Another crazy week gone by...

Monday - We started the week off with a dance performance for Alyssa. She is in a group with two of her cute little friends Cassie S., and Emmy S. They all did such a great job. Alyssa had to sing a solo for her voice teacher also at the performance. She sang "My Favorite Things". She hasn't seen "The Sound of Music" so she wasn't to happy about singing that song... I told that once she saw the movie she would love the song.

Tuesday - We had Ashley's performance today. She is in her group with her best friends... Sara W, Ella M, and Maggie S. All of these girls were so stinkin' cute. Oh my gosh to see there little butts shaking was so cute. I love to watch her dance. Alyssa also had a solo that night too.

Wednesday - I worked! I had YW. We had the cutest service project. It was called "Joy to the Ward". We had all of the primary kids come to play games and do crafts so that the parents could go shopping, eat dinner, take a nap, sit on the couch or just about what ever they wanted to do with out the kids. It turned out so great. We had 5 stations. A craft, a game, quilt tying for a hospital, a snack with story, and Santa Bingo. CUTE CUTE CUTE - Great Job Stacey!

Thursday - It must not have been too great because I can't remember.

Friday - Well it is Friday - that is just good in it self. We had our ward party. Always a good time to be had at the good ol' ward party. We also had two soccer games... Yay!

Saturday - Was so stinkin' fun. We had NOTHING going on that we HAD to do. We went to McDonald's, went shopping at Target, surprised Grandma Karen and put up her trees, went to Woody's to eat, The girls had another performance at a Ward house... yay 2 ward parties in a weekend... what more could one ask for?, Finally Steve and I went shopping for some last minute things... What a great day.

Sunday - Steve and I got up and flew to Denver for my Christmas Party there. When we got there Steve's iPhone said that the weather was 1 degree - yes you read it right 1 degree. It was hard to breathe it was so cold! We went shopping all day then to our work party at the Marriott where we were staying. It was a super fun day.

Monday - We went to a buffet breakfast as if we hadn't gotten enough to eat the night before. Then we flew home, quick trip but FUN! I did a tiny bit of shopping before the kids got home, I took Harley to get a haircut... Oh my gosh he looks so dang cute. Then tonight we went to Alyssa's Voice Recital. She has a great voice. I love to hear here sing. It is really a talent that I wish I had. I think that I want to take voice lessons too. I am not sure if I could do the recital though, I might chicken out... Some Day!

There is a quick overview of my week.

With all of our life's so crazy right now I miss our girls nights out.
I miss the girl talk... lets do it soon!

My favorite weekend of the year...

Friday night - My work party! It is so much work to plan my work party. I love every minute of it though. I will have to upload my pictures... later though. This year we had my uncles band "Joe Friday" come... Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. Most of the guys would not dance but the girls... we had a great time together. What a fun night!

Saturday Day - CRAZY!!!

• Alyssa's Soccer Game at 9:00am
  
• McDonald's with my Parents at 10:00am
• Finish making creamy chicken noodle soup at 10:30am
• Young Women's leadership training at Stacey Benson's at 11:00am
• Boutique with my Friends at Chelby's at 12:30pm
• Cameron's Soccer Game at 1:45pm
• Make Treat for Neighborhood Food Drive at 3:30pm
• Neighborhood Food Drive at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
• Dinner at Barbacoa at 6:15pm
• Kenadee Morrell's Nutcracker Ballet at 7:30pm
• Shopping for Family Fondue Party at 10:00pm
• Start preparing Young Women's Christmas Lesson at 11:30pm
• Bed at 1:00am - Yawn!!!! Glad that day is OVER!!!

Sunday - I got up and finished my young women's lesson while my kids and Steve decorated our 2nd tree right behind me... I loved the sound of their reminiscing about the ornaments. So cute. We rushed to get ready for church and get there. Sacrament was so great. Steve bore his testimony... it is always fun to hear what your spouse is thinking about and pondering. I love to publicly hear his testimony. In Sunday school I sat by Lisa W. I really love the family relations class. I have learned so many great things. I know sometimes it doesn't look like it but I really am trying to be a better Mom. I love what I learn from the Shewell's - they are great teachers.

