that he placed. This year, he brought home the gold! He came in 1st place- way to go!

The Happiest Place On Earth

2009-06-07T19:03:00.004-06:00

No, I'm not talking about Disneyland- I'm talking about the Temple. Yesterday, my little sister, Steph, got married in the temple. What a wonderful experience it was. We had a big surprise while we were in the sealing room. Bryant and Steph came in and while we were waiting for the sealer to come in, our prophet, President Monson, came to the door. I nudged Jimmy because I saw him first, and we were both in awe. We all stood up and he came in and started shaking hands of those in the front row. He shook Ken's hand (my bro) and commented on his pink and black tie, he said he liked it. He then moved on and when he shook, Aaron's hand, (my brother-in-law) he said, "you must be related." (because he had the same tie on) Then he noticed most of the guys in the room had that tie- all the brothers and brother-in-laws were wearing them. He said he has been to many sealings and this was a first- the pink and black tie wedding he called it. I thought he was just popping in but then he just kept on staying and no other sealer was coming in. It was amazing being in the same room as him. He was so great- just like I thought he would be. He told funny stories and touching stories. He knew Bryant's grandma- they went to High School together and I think they went on a date or dates together. And they each still have a quarter that they exchanged; President Monson said his was in his sock drawer and he had just seen it that morning. I'll have to get the story from Bryant when they get back from their honeymoon. His advice to them was the same advice he got when he was sealed to his wife- to kneel in prayer everyday together taking turns offering the prayer. He said he has been doing that since he was married in 1948 (61 years). It seems like such simple advice but so important. How can you stay angry after a disagreement if each day you kneel together in sincere prayer. They were sealed together in room B- which used to be rooms 13 and 14 until they were combined to make one larger room. He made the comment, "who would want to be sealed in room 13? Especially, if it was Friday the 13th. So he made the suggested to use letters instead of numbers. It was so neat listening to his stories and taking in the Spirit that he brought to the room. I was so excited for Steph to be sealed to Bryant by the Prophet! What a great way to start a marriage and what a great story to tell their kids someday! He said he was going to write in his journal that night about the pink and black tie wedding.

After Steph got into her dress, they came out for pictures. It was so neat watching all the little neices swarm around her. She has been the best Aunt to them. They all think she is so beautiful, like a princess and they admire her and look up to her so much. I am so thankful that she is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. She is such a great example to them and I can't think of a better role model for them.

We got pictures taken and then went to a luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. Very yummy! Jimmy and I went and got the sheet cakes from Costco that my parents ordered and then back to the JSM building for family pictures with Steph out of her wedding dress. And then it was time for the reception. It was a nice night and fun to see relatives that I haven't seen for awhile.

I'll never forget what a neat day it was yesterday. Seeing the Prophet so close was one of those life changing experiences for me that makes me evaluate my life and where I want to be compared to where I'm at.

Love is in the Air

2009-06-01T07:51:00.004-06:00

This summer we have a couple of family weddings. My little sis, Steph, is getting married this Saturday to Bryant. On Thursday, we have her bridal shower. I can't believe it's getting this close! Time sure has flown by these past few months. We sure like Bryant a lot. Steph was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Bryant has been so supportive and loving to her. I know he'll take good care of her and she'll take care of him too. We are looking forward to the new addition to the family! Now I just need to find a black skirt and top (dresses aren't so great for nursing)- that will be a project for the week. I also have my sister from Idaho coming to stay with her 6 kids for 5 days so I need to figure out meals and get the house all ready.

Here's the invitation I made for Steph-

Jimmy's, younger brother, Jason is also getting married in August. We've enjoyed getting to know Kassie and her daughter Arianna (6 years old). They got set up by Jimmy's aunt and the rest is history. We are so happy for them and look forward to adding Kassie & Ari to the family! I am going to be doing their flowers for the wedding (which I love to do)- I just hope my two littlest ones will be supportive of the time it will take to do that.

Here's the invitation I made for them-

Champion

2009-05-22T09:26:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Conner came home from school so excited. They had a spelling bee with a few of the 4th grade classes and Conner WON! His winning word was Pennsylvania after a boy misspelled exceeded. Way to go Conner- so happy for you!

My friend Dina, who home schools, wrote about spelling in a recent post on her blog. Check it out for some fun spelling ideas. http://inspireyourkids.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-do-you-spell-inspire.html

Here's a cute picture my mom took of Conner when he was out the door for Scouts.

I love this stage!

2009-05-20T09:06:00.004-06:00

The newborn stage passes so quickly. My sister, Camile, had a baby in Feb. and Aubrey looks so big next to Scotty. It's crazy how much they change in even a few months.

I love.....

-how he melts in my arms. He is so soft and smells so sweet.

-the little faces he makes while he sleeps. He puckers, smiles, frowns, & opens his mouth.

-how he stares at me.

-how he fights to open his eyes or keep them open.

-how frantic he gets trying to find his milk.

-how peaceful he looks when he sleeps.

- how he can go from calm to whaling in less than 3 seconds

-his hands when they flail out when he's startled

-when he finishes eating and has milk around his mouth and a look of contentment

-the sweet calm and wonderful spirit of love he's brought into our home.

He had a Dr. appt yesterday at 1 week old. He weighs 8 lb. 13 ou. again. He's been a great little eater and has a cute little double chin to show for it. Despite lack of sleep, I am so happy and feel great.

I told Jimmy I want him to just stay little like this. When they get older they want to look around and push off of you instead of cuddle. I love to hold him and watch him. This stage goes by so quickly- I just wish it would last a little longer.

Out of the Mouth of Babes!!

2009-05-20T08:53:00.003-06:00

When I came home from the hospital, Sophie greeted me by saying, "Tummy's so tiny now, Mommy." Although I would have to disagree, it made me feel good none the less. Then the other afternoon when I was feeding Scotty, she looked down at my exposed enormous breast and said, "Baby in there now." So the baby came out of my tummy and now it's tiny and I'm growing a new one in my giant breast.

The Three Stooges

2009-05-18T20:43:00.004-06:00

Sophie loves it when my sister, Camile, comes to visit with her girls, Carly & Ellie. Ellie is 6 weeks younger than Sophie and Carly will be 5 in August. Since Sophie is used to being at home all day with just me (and now Scotty) it is a real treat when she has her cousins to come play. Last Friday, Camile came over to visit and here are some cute pictures of the girls playing together.

They love to watch Max & Ruby and this is where they always sit.

