31 for july

1. it's my birthday soon
2. I used to hate birthdays
3. now I love them
4. I am compelled to clean up the book area at costco.
5. I can't look at books for long without finding myself straightening them up... oh messy shoppers.
6. I have to pull myself away
7. the book shelves in my own home- ? who cares
8. I love toasted coconut covered marshmallows, especially roasted over the fire
9. With that in mind it's time to confess...
10. I quit going to WW
11. Yep, I'm a quitter.
12.I'm not really sure why I quit- except it's just hard for me to juggle summer especially in the beginning- not to mention, I'm hungry. Do I sound upset about it? because... I'm not.
13. I'm looking for a good book which does not induce fits of crying- I don't do sad.
14. Like everyone else... I'm worried about the price of gas.
15. Is it really going to $7 a gallon????
16. Yesterday I got an email from the missionary that was just for me. Happiness.
17. I went to college- BYU- (of course) & majored in REcreation. but quit after meeting my husband & getting married.
18. My favorite class REcreation 315- how to throw a party. I wonder if they still have that class?
19. I'm dead serious- & I actually use what I learned (and can remember) on a regular basis, even with my own family.
20. I wish I would've finished school- not really- I hope I don't regret saying that. I KNOW how important education is- I really do. I just don't regret my choice.
21. I think I picked the wrong word for this year- CREATE- maybe I'm just too scatter
brained or ADD or something to focus on just one word.
22. I was the Thespian club president, student body vice president, a cheerleader, & laurel class president my senior year of high school.
23. I am more comfortable being busy than not.
24. Except for right now- I am loving having a couple of days without anything major to do.
25. I find myself a couple of times a month wondering if we have enough money to plan a spontaneous trip to disneyland?
26. We haven't been there for a couple of years, so I guess that answers the question. (darn it)
27. Money- it's all about priorities- other priorities are really getting in my way.
28. My favorite holiday is Independence Day!!
29. That means- just about my favorite week of the year- is THIS WEEK.
30. I am really excited about the children's parade, concert in the park, fireworks (oh how I love the big fireworks) parade down main street of my town, flags flying, carnival in the park, art show & quilt show at the elementary school. We only live 2 blocks away from all the festivities- one of my favorite things about my house!
31. My sister from WA & her family is coming down to visit! I am really, really excited for this week!

first time Q and A

Well- the wedding is over... I'm back from camp... and...

I have nothing to say

I'm pretty sure this has never happened before. I am stumped- maybe I out talked myself this past couple of months-

could it be possible?

So I am following Holly's lead & asking you to go ahead & ask me a question. If I have any readers out there.... who are interested.... (I just seriously laughed out loud) go ahead- ask me.

Do you want to know more about:

the missionary

the wedding

aspergers

recipes or my cooking blog

parenting teens- ha ha ha ha ha ha ha like I know?

camp

blogging in general... or

the horrors of a painted white floor???? (I scrubbed for hours saturday)

I'm curious if anyone is really out there- did I lose my readers being gone for a week?

movie review

Are you looking for a good summer movie for the kids?

Seriously- look no farther.

Do you remember this one? Disney's First Kid. I DVR'd it this past week & we have been giggling & laughing ever since. Its darling, rated PG & oh so funny. That sinbad- he really should make more movies for kids. Anyhow... just in case it's gettin' hot at your house (it's supposed to hit 100 here today) I thought I would recommend you netflix this baby right away.

Word of caution- there is one bear bum sighting of the kid.

Oh lighten up! It's all good. It's a great show, really- you'll love it, or at least your kids will.

I love this movie so much it's on my: movies we should own list -& that's a tiny little list.

girl's camp wrap up

girl's camp was an absolute success!

our stake committee organized camp around the fantastic theme:

A MOment In Time:

You don't remember the days, only the moments.

Here are some moments I don't want to forget:

*setting up camp before all the girl's & leaders got there

*putting up the amazing clock that sky & her brother in law made- it was so cool!

*the skits- each ward picked a time period months ago & a subject out of the strength of youth pamphlet. Those were what they had to write their script around. Our ward had - cave man days & language, ooga mooga it was so cute! The creativity was OUT of THis World-- such great skits!!!