My dreaded lesson... I think that it turned out pretty good. When we left time for testimonies some of the girls actually got up to bare their testimonies. It was the first time since we have been in there that they have stood up. It is so sweet to hear their thoughts... I love them.

FONDUE - it is our absolutely our family's favorite tradition. We eat with Us, Steve's parents and real Dad, My parents and my siblings... I will for sure post pictures... they are great. We eat SO MUCH at Fondue. Bread dipped in Cheese fondue, Apples, Bananas & pretzels dipped in white chocolate, milk chocolate & caramel and steak, shrimp & chicken in oil to cook and then to top it off we have a spinach salad. Oh my gosh - I gained 20 pounds tonight!!!! YUM!!!

All in all it was a great weekend but BUSY! I am going to bed!

Another fun conversation with Ashley...

Ashley - "Mom, what if on Thanksgiving when I am a Mom my Husband likes BYU Football and I like Utah Utes?"

Mom - "Well that would be funny huh? You would both have to watch different TV's"

Ashley - "Uh NO! I would just take the remote because I am the Mom and he would sit by me and watch Utah Utes."

Seriously... where does she come up with these things... Steve and I don't even watch football. She is just funny!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all...

My top ten things I am thankful for today... (in no certain order)

1. That we could have 42 people eat with us yesterday... including Aunt Suzi & Uncle Wes family surprising us from Phoenix!
2. Steve & all of the hard work that he does for our family. I love having him for a best friend.
3. Our 4 kids... each of them have such different personalities and I love it.
4. Our Country and those men & women that fight for our freedom (thank you Buck).
5. The Gospel... I can't imagine what it would be like for Steve & I to raise our kids with out it.
6. (I just asked Ashley what she is thankful for... so this is hers) "I am thankful for EVERYTHING that Jesus gave us and the world... oh except for alcohol... oh ya... that wasn't from Jesus, that was from Satan."
7. Our Warm Home.
8. My whole family. It is such a blessing to have a family who all gets along and wants to spend all their time together.
9. My friends... you guys are so much fun to talk to and have fun with. Thank you for all that you teach my by your examples.
10. Our education.

I am on a countdown...

I love Thanksgiving... I love to eat... I love my family... I LOVE THAT MY GRANDPARENTS fly in from Phoenix... I love to eat more... I love to play family games... I love Jarred & Jelissa's homemade cream pies that have more graham cracker crust than they have pie filling... I love to stay over at my parents house with the whole family until the wee hours of the morning...

This year my Mom & Dad have 42 of us coming to their house. This includes My Grandpa, Grandma, Other Grandma, My Mother in law, Father in law, & and my other Father in law. I love that I can eat with all of them at one time and not have to trade houses or "years" with my in laws. I haven't always loved thanksgiving growing up... BUT now... I think it might be my favorite.

I am thankful for all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So Ashley says today...

She comes in to my room all ready for school with a different outfit on than the one that we had picked out and she actually looks really cute (sometimes her outfits are a little different). I say to her... "Wow! Look at your cute outfit, you look really cute today." to which she replys... "uh, I know... I TRY to look cute everyday."

Well touche!

100 Things that I am Thankful for... In NO particular order

1. Steve
2. Shawn
3. Alyssa
4. Cameron
5. Ashley
6. My family
7. The Gospel
8. Jesus Christ
9. My amazing group of girlfriends
10. My job
11. Steve's Job
12. Steve's hard working skills
13. My marriage
14. Diet Coke
15. Rich's Bagels
16. Scrapbooking
17. Thank you cards
18. My awesome neighbors
19. A super great ward
20. A bishopric with a sense of humor (remember I love to stick my foot in my mouth)
21. My Young Women
22. The amazing ladies that I serve with in YW
23. My Grandparents
24. The love for learning
25. Photography
26. Computers
27. Karate
28. Shopping
29. Shopping when I have money to spend
30. Cooking when I have a stocked cupboard & fridge
    
31. Scentsy Candles
32. Baking anything
33. Jewelry
34. Flowers
35. Chocolate
36. Peanut Butter
37. Grant Elementary
38. A great community
39. Reading
40. Reading the Scriptures
41. A clean car
42. Clean kids
43. Clothes that match
44. Summer
45. Fall
46. Conference
47. Calendars
48. Lists
49. Soccer
50. Dancing
51. Traditions
52. Girls nights out
53. Cuddling
    