We have a big farmers field behind our house and Ellie & Sophie walked out in it hand in hand. Pretty soon, Carly joined them. It looked like they were just going to keep walking forever so Camile called out to them to come back. She threw in that there were snakes out there if they went too far and that got them to start back. When they came to the back door they were all fussing about their feet. They had gone out barefoot and they had little slivers all over in their feet. Sophie had at least 30. It was quite the process getting them all out. Poor girls. It didn't seem to put a damper on their day though. Next they were off to the park with Nanny Nette and Grandpa.

Spending a day with these energetic girls really wears a person out!!

Little Spectator

2009-05-17T21:37:00.005-06:00

When my mom was here, she was changing Scotty's diaper and just as she was finishing up- he peed. Sophie was standing there watching and it went straight into her mouth. What a surprise! I haven't seen her watching any more diaper changes since then.

When I was little, I used to like to watch my mom change my little brother, Ryan's, diapers. Once when he had a poopy, I sat there and gagged and then threw up on him. At least Sophie didn't throw up on Scotty!Conner and Kali sure love to hold Scotty. They have a hard time letting him sleep without picking him up. He 's loved.

Grandpa and Scotty were good at putting each other to sleep. He loves to be held. Nanny Nette and Grandpa posing- I think a little one took this picture! We are sure going to miss them helping out! They left on Sat. after staying for the week. Tomorrow it's back to reality and time to really adjust to having 4!! This is going to be a SNAP! (read Dina's blog post to understand that one- http://inspireyourkids.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-snap.html)

He's here!!

2009-05-13T21:59:00.004-06:00

After laboring at home for over a day, Jimmy and I went into the hospital on Monday morning at 6:30 am. After finding out I was dilated to an 8 (yeah!), I knew I could do the rest natural like I had been planning! This was my first time without an epidural so I wasn't sure what to expect. Jimmy was a huge support- giving me ice, encouragement, wiping my forehead with cold washcloths (I was so hot!!). At 8:33 Scotty Randall was born! What a great experience!! He weighed in at a whopping 8 lb. 13 ou. and 21 inches long! He is healthy and doing great! He loves to eat and loves to be held- which makes me pretty busy! Last night, we came home from the hospital. Both my parents are here, helping out with the kids, cooking, cleaning, and whatever else I need to make things go smoothly. It's so great to have to have them here!

Here's some pictures before Sophie dropped our camera and broke it! Whoops!

Pampering

2009-05-04T12:10:00.002-06:00

Along with trying to get things ready for baby this past week. I've also treated myself to a little pampering. My neighbor, Nikki, is a massage therapist & esthetician. She is running a Mother's Day Special through May for $20 off any hour or longer massage. I splurged and had her massage me for 90 minutes. Ahhhhh, it was wonderful. I skipped going to the spa at the Bahamas a month ago because I knew how good of massages Nikki gives and the price is great! Here's her number if anyone is interested. (801)694-0939, (801)494-6229 (I actually just had her wax my eyebrows today and it feels like a mini facial for my eyebrows.)

Last week, I had my life long friend, Kara, Zone my feet. She lives in Eagle Mountain and I love having her Zone me. She helps people with all kinds of health and emotional problems. It is relaxing to me (for some people it's not though) and I go away feeling balanced and full of energy. (not bad for someone who is about ready to pop!) It takes about an hour and she charges $30- here's her number for anyone who is interested (801)789-6989, (801)631-3123.

After all this pampering, I am feeling great. I'm 38 weeks 4 days and I went to the Dr. today. I'm 1.5 centimeters dilated and 60% effaced. I was hoping for at least a 2 but at the same time I still have plenty I can do around here before the little guy comes. I think he is in no hurry to make his appearance. We'll see though, things can change quickly.

Speaking of plenty to do I need to get busy again!

Redemption-

2009-04-26T17:07:00.002-06:00

Well, I remade the jam on Friday. It turned out delicious! We've been having lots of toast and jam for the past few days. I didn't ever make the homemade bread that I was going to- maybe this week. After I dumped the salty jam, I figured I should have saved a couple jars for April Fools next year or for a church object lesson. Oh well!

It's the final countdown! We have less than 3 weeks until birth day! We are all getting really excited and I've finally started getting ready. My nesting instinct didn't kick in until this past week. I've got blankets washed and a couple of my neighbors have given me some little boy hand-me-downs so I've sorted and gotten those ready to go. I also bought the little newborn diapers and this week I'm going to make some baby wipes. I used to make them when Kali was a baby but haven't made them for several years. I'll post the instructions & recipe once I get it done. I love how well they work, how cheap they are and this time I am doing it with natural ingredients. (better for little baby's bum bum)

Last Sunday, my sister & bro-in-law, Camile & Aaron, blessed their baby, Aubree. She made the most yummy teriyaki chicken salad sandwiches for the luncheon after. Yesterday, I made it for us. (Jimmy and I both loved it so much when she made it) Here's where you can find the recipe. http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/08/teriyaki-chicken-salad-sandwiches.html We went to a cooking class last summer at Macey's where these two girls from the website did a mango cooking class. It was fun- especially since I was there with two of my sisters and sister-in-law.

You've got to be kidding me!!

2009-04-23T16:19:00.003-06:00

Today I went to Walmart and got a big crate of strawberries to make jam with. I haven't made it for a few years and Jimmy especially LOVES it. I got 4 boxes of the pectin so I just got finished making a huge batch! After doing the last step of stirring it for 3 minutes, I went to lick the spoon. I was expecting a sweet treat and instead I got a salty jolt! I added salt instead of sugar!! Maybe I could make some kind of strawberry vinegar dressing with it. Only problem it would probably make about 100 gallons with how salty this is. I was going to make some fresh whole wheat bread to spread the jam on. I've been craving it all day! But now I'll just clean up my mess and move on. Maybe I'll go to the store and get more pectin and try again tomorrow but for now I'm just going to sulk for a minute. If anyone has any ideas of what I can do with these salty strawberries, let me know!!

Kali's Kreative Korner

2009-04-10T18:38:00.003-06:00

Today Kali and I started a blog for her. She is always doing cute little projects and taking pictures of things she does. I thought it would be a great way for her to keep track of the things she's done (they end up in the garbage usually) and I'm hoping she'll also do some journaling in it also. I'm thinking I'll make a book out of it yearly or something on her birthday or Christmas. Does anyone know a good place to get your blog bound in a book? I will probably make it private here soon so if you'd like to be invited to read it leave a comment on her blog and I'll invite you. She'd love some comments- she is really excited about it.

www.kalister21.blogspot.com

Bahama Mama

2009-04-08T11:13:00.004-06:00

After being gone for 5 days, I find myself doing a lot of catch up. I would like to spend some time recording all the happenings while we were in the Bahamas but since I know my time is limited, I'll just give a quick run down and check it off my to do list.

