Family Home Evening...

For family home evening tonight we went with the "new" couple in our ward Bryce & Stacy Benson and their family to the Temple Visitors Center and then to McDonald's for ice cream. We had so much fun with them. Our kids ran a little wild with their kids at McDonald's but they really had fun. What a great family they are. I am excited that they live here and can't wait to get to know them better.

At Sacrament Today...

While we were taking the sacrament today, I had a conversation with Ashley that went like this:

Ashley - "Mom don't you think that if for the sacrament they gave us two pieces of bread with mustard, tuna fish & grated cheese it would be much better?"

Mom - "That is a great idea... we will have to ask the bishop about that"

Ashley - "ya - I think so"

I was trying to hold back the laughs... so was Brother Hampton sitting in front of us.

Happy 21st Birthday Jelissa!

Today is my baby sisters 21st birthday. First of all that is just weird. I remember so well the day that she was born. I was in the 7th grade. My mom had been in the hospital for about seven weeks already and we had no idea when she would have the baby. We also didn't know what she was having (I REALLY WANTED ANOTHER BROTHER SO I WOULD BE THE ONLY GIRL AND SPOILED - I know that is terrible to admit). While I was in P.E. at Riverview Jr. High I got a call to come down to the office, I thought that I was in trouble. They said that I had a phone call and it was my Dad. He told me that my Mom had the baby and it was a GIRL... What that messes up my whole plan of being spoiled. Me being a spoiled brat already... I didn't even want to go and see her. I reluctantly went and when I picked her up and saw her for the first time... I was in love. She was so stinking cute. Black Black hair, dark brown eyes, and chubby cheeks.

We are 13 years apart. Just in the last couple of years have I not seemed so OLD to her (she was only 8 years old when I got married). We are such good friends now. I really love her even though she isn't a boy (I am glad by the way). She is a tomboy. Any thing a boy can do she can do it MUCH better. She is super beautiful... outside and in.

I am glad to be her big sister.

For her 21st birthday today we went to eat at Hagermann's Bakery for lunch. We then went shopping. After I went to Savers for some seriously ugly dress up clothes for a surprise for her. Then we went to dinner at Johnny Carino's with about 25 of us. After we went to Momentum (next to Sandy REI) and went rock climbing. I have never been. It was so much fun. Here are a few pictures.

This first one is Jelissa. Happy Birthday Jelissa!

Happy Easter 2008!

I LOVE EASTER!

I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and the Atonement. I am thankful for repentance. I am glad that I can be forgiven of my sins. I am glad that we have chosen to teach our kids about Jesus Christ and his great church... we need all the help we can get in raising them.

I hope you all had a great Easter.

We got up and the Easter Bunny had come... the kids had a small egg hunt. Then they opened their Easter baskets. They each got a new pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and a pair of shoes, and some candy and then as a family the Easter Bunny brought three movies... The Legend of Johnny Lingo, Enchanted & Meet the Robinson's.

I love Easter clothes. I still love getting a new Easter dress from my Mom. She buys my kids their Sunday Easter clothes. This year we chose brown and pink. I thought that the boys & Dad looked super handsome and the girls looked so cute. Of course I am a little partial.




We went to church and Dan & Linda Anderson (Brian Anderson's parents) spoke. It is always fun to hear from them. They are super spiritual, great people. In Relief Society Kelly Taeoalii taught. She is the cutest, greatest teacher. You really feel like standing up in the middle of her lesson and cheerleading, doing kart wheels and jumping up and down and screaming hallelujah (I know wrong church), She is just that fun. I love listening to her.

After church went to my Mom & Dad's for dinner. We had Steve's Mom & Dad come over too. We ate Honey Baked ham (marinated in pineapple juice & brown sugar, then heated), red potatoes, strawberry spinach salad with homemade lime dressing, rolls, asparagus with cheese sauce, broccoli, and fruit. For dessert we had Strawberry shortcake with real homemade whipping cream.