54. Watching movies with homemade popcorn from a pan
55. Cars that work
56. A warm house
57. Baths
58. Magazines
59. Target
60. Christmas
61. Christmas Shopping
62. Holiday smells
63. Family in town for the holidays
64. Tax Refunds
65. Family Vacations
66. Rio Grand Cafe
67. Pebbles in my Pocket
68. Giving gifts
69. Making dinner for my Dad & my Fathers in Law
70. Fondue
71. Dinner with RV Friends
72. Family parties
73. Work parties
74. Night games with the neighbors
75. Sacrament speakers
76. The ages of my kids
77. Fonts
78. Cell phones
79. IPods
80. Cameras
81. Vacations with just Steve
82. Hot Tubs
83. King sized beds (we don't have one)
84. Socks
85. Slippers
86. Sweatshirts
87. Blankets and a good book
88. Fireplaces
89. Great coworkers
90. Creative people
91. President Thomas S. Monson
92. The Temple
93. Christmas Lights
94. Hot chocolate
95. Picnics
96. Communication
97. Dates with Steve
98. One on One time with each kid
99. Sense of humor
100. Blogging
     

Updating...

Apparently I don't blog enough says Julie & Lisa L. so here I am blogging! I am pretty much addicted to facebook so blogging is on the back burner for a minute but I don't want to be the one that can't journal on my blog for my kids so here it is.

Love you guys - Thanks for checking my blog even when I have nothing to tell about.

Happy 13th Annivarsary Steve!!!

So I am a litte behind in blogging... for no other reason but that I haven't felt like it.

Anyway... Sunday was our 13 year anniversary. I can not even believe we have been married for 13 years. It seems like just yesterday that we got married. We have done so many great things in our 13 years.

Here is 13 things that we have done together:

1. Went through the temple
2. Had four kids
   
3. Bought two houses
4. Went on many, many fun adventures
5. Gained a testimony together
6. Paid a lot of bills
7. Started a business
8. Paid a lot more bills after that
9. Had some surgeries... some good... some not so good
10. Had a miscarriage
    
11. Met the greatest neighbors ever
12. Had the best friends ever
13. Adopted Harley
    

Steve... thank you for making me laugh. I have loved every minute of our lucky 13 years...
I am looking forward to many many more.

I LOVE YOU!
Happy Anniversary!

A cute family photo shoot!

Isn't she about the cutest little thing you have ever seen?

We did a little impromptu photo shoot of the Sutton's on Saturday!

It was fun to take some fun pictures of friends!

It made me decide that I want to start doing this for a living!

Do you think that I will ever get off of my lazy butt and do it? Probably not but I want to!

Chelby looks amazingly awesome especially after loosing a whole lot of weight! She is my idol!

Their girls are just super cute!

Look at Chelby's cute skinny butt... She doesn't even know that I took this picture! You guys get to see it first! I love this family. It really was fun to take their pictures. Their girls just loved posing. I am glad that I am friends with them. Chelby... thank you for all of your help all of the time!

Steve & Jason Mraz...

So about a month ago Steve said to me...
"I guess I better tell you... I am surprising the kids with tickets to see Jason Mraz in concert"

I was equally as excited as I hoped that the kids would be. I love Jason Mraz.
Well the concert was tonight. When the kids got home from school I told them that they could play for a tiny bit and then they had to shower and get ready in nicer jeans and shirts and Dad was taking us somewhere. I got a whole lot of "shower... in the middle of the day" "what... I want to play with my friends" "do I really have to go?" ....oh my gosh and to think that we still do nice things (like surprises) for our kids.

While we were sitting at dinner they were trying to guess where we were going. They all decided that it was to Hollywood Connection to their movie theater to see High School Musical 3 because the boys haven't seen it.

While we were walking over to the "theater" they realized that Jason Mraz was in town... "oh that sounds like so much fun can we go... can we go"... so Steve said "OKAY!!!"