Last year, Jimmy had a great year with Office Depot and so he made it to the Champions Circle where they arrange a reward trip for all those who made it. This year the trip was to the Bahamas at the Atlantis Resort. Even though I am very pregnant (34 weeks) my Dr. gave me the OK to go. Yeah!

The resort was amazing! The water was beautiful. The weather was excellent! The rest and relaxation was needed and the company was great. The resort was huge so we did a lot of walking! I didn't take the best shoes for that- no heels but the flip flops just weren't very good for all the walking. There was a fun lazy river that wasn't very lazy. It had rapids throughout. But not too crazy that I couldn't enjoy it. Jimmy had fun on the slides- some of his friends from work were there so they ran around hitting the slides. We also went snorkeling one day and Jimmy went deep sea fishing with some of the guys. I sighed a breath of relief when our airplane touched down back in the US. I saw what the hospital/clinic looked like on the Bahamas Island we were at and I was so glad we didn't need to go there.

As great as it to get away, it is always so nice to come back home to our sweet kids. It's wonderful to get a break from all the parental duties and makes me more excited to be around them. I'm so glad I got to have this experience with Jimmy and so glad he has a job right now!

Bright and Early

2009-03-09T11:57:00.002-06:00

(I started this on Monday and I'm just getting around to posting it- that's the kind of week I've had so far. Conner is sick with the stomach flu. So I've a couple of sleep deprived nights and non-productive days. Taking care of sick kids throws everything off.)

Yesterday I woke up at 7 to get ready for church that starts at 9. The kids and I had all taken showers and baths the night before and Jimmy didn't have early morning meetings so I figured it would be an easy morning to make it to church on time. In fact, Jimmy had some Stake Announcements to make so he likes to be there 10 minutes early on those days.

We were all ready with the church bag loaded with plenty of time to spare. We pulled into the parking lot and it was fuller than usual. Jimmy said to me, "Are we late?" I laughed and said no. (we saw some neighbors cars there that usually don't get there so early) Then we walked in the building and the meeting was already going!! It was daylight savings and we had completely forgotten! So much for making it there 10 minutes early!! Instead we got to watch other people come in and realize they forgot about daylight savings too.

Sophie gave the Article of Faith in primary. It was her first time talking into the microphone. She sat up front so cute and when the little boy who was saying the prayer paused for a long time she started saying her own prayer. She put her finger in her nose a couple times for just a second but most of the time she sat quietly and folded her arms. When it was her turn, she stepped right up to the stand and grabbed the mic with both hands. I whispered the words in her ear one at a time. (sometimes she only repeats the last word I say so we had to do it that way- and sometimes when I whisper, she whispers too but she didn't do that)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Wed. morning)

Yesterday when Sophie woke up from her nap she was covering her eyes and talking about the boat. She must have had a nightmare that the boat sank. She kept on repeating herself over and over again. Then she started saying, "lift the boat up, boat back on top, heavy boat." She is still talking about it today. I told Jimmy we need to go by the lot where our boat is parked and let her see that it's OK. It must have been very real to her.

Kali gets to go to the Draper Temple for Activity Days today. She is so excited about it. She took a shower last night to get ready for it and told me she is going to wear her white baptism dress. We got to go to the Rexburg Temple open house last Feb. and I am so excited that we'll get to do it again. We are going as a family on Fri. Last time we didn't take Sophie but this time we are going to. She's heard Kali talking about it and so she keeps on asking when we are going to the temple. On Sunday, we got our special recommends to go to our Stake Center for the Draper Temple Dedication. Conner and Kali are excited about that too. Jimmy and I got to actually go to the temple for the Albuquerque Temple Dedication. It was very special to Jimmy since he served his mission there. What neat activities we have to look forward to this month!

We finally made it to Disneyland!!

2009-02-24T11:41:00.007-07:00

We've been wanting to take Conner and Kali to Disneyland since they were preschoolers and it never worked out. But this past week we finally got to take them! What a great trip! We flew there, which was great! We didn't have to hear, "are we there yet?" one time! Conner and Sophie haven't been on a plane since they were babies so it was like a first for them both.

We stayed at the Portofina Inn & Suites which was a quick 15 minute walk to Disneyland. The room had a king bed, bunk beds and then Sophie slept on the couch. Jimmy took Conner and Kali around on the bigger rides, Sophie and I hit the little ones and then we met up to do some that we could all do. Since I had the camera, Sophie is in the pictures the most.

We stayed in Disneyland for 1 1/2 days and then California Adventure the other half of the time. I loved seeing how excited the kids were to go on the rides. Sophie was adorable and would yell out words over and over again while we were on the rides. I had a stroller that I took around but sometime we would just park it and she would walk with me. She learned this new thing while we were there because I tell her I'm not going to hold you most of the time when she wants to be carried. So now she shuffles in front of me, turns around and says "hug you mommy". (that really means, pick me up and carry me but I can't say no to a hug when she uses her cute little voice)

Jimmy was a trooper. He took Conner and Kali on California Screaming about 10 times. The line was short so they just kept going. They went on Tower of Terror and Kali said she thought she was going to die. I wish I could have gone on some of the big rides. I did get to go on Indianna Jones with Kali and Soaring over California with Conner. Hopefully, we can go again in about 3 years when the baby is about 3. Sophie seemed like the perfect age for her first time.

Here are some pics from the trip-

Sophie kept on seeing the cotton candy and wanted it every time we past it. Finally on our last day there we broke down and got her some. She licked it a few times like a sucker and didn't like it much. None of the rest of us like it so I guess all we got was a cute picture for $5 and the knowledge that Sophie doesn't really like cotton candy.
Kali got her face painted on the last day too. By the end of the trip, we were giving in more to little demands. We spent a fortune on popcorn, corndogs, water, icecream sandwiches, hotdogs- all the junk we never usually eat! Good thing we were walking around so much to help minimize the damage.

Next to our hotel there was a little shirt shop that sold shirts for cheap so we all got matching shirts. They say, "I'm the Boss". We decided we were all pretty bossy so we got 'em.

After Disneyland, we went to Sea World for the day. That was fun to see the killer whales, dolphins, the sharks, fish, and Jimmy, Conner and Kali hit the tube ride. We were all beat from the long days at Disneyland so we only stayed there for a few hours.

Then we went to Corona, CA and stayed with our friends Deb & Stu from back in college. It's always fun to visit with them. I always end up laughing so hard at some point when we are all together. It's so great to get in those really hard, uncontrollable laughs- they don't come often enough. Our kids played great together and we got in a game of Canasta after they all went to bed. We got beat so we'll have to have a rematch next time we see them.

