HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY MEGAN

Twenty years ago today Megan was born! My life changed forever. She is such a joy to her dad & me. Here are twenty things we love about her!
1. She's beautiful
2. She's got style~something I have never had~not sure where she got it.
3. She's a hard worker & very independant
4. She is deeply spiritual
5. She has high standards
6. She is a lot of fun & loves life
7. She is a great example to all her younger siblings, which makes my job so much easier
8. She is compassionate & loved working in the orphanage last year. She still cries around babies because she misses "her kids"
9. She has the most beautiful voice~ I love to listen to her sing & play the piano
10. She is funny
11. When she visits us, I want her to live here again- Trent (why can't she live here again I want her to sleep in my bed, why can't she live here? why? why? mom do you want to play trains with me.)
12. She is going to be the R.S. president- who wouldn't be proud of that?!!
13. She loves children & wants to have at least five-bring on the grandkids!
14. She is going to be a Junior in college probably by December- again I am so proud.
15. She works hard to support herself when a lot of her friends just mess around with their parents money.
16. She is a gifted writer
17. She calls me almost everyday & involves the family in her life
18. She is best friends with her brothers & sisters
19. She is a good & honest person
20. She Is Easy To Love!!

Post a Happy Birthday message here. Last night I went in & I think it will be easier for anyone to post now!

In A Pickle

The last three or four years I have been making dill pickles. Karen's mom taught me how & we LOVE them. This year I didn't plant any pickling cucumbers for various reasons- good intentions didn't pan out- so I figured Nalley's were just going to have to do. But this morning Karen dropped off these, so lucky me, I'm pickling. They really are easy & we love them. This is the first of about four batches- which should be around 30 quarts if I'm lucky. So tonight as you are out on the town or whatever your'e doing~ think of me, elbow deep in cucumbers! Which is better than this!

Seattle Weekend Trip

What a great trip!My friend Stephanie that I grew up with turned 40 on Sunday.Her husband planned a big surprise for her by inviting her close friends & family up to their lake house in the Seattle area on Saturday.Brett & I were so honored & thrilled to be invited.We flew up early in the afternoon and got there just in time to make it to the restaurant where the party was.It turned out perfect.John did such a great job keeping everything under wraps and she was so surprised.After lunch we went to their home & visited.It was so fun to see her parents, sister & brother and meet some of her close friends from CA, who were all wonderful. Later that night we took a drive and saw some beautiful views of the city. Steph & I stayed up late catching up- she has the most darling seven kids, all blonde & beautiful, it was fun to spend some time with them. Sunday morning we went to the Kent 1st ward-where I grew up-it was really great to be there.After our goodbyes Brett surprised me & had changed our tickets to a later flight so that we could go see all my favorite places!We had a BLAST.We went to my familie's favorite Mexico Lindo for lunch & I can confirm that I have real issues because I was so happy to be eating there that I literally almost cried. I was wishing ruthie, my mom, & jim were there because they are just as crazy about the place as I am & I knew they would feel the same way. At one point Brett said-are you going to start crying?Like he knew he had married a mad woman. I just told him I was supremely happy to be there. I even asked the owners if they sold any of their sauces which they do but they are in plastic containers so I new they would never make it on the plane.

For the rest of the day we went shopping at The Land of Nod-(I get their catalog & have always wanted to go to one of their stores- only 4),Pike Place Market, & dinner at Ivars on the warf so much fun. We got to the airport- which was also great for me because I finished my book club book-(great book watch for later post)which I loved then back home.We finally laid our heads on our pillows around 1:00 AM. All the work & grogginess today is worth it. Click on the bottom right corner of the slide show, click on stephanie, then click on slide show again & you can see the same show just larger pictures if you want.
Thanks John for such a great trip~ Stephanie, hope your birthday was fabulous!So glad we could join in celebrating.

First Friday Contest Is A Loser

Sorry guys I guess I made this too hard.But thanks for trying. I hope no one got a headache looking at the picture.I will send 4 cards to Brit & 4 cards to Mom.If you want to know what is hiding in the clothes it is sticking out a little on the top right, it's gold & brown and you can find out what it is here!