We were super stuffed but when we got home we made homemade popcorn and watched "Meet the Robinson's". What a cute show with a good message to "always keep trying". A good thought on Easter sunday. Remember the Atonement and "always keep trying".

Happy Birthday Natalie!

So tomorrow is my friend Natalie's birthday. Kelly had the brilliant idea to take her to dinner and to get a pedicure... the most brilliant part about it was that she invited the Bonko Babes (we named our self that). We went to Noodles & Co. with Natalie D., Kelly S., Leigh Ann T., Jenn W., Lisa L., and Me, then after everyone except Jenn went to get the pedicure. We all five sat there together and talked, giggled, had a chair back massage, and got a pedicure. I am pretty sure the nice Chinese people talked about us the whole time but who cares... IT WAS HEAVENLY. Everyone should do this at least once a month.

Great idea Kelly!!!

Building Harley a little fence...

Today I came home to Steve building Harley a little fence in our backyard. Cameron is Daddy's biggest helper and quickly went outside to help him. Of course when you are a construction worker you have to have your shirt off so... off with Cameron's shirt. Who cares that is was only 50 degrees outside. You have to look the part right?

I was just leaving for my nail appointment so I had Shawn take the pictures... these were the best out of the ones that he took.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I actually don't love this holiday BUT I do love to have the kids wear their cute new green shirts each year. Here is this years St. Patrick's Day attire (even Harley has a green bow around his neck). Have a happy day. I hope you have a lucky day and that you find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Stake Conference...

I never in my childhood and teenage years thought that I would say this...
I LOVE Stake Conference.

It started out last night. We went to dinner with Dean & Jami Morrell to Noodles. We had such a relaxing great time. We leisurely ate (while ours and their kids all babysat each other). Then we went to the stake center. We arrived about 15 minutes early, we thought that was good enough. We ended up getting seats in the back uncomfortable chairs which is ok but we were just surprised at how many people had come already. We also sat by our friends and neighbors, the Leffel's. We had some really great speakers. Here is a list of a few... not all of them... but a few.

SATURDAY NIGHT (Adult session)
1st - Bishop Fred Allen (32nd Ward)
He talked about loving your neighbors, family and friends. How we have many different "angels" in our life and we should cherish and love each one of them. Wonderful talk!

2nd - President Bryan Call (Stake Presidency & our ward)
He is really always one of my favorite speakers... super spiritual. he had 10 "points" to make. I will list a few:
* AVOID debt. Have a years supply of food and be debt free! Make a budget plan.
* Don't be obsessed with the person who you follow in your calling... you will do great.
* Don't be obsessed with the title of your calling.
* Keep a sense of humor.
* Serve our families - Do the little things... big things will follow.
* Complications will come - do your best.
* Be a participant in the Lord's plan.
* Remember that it is by the small and simple things that great things are brought to pass.

3rd - Elder Jon M. Huntsman Sr. (of the seventy)
* Sorrows will come. Kids, grand kids, family members will fall out of the "nest"... embrace them. Teach them.
* Put your houses in order. Raise your kids the "right" way. Have family home evening, pray together, read the scriptures together. Teach your kids about the atonement and repentance.

4th - Elder M. Russell Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)
* BE PREPARED!
* Mom's counsel with your husbands to try and work it out, if you are working outside the home to be home when your kids arrive home. They need you.
* Avoid debt! (yes it was talked about all night) Get your houses in order. Self reliance can't be obtained if we are full of debt. He said to get a plan together THIS WEEK.
* Be self sufficient in your spirituality and your finances.

What a GREAT evening... we finished it off with ice cream at the Demann's house. We had a great evening with really good speakers and really good friends and examples.

SUNDAY MORNING (Family session)

Elder M. Russell Ballard
* His main point was "KEEP IT SIMPLE". Don't let the gospel be complex. Focus on love in our homes. Don't raise your voice (I think he was talking specifically to me with this talk). Listen to the spirit and be calm. Step outside rather than yell or get mad.