They were like "what... are we really not going to HSM3? The only one at this point SUPER excited was Shawn... he couldn't wait. Finally we "talked" them into being excited. We ended up having so much fun. About four songs into the concert Ashley was so tired that she fell asleep on my lap. I asked her (in her sleep) if she liked the concert and shook her head yes! Well I guess money well spent ... right?

Happy 32nd Birthday to Jarred!!!

Today is Jarred's 32nd birthday.

I love him for a lot of reasons...

1. He picked a great wife and treats her so cute. I am proud of him. He is an awesome guy.
2. He is an really great uncle. Our kids just adore him and always look forward to seeing him.
3. He is fun. He does crazy things and is always up for an adventure.
   
4. He is a super friend and brother not only to me, his big sister, but to Steve. They have a great relationship... he truly is the brother that Steve didn't have growing up.

There really is a lot more reasons... These are just a few!

I love you , Jarred... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

***Disclamer***

I LOVE to take pictures and usually do a pretty good job... but everyone is commenting on how cute my last ones of the kids are and I didn't take them... Steve did.

Way to go Steve!

Our attempt at fall pictures of the kids...

I am pretty sure that it is MUCH easier to get good pictures of
other peoples kids.

We were quickly loosing light!

We were also quickly loosing patience!

Check out their cute matching outfits (refer to prior post).

Pretend you don't notice that Ashley got out of the house with
her "favorite" shoes on... not the black ones that match.

I also let my cool 7th grader have a little opinion on dressing himself...
NOTE the gray stripes!

Luckily he is a great kid!

All in all my kids were pretty good. We all made it through the experience!

What makes me quirky...

Jenn B. this one is for you...

Definition of quirk:n.1. A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy: "Every man had his own quirks and twists" Harriet Beecher Stowe.2. An unpredictable or unaccountable act or event; a vagary: a quirk of fate.

Rules:
Link the Person who Tagged you. Mention rules on your blog. Tell about 6 quirks of yours. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same. Leave a comment to let them know.

I have OCD characteristics so this should be fun.

1. Just like Lisa W. I shower the same everyday. I wash my hair, rinse, then condition... while the conditioner is setting I shave... first my right leg, then left then my right pit, then my left last I shave my bikini line... finally I rinse my hair.

2. I have to put chapstick on every night before bed if I forget I can't sleep until I get up and put it on.

3. I am a big list maker... I love my grocery list especially to look good. When my family writes something down on the list that I need to get... I have to re-write the whole list... It has to be how I like it.

4. I have to shave my legs AT LEAST once a day. I hate even the slightest stubble.

5. I have to have all the chairs pushed in the same at the table. It doesn't matter if it is my table or a table at the furniture store... they have to be the same.

6. I like my cans in the cupboard to all face the same way with the brand facing out and the cereal boxes to all face the same way with the nutrition label facing out... NOT because I read the label but because it looks more uniform.

Bonus quirk... I LOVE it when my whole family dresses in the SAME colors scheme. It makes it easy in the likely chance that I take pictures then I can scrapbook easier and everyone can match the paper.

Are we still friends... I know I am weird!

I tag all of you who are reading this and haven't done it yet. These are fun to read and they make me feel a whole lot more normal when I hear the things that you do. So if you haven't done it... now is the time.

A peek into our crazy schedule...

• Monday

1. Steve started a new job. He is going to be working for a company call Fix it Squad / Redrock Heating & Cooling. Our friend Jeff that owns A-shed, that he has been working for, also owns this Fix it Squad. They do all kinds of different jobs... when they do new construction in heating they will be doing it under Redrock Heating & Cooling. It is fun to see that going in full swing again. It just feels right. Steve is super excited to help it grow. He will be doing sells for both companies. The best part is that he wont be doing the parts that he is not quite as good at which is the bills and secretarial stuff. I am proud of him. He is excited.
   
2. Monday night we went to eat dinner out at Chick-fil-a. We went to support this amazing little boy that I wish we knew. His name is Trent Duval. He is eight. He is loosing his battle with leukemia. You will have to go on his blog and read about him. You will fall in love with him too. I am not a cryer... his story made me sob. He has affected our whole family. Our kids pray for him each night. Read his story... www.trentduval.blogspot.com.