Getting home was bitter sweet. We had such a great time. None of us wanted it to end. We were all exhausted though and ready to sleep in our own beds with Sophie tucked away in her crib. The day we left, I had a cleaning lady come and deep clean so we came home to a sparkling clean house. (usually we leave the house a wreck because I just concentrate on getting us packed and laundry done. I have good intentions but they usually just don't work out) I was so excited to come home to a clean house- I hate coming home to a mess, it makes me just want to leave and I feel overwhelmed.

Ho, ho, ho!

2009-02-12T13:21:00.002-07:00

Yesterday we had someone come from our alarm company to fix a sensor connection. When I answered the door, it wasn't one of the young guys that I am used to seeing work for them. It was an older man, I would guess he was in his 60's. I didn't think much of it and he came in and got to work. A few minutes later Sophie came and found me and she said, "Santa at our house, Mommy." The next time I saw him, I looked a little closer. He had a white beard that came down to his collar bone, a red shirt, tucked into black pants, and a round belly. Yep, he looked like Santa. Sophie was so excited she kept on repeating, over and over again that Santa was at her house. The man over heard her and let out a little, "ho, ho, ho!" What a good sport! Then she asked me where the presents were. So now I don't feel as bad for not taking Sophie to the mall this Christmas and letting her sit on Santa's lap- she got a home visit instead. How cool would that be? (this was great for our true or false story game at the dinner table last night)

Welcome Aubree!

2009-02-09T07:43:00.003-07:00

On Thurs. my little sister, Camile, had her baby. We got to go see her last night and she is such a little cutie! I always forget how tiny newborns are! My parents are there helping and Aaron has had off work but today Aaron goes back to work and tomorrow my folks are leaving. I always hate it when everyone leaves and the new life starts without any help. She also has a 4 yr old and 3 yr old (girls) so her hands will be full. She is a great mommy though and I know she'll do great. I forgot to take my camera yesterday so here's a link to her blog for some pictures http://aaronandcamile.blogspot.com/.

True or False

2009-02-01T20:10:00.002-07:00

Dinner is such an important part of our day. I love to all sit down as a family and hear about each others days. On days that it doesn't end up working out for us to all be together at dinner time I really miss it. Sometimes growing up at the dinner table and now every night in my little family we play a game called true or false. Every person takes a turn telling something (or making something up) that happened to them that day. Then we all say if we think it's true or false. It's fun to hear what the kids come up with and we hear some fun stories this way. It seems like when I ask my kids to tell me about their day they can't think of much to say so this has been a good way to get them to talk to us. I also have fun telling them things that happen to me and Sophie during the day when they are all gone. I find myself thinking during the day that I'll need to remember this to tell everyone tonight. So if you want to try something new at dinner tonight- try playing True or False!

Fun with the Fam

2009-01-26T12:07:00.004-07:00

Last week was my 'lil sister, Camile's, bday. She is almost ready to have her baby so I went to her place the day before her birthday to watch her girls while she went to the Dr. Sophie gets so excited to hang out with her cousins, Carlie and Ellie. Then we went out to eat at the Gateway and met Steph there. (Aaron watched the girls while we were gone) It was so fun to hang out with my sisters. We don't get together enough.

On Fri. we went to Bear Lake for the night. We are going to have our Atkin Reunion there this summer so we went to go check out the place we are staying at. It is less than a year old, has 10 master bedrooms and lots of fun things to do inside. We sang some Karaoke, watched part of a movie (while we ate our Cafe Rio), played Guitar Hero, played pool, air hockey, & the kids took a bath all together in their swimsuits. It was a quick trip but it was fun to hang out in such a huge house and have it all to ourselves. We are looking forward to this summer and seeing all the Atkin clan.

Kali's Poem

2009-01-20T10:50:00.005-07:00

I'm a Good Friend

Friends do many things together

Friends sit and talk with each other

Friends write to each other

Friends play games

Friends sing together
Friends share their snacks

Friends take walks together

Friends make silly faces

Friends can sit and be very quiet

Friends call on the phone just to say hi

Friends make each other smile

To be a friend, you just need to be you.

What do you do to be a good Friend?

Love, Kali

I kept seeing this little folded up piece of paper that Kali wrote this poem on and I've been meaning to post it for awhile. On the front of the paper it says to: Webkinz. I think she does such a good job describing a friend. I hope Kali always has good friends like she does now. I think back to elementary school, Jr. High and High School and what great friends I had. What an important role friends played in my growing up years.

All made up!

2009-01-17T19:03:00.003-07:00

The title of this post is two fold. Yesterday, I went and got my hair done. I wanted a change. I was sick of my roots growing out and feeling like I always had to get an appointment to get it done again or just living with my brown roots. So I took the plunge and got it dyed as close to my natural color as possible. I'm sure it's not exactly the same as my natural but probably pretty close. She also put in a few auburn highlights to add some dimension (the picture doesn't really show that though) So I am still getting used to it. It feels so-o dark to me but I am hoping it grows on me and just feels natural soon. Here's a pic of the new doo.

The other half of the post is Sophie's make-up adventure. While Jimmy and I went out last night, Sophie found my make-up. This could have turned out a lot worse than it did. Thankfully it just ended up on her face and not all over the walls, floor, sink, ect. She was so proud of her lips when we got home. I just had to laugh! It was the 12 hour lipstick that doesn't come off easily so this morning she woke up and her lips were just as bright as ever. I had to take a baby wipe to them and it seemed to help. Her lips are back to normal for the most part. (notice her shirt in the bottom picture- 99% angel. It must have been the 1% non-angel that got into my make-up!)

Ultrasound today!

2009-01-09T12:38:00.003-07:00

So I went in for my big ultrasound today! I'm 22 weeks along- I'm measuring at 22 weeks 2 days and the baby weighs 1.1 lb. The big news though is we are going to balance out our family with another BOY! We thought is was going to be a girl. I guess I should say I thought, Jimmy kept his mind set that it was a boy. I went into my Dr. apt in Dec and he did a ultrasound with his old, fuzzy machine and to him it looked like a girl. So I've been thinking girl names and preparing for pink. So I was really caught off guard when the ultrasound tech said it was a boy. I am excited and thinking I need to prepare now for a boy since I have nothing left from Conner. What fun another little boy will be!

Birthday Boy!

