wordless wednesday

five for friday

A couple of weeks ago Brett & I went shopping & I bought these shoes. I bought them on recommendation of one of my book club friends. Her husband is a physical therapist & I was telling her how I am always nervous I will break my ankle again, how my ankle feels tippy & the doctor told me it was weak ... well not anymore! I LOVE THESE SHOES. They are so amazing & comfortable & I don't feel like I'm going to twist my ankle anymore. Plus the are red & I love red ... here's a link of a pair that is similar. Today Wende & Ethan took a break from a huge project at her house to eat lunch with me. Ethan stayed & played with T. They were super excited when a big box full of towels I ordered came & INSTANT toy!!

Ethan is so funny & darling & feeling pretty sassy here- I tried to teach him some jokes he could go home & tell his teenage brothers & sister. Not sure that worked too well?

This afternoon I have been working on Hailey's costume for the musical. OH MY GOODNESS. She has been working her tail off for this show. My job may look hard, but it's not compared to everything she is doing. Practice, making her wig... more practice, finding gloves etc. The High School took on a monumental task & is performing CATS in just a couple of weeks. The women involved with the costumes etc. are amazing. You just wouldn't believe what they have done with yarn! I can't wait to show you the finished costumes- unbelievable!

Hailey is an orange cat- so exciting- there are only a few orange cats. Most are black or brown.

Tonight I have been

watching the Olympics (oh how I love the Olympics!) while brett sleeps in a chair

and enjoying a picnic with trent & a couple of stuffed animals at the top of the stairs.

why?

because it's too cold outside, silly!

These animals had to have a quick picnic because they are going soon- off to Indiana where Zach (jack's buddy) was called to serve his mission. Trent is a little obsessed with Indiana now. He wants to go there.

If you made it to the end of this post- I apologize. IT's pretty boring around here. I'm trying to blog more regularly-- but ya-- this is all I've got.

have a great weekend!!

blue & gold

After a year of working in Cub Scouts...

I finally did it.

I finally took the patches off my old size S shirt that fit me well when I was jack's den mother & put them on a size L shirt. It was painful, but had to be done.

It was time for the annual Blue & Gold Banquet.

I needed to be dressed right.

I can only blame myself...
and too many cupcakes.
A song is going through my head:
"don't you blame it on the sunshine
don't blame it on the moonlight
don't blame it on the good times
blame it on the boogie"

It was a really fun night!
The theme:
Happy Birthday to scouting
Scouting turns 100 years old this year.
100 years- FAntAstic!


There were balloons- pizza- cupcakes & cakes on each table.
We sat here with these yummies. They were fabulous!

Trent is just one step away from his Webelo rank- and should get it next month!

We have the world's best cub master- she's new to the job & doing so good!

I love a well run cub scout program- they are so few & far between- and we are so blessed to be a part of this one.

Chloe went to YW last night.

They had a cake decorating class & she came home with this!!

Lucky for my new size L shirt --- this one was too pretty to eat

Way to Go Chloe!!
*can you name who sings that song?

It's one of my favorite songs-- find it here

I dare you to listen to this song & NOT get up & start dancing!

It'll put spring in your step

5 boys 5 mission calls

Tonight 3 of Jack's room mates & two friends from High School, opened their mission calls.

1. Birmingham, England
2. Indianapolis, Indiana
3. Congo, Africa
4. Birmingham, England (leaving the same day as #1)
5. Warsaw, Poland

Incredible!!

I cannot believe in less that 50 days now... Jack will be off to Brazil... oh boy.

*Will you be following along on the Journey of Missionary Jack?

valentine's day

I know it's going to sound craZy...

but Valentine's Day with a house full of kids--

is really fun.

Tonight was our annual Valentine's Day dinner.

Steak & shrimp- mmm.

and sugar cookies- of course!

Someone... just couldn't wait to open gifts- and neither could trent.

It's pretty exciting.

Brett gave me this-- and I could not be happier!

After dinner Brian was telling us about how his room mate (a rock climber) can climb around their kitchen table without touching the ground. That started something. We cleared the dishes, moved all the chairs, and the competition began.

Not to be outdone- even Chloe got into the act.

After changing clothes, Jack did it- TWICE.

He says he is sore all over.

Of course, they each hit the ground hard a couple of times.

What can I say?

The dining room will never be the same.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

it's like an indoor roller rink

Yesterday Trent & I went to the mall - while Chloe was at ballet.

We went to the mall because Trent's great aunt sent him a gift card to JC Penneys for Christmas. He hadn't used it yet & the kid is in serious need of new shoes. Not because he doesn't have a decent pair of shoes, oh no- his tennis shoes from fall are perfectly fine. He just refuses to wear them. Instead he insists every. single. day. on wearing these old, dingy, Velcro strap shoes that belong in the GARBAGE CAN.