I love having readers!I found out this week that there are people who blog for a living- or at least make money at it- like the pioneer woman. They have advertisers who sponsor them on their site. There is even a blogher (get it BLOG HER women who blog) conference in Chicago this weekend with blogher speakers.Most of them I think are political or have some kind of real agenda, except I know that pioneer woman is one of the speakers. I was telling Hailey about this, this morning & how that is my dream right now & she said-can I go with you when you go to chicago to speak someday. Can you believe the kid... Hailey is the best without missing a beat she just responded like it was absolutely possible that, that could happen to me & she was going to get in on it before someone else got the extra ticket.Kind of like quickly getting the last piece of cake before it's all gone- she is #4 out of 6 you know-everyone fend for yourself & quickly or your out of luck.

Friday Contest !!

This is my bucket of ironing.I am so behind~so to cheer myself up about the whole mess I decided to start my first

Friday Contest!

If you can guess what is hidden in the laundry basket-it's kind of like a where's waldo thing... you will win eight hand made greeting cards, made by me & my card club.The first person to post the correct answer-be specific- wins!HINT-you can see it barely.

What A Great Day

Today was such a good day, starting with the mission call & on.Two of my favorite friends had daughters getting their tonsils out so I took popsicles & visited. (They are both doing great.) Then went to lunch with sky & lori, worked on my quilt- just a little-then went to a viewing tonight-not as fun but nice to see people I love & hadn't seen in a while.

This afternoon Trent & Lily found a dead bird in the backyard.They wanted to bury it, which was a great idea because a couple of weeks ago Max proudly brought one up to chloe in her bedroom- she went into hysterics.Brian dug a hole, put the bird in it & a few minutes later Chloe yelled for me to come look out the kitchen window.I immediately grabbed my camera & went out.I got this picture with~permission.Lily said a nice little sentiment about how it was a good bird.It was darling.I'm telling you~ I really don't know where they get this stuff & yes trent is saluting.

IT FINALLY CAME TODAY!!!

THE WAITING IS OVER...

ALMOST, WE HAD TO WAIT FOR ALL HIS FRIENDS TO ARRIVE.

HE'S READING IT...

HE'S REALLY CHOKED UP NOW...






OSORNO, CHILE
His mission will cover the southern half of Chile.
He reports to the Provo MTC on Novermber 14th.
He is so excited-THRILLED- & by the way, he will be speaking Spanish.

Rough Night

It was a rough night. After fireworks chloe had a stomach ache.I have been worried about this for a week.Everyone in the neighborhood has had this terrible stomach virus-except us & the Johnson's.Well, last night our luck ran out.I've heard it goes through whole families- and it's BAD.Poor chloe, she threw up every hour on the half hour until 4:30 AM when I woke up Brett who woke up Brian & they gave her a blessing.After that she slept until around 7:00 ( I think) & it happened again. She wanted to sleep downstairs on the couch-she was so sick so I slept on the love seat- or tossed & turned between episodes.Max laid right next to her the whole night or at least until 2:30 AM when I AM NOT LYING I heard heaving jumped up & you guessed it Max was throwing up.I threw him out the back door as fast as I could but it was too late. The deed had been done~he must have swallowed a toy or something I will spare you the details.Thankfully after a night like that Brett worked from home until he got Trent off to basketball & archery, made hailey get up & lay on the love seat while I went & slept for an hour.Chloe is feeling loads better now.The good news-I'm definately not going anywhere today so maybe I can finish this quilt I keep putting off.

NO MISSION CALL TODAY

This is KILLING us!! It has been four weeks since the papers were submitted.At this point it doesn't even seem like he is going now.It's like when your pregnant & you finally give up & figure you're never really having a baby you're just going to be pregnant for the rest of your life-then boom one day you actually have a baby.Poor guy he was so mad this morning- like that helps.Jacks wisdom,"people this impatient probably shouldn't go on a mission."He's got a point-but hey this is hard.My internet has been down all morning & I thought I had waited forever.I guess he comes by it naturally!Here's hoping it comes next week...