President Stephen Hunter (Stake President)
* Gratitude and Happiness. It is our blessing and privilege to be thankful and say thank you. Write thank you notes. Be thankful for even the "little" things.

Elder Jon M. Huntsman
* Mom's you are the nurturer in the home. You set the tone and temperament of your home. Establish a house of prayer and stability.
* Dad's don't raise your voice. Give blessings to your wife and kids.

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)
* Storms, sorrow and grief will come into our lives. Carry on! Don't say "why me?" instead ask "what now". Endure to the end. We can learn and grow from our trials.

Tonight we asked our kids what their favorite thing about last week was and what their goal for next week is... they all said that they loved hearing our Apostles of the Lord speak today and they loved that after we were able to shake the hands of Elder Joseph B. Worthlin and Elder Jon M. Huntsman. I would have to agree... I feel very spiritually fed. I loved this weekend. I really do love to hear them teach us. You can just feel of their spirit and how fun to actually get to talk to them too.

50's Day...

So Yesterday was 50's day at school. My girls usually get into it. Ashley was so excited and couldn't wait to wear her cute poodle skirt. Shawn and Cameron actually usually want to get into it too. Well this year I thought that for sure Shawn wouldn't get in to it... at all. He woke up today and asked what he should wear for 50's day. I asked "are you sure that you want to dress up? I mean are your friends?" He said "Mom, I really don't care if I am the only one in the class that dresses up - I will look cool". Okay I am thinking "Wow that is confidence" obviously something that I don't have because I would have MADE SURE ALL of my friends were dressing up with me. He is a good kid... he, so far, has his head on straight.

Well all of them looked really cute. I love 50's clothes. I think that it would be fun to dress like this everyday and dance around and sing along like in "Grease" everyday. I know that is how it was back then... just like "Grease".

What a fun day for them.

GNO - Update...

The movie... two thumbs up! I loved it. It was very cheesy and girly. I like movies like that. Best of all I went with really great girls...

Lisa
Natalie
Chelby
Julie
Kelly S.
Kelly T.
Melissa

What a fun group... the only problem with movies is that when we get together with really great company (like tonight) all I want to do is sit and talk. Let's get together for another date soon and just sit and eat french fries, ice cream and diet coke and TALK, TALK, TALK!

Thank you for a great night. I had a great time.

GNO

We are going to see 27 Dresses tonight at Sandy Movies 9 at 9:10, we are leaving at 8:30. Right now it is me, Lisa, Chelby, Natalie, Kelly and Julie - we would love anyone and everyone to come.

To RSVP my cell 557-3543 and Lisa's is 598-5775.


Or RSVP to the comments and I will be checking them also.... xoxo

What a busy week... so much to blog about!

I have had a crazy week with just a whole bunch of normal everyday life things. Here is a quick run down on it all.

Monday:
~ I had lunch with a really great set of girls... the ones that we go on our RV motor home trips with. We went CLEAR out in Herriman to Training Table. It was yummy and we had great conversation too.

~ Ashley had singing/drama at Guyz n' Dollz with her friends Maggie & Sara.

~ I had activity days at my house with all of the girls in our ward from 8-12. We talked about nutrition and they all made a food pyramid to hang on their fridge. Then we ate a healthy snack.

Tuesday:
~ My Mom & I had to shop for and cook food for the work lunch that was on Wednesday.
~ I had relief society cooking class at my house. We made Pioneer Women's Apple Dumplings. They we SO EASY and SO YUMMY. Go on her website (from my favorites) and get the recipe and make them TONIGHT... so good.
~ We also had soccer practice and karate.