• Tuesday

1. We went to dinner with a whole bunch of friends. We are so super fortunate to have such great people that surround us and help teach our kids. We went to hang out with Buck & Leigh Ann Taylor while he is still in town. They are two of the most amazing people that I know. Buck in serving our country in Afghanistan. He does it well. His stories are so great. He is on a two week leave. He will go back on Monday for about four more months. Leigh Ann is so courageous. I just watch her. I think that she is an awesome woman to hold everything together while her husband is serving our country for our freedom. I love them. All of our kids were so interested in all of Buck's stories... they just kept asking him questions. I loved watching my kids with my friends. Shawn especially had a good time because he is the age that I hung out with some of them.
   

• Wednesday

1. I was in charge of our Young Women's combined activity. We had a lady, Date Rape Advocate, come and talk to the girls about Date Rape, then we did a service project for them... the South Valley Coalition, that she works with. WOW! is all that I can say. Here are a few of the statistics... realize that most of these statistics are from UTAH.

• 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner
• In 1995, 7% of all murder victims were young women killed by there boyfriends
• 1 in 8 Utah Women will raped sometime in their lifetime
• Rape is the only category of violence that Utah EXCEEDS the nations violence

So this information last night was scary to me... you should hear all of these statistics that I have from her... WOW! It makes me nervous to raise kids in these latter days. What an eye opener for me. I looked back on times that this could have easily happened to me or one of my friends. SCARY!

• Thursday

1. NO SCHOOL
2. Alyssa & Ashley had a fall performance. It was so cute. They and all their little friends did such a great job. They are in Guyz N Dollz with Cassie S, Emmy S, & Alyssa and Ella M, Sara W, Maggie S & Ashley... They love it. They all were all so cute.
3. Alyssa had a soccer game. The final score was 10 to 0... we won. We were doing so great that John mixed up all of the positions and let Alyssa play forward instead of defender... She scored a goal... how fun to see her play somewhere else. They have a great team and they really are getting so great together. They are having a fun time.
   
4. Finally we ended the night off with a soccer party at our house. All the girls and their families came over for dessert, soup & rolls. All the parents sat around and talked while the girls played, sang karaoke, and watched a movie. We had a great time.
   

Tomorrow we are taking the kids to Lagoon... I will take pictures...

Couples HaLLoWeEN BoNKo!

Two cute Geishas
~Jason & Nicole~

a suicide bomber
a cute soldier
~Buck & Leigh Ann~

Colonel Sanders and
his Cute Southern Belle
~Ben & Natalie~

Napoleon Dynamite and
a cute pregnant Deb
~Trent & Julie~

Murray Mayor Snarr and
Murray's favorite idol David Archuleta
~Steve & Me~

Hannah Montana and
her sidekick Lola
~Callin and Lisa~

Olympic Gold Medal Winner Michael Phelps
and Gold Winner Womens Beach Volleyball Player
~Eric & Jenn~

a portly Napoleon and
Josephine Bonaparte

(Sorry that the pictures are first...
This was the only way today that I could get them uploaded
- I was having major computer stress - sorry)

Well last night we had our famous Couples Halloween Bonko. It is very anticipated all year long. We start talking about and thinking about costumes a year ahead. This year was amazing.

We always start the night off at Bonsai. The employees there even anticipate it. They take pictures of us and always say they can't wait to see what we come up with the next year.

This year the biggest HIGHLIGHT of the night was when Buck and Leigh Ann came walking in the restaurant. Everyone started clapping and cheering. He has been gone serving our country in Afghanistan. He is on a two week leave. It was so good to have him home safe and to give him a big hug. We have missed you Buck!

We held Bonko at our house this year. It is always such a great reason to clean house. I love how the house looks when it is clean... if we could only keep it this way always.

What a fun fun fun group we have. I love each and everyone of them. They all bring so much happiness to our lives. I love you guys!

My weekend...

Steve, Me , Shawn, Cameron, & Ashley all went to the Sand Dunes in Idaho this past weekend. Alyssa stayed home with Grandma Karen (She had her last Snow White performance). Yay! As cute as the whole thing was it took ENTIRELY TOO MUCH TIME! I was so tired of taking her to practice after practice after practice. I am glad to have my girl back. I missed her.