2009-01-08T12:57:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was Jimmy's birthday. He went to some early appointments in the morning and then had lunch & saw a movie with his brothers. When he got home I put Sophie down for a nap (that she ended up not taking) and I left to do some last minute birthday shopping. It was so nice not having Sophie with me. On the way home, I picked up some Panda Express and a couple shakes from Arctic Circle. It's a real treat to get those two- especially on the same day! So after dinner we put a candle in one of the shakes and sang Happy Birthday! Then I divided the shakes into waffle cones (another treat) for the kids and Jimmy and I just ate out of the cups. We even have some left over shake for tonight. This weekend, Jimmy and I will go out without the kids and celebrate some more. (we try and stretch birthday's out around here) Last year, Camile tagged me and I didn't get around to doing it but now seems like a great time to catch up.

What's his name? James Scott Atkin
How long have you been together? 7 months before we got married and married for 11 years & 5 months
How old is he? 35
Who eats more? Jimmy
Who said "I love you" first? probably Jimmy but I'm not sure- that's what a journal would be good for
Who is taller? he's got me by 7 inches
Who sings better? he does
Who is smarter? depends on the subject
Whose temper is worse? His
Who does the laundry? I usually wash (unless I get behind then Jimmy will) and then separate but usually everyone puts away their own (besides Sophie)
Who does the dishes? Mostly me and Jimmy sweeps
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I just switched so I'm closer to our bathroom now
Who pays the bills? Jimmy
Who mows the lawn? Jimmy
Who cooks dinner? Me and I enjoy it, Jimmy cooks great Mac & Cheese, scrabbled eggs & cookies
Who drives when you are together? Jimmy
Whose parents do you see the most? lately his, his grandma has been sick so they have been visiting a lot more
Who kissed whom first? we met halfway, he leaned in first though
Who asked whom out? Brandon (a mutual friend) asked me out for him- he just stood in the background and I didn't know I would be going out with Jimmy until Brandon said he was going to ask my friend out
Who proposed? Jimmy
Who has more friends? Jimmy- he seems to know people wherever we go
Who is more sensitive? Me but Jimmy is sensitive too
Who has more siblings? we both have 5 (6 kids total in our families)
Who wears the pants in the family? We each have a leg in
Where did you meet each other? Ricks College Library
What was the first thing you said to your husband? After I realized it was him who wanted to go out, I had to explain how my friend Hillary was coming to town from Utah State and how it wouldn't be a good night. However, he found a friend for Hillary to go out with so we went out anyway.
Where was your first date? Legends Restaurant, bowling and then went to his apartment to watch a movie (I think it was House Guest)
Where was your first kiss? At his apartment (not on the first date though- that came about a month later)
Where did you get engaged? Outside the gate at Temple Square
Where were you married? Idaho Falls Temple
How was the honeymoon? Quick- we stayed in Idaho Falls the first night and then went to Jackson Hole for a night and then back to our apartment in Rexburg so Jimmy could start football camp

I tag whoever wants to do this~
(Sophie took the below picture) Her new thing is wanting to take pictures of everything! I have all these pictures of her toys, of our furniture, the carpet, and just today she took some pictures of Jimmy and I. This one actually turned out cute. There is another one of me sitting and she just got my belly, crotch and legs. I won't be posting that one!
Happy Birthday, Jimmy! You get better every year!

Playing Catch Up (Again)

2009-01-03T20:06:00.003-07:00

Camile, Me, Steph, and Gina modeling our "ugly sweaters" (check our that pretty shirt under mine)

Blake won the most likely to wear again award & Conner won most sparkly (his had Dalmatians and hearts all over it and it was glittery)

Mom & Dad

We had a wonderful Christmas. We stayed home this year. It's only the second time since we've been married that Jimmy and I haven't been in either Oregon or Idaho. It was a lot of fun to be in our own home and have family come HERE. On Christmas Eve, we had an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party with my family. It was fun seeing what people came up with and then finding things for those who didn't come with anything ugly on. We had a great dinner, a nice nativity story and a fun gift exchange. At the end we opened PJ's and said good-bye to everyone but my parents and Steph spent the night.

Conner started coming in our room at 5 am and said he couldn't sleep. (he woke up Kali shortly there after) We told the kids they had to wait 'til 7. We still waited until 7 and since Sophie was still sleeping we went down without her. The kids were excited about their presents from Santa. Their big gift this year was a Wii. It's been on their list for a couple years now. We've had fun playing it together.

Christmas afternoon, we went to Jimmy's grandma's rest home and had a party with some of his aunts, uncles and cousins. It was great being able to see both sides of the family on Christmas- that's a first for us.

The kids have been having a great break. They have made a sled hill in between our house and our neighbors and it goes into another neighbors back yard. They've also been working on a huge snow fort. I've managed to only miss two days working out (I always take Sunday off, and I missed Christmas and once this week). I am still feeling great and my belly is popping out more. We'll find out the end of this week what we are having (hopefully, although I am already planning on a girl)

We had a fun New Years' Eve. We hung out with our neighbors (the Fishers), got Wingers take out, watched a movie, played Guitar Hero, ate ice cream and counted down the New Year with some Sparkling Apple Cider.

This week we started on our basement. The framing is almost done and we are hoping in about a month we'll have the rest done.

Tomorrow we start going to church at 9. The kids are bathed, their clothes are laid out, and now I need to do the same. Jimmy has meetings in the morning so I'll be going solo getting everyone ready. Sophie starts Sunbeans tomorrow! She is so little still- I can't believe it! She had an activity at the church to meet her teachers and after I went to show her her classroom and all she could say when she saw the empty room was "where are the toys?" This should be interesting.

Way Behind!

2008-12-17T11:56:00.003-07:00

Well, it's been a month and a half since I've posted so I have a lot to catch up on. My blog header is still from Halloween and my music is summer time songs. But until I am ready for Christmas I'm not going to worry about it. Each of these paragraphs deserves it's own post but I am going to keep this short and sweet. Hopefully, I won't get so far behind again!

We went to Lubbock, Texas for Thanksgiving and spent it with Jimmy's sister's family. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing their new house and touring around Lubbock.

I am going to be 19 weeks along in a couple days. This pregnancy has been great so far. No throwing up or nausea which has been great. I go in for my big ultra sound next week so we are hoping to know for sure what we are having. I had one last week at my Dr. apt. and he thought it looked like a girl but his machine isn't great so he said wasn't sure. I am thinking it's a girl now though and having fun thinking of girl names. I am feeling the baby move all around now and Jimmy said he felt it kicking last night.

Sophie turned 3 yesterday. She is so much fun! We had a party for her on Sunday since I had Enrichment last night. She was so excited about her cupcakes and presents. This is the first year she's really gotten it. She's been singing happy birthday all month and talking about a cake. Here are some of the cute things she has been doing- she loves to sing I am A Child of God, she loves playing My Little Ponies and playing with Kali, she LOVES all sorts of fruit, she blows her nose great, she loves to go on the four wheeler with her dad (she had to go with him when he was plowing driveways yesterday even though it was freezing out), she is always so happy when she wakes up and is so excited to see me, and she learned how to smile for the camera, she is very smart (count, colors, shapes, recognizes some letters and numbers) I am so grateful she is my little daughter.