*food- oh my gosh! We ate so good & so much food- our food committee really out did themselves with different flavored pancakes, dutch oven lasagna, cafe rio make alike salads-- yummo. This morning I found myself wishing I could ask - what's for breakfast?

*watching chloe & caroline- first years- they were so excited to be there & so willing to learn & help.

*Teaching Hailey & tiffany some 3rd year requirements... they weren't quite as willing... but I had fun. How to purify water- how to water proof matches- oh ya, I went to camp.

*the mail boxes! Every ward had a ward bucket for a "mail box" Girls all over the stake were encouraged to write letters to each other & drop them in the buckets. It was really great- then each ward had their own "mail boxes" for each girl too. It was fun to walk around & see all the different mail boxes. There were secret wards & secret sisters.... I love camp.

* the devotionals... this is an amazing generation with such great spirit about them.

*the music! I love camp music!!. Our two music leaders- mother & daughter- played guitars & taught us so many fun songs & serious ones too. It was great! When I grow up I really want to learn to play the guitar.

*cleaning the bathrooms...? my main job (so glamorous) was keeping the brand, spanking new flush toilet bathrooms in good order. I had a cleaning chart & divided up all the jobs- the girls were so willing to help & so thrilled to have 8 flush toilets. Not so thrilled to have 10 outhouses. But then hey- when there's 170 girls at camp, now & then an outhouse had to do. Actually it wasn't bad at all. Let me just say I cleaned a lot this week.

*listening to screaming, squealing girls from the comfort of sky's trailer at night. Being on the stake level instead of ward level- even though it was work-it was so much easier than what the ward level had going on. I met so many great women. We had a good time working & laughing together.

*Brett & Trent came up for one night. Thanks to Kristy - Trent came dressed as a ninja... (she let him borrow their costume) lucky for us- no bears showed up cause the ninja scared them away. He also tried consistantly to get the YW president to give him matches? She told him that he should ask his dad- he said- I'm pretty sure he wants you to give them to me, then I'll give them to him. She was way to wise to that one.

*making up awards. Besides bathroom duties, one of my other jobs was coming up with the end of the week awards. I bought several things at the dollar store then us stake leaders got together & figured out ways to use them as awards. It's not easy coming up with award stuff before the event... but had to be done. It turned out really fun. My favorite award... a bag of chips with a stuffed bra strapped around it... it went to the "most supportive ward- for always 'chippin' in."

*the bishopric dinner & testimony night-

*the jr. leader program. Our jr. leaders came up with a program around the important "moments in time." It was divided into three parts. MOtherhood-Education-Temple Marriage. It was so touching & beautiful. I loved it. I'm on spiritual high!

I am so thrilled I had the opportunity to be the assistant camp director- great job- not in charge... I love being the back up gal. Camp is a wonderful opportunity for young women.

When I got home... brett had installed the new kitchen faucet I asked for, for my birthday-- & said it was just for fun- not for my birthday. Man I love that guy!

I'm a lucky gal & happy to be home!

**does anyone know why my picasa slide show is off center?

The pictures are cut off on the right side?? LMK

I'm HOme!

CAMp was amazing...

I'm home, showered & feeling just a little wiped out.

MOre to come.

girl's camp

{Hailey, Tbone, & chloe at family reunion camp last year}

I have always loved camping!
Especially church girl's camp. I went every year (12-18)- some of my fondest memories.
Our church up in WA where I grew up went to the sweetest boy scout camp for girl's camp. It was a lake, two miles around, with different camp sites in different locations around the lake. It was gorgeous - like out of a Disney movie. My group was always (to the envy of everyone else) the right size for the one & only cabin house boat. It was a sparse shelter on the lake with a fire pit & everything- it was heaven.
One year Stephanie pierced my ears there. I don't' know where our leaders were at the time? She did it with a needle, ice & a potato behind my ear. I came home with very infected ears- but they healed, I lived & here I am today. We pulled great pranks- oh my- maybe someday I'll write about those. There were canoes & swimming. I didn't swim of course but I could put on a life jacket just like anyone else, & the canoes were a blast!
I am excited to be at girl's camp with my girls! We are going to have a great time.
I'll see you on Friday!

what we've been doin'

Getting our hair done...

before

after

Babysitting the peanut....

who was very fussy & thinks he doesn't like me, even though I shared my chocolate creamy.... next month I have him for two days- maybe two nights- uh oh!

eating watermelon

hangin' around... &

helping out. These two are the best. They helped me around the house all day!

they picked up dog- you know- in the back yard

walked the fussy peanut in a stroller until he fell asleep

played with said peanut who cried whenever he was left alone with me?????