Here are a few highlights from our weekend.

1. Weekend get a way to Idaho.
   
2. Steve & his boys on a four wheeler ride with Cameron & Shawn riding their own 4-wheelers.
   
3. Talking to Alyssa after everything that her and Grammy did.
   
4. Conference. Because it rained and we stayed in the motor home more we were able to watch all four sessions of conference (minus 1 hour of the last session). I love conference. I really love to hear our leaders talk. I love the talks that you know they are answering a prayer of yours directly. They are amazing men and women.
   
5. Our friends... we have a great group of friends that we go on our motor home trips with. I really love them all.
   
6. Great food... I love camping food... we always grill a salmon and steak... MMMmmm!

Anyway... we had a great weekend. It is always good to be back home.

I am BAD at BLOGGING...

I absolutely love to read all of your blogs, I even get annoyed when you don't update them... then why am I so bad at blogging? I feel SUPER overwhelmed. With my whole lift right now.

• My house... is a HUGE disaster.
  
• My laundry... well it looks as if I do laundry for the whole neighborhood.
  
• My car... smells and looks like some small animal died in it.
  
• My craft room... looks like a kids play house.
  
• My brain... is fried!!!
• I do have a clean theater.
  

I have couples Halloween Bonko at my house on Saturday. I am pretty sure that I will have it cleaned up by then... I hope!

Please keep blogging... it keeps me sane. I would miss you guys if you didn't do it.

Looking Back at our Week...

Monday - Steve & I both worked all day then after school Alyssa had Drama Practice and also Soccer Practice.

Tuesday - Steve & I both worked all day. After school we had the room parent orientation (I get to be the head room parent in Cameron's class this year). Then I had to run to Shawn's first big Jr. High Parent Teacher Conference. It went pretty well. Then Shawn had karate but he somehow talked me out of going because of parent teacher conference. Cameron had soccer practice then finally we went to scout pack meeting for Cameron... yes this was one of those nights that we didn't eat until 9:00pm (we seem to have a lot of these).

Wednesday - I went on a field trip all morning with Alyssa's class to the U of U - Natural History Museum. Steve worked. I came back and went straight to Cameron's class to do the Meet the Master Art program - what a cute cute age. I ran straight from there to my nail appt. I finally got to sit down and have a break. After school Ashley and her cute little friends had drama class. Alyssa had voice lesson's & play practice (yes if you are wondering she is in WAY to much right now). Steve and I both had young men's and young women's so we didn't even know how we were going to pick her up and my life saver, Chelby saved me and picked her up for me. Thanks Chelby!

Thursday - We started the day off at Dad's & Doughnuts at 8:00am. We all went because I was helping set up and take down. I came home and had a relaxing face wax at Jami's house. Then Steve & I both worked again... I am beginning to see a pattern here. After school we had "Cookie Friday" for the Jr. High kids - They didn't have school on Friday so Chelby & I changed it to Thursday this week. Then Shawn had Karate, Then we had Cameron's Soccer practice & Alyssa's Soccer game. Finally I headed over to Kneader's to meet all the Bonko Girls (and Sub's) for Dinner then to Mindy's house for Bonko. Cute Cute prizes. I have the best set of girlfriends. I am not sure how I became so lucky. I love each and every one of you for completely different reasons.

Friday - I went visiting teaching to Julie Smith & Jami Morrell. Shawn & Steve played golf because Shawn didn't have school. Then they came home to watch some episodes of "Prison Break" together. Then Shawn, Steve & I all went to lunch at "Five Guys Burgers & Fries". Yummy! Steve then went to work and Shawn & I grocery shopped. We did a few chores when we got home and I started to decorate for Halloween. Then we raced to get ready because Julie & Trent invited us & the Sharples over for a really great homemade dinner. BBQ Lamb, Cheesy mashed potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus, you goat girl salad and the VERY BEST homemade peach pie that I have ever had. YUMMY! Thank you Thank you Thank you for inviting us. The next time is our turn. I love you guys... it was fun to sit and talk with the 6 of us.