Halloween Weekend

2008-11-02T09:43:00.002-07:00

For Halloween this year we had a house full. Aaron & Camile and their girls, Ken & Gina, Brigham and Emma, Steph & Bryant, and Mom & Dad all came to celebrate, eat and go trick-or-treating. We started out with some yummy soups, cornbread and witches brew. After our tummies were full we got the kids ready for trick-or-treating. Sophie was going to be a giraffe until she saw Carly's pretty pink witches costume. She started bawling and wanted Carly's hat (no nap played into the costume envy tantrum). So I scrambled to find some of Kali's old dress up costumes and Sophie was happy being a princess with a pointed hat. Conner was an injured soccer player and Kali was a cheerleader that fell off the top of a pyramid. Ellie and Sophie lasted about 20 minutes outside (it was raining lightly). The rest of them stayed out about an hour. We had some pumpkin cake and played Apples to Apples for awhile and then it was time to hit the hay. (we had a temple sealing appointment at 7 am)

Above- Camile, Mom & I before dinner Below- Sophie and Ellie after Sophie calmed down and was happy with her costume

On Saturday, I had a neat experience with my family. My Grandma Johnson who passed away last year was a convert and wasn't sealed to her parents. So yesterday, we went to the temple and my parents knelt across the alter proxy for my dad's grandparents and I knelt in for my Grandma. I know my Grandma was celebrating and I am so glad I got to play a roll in such a wonderful ordinance.

Then we went to my nephew Brigham's Super Bowl game. It was at Pleasant Grove H.S. and his team won. It was a close, exciting game! Conner had his first indoor soccer game. They lost by a point but he made a goal and had a good time. He was excited there was so much family there to watch.

8's Tag

2008-10-19T08:35:00.003-06:00

My friend LaNea tagged me this week and it was a fun one to do!

8 Favorite TV shows

1. Oprah
2. Good Things Utah
3. Prison Break
4. Lost
5. The Office
6. Biggest Loser
7. So You Think You Can Dance
8. American Idol

8 Things I did yesterday
1. Went to the Scarecrow Festival
2. planted Spring bulbs
3. Helped Jimmy clean the garage
4. started putting away clean laundry (didn't finish)
5. took a shower
7. watched Penelope with Conner & Kali
8. Shared a chicken salad with Jimmy from Cafe Rio

8 Favorite places to eat
1. Cafe Rio
2. Rumbi Grill
3. Wingers
4. Olive Garden
5. Kneaders
6. Paradise Bakery & Cafe
7. Dions (in New Mexico)
8. Zuppas

8 things I'm looking forward to

1. Sophie being potty trained all the way- she's getting real close! yeah!!

2. Going out with Kara and Laura on Wed. (friends that go way back with me!)

3. Going to the Bahamas with Jimmy in April (Champions Circle from Jimmy's work)

4. Having a new addition to the family in May (yep- you read that right)

5. not being so tired in a couple week (that'll be the start of my 2nd trimester- I always start feeling better by then)

6. Getting my hair done on Wed. (weaved & cut- maybe short- I haven't decided yet)

7. sometime this week my neighbor is waxing my eyebrows (it's badly needed)

8. relaxing after the kids are in bed & having some popcorn with Jimmy (have to be sure the kids are asleep though or they come down when they smell the popcorn)

8 things I love about this Fall-

1. Going for drives up the canyon & seeing the beautiful colors of the trees

2. Hot chocolate by the fire with fuzzy socks on my feet

3. having yummy soup again (it's hard to have hot soup in the summer)

4. baking bread and eating it fresh out of the oven

5. the holiday smells (pumpkin pie, apple cider, Cinnamon, wassail, apple pie)

6. Halloween & Thanksgiving

7. being with family & making new memories

8. decorating for Fall (I love fall colors)

8 things on my wish list

1. Take the kids on a Disney Cruise

2. Conner and Kali never fight anymore

3. make good parental choices (not mess my kids up)

4. be more organized with time & possessions

5. to just think about things and they would get done (yeah right!)

6. for me, my family & friends to be safe & healthy

7. to not gain too much weight during pregnancy (it's so easy to do)

8. to have a healthy baby

8 people I tag:

Camile, Ashley, Sheree, Lacey, Jessica, Karlenn, Nicole & Anjie

Belated Birthday Party

2008-10-17T07:35:00.004-06:00

With soccer, scouts, my Freaky Friday Enrichment activity and a huge Utah book report we finally manged to get around to Conner's 10th birthday party. We went to the Classic Fun Center in Sandy to skate. We ordered pizza when we got there and Conner and his two friends he brought went off to skate. Camile, Aaron, Carly & Ellie came, along with Gina and Emma (and her cousin Gracie). Steph and Braint came too. I brought some colored hairspray and my face painting stuff- the boys weren't interested but the girls were excited to get butterflies and princess faces. My camera ran out of batteries so I have no pictures of Conner and his friends just the girls.
Emma and Sophie's butterfly faces (Sophie has a mouthful of pizza) Carly with her princess face.

Now I need to brag about Conner for a minute. Conner sure is a joy to have around. I hear from his scout leader, primary teacher and school teacher what a nice kid he is. They tell me he listens well and is such a good example and calming influence on the other kids. That sure is nice to hear. He is such a great brother- when he's not fighting with Kali they are great playmates. I told them last night if they wanted to rent Rollerblades they were going to have to use their own money. Kali started throwing a fit that she didn't have any money (she spent it all at the book fair) and Conner came over and told me he had enough that Kali could borrow some. He loves to be with Sophie. After Christmas 2004, he told me for Christmas next year he wanted a new baby in our family. (Sophie was born Dec. 2005!) He has been such a help with Sophie and it gives me a glimpse of what a great dad he is going to be. He also likes to cuddle with me- especially in the mornings and at night. I need to take advantage of that while it lasts. He is also very driven- he excels at whatever he puts his mind to. He's been on a competitive soccer team for the past couple years and it sure is fun to watch him. He's fast and great with his feet! He is a wonderful son and I feel so blessed to be his mom.

Birthday Girl

2008-10-16T07:33:00.004-06:00

My birthday was last Wed. The years keep flying by- I can't belive how fast they come and go. I think getting old is all a state of mind though. I was remembering when I was a new mom and ladies that were my age I would think of as "older". So funny!