Pioneer Day 2007

Chloe & Caroline

Trent & Lily

Neighborhood Fireworks

Our "Mall With A Parking Lot"

I loved pioneer day when I was a kid.We always had a ward activity & picnic as far as I can remember.I remember having pioneer parades around the church building. We made shakers out of paper plates & beans, decorated our bikes & dressed like pioneers.My first year living in Utah I was really excited to be here for pioneer day. What a let down. There are no ward activities. There is the days of 47 parade & rodeo downtown, plus fireworks here & there but hey that's it.It is really a day for families, which is great unless you have no extended family here.I miss the old ward pot luck dinners & kids running amuck.

We still had a great day. Brett had the day off & we basically had a restful morning (Trent & I made this "mall with a parking lot" out of blocks then he knocked it down with a "wrecking ball") then we got lots done in the afternoon.Brett & Trent cleaned out the shed, which is now trent's second home.He wants to live there.Brett told him as long as he doesn't touch the gas can for the lawn mower he can pretend to live there all he wants.Tonight we had the Johnson's over for a BBQ, but we had to stay in because it rained.YES it was raining, not a lot but enough to bring us all in the house. I was so happy to see rain I didn't care one bit.Then our wonderful neighbors the Neumeyers were doing fireworks & let us all join in. We have the BEST neighbors.Now I wish I would've put together our own pioneer day potluck, parade, & activities.I really could've & so easily~ I wonder how many other families out there wished they had a potluck to go to~shoot I shouldv'e done it!(Mental note-next year put together pioneer day neighborhood activity)

Scout Camp 2007

Brett taught the boys how to trap squirrels. Just in case they ever want to get a full blown case of rabies.

The boys are back & they had a great time! The scouts made a raft out of wood they found & took it over to a little island in the lake. They all slept there together one night.Brett said they all got along & it was very successful-even though brett didn't catch any fish.That makes the four days & three nights without talking to him worth it.Even though he travels from time to time at least then I can at least talk to him on the phone. Busy morning I will blog later this afternoon.

The Sobbing Continues

Last night our goldfish Ellie died.She was Trent's goldfish he got her at the 4th of July carnival LAST YEAR. Yes she was a little over one years old.Which doesn't seem long to Trent since our other goldfish Zore is 2 1/2 years old. Trent can't stop crying, "why did she have to die when she is only one years old."I am so tired my patience is wearing thin.I have lovingly explained that goldfish usually don't live long at all & we were really lucky to have Ellie for that long.Not to worry we had a funeral this morning.After I dug the hole trent said,"why don't you say the pray mom."So I prayed that Ellie would know how much we loved her & that Jake would show her around heaven. We have had a lot of talks of heaven, our bodies & spirits, etc. The poor kid just sobs.I think I will try to find a book at the book store today. Of course, if I do he will switch gears & be obsessing on some other subject by then.Don't worry~ I will do it anyway.Yes! I just got off the phone with karen (begging for lily to come over).Lily's here & guess what you can get a new goldfish for only 25 cents at petco!I knew lily would help the situation they are working on a name.(grave decorations by chloe)

Want To Make My Day?

Who is out there reading this?I am so curious-please post & let me know.

Poop Happens

I think it has finally hit Max that Jake is gone & not coming back.He has had at least one accident for the past three days.He was doing so good-no accidents for months.Since he is full grown, it is hard to remember that he is still just a puppy.He is such a good dog!Never runs off or pukes & doesn't shed. He doesn't beg & is so good with kids.He is completely in love with Chloe. He sleeps on her bed at night (part of the poop problem-until it is fixed-back to the kennel) and cries by the door when she leaves.He follows her around the house like a little shadow & loves to be loved by anyone & everyone!Not to mention he is so cute.(All this from a former dog hater, amazing.)Today the vet's office sent us a sympathy card & a little ceramic disk with jakes paw print on it.Our vet is the best.Of course I started to cry~again, but it's okay.So for now I am cleaning up dog stress.Which is better than the other stress I cleaned up this week which has to do with the upstairs toilet overflowing & mom not being called to the scene until 1/2 inch of water had appeared on the floor-or the poop on the bathroom floor that, "fell out before I could sit down"-I won't go too deep into that for Trent's sake.

Chloe's Cooking Club

Chloe has a cooking club.Every Thursday she, five friends, & their mothers take turns hosting & teaching a cooking lesson.It is so much fun & much more informative than taking summer rec. cooking.Today was our turn. We made tacos~(the whole point is to make something the girls can go home & make for their families.)The best part was that it was also Chloe's dear friend Caroline's birthday!Caroline is darling & such a great friend to Chloe.I hope they will always be friends.So for Carloine we made my favorite scratch chocolate cake recipe -it's soooo easy & tastes so much better than a mix. I wish I would've taken a better picture!