Wednesday:
~ Katrina had her baby Ezra. She didn't had him until Wednesday Night so I didn't go see her.
~ I worked. We had our March birthday lunch. We made the whole thing for 70 people. It was super yummy.
~ Shawn had 11 year old scouts.
~ Alyssa went to Disney on Ice with the Morrell Girls. She had so much fun. Her and Kenadee are such cute little friends. I really like to hear what they talk about.
~ Shawn and Steve had 12-14 year old scouts.
~ My Dad, Mom, Jelissa & I all went to a movie. We saw "The Other Boyeln Girl". It was such a great movie. We went to dinner first at "The DoDo" then we got stocked up on drinks, candy & popcorn and went to watch the movie. We always have fun together - I am not sure why we don't do this more often.

Thursday:
~ I was able two meet Katrina's cute new baby Ezra... I love him. He was so little and cute and he smelled so great (like a brand new baby).
~ Not such a crazy day for us.
~ We had Alyssa's singing/drama class & karate
~ We went to dinner with our Karate instructor's family at Su Casa.
~ Steve and I were able to relax in the rain in the hot tub and have our nightly "meeting"

Friday:
~ I was in Ashley's class making the dreaded wallpaper gunk Easter Bonnets. They sure turn out cute but are a nightmare to make.
~ I went to lunch with Ashley's friend Maggie and her mom (my friend) Chelby. We had a great time. After I ran into Kimi R. and was able to talk to her and congratulate her on Chad becoming Bishop Riches. What a perfect family for that to happen to. They will be great.
~ I am now off to do the art project in Shawn's class for Meet the Masters.

What a crazy "normal" week. I love weeks like this (so every week). Oh and in the craziness of everyday life Steve is working every second of his free time on the basement. We will finally have each of our kids in their very own room for the first time. Yay... we are super excited for that. We will also have a theater... we might not have the projector or screen yet (because we have to save up for them)but we will have a theater. I can't wait.

Finally...

I was finally able to post pictures... I have tried for days.

Here are the cute curlers.

Sponge Curlers...

As I was getting Ashley out of the bathtub tonight (Saturday) I realized that I won't have a little girl to put sponge curlers in her hair much longer. She is growing up and pretty soon won't think they are cute anymore. I will miss the cute look of my baby girls with jammies on and sponge curlers in their hair.

Disclaimer: I have tried post the pictures last night and all day today but for some reason CAN'T. Anyway... just think of my cute "baby" in curlers.

"Down in the Dumps"

So a couple of months ago Alyssa tried out for a small play. She had to sing a solo to try out. She sang Faith Hill's "Fire Flies". She did so great. She ended up getting the part of one of the lead girls (a tomboy). She was super excited. The play wasn't the best quality or anything but she LOVED it. It has been a really great opportunity for her. She has been to practices each week for months, memorized her parts, and sung a little solo. Tonight was the play. It was called:

"DOWN IN THE DUMPS"

She was so nervous. She did a FABULOUS job. I was super proud of her. She really likes performing in plays and musicals. She is good at it.

I couldn't get really great pictures of her in the actual play (I forgot to bring my external flash) I will get some tomorrow night. I did take some before and after shots. I can't believe my little princessy tomboy is growing up.

A cute conversation with Miss Alyssa...

At dinner tonight...

Alyssa: "Well Mom, I finally broke up with CJ"

insert... for those of you that don't know... CJ is Ms. McLellands (Alyssa's first grade teacher) son. They met when she was in her class. He is a year older than her. He doesn't go to our school. They have been "in love" since the day that they met. He even wrote a book about her. They exchange Valentines... you know the whole bit. It really is kind of cute. She is even taller than him. They keep in touch with each other through Ms. McLelland and me. They see each other once or twice a year.

back to the story...

Mom: "You did? How?"

Alyssa: "I told Ms. McLelland, I said Ms. McLelland I need to tell you something... please don't be mad. I need to break up with CJ... I am really sad but we don't see each other or anything... It is just hard"

Mom: "Oh sweetie... how do you feel now?"

Alyssa: "A lot more sad than I thought I would. I mean I really thought that I liked other boys to but I already miss him"

(I am trying to be as serious as can be with her at this point by the way... It was hard not to smirk)

Mom: "Breaking up is hard. Do you think that you did the right thing?"