Here's a couple scrapbook pages I made last night that I scanned. Jimmy took me to lunch at Rumbi Grill and then Steph & Briant came over and babysat while we went to the Olive Garden for dinner. I was spoiled on my birthday! It was a great day!

Turkey Porcupines

2008-10-15T19:29:00.003-06:00

We just had Turkey Porcupines for dinner. We had them about a month ago too and this was the half we didn't eat. I froze it for a night like tonight. (I didn't feel like cooking) When I cook I like to double the recipe and then freeze half. It's no harder to do a double batch and then it saves me so much time! So here's the recipe....

Turkey Porcupines

1 lb. ground turkey

1/2 c. rice (I use the Organic Harvest Medley from Costco- brown, wild & red rice)

1/4 t. pepper

1/2 t. celery salt

2 T. chopped green peppers

1 T. grated onion

1 clove minced garlic

4 cups tomato juice or V-8 (I used half fresh tomatoes pureed in my blender and V-8 juice)

6 whole cloves of garlic

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. sugar

Mix together turkey, rice, salt pepper, celery salt, green pepper, onion, and garlic. Form into 18 small balls. (I use a small/medium cookie/ice cream scoop- makes it so easy) Mix tomato juice and the rest of the ingredients in large skillet. Add meatballs. Cover and simmer 1.5 hours (less if using white rice) or until rice is done. Turn meatballs halfway through if not covered by sauce.

I freeze half of this recipe. My kids love to eat this with a piece of toast and it goes great with a tossed salad.

First Indoor Workout

2008-10-13T10:33:00.003-06:00

Since the kids have went back to school, Sophie and I have been going on walks (sometimes jogging) every morning and then we stop by the park and I let her play for awhile. I usually go with one of my neighbors and then there are other neighbors at the park when we get there. It's so fun to visit and the kids have a blast playing. It feels so good to be in the sunlight and breathe the fresh air.

Well, over the weekend it snowed! It all melted but this morning their was frost on the ground. It's too cold to take Sophie out when it's like this. So today I went down to the basement to work out on my Elliptical. Jimmy was down there for part of the time on the treadmill and we watched Ellen together. I put on a show for Sophie on the main floor and left the basement door opened so she could come down if she wanted to. She was only upstairs for about 10 minutes by herself before she came down and started playing with her train set and then she stole my water bottle.

After my workout I came upstairs and on the entry closet door she had done some artwork with purple marker! She was only alone for 10 minutes!! Ahhhh! I am going to miss having her strapped in a stroller while I workout. I may have to get up early to do my workouts before she's awake- I've been so spoiled! But it is supposed to warm up this week so we may get to go outside to workout and do our park dates a few more times. Can't it stay warm for just a couple months longer?? I love the mild fall weather- I wish it would just stick around!

Spooky Haunted Halloween House

2008-10-10T17:10:00.003-06:00

This was a fun project to do with my daughter, Kali (8 years old). We took an Fisher Price Sweet Street House that no longer gets played with much. (we have a ton of them!) This one I actually found at D.I. for $1.50. You can find them there quite often or at garage sales too. You could use any old doll house but the more details on it the better. I took Krylon Fusion for Plastic (black) spray paint and painted two coats inside and out. After that dried, Kali painted some Popsicle sticks that I had cut with black acrylic paint. Then she wrote KEEP OUT, NO TRESPASSING, DO NOT ENTER, BEWARE with a silver metallic sharpie. She also put little dots in each of the corners to represent nails. We then put glued two of the boards across each window. I drew a jack-o-lantern face with a black sharpie on a candy pumpkin and then glued it by the front door. We got some small LED battery candles (at Walmart) and put two on the bottom floor and one on the top floor. We then put a piece of yellow tissue paper on each level. The lights are fun because they flicker like a real fireplace is burning inside. After we are done with Halloween I think I will put it back with the Sweet Streets for the girls to play with. It would be fun to have a haunted house with their make believe play. Since my kids are going to play with them I decided not to put floral moss on the top with a glue gun but I think that would make it look even more spooky. (The pictures aren't great of this- it was hard to get the lighting right to show the glowing windows and the details but you can still get the idea)

Halloween Candy Jar

2008-10-10T16:48:00.004-06:00

This is a jar that I like to fill up for different holidays with seasonal candy. I got mine at TiaPan Trading but I've seen them at Roberts also. I always put the candy that I am not tempted by on the top so I won't eat it. (sometimes the kids are a problem but if I threaten good enough they will stay out) I've even thought about spraying the candy with varnish so that it will last year to year and telling the kids that now the candy is poisonous! I filled this one up with candy corn at the bottom, then I put a 3/4th empty paper towel roll in. I do this so I won't have to use as much candy since it's just for decoration. If you were to have a party and then let guests take little jars or bags of candy home I would not put in the roll. Then I layered the candy. These are the amounts and what I got. Two bags of Hersey's wrapped candy bars, two bags Halloween M&M's, two bags of yellow, orange, & white salt water taffy, three bags of candy corn. (there were so many cute candy to choose from- so you could make this look totally different) After I layer the candy and make sure the paper towel roll isn't showing as I go, I put on the lid, and tie a double knot out of two different ribbon (with wire edges). On Halloween you could empty the jar and pass out the wrapped candy and save the unwrapped candy year to year. I don't know how the M&M's keep their color but candy corns and laffy taffy harden and keep great. (just make sure guests don't try to sneak a piece and break a tooth) You could also wait until after Halloween when the Halloween candy goes on clearance and then just let it harden for next year.)

Carmel Apple Day

2008-10-09T21:12:00.003-06:00

Ever since I can remember, October 9th has been Carmel apple day in my family. We actually celebrated (don't know if that's the right word) over conference weekend. My parents were in town and it's always best if my mom's around to make the Carmel apples and to tell the story that goes along with it.

So here's a short version of the story. When my mom was 13 her dad got in a serious car accident and was in a coma for 6 weeks. On the day my grandma finally prayed that Heavenly Father's will be done, my grandpa passed away. My mom's uncle came to the Jr. High and when my mom heard her name called over the intercom to come to the office, she knew her dad had died. She had an older sister at the school with her and then they went to the Elementary School to pick up some more of her siblings. They were all in the car crying on their way home and her uncle pulled over at a gas station, went in and came out with a Carmel apple for each of them. (this was a real treat that they never normal got) No one could cry while they were eating so they all sat in the car and ate their apples. My mom says that she was thinking that was the end for them. How could she go on without her dad. But just like that Carmel apple- there were still "sweet" things in store for her family.

About a year later, my grandma (who had 6 kids) got married to my Grandpa Henderson. They had two more kids. He's been a wonderful grandpa to me. As you can imagine it wasn't an easy transition for my mom, a teenager, at the time to have her mom marry someone else. But now she loves my grandpa like a father and is thankful for him coming into their lives.