& now... chloe is organizing the pantry!

no- she does not hire out- sorry, you'll have to get your own

chloe's night

a year in the life

This is a very exciting & important post for me!

It's here- it's official- my one year blogging anniversary. I started blogging June 19, 2007 & here we are a year later. I am so excited that I have documented this past year. This has been an amazing experience for me. I have learned a lot about myself, my friends, & my family.

{I've learned I wear sunglasses a lot & I have NO lips- it's almost embarrassing how many photos are like this one}

About myself- I'm more negative than i thought. Blogging has helped me to focus on the positive. I have found that I struggle with my personal thoughts at times. I rarely include the negative things happening in my life on my blog- I'm not sure it's the right thing to do or not, but it is what it is. I guess I'm not ready to publicly share anything more. Blogging the good times has been a reminder that I am blessed with just that- mostly good times!

{megan & brian}

It's been a year of change, accomplishment, & celebrations. You know when your kids are little & you think they'll never grow up? Mine have done just that- grown up. At least the two oldest. The guinea pigs I like to call them. What a great year to start blogging! I am glad they have made the choices they have to be in the places they are today. I love them both so much. I love all my children, but even better- I like them -I really do. I believe that I am first my child's parent, if they want to be friends when they grow up that's really their choice. You can't force friendship, not even with your child. I am thrilled that besides being my children they have chosen to be my friend. I really miss these two- more than words can say.

(if you want to see posts on the wedding or the missionary click on the link below)

Blogging has made me aware that I have a lot of friends. I have more friends now than probably ever in my life. When I was young I had tons of friends. I was one of those annoying over involved youths- but that seems a world away. As a young mother we moved a lot. It was hard to make friends, then move away. Having a large family there just wasn't time when my kids were younger- to invest in many friendships. My marriage & kids were my priority. I have more now- time & friends. I love all of you for so many reasons. You know who you are. Thank you for being so great to me - always.

{beth, jake & jim my brother}

Blogging has taught me that my family is interested in our lives. I always knew they were- but we live so far away from them all that it's impossible to share the day to day happenings. Or it was. I love what blogging has done for my extended family. I feel like they now know me, love me, support me & my husband & kids. WOW did you read that? This is huge. I in turn have learned so much about them- especially the ones that blog. I love you guys!

happy blogging anniversary to me!

I love the lessons I have learned from blogging. Thank you all you commenter's for encouraging me in so many ways. You have no idea how many times a day I check for a comment- comments you make my day. Now when I get back from camp... I'm going to publish this baby (more to come on that.)

08' ballet recital

Tomorrow is Chloe's 8th ballet recital.

That means today is dress rehearsal.

Ballet means everything to Chloe. She absolutely loves it. She is an absolute purist when it comes to dance. Ballet is it- nothing else.

This year in P.E. she earned the President's Physical Fitness award.

She was so proud & excited & came home proclaiming,

"not one football or soccer player got it just me- the ballerina!"

She is solid muscle & pure grace- plus really proud of her years dancing.

I'm proud of her too! It's hard work. She comes home often sore & tired after 3 days a week in lessons. Next year she will be on point & she is thrilled!!

We are all excited for the real show tomorrow night!

cupcake swap

This afternoon I hosted my first ever cupcake swap!

It was really fun and oh so yummy.Here are the cupcakes I made- hostess look alike but fresh from my kitchen. I even made the marshmallow cream from scratch - and it turned out!!! I am kind of a one hit wonder on tricky recipes so this may be my last batch of homemade marshmallow cream but hey- I am so thrilled with myself today. I even took tutorial pictures the whole cooking process then realized I didn't have my camera card in. I lost my cord months ago & haven't boughten a new one...drat!

This was so much fun for me- I really love the chance to do something creative. I don't know why it takes an event to do it.