Cocoa Fudge Cake
1 2/3 Cup flour or 2 Cups cake flour
1 ½ Cup sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
½ cup or one stick butter softened
1 ½ cup buttermilk
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour or spray pan. Beat all ingredients on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally three minutes. Pour into pan.
Bake until toothpick comes out clean. (I always make a bundt cake with this recipe)
9x13~35-40 minutes
Rounds~30-35 minutes
Bundt ~40-45 minutes
Cupcakes fill each ½ full bake 20 minutes-30 cupcakes


Chocolate Chip Glaze
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 Tblsp. Butter
2 Tblsp. Corn syrup
1-2 tsp. hot water
Heat chocolate chips, butter & corn syrup over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted; cool slightly. Stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.

Summer Concert Series

Yesterday Trent & his best friend Lily were playing & put on a concert for me.If I could figure out how to put videos on this I would've.Are they cute or what? Besides running through the sprinkler,watching TV,going to the library & karate, playing house, & eating various snacks they were board & set up this little concert. Of course there was a fee~one dollar for each performer. Which I was happy to pay as long as they picked up Trent's room & the play area. What a bargain, I know!Anyhow, I was hoping for another concert today, but last night while I was at work Trent watched Harriet the Spy- so you guessed it they are spying on me.Maybe for another fee I can get a concert out of them later.

Scout Camp 2007-Jack & Seth

Brett was up until midnight then up at six getting ready for scout camp.Camp is such a huge undertaking.Luckily he has a lot of good help.Brett has been the YM president for a couple of years now.The boys say they hate it because their dad makes them do things they don't want to do, mainly participate.If he wasn't involved he wouldn't know what was going on, then they could slack off more.It's so hard being a teen with an involved father.Brian is not in YM anymore so he is not going-gotta work.
Trent is taking a basketball class through the city rec. program MWF @9:00AM.Right after he has an archery class.It has been really good for him, especially with so much energy so early.Can you imagine Trent in archery?If you are feeling low or hating your job today~just think, at least your not hiking five miles & camping with 14-17 year olds & you don't teach archery to 8-12 year olds.Thankfully there are those who can & are willing to do it.I suppose it could be a lot of fun. But trust me, after getting a crabby teenager out the door- I don't envy his father.

Mission Call Update

Brian talked to the Stake President yesterday & he told him that there was a problem with his papers so they really didn't get submitted until the 15th, plus most general authorities go on vacation in July so calls come a little slower.So, the earliest we will hear is the 25th-but that is the earliest. Brian is so bumbed.I thought he might cry.Brett read us all the story of the Brother of Jared & his family~how they were on the bardge for so long almost a year.A couple more weeks certainly isn't that bad.Still~we are just trying to put it out of our heads for now.These things happen for a reason. I will keep you updated!

Photos

JACK PLAYING RUGBY

GRADUATION DINNER

PROM 2007

NYC

Brian, hailey & chloe during "Jane Eyre"

brett's birthday

I really have nothing to say today.Just thought I would put up some photos that I wanted to share.

Over The Hill

This is what was on my front door when we woke up this morning.I have a sneeky suspicion it was my friend sky, but you never know.I have had a great day.Brett made my favorite meatballs of course for lunch & we had key lime pie for dessert(ruthie eat your heart out-it's her favorite).Megan came home this afternoon & had a big announcement- she gave me permission to put it on my blog.She was just called to be the R.S. President of the BYU 80th ward.We are very excited for her.Right now she is probably feeling a teensy bit over whelmed, but we all know she will be great!Thanks for all the phone calls & cards.love patsy

I'm 40 Tomorrow!