So every October 9th (or close to) we remember my Grandpa Martin LaFollette and how my mom, my grandma, and my aunts and uncle made it through that hard time. I love to hear my Mom tell this story and bear her testimony. I am thankful that she is passing down her legacy to me and my children.

Here we are listening to my mom tell the story. The kids listened so well and the Spirit could be felt.

Tangled Teeth

2008-09-30T18:42:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I went to the dentist and had my routine 6 month cleaning. Ahhhhh, my teeth feel so clean. Usually, I don't mind getting my teeth cleaned but the hygienist yesterday was not as gentle as all the others I've had in the past. So it wasn't as enjoyable. My favorite part is when she squirts the high pressure little stream of water in my mouth- I wish that part would last longer.

Speaking of teeth, I was talking to my sister Camile last week about my reoccurring nightmares I have about my teeth. I get them about every 3 months and never go longer than 6 months without getting one. They are all different but they all have something to do with something bad happening to my teeth. I just had one last week and in it I had one giant buck tooth in the front of my mouth. It was like my two front teeth combined and doubled in size. Sometimes my teeth will all fall out in them and other times they will just be crazy crooked and discolored. My teeth are one thing about me that I have liked ever since I got my braces off in 10th grade. No matter what my weight is or how my hair looks; I like my teeth. So I think I have a fear of losing the one thing that I can count on to enjoy when I look in the mirror. I am grateful for my parents forking out the money to fix my teeth when I was younger. I'm glad I have a permanent retainer so that hopefully my teeth will stay straight and my nightmares will never come true. Kali started her Orthondonic treatments a couple months ago. She has a lot of crowding in her mouth and some cross bite issues. She has a bridge-type thing in her mouth that goes over the top of her mouth and I put a little key in it every night and click it forward. It's widening her teeth and then she'll get braces on her front teeth for a few months to straighten them. Then when she's a teenager she'll get the full set of braces. We were so excited when we found out that my orthodontist's son lives here in Utah and is an orthodontist too. (Dr. Tim Elison) So we didn't even have to shop around to make a decision about who to take our kids to. Dr. Elison puts on the permanent retainers so teeth stay in place and it's nice to have a familiar friendly face taking care of Kali.

Splish Splash- Sophie didn't get many baths!

2008-09-27T20:08:00.005-06:00

Sophie loves to take baths. She even likes to wash her hair now. A couple months ago she would cry the whole time I washed her hair but now she reminds me "wash hair" whenever she's getting close to being done with her baths. She says she's Marlin, Nemo or Dory from Finding Nemo as she floats on her back to get her hair wet.

This got me thinking of how different bath time was for Conner (1st born) and Sophie (3rd born) when they were infants. The first bath we gave Conner was orchestrated by Jimmy, my mom & I. My mom taught us to heat the oven to warm & we'd set Conner's towel, jammies, onesie, & diaper all on on the open oven door to warm while Conner got his bath. Needless to say it didn't take Conner long to enjoy his bath time and snugly warm towel as he was getting out. I contrast that with Sophie's first bath. I know they bathe babies at the hospital to get them all clean but after that first bath- I don't think we bathed Sophie for a month. I would clean her off with wipes and do sponge baths with a washcloth to get all her baby fat rolls clean. She always smelled good so I didn't feel like I was neglecting her. I felt like baths were a two person job when the baby is so small, slippery and frantically crying. Since Jimmy was at work all day, and the kids had homework and reading, and there was always dinner and church meetings- our nights were full. Plus when we finally did give her a bath she hated it. So I think the for the first nine months Sophie got less than 9 baths. I know that must sound awful but in my defence, back in Pioneer days or in Medieval times baths just didn't happen very often. Once Sophie started enjoying baths, when she could sit up in the tub by herself, she loved them and takes them all the time. (daily usually) Kali liked (and still likes) getting in with her sometimes.

So although Sophie didn't get the bath time that Conner enjoyed when he was an infant, she does enjoy other things that Conner and Kali didn't get. She gets two twenty minute reading times a day with mom. (once at nap time & at bedtime) She gets to go on a stroll in the stroller daily and then usually a stop at the park. Beside not getting many baths and not having a scrapbook of her own, she is definitely not over looked in our family. Conner and Kali both adore her and she has her daddy wrapped around her finger. One example of that would be just the other morning, I was getting ready to take Sophie for our morning walk/jog and Jimmy was working from home. I asked him if he wanted to come and he said he needed to get some stuff done. While I was getting my water ready Sophie went in his office and in her small, high voice she said to Jimmy, "go walk with me, daddy." The next thing I knew Jimmy was dressed in his shorts & running shoes and ready to workout with me. He has the hardest time saying no to her and she loves spending time with him. I always tell Jimmy that she knows how bad her daddy wanted her here on Earth- he even signed a golf & basketball contract in desperation. (that's a another whole post though)

Toilet Paper Pumpkin Trio

2008-09-24T07:17:00.004-06:00

A few years ago, my mom got 3 cute little pumpkins from one of her students. I thought they were so cute and my mom told me they were just fabric around toilet paper rolls and a paper towel roll. In case anyone is interested in making an inexpensive fall decoration, I'll tell you how I did it. I set off to find some cute orange fabric- I choose some with a bit of a pattern but not anything too busy. I got 1/3 a yard each for the two toilet paper rolls & a 1/2 yard for the tall one. Then I just gathered & rolled stuffing the middle as I went. I used my hot glue in the middle of the tubes to keep the fabric in place as I went. Then I rolled up a brown lunch sack (rolling it uneven so it made somewhat of a cone spiral shape) and stuck it in the middle with a couple fall leaves. And wa-la 3 cute fall pumpkins ready to display! I already had the rolls of toilet paper and paper towel so this project cost me $6.35. (two of the fabric rolls were $7 & $8 a yard so this could be done for less if you could get less expensive fabric. Make sure you really like the fabric though because that really makes it cute, in my opinion) I am keeping mine but it would be an easy gift to give for a fall birthday, teacher gift, or Visiting Teaching gift.

UFO (unidentified floating object)

2008-09-22T09:04:00.002-06:00

Last night, Jimmy was pouring a glass of milk to eat with his pumpkin bar. The gallon of milk was getting close to being gone and that's when he spotted it. A paper towel had been stuffed inside the milk carton. This isn't Sophie first offence of putting something inside the milk. I don't know how she does it with out anyone seeing her. Last week, as I was pouring the last of the milk a little sticker came out. So now I am off to the store to get some more milk- but that didn't stop me from giving the kids some napkin milk with their cereal this morning.