Saturday - We had to leave our house by 7:30am for Cameron's game that was in Pleasant Grove, then we ate breakfast at McDonald's, Then straight home to drop off Steve to go to work. The rest of us headed to Guyz N Dollz to Alyssa's Snow White play. She is so stinking cute in the play. Then straight from her play we headed up to Heber for her soccer game. After her game we ate dinner at the Dairy Keen in Heber with Brad & Jamie Mackay. We are now home and BEAT! It is 8:30pm and I AM READY FOR BED!!!!!

I am sorry that this is such a BORING post BUT it is purely for journaling purposes only.

I am tired -

I am just sitting here at Mom & Dad's House...

I am just sitting here with my cute new sister in law. She just started a blog for her and Jarred so I am showing her how to use it. Also she gave me a link to her cute wedding pictures if any of you would like to see them.

http://www.kevinwinzeler.com/gallery/6001897_tNcnP/1/375168068_XtVvj#375168068_XtVvj

The password is Wedding... make sure you have a capital W

Sorry - I don't know how to make the link so you can just click on it from my blog. You will have to cut and copy - sorry!

Let me know what you think. I love them.

I have a million things to tell about...

Where do I start...

1. Callin & Lisa's Eternal Family - Steve & I went to the temple to see Callin & Lisa sealed together as an eternal family. I loved every minute of it. They went on their 10th wedding anniversary. It was so fun to see their little family standing together in all white together in the sealing room. I really loved it.
2. Shawn's Black Belt - In January 2008 Shawn tested for his black belt. He has been in a waiting period since then to see if he would get his black belt. He finally received it. It was so much fun to see him get it. We are so proud of him.
   
3. Girls Weekend Out - I went with Jami, Dayna, Jenn & Lisa W. to stay in a hotel, then the next day very tiredly we went to an all day woman's conference. It was so needed and so much fun. It is just amazing how much therapy it is just hanging out with 4 girlfriends, a fart machine, puffy pants & peckermints.
4. Couples Date Night to Bonsai & Laser Tag - I am pretty sure that I don't like playing that game with people I don't know. I really had fun hanging out though with ALL of the couples that were with us. We had about 26 of us there. I love that.
   
5. Alyssa's Snow White Play - It is a cute little show. It is fun to see all of the hard work that you daughter puts in to something. If anyone wants to endure a kid play (your kids would like it) she is performing TWO more Saturdays. September 27th and October 4th. It is at the "OLD COMEDY CIRCUIT" in Midvale. Her performing arts place (Guyz & Dollz) bought that place. It is now the "Midvale Main Street Theater". Go and bring your kids.
   
6. Soccer Games - Alyssa & Cameron are really enjoying soccer and are actually pretty good. I really thought (before I had kids) that I would NEVER let or even want my kids activities to run my life. Now I love it.
   
7. School - I now love having all my kids in school. I still really miss Ashley (my partner in crime) but I do get a lot more done. All of my kids are loving school.
8. Steve & the State Fair - Steve was at the fair for the first two weeks of September EVERY day. I realized that with me being a single Mom... our kids can't be involved in as much as they are in. It is nice to have him help me. I love you Steve for all that you do. Leigh Ann - I thought about you everyday while Steve was gone. Please let us know if we can help you in any way... and just think it is a countdown until you see him.
   
9. I really have the greatest husband, kids, friends, family, and people around me. I am glad that I have good people to learn from all around me.
   

I am so tired... I just miss blogging and wanted to update. More for my self than anything.

CONGRATULATIONS Callin & Lisa!!!

So today we were able to go to the Salt Lake Temple with some of our very best friends... Callin & Lisa. Seriously this was one of my very favorite memories that we have had together as friends.
They received their endowments at the 4:00pm session. I loved seeing them dressed in all white. They just looked so great, they really had just a great spirit about them. I am so thankful that I am friends with them. I am thankful for the example they are to us. They have worked so hard to get to where they are right now. I love, love, love to watch their testimony grow. I am counting down now for Friday to see their cute family become an eternal family.

I love you guys... Congratulations!!!

Basement update...

So here is the update... Tears and lots of them really help... it makes your husband not mad at all... in fact he probably thinks that you need therapy because you cried so much and you are not a cryer... It helps believe me I tried it.