These are Karen's- chocolate orange. mmmmm

Tiffany's brownie s'more & strawberry brownie s'more.
yum-o

These gorgeous gals are Linda's.

Three different decorated chocolate ones. Some have cream cheese filling. I am too full/sick from eating while making my own I haven't tried any yet- sad, I know.

Here are Janae's. Chocolate cheesecake. I did have a bite of Chloe's- so good!

Here is the variety-

Next time we definitely should swap recipes... I didn't think of that.

I also didn't think to take a picture of all of us.... what in the world?

*do you like cupcakes- I think I have asked that before...?

*have you ever made your own marshmallow cream?

it's easier than it sounds...

cowboy road trip

For the past couple of summers the boys have really looked forward to going on a trip up to their Grandparents home in Cody, Wyoming. This is Jack's first year going without Brian. I'm sure he can handle it.
Trips to Cody have been the adventure of a life time for them both- trail riding with Grandpa, the rodeo, white water rafting, shootin' fireworks & guns- oh boy heaven help me- lots of boy fun. I have to keep reminding my self, Brett grew up doing all these things & he's fine...

So far Seth here has gone up every year too. Seth is just plain family around here.
Well, I sent them off with a credit card for gas..., pringles, soda, some candy bars, & a downloaded mapquest map.
These adventures are what makes boys into men.
I just hope they're okay- what can I say... i'm the mom.

father's day 2008

father's day 08'

It's been a great day.

This morning I woke up early & made a special breakfast- bacon & french toast. Why didn't our kids get up? Good question- you see it was Hailey's very first stake dance last night- jack went to a different stake dance (ya they have two -one for 14-15 another for 16-18 there's a lot of youth here), plus nobody & I mean nobody wants trent to wake up early. When trent gets up we all get up whether we want to or not. He is like a bull in a china cabinet in the morning. He just can't do anything quietly in the morning.

We have early church at 9:00. I keep thinking I should love 9:00 church. All really organized women seem to love it- they get home early, get more done. I just don't like it no matter how hard I try. I'm just not a morning person & going to church early seriously affects my spirituality or lack there of in the morning. Having teenagers for what seems like forever- doesn't help either. Mine aren't even that bad about it, that is after the missionary left. I woke up early made bacon- I don't like to make bacon- what a mess, but I did it the old fashioned way after my last disaster.

We had a great lunch after church- dad's choice. Hamburgers & fresh corn on the cob with "dads" rootbeer, of course. I told trent we were having Fat Boys for dessert (a local ice cream treat) & he said... concerned, "me?" Not you I said, "jack?" he asked. No they're ice cream sandwiches. What a funny guy.
the kids told their dad what they love about him

Trent- he takes me camping & on hikes in the mountains.

Chloe- he loves carmel & I like to watch him put it on his ice cream.

I like it when he chases us up the stairs.

Hailey- he is a good example of what to do.

Jack- I love how he tells me stories of what him & his friends used to do when they were my age. Especially after I tell him what my friends & i have been doing.

*how was your father's day?

*do you have a simpler way to make bacon?

*are you a morning person?

sweet field trip

Today feels like it is finally summer. It's a sunny day & it looks like mother nature has finally decided to bring on some heat. After today it's supposed to hit the 80's then the 90's & something tells me the rainy days are over for a while. Trent, Chloe & I took a picnic lunch into dad's office. He supplied the drinks. We stopped & got his favorite cookies to go with our sandwiches, chips & table cloth.

These two were so excited to surprise him with the cookies!
After that Karen & I took the kids on our second field trip.
It was totally SWEET!
We went on a Sweet's Candy FActory Tour!! It was so much fun. I wish- so bad- that they allowed cameras in the factory. It was so fun to see all the huge bags of sugar, workers making taffy- jelly beans-cinnamon bears, chocolate enrobing machines covering marshmallow pumpkins for Halloween... it was heavenly! We got to taste orange sticks straight off the line & freshly wrapped Halloween taffy!! Yep they are working on Halloween candy already. Taffy fresh off the wrapping machine is so soft & so yummy. The smell in there was lovely. On the ceiling there were pipes labeled corn syrup & chocolate. Can you imagine a chocolate piping through the factory- wow.