I'm forty tomorrow-but don't you worry.If you can't tell I've got "age defying lift" & "Pro-Age deoderant."With products like these I'm not letting my new age get me down in fact I'm really excited to be forty. I have no idea why-I'm 30lbs. heavier than I was when I turned 30 (at least) & I have no more really to show for myself-except that I accept who I am & I like myself most of the time. I guess that's the difference in 30 & 40 self confidence. At my book group one of the girls was telling me that her sister told her that at 20 she would walk in a room and think everyone was looking at her, at 30 she would walk into a room & wonder if anyone liked her & at 40 she walked into a room & wondered if she liked any of the people.I understand that feeling.On the lighter side I did find these new products to keep me young.Do you think this might be a marketing ploy? I think they are so funny-anti aging deoderant-I'm running out to get some right now!
Dove® | pro·age™ samples registration

Edit On Last Trent Post

Okay-My girls night out post where I said this is what happens when mom leaves & dad is in charge. Well, I need to edit & revise. Brett was out shopping with chloe for my birthday- brian & jack were in charge.That explains a lot. Sorry sweetie!

Early Birthday

Today was so much fun.For my birthday Ruthie, Aimee, Brittany & I went to Gardner Village for lunch & shopping.We had fried green tomatoes & they were so good! Afterwards Ruthie & I went to IKEA.She had never been to one~ that place is so overwhelming, it's amazing.We came home & took the kids to baskin & robins. Great day!

Mom's Night Out

This is what happens when mom goes somewhere at night & leaves dad in charge.In case you can't tell this is Trent covered in mud. He doesn't look too happy about it does he?!!

Book Review

I have been reading this book for my book club. We only read one or two non-fiction a year. This is a great book! I little difficult to get into at first~ but really so informative for the parent & even grandparents. I wish I would've read this book a long time ago, but it just came out this year. So much great information- a lot of common sense too. I highly recommend it to parents out there.

My New Favorite

Yesterday I read about these on Kristi's blog- I was in target-they were on sale... one thing lead to another. Wow, I have a new favorite candy check these out!

My other new favorite is a recipe from my friend Carlyn who is from Hawaii & we eat them at least once a week. So easy & delicious!
HAWAIIN MEATBALLS
Mix these ingredients together:
1 jar wishbone russian dressing
1 can pineapple chunks with the juice
1/2 cup peach preserves
1 packet of dry onion soup mix
Pour over 1/2 bag of Costco meatballs bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with rice. ENJOY!

This Guy Can't Stand The Wait

Well, the stake president told Brian the earliest the papers could come would be today. So, Brian just knew they would come today- and we are so dissapointed. Frankly, we could use some good news- or at least something else to focus on after the past few days. Where we live calls usually come on Wednesday & the post office will call you at home when they get there in the morning between 6:00-6:30 so you can pick them up there. All of Brian's close friends spent the night in the back yard & megan came home. By 6:00 Brett, Brian & I were sitting on pins & needles. No call- maybe next week. When you've been anticipating something all your life another week feels like eternity.Of all our children, Brian hates to wait most of all. Even on Christmas he gives everyone their presents as soon as he brings them home. Maybe he is learning patience. Hope this lesson doesn't last too long.

A Very Sad Day

I wasn't sure I could blog about this or not, but I have come to realize that blogging is very therapeutic for me. I haven't written about the stresses too much in my life so far- and some days there really are many. So here I go. Yesterday & today have been very sad at our house. While we were on vacation Jake had a very unfortunate incident-which I don't want to elaborate on- and we had to put him down. Brett spent the morning talking to everyone we could think of to find a way out of it-but it just had to be. To make it even worse Brett had an important meeting in Cleveland so he had to leave & I had to take care of it myself. Anyone who knows me knows I have never been a pet person, but somehow I fell in love with my Jake. He was a pain really- I guess when you serve someone you grow to love them more. He threw up a lot-he ran off constantly. Well, I loved him & it's a very sad day. The vet was so good with him & Brett insisted Brian go with me, which now I am very grateful for because I don't think I could have driven home.Anyhow, it was a lonely night with Brett away & no Jake on my bed.I always felt safer having Jake there when Brett was gone. We'll miss you Jake! As Jack said-"don't worry, he's having a good time jumping the pearly gates."

The 07 Family Reunion

Chloe felt like she was "Lewis & clark" exploring the river.

After too many run ins with bugs Hailey decided to sleep in the car.

On the way home we spent the night with Johnna & Clyde & visited with diana, dallas, & ukia- all cuties!

We stopped for lunch with Jim, beth, & jake. Thanks guys-wish we could've stayed longer.