Alyssa: "I think so"

Now the drive home... she sits in the back and listens to her IPod... we get home and everyone gets out of the car but her... I look in to see what she is doing... She is SOBBING!!! Really SOBBING!!!

Mom: "Oh my heck sweetie... what is the matter? Why are you crying so hard?"

Alyssa: "I just miss him... I really thought that I had done the right thing... I don't think that I did. Will you tell Ms. Mclelland with me that I made a mistake? Can you do that... break up and un-break up"

Mom: "Sweet Heart... let's just say a prayer about it and see how we feel about it tomorrow? Is that a good idea?"

Alyssa: "Ya... that will probably help!"

If this is how the next... oh uh 10-15 years are I am in for some serious therapy... I felt like I had just broke up with one of my boyfriends in high school.

It was kind of cute though. I will have to let Ms. McLelland know what a special boy she has. I am sure she already knows.

San Diego... Part Two

So I am officially DONE with the company trip for 1 more year. Well not really but it sounded good. I have to start planning next years trip now BUT it is still a year away. This year we had 189 people on the trip... next year we will probably have close to 400 people with the most recent merger. WOW! I guess that keeps me having a job.

Friday - We flew there early (8:00am). We watched Prison Break on the way there... yes you could say that we are addicted. We checked into the hotel and they said to "Mr & Mrs Cameron and Mr & Mrs Murray we have upgraded your rooms for you. Okay well pretty dang cool but they do this every year... so off we go to the rooms. We get on the elevator and ours is on floor 19... the top floor. OK fun. We get to our room and the door says "Governors Suite" OK intriguing. We open the door and it is HUGE. It has 2 full bedrooms and baths, kitchen, dining area and a huge living room. So we called my Mom and Dad and they just had a regular Jr Suite. We told them that we would trade them... they said no. They liked their room. So we got to stay in the Governors Suite... fancy! We decided to cancel Jarred & Rachelle's room and save the money and have them stay in ours. We had so much fun. When we first walked off the elevator the security guard wasn't going to let us even on the floor - not until we gave him our room number did he believe that we were staying on that floor. They only had 2 rooms on the whole floor - Presidents Suite and Governors Suite. FUNNY!

We went straight to lunch and then to the San Diego Temple. I love that temple. We were 5 minutes late for the session so we decided to just do initiatorys. We each did 10 names. What a great experience going to the temple out of state. They are so much more laid back. I met some of the greatest little old ladies. I love to hear their life stories and they always seem to want to talk about their life. I love it.

Friday night is when all of my siblings came in. They don't usually come on the company trip but they did this time. We went to eat at our standard vacation Friday night Hard Rock Cafe. Then waled around the shops.

Saturday we went to the Air & Space Museum. I always like going to those. We also hung out in the Lobby of the hotel a lot to just see how all of the employees were doing. I love to see the employees just "letting their hair down - so to speak" and having a great time with each other.

Saturday night we went to eat at Osetra's Fish House. The appetizers and salad were awesome. The dessert was pretty good but the actual dinner was just okay. We ate there 3 years ago and it was FABULOUS but they just changed to new owners. They used instant mashed potatoes. UGH! I am not sure if it was because we had so many people or what... but YUCK! The steak was pretty good. Just not cooked how I like it.

Sunday was the Brunch... wow - so dang good.

Here is some of the things that they had:
Omelet station
Waffle & Crepe station
Sushi Bar
Pasta
Salad Bar
Fruits
Desserts
Muffins, Rolls etc.
and lots more

All in all the trip turned out really great but when I get home I am super done working. I love when it turns out great though. I love our employees and the people that they bring. The concierge told me that she always bases every group off of ours because we have such a fun friendly group... she always looks forward to us. What a nice compliment to our people. We are a great group. I will post pictures as soon as I unpack and find my camera.