The kids picked out some taffy to bring home.
They were digging through the bags trying all the flavors. Our favorite flavors were cherry cola & juicy pear. We also love the raspberry sticks- mmmmm.

I felt like I was inside of a Mr. Roger's movie.
You know the factory ones he used to show?
I loved those.

We actually went on this field trip last year in august. We loved it so much we put it on the top of our list this year.

*have you ever been on a factory tour?

*do you love salt water taffy?

*would you like warm chocolate piping through your house?

what a guy!

Look what i woke up to today!

Breakfast in bed... thanks T-bone

totally out of it

I haven't been blogging for a couple of days.

I am not really sure what is wrong except I am just really out of it. I don't know if it's just the summer blues or what...? I just have felt really low. I have been going through the motions of just getting the day to day things done & ya that's about it. I think all the changes in our family, the very busy spring... I just... you know.

Anyhow- yesterday I started snapping out of it- I hope...

I went with the stake camp leaders -(maybe you don't remember I am assistant stake girl's camp director & camp is in less than two weeks)- up to camp to check things out. I have been really worried we were going to freeze to death. I like camping, actually I love camping & I love girl's camp, but I don't like to camp in freezing cold or snow. With the weather we've been having I wouldn't have been surprised if when we got up into the mountains & there was still snow. Good news-- no snow! I am so relieved. It was gorgeous, even warmer than down here in the valley. I am looking forward to going now. It was so nice to be up there in the fresh air & sunshine. Maybe that's what I needed.

shopping trip

Honestly this week has been a little tough. All the storms have brought on killer arthritis pain that had really gotten to me by this morning. I just didn't want to get going.

The wedding photographer called to remind us the photos were in so Brett & I decided to get out of the house & went down into the valley to pick them up. They are so beautiful! I was so thrilled to finally pick them up from the photographer.

Since we were half way there, Brett wanted to head on down to Cabela's. Well, you know, I had no make up on & I was wearing my favorite old sweatshirt. Heck it's Cabela's, Brett reminded me. Shoot, I should fit right in.Well as luck would have it... this weekend is ANTLER FEST 2008!

Do we have great timing or what?

And we didn't even know it- how lucky can you get?-

good livin'- I tell ya.

While Brett was looking at manly stuff I decided to go on my own little shopping trip. In case you haven't done any Father's DAy shopping you may want to go get a pen & paper.

Here are a few of my favorite finds.

My first favorite find of the day was a 16 piece set of whitetail buck dinnerware.

I can't believe Megan didn't register here! What was she thinking?Next a whole isle of duck decoys. Who knew?

I thought I would take a picture of the Ammo isle, but low & behold they had so much of it- there is no way I could get it all in one photo.Cases & cases of ammo.

This little gal was checking out some ammo with her dad. It must have been some kind of daddy daughter date. She probably got a new piece for her birthday or something. It reminded me of when I was a girl sometimes (maybe it was just once) my dad would take me & my sister to sears with him to look at tools. I think my mom made him just to get us out of the house. If we were lucky we would stop by the candy counter & get Swedish fish or maple nut goodies.
back to the fabulous finds...
I love this Alaskan all weather lighter- it's even on sale!
If you & dad are ever up in the arctic & need a cigarette here you go. Brett said it could be for lighting fires but hey, is there wood up in the arctic?
This little beauty is one of my favorites.
Just in time for FAther's day. A CAMouFlage recliner!
Holy Moly- sign me up! I think they may have free delivery...

If you are looking for a man- there's this Love Triangle. Apparently you set up these three decoys & a "tom" should come a courtin'. I know a "tom" is a male turkey but a lot of men I know are turkeys- so maybe it'll work. You could set this up outside the store & get a couple of guys right away.
This is my absolute favorite.

"within hours the novice can produce a great looking mount that will add an interesting touch to any sportsman's room. Kit includes: body form, tail material, eyes, eye set, wire, needle and thread, preservative, & complete instructions."

I'm keeping my eye on this kit for Trent's next birthday. Talk about great party favors. I would be the talk of the neighborhood for sure!

Look no farther for that great father's day dinner idea-

Freeze dried lasagna.

Who needs to cook? Just add water & heat!

Brett says I'm mocking him.

He may not bring me with him next time.

I thought it was kind of fun.