All because he is too lazy to tie his shoes- well

okay, okay... he does have a little obsession with his shoes being tied exactly right. It's kind of a nightmare. We tie them over & over & tuck the laces in then make sure they are just right and... he hasn't had a pair with laces since kindergarten (at the request of his teacher) because of it. This year -I bought the regular shoes hoping he had grown out of it.

Even still - let me just go on record as saying - I am against huge velcro straps on shoes. I think they are hideous & look tacky. No- I did not buy these tacky shoes... no, no, no. Dad bought them when I had a lapse in judgement & sent him shoe shopping with the orphan look alike.

So we went to Penneys in hope of a pair of shoes- no velco- no laces. They make them, he's had several pairs & some of them are really good looking- but last night- none of them were under $50. Heaven's no- I'm not paying that much for kid's shoes.

In an act of desperation, we went to another store. At this store they had Heely's. You know those shoes with the wheels in them? Lucky for trent (who has wanted a pair for years) they were on super clearance.

because after stopping at chick fila- we took home a pair.

It's taken a bit- but he's picking it up.
He walked like Frankenstein all night last night, but today--- he's getting the hang of it.
So last night & all day today while the rest of us watch the Olympics like crazy zombies- he has been wheelin' around the house, nearly knocking us all over.
He's in heaven- and even though I'm not sure they are a good idea- guess what?
Heely's only come with laces.
So- he's been having to tie & wear laces all day. We made a deal in the store- if I bought the Heely's he can't obsess about the laces. If they are not- tied just right- or if the laces are a little long- he's gotta just-- you know? let it go.
So- I'm hoping it'll help.
I'm hoping even though I have two dogs & now a kid on wheels running around the house- that it will be worth it. That his "issue" with shoe laces will be cured. Baby steps.
It's worth a try- right?
I love this kid

it just doesn't get any better than this!

In preparation for Jack leaving on his mission in April...

last night we went to the Bountiful temple.

Jack's first time.

I found myself overwhelmed with emotion throughout the night.

It truly doesn't get any better than this!

it was a big show!

Last night the H.S. had their big Broadway concert.

It was a big show at a big place- Abavanel Hall, in the big city- Salt Lake City.

Hailey is in the sophomore choir. Megan sang here, Brian sang here, Jack sang here- it's a great opportunity for these kids.

Being family night- we decided to make it a family affair.

Chloe skipped ballet, Jack made a point to come with us.... and we decided to live on the edge & take Trent. He's not what you call- the concert going type. I thought it would be a good idea- free ticket, interesting building, family night, easy access out, fast pace music... you know a good "learning experience."

Here's a shot of hailey sitting with her friends,
pretending not to notice I am taking her picture.

I know you can't see hailey.
we opted to sit towards the back, near a door. It was a good thing.

Hailey was GREAT! The concert was fabulous!

Chloe loved it, Jack was entertained. Brett & I enjoyed it & being together.

But Trent?

Trent was switching seats, crying, laughing, bored, happy, mad, annoying the few people around us... oh boy.

Still- it was a good night and a great concert.

On the way to the car

jack gave us his "moroni pose."

I was glad to have chloe all afternoon to myself & then get to sit by her at the concert. She is a lot of fun, but such a busy girl. I love having her home.

Jack's IPod was in the car & we danced all the way home to Boogie Oogie Oogie.

Then around the corner from home, brett stopped the car & trent raced the car the rest of the way home!

This is something that happens all the time-

and he always wins!

and when he gets home - he's exhausted.

And that's really the point.

* how was your family night?

*did you get a Valentine?

random saturday five

1. I made these cupcakes.... these are some of the ones I had left over for the kids.
These candy cane heart suckers are so easy & cute- I found them here- one of my very favorite blogs ever. I was so disappointed that I had forgotten to use the candy canes until I saw this post! Hooray!!! I made a couple dozen for valentine gifts & cannot wait to give them away- that is if they make it- they are really yummy. You really have to check out Pleasant Home it's amazing!

2. I made guacamole! I am posting the recipe here tonight... I hope. Our computer is dead again but wende's husband... is again trying to bring it back to life, that guy's a saint- so I am sharing my computer with a lot of people!!! oh the misery

(sweet photo huh? I wish I would've gotten a shot one second later when he was busting up laughing!)

3. I made miracle bread! THREE TIMES. We have decided that this bread is so darn easy & delicious that I am not buying bread anymore... well not all the time anyway. Jack took a loaf down to marcus who is now home from the hospital. Brian was with him most of the day & says he is doing great-- a little drugged up-- but he's gonna make it.

4. Tonight was our fourth set of tickets to the symphony. But, we decided to pass & gave the tickets away. I am so behind on everything around here & Brett has been so busy with work- we are staying home.

5. I started sending our our VAlentiNe CArdS!!!

I can't wait for you to get one :)