So after having the carpet drying with six large fans since Sunday night... the carpet and pad are DRY... We are crossing our fingers in hopes that the wood and sheet rock are not damaged. When Cameron's wall collapses... I will let you know that wall WAS in fact damaged... but for now I think we are good.

Oh and for are lawn... it officially sunk in the area about 3 inches... that is how much water we had.

Just for the record... Steve did say "HOSE" not "HOSES"... I'm just sayin'! But he wasn't at all mad so I can't even try to pass blame...

So what is the dumbest mistake you have ever made...

Mine was tonight... Steve was up putting Alyssa's new bed together in her newly painted room. Outside we were filling up the hot tub because we just cleaned it out the other day. Steve asked me to go turn off the hose. I did. About 2 hours later Steve went outside for something... and came in screaming... "JENNICA! GO GET SOME BUCKETS AND TOWELS... CAMERON'S ROOM IS FLOODED!!!!!!!!!!" So I ran and brought down all 90 towels that we own and the kids and I started mopping up the carpet... while Shawn & Steve were bucketing it out of the window well. We used the shop-vac to vacuum, mopped the floor again, and Steve ran to my parents to get the 6 construction fans that they have in their basement. Did I mention that we just finished the basement a couple of months (like 1 1/2) ago... So here is what happened... He asked me to turn of the hose... which I did... what I didn't know was that there was actually two hoses in the hot tub. Well the hot tub started to overflow and the 2nd hose came out and planted it self right in Cameron's window well... and then promptly filled it up. It is amazing that I could see the carpet through the tears flowing down my cheeks... I felt like the worst person EVER!!! I couldn't even get mad at anyone but my self... crap I hate that!

So the moral of the story is... don't put a bed together on Sunday... your new basement will flood.

Clean Kitchen & Family Room...

You would think that with all my kids at school all day I would clean then...but NOPE, I finally did it today! I deep, took everything off of my counter, cleaned my kitchen.

I also put together my 2008-2009 "Mom's Control Journal" so I know where and when my kids are at school functions, school parties, dance, drama, soccer, karate, voice lessons etc. I also put together my new Young Women's binder.

I have been putting off laundry all day... it is time to do it before my amazing husband takes me out on a date.

School & Mom...

I am bored and lonely with my baby at school. I keep looking for her at Costco & Target. I even thought of having her paged as a lost child. I'm sure then I REALLY would end up in the nut house. I hope that it gets better. I miss them... I never thought that I would after the crazy summer that we have had. Maybe I will get something done this year while they are at school... and maybe then I won't.

SCHOOL IS HERE!!!

So there is that day as a Mom that you look towards. Some days really excited for and some days not excited at all for... The first day of school for your youngest child! Well guys today was that day for me. Now you all know how Ashley is super busy... okay sometimes down right crazy... BUT... she is still my youngest child... AND she started 1st grade today! I really thought that I was excited... or more like so dang EXCITED. As the day inched closer and closer I realized that I was a tad bit sad. Not bawl my eyes out sad but "this is a really weird feeling" sad. I am in a fully different chapter in my life. I realized today that I would be running errands alone from now on, I wouldn't hear her playing in the other room while I was cleaning, she wouldn't be my lunch buddy etc, etc, etc. I really truly am going to miss her and her little voice.

So to make matters worse... I also had my first kid start 7th grade on Friday. Oh my gosh... could I be any older? Don't answer that I am feeling OLD! He absolutely loved 7th grade. 7th graders didn't go today ... so we went to lunch with Catrina & Ashlyn Leffel (oh ya and Dad). We had a great time. It was fun to hang out with just him.

My middle two kids are doing normal (I am thankful) things like going to 3rd & 5th grades. Those grades seem manageable and safe.

All of us sat down at dinner tonight and the kids told us their favorite first day memories.

• Ashley - "I get a big girl desk & 3 recesses"
• Cameron - "I like my new friend Triston... he is new in the school"
• Alyssa - "I REALLY like my teacher... she is funny just like me"
• Shawn - "I love that I have 7 different teachers incase I do something wrong I only have to see them for a short time." GREAT he is planning to do something wrong?... Let's hope not!
  

What a great day. I hope that tomorrow is not quite as weird... as much as I thought that I WOULD NOT miss my kids while they are at school... I did!