photos from the missionary!

When Jack's trainer Elder Olson came on Saturday he brought a CD FULL of pictures from Jack! Every week I am going to post some here. They are so awesome it's hard to pick what to put up first!

On the plane from Sao Paulo to Maceio

Just before a Baptism.

Elder Olson on what Jack named "hill Riplah"

After tracting & it started raining!

Playing soccer with the guys on Prep day.

What about that soccer field- sweet huh!?

Elder Olson & the mammita who makes them lunch everyday & ya- jack.

Another Baptism- so sweet.

They ran into these guys dressed for a party on the way home one day & got pictures with them.

A dog they adopted who hangs out near their apartment-- um.. scary?

These pictures have been so GREAT!

It's so fun to see all the places he talks about in his letters & emails. He has an extensive knowledge of the Book of Mormon (he has almost finished it for the 10th time this year alone) and has named a lot of the places he visits after sites in the Book of Mormon. Funny guy. I love this kid. He is working hard to bring his Brothers & Sisters in this world closer to Christ & teaching them about His love for all of His children.
He is named after my dad- Jack-

We named him well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD- WE LOVE YOU TOO!

more to come... next week

super snow-

It was a SUPER SNOWY day & night.

We have 11 inches!

It's summer in Brazil....

a list-

1. I have so much I want to blog about right now...

Like this

happy- happy- joy- joy

I can't think of anything better for 2011!

The whole family is beyond excited... you can imagine, I'm sure!

2. I am overwhelmed with a new found appreciation for working moms.

Completely Overwhelmed

I can't talk about it without getting teary.

HOW on earth do you get it all done- and without going mad?

3. I am thankful I have had so many years working at home- priceless.
4. Yesterday my missionary Jack's first companion (who is home now) came over. I was at work but he brought gifts & a CD full of pictures... perfect timing- since I was missing him terribly- and had several crying moments the day before Thanksgiving... gosh I miss him. Thanksgiving was too busy to cry.
5. Brian has a girlfriend! YEP it's official. She is from our town- which explains why he is home a lot. She is darling & they are so fun to watch. It's fun to see him like this.
6. I worry a lot these days.
7. Worry about Brett, the job situation- I shouldn't everything is going well, considering? I guess it's just the nature of being the mom.
8. I don't like it- but it's starting to feel like my new normal.
9. Still- it's a wonderful life.
10. Especially when I think about #1 on my list.

happy- happy- joy- joy

thanksgiving 2010

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!

We were going to have 12 people here...

but because of the storm we ended up with 22.

It was super fun.

The two Brittanys & Marcus were here.

Brit just bought a NEW CAR the day before!!!

Isn't it a beauty!

(Allie's chicken salad)

We were so happy two of our favorite families joined us.

The Moores- Wende's family

And

The Starrs- Tiffany's family

Again- I don't have as many pictures as I would like...

I was too busy having fun.

The turkey looks awful-

but

it was seriously the. best. turkey. I have ever made!

I used the Williams Sonoma turkey brine & their cider-bourbon roasting glaze.

Oh my!

It was so moist & flavorful... mmm.

After dinner & visiting Rick Starr played us one of his favorite songs from his new CD- it's fantastic.

Hailey, Tiffany & Taylor also entertained us with songs.

It was such a great day.

Everyone brought food & helped in the kitchen.

It made it so much easier.

Rich & Wende brought Trent a surprise!

An old laptop that sometimes works- that they don't want anymore.

Trent was in HEAVEN- he even got the Internet up on it!

We have so much to be grateful for.

Family- Friends- Health- The Gospel!

still- I found myself really missing my missionary.

This is the second holiday having him gone.

The 4th of July was the first.

I thought about him all day.

I wonder if he remembered it was Thanksgiving?

***

How was your Thanksgiving?

working girl

I got a job.

Yep- I did!

Can you believe that?

Remember last month when my girls & I went here to get our book signed?

Well.... while I was waiting in line I spent some time talking to various employees - then the District Manager (I had no idea she was the "district manager" I just thought she was an employee.) I told her how I love the store & have always wanted to work there... but the time had never been right- yada yada. She told me that they only hire people seasonally. Everyone who works in their stores- starts during the holiday season. She also said in this store (the Salt Lake City store) they were still going to hire 4-5 more people. We talked on & on about different stores around the country- the store in Megan's town, in NY, & my favorite the San Fransisco store. I introduced her to my girls... we got to be kind of chummy - then- she introduced me to the assistant manager- who gave me an application & asked me if I could come back THAT NIGHT for a group interview. It was their last set of interviews.

I was in shock.

I haven't been on a job interview for 25 years.

did you read that... 25 years?!

I went home- super nervous & filled it out.

Brett helped me & I added a page of "experience" that I put with the application. All of my "experience" was volunteer work, except for the little bit of work I have done in the past at my neighbor's catering business.

I listed all of my P.T.A. work etc. I know it really helped.

IT was a full page, I could have written more. It felt good.

So- ya- I got the job.

It is just seasonal but I have loved it. It's so much fun to "talk" cooking all day & frankly I feel like a kid in a candy store! I work days from 10-2:00, 3-4 days a week. The extra money will really help- if I can help from spending it all! I get a fantastic discount- especially if I wait for things to go on sale!! wowza!
I can't even tell you how many times I have explained how to Brine a Turkey - or what's so great about the Le Creuset cookware. Not to mention how fun it is to walk around looking at gourmet cooking & food products all the time! Being in the back where everything is store is absolutely heavenly...

Today I even helped pick out a gift for someone who wanted to know-

what to get someone who wants to bake cupcakes!!!

How great is that?!

Now I'm home getting ready for the big Thanksgiving Day.

I just put two pumpkin pies in the oven.

Boy, are my feet tired.

Even though my painted floor is all scraped up & dirty...

doesn't my new kitchen towel look pretty?

I'll clean the floor in the morning.

blizzard 2010

For some reason I can't get a picture to paste...

but here is the current weather situation here

It's super cold with wind & snow blowing.

I've lived here in Centerville, Utah for 14 1/2 years now-

never have we had the national weather service announce a

blizzard warning!

maybe it's going to get worse...

but it seems like a regular ol' snow storm to me!

Dangerous- Snowy-Cold

winter is here

closing night & a little too much information?

I really can't believe how quickly the Nutcracker came & went this year...

Is it possible that time has sped up?

I'm serious...

is it possible?

Somebody leave me a comment-- I know it goes against all reason-- but I think it may be happening?

It felt like I took a million photos.

dang- I have hardly any & NOT EVEN ONE of her in her costume alone?

What on earth? I can only blame my new job, a house full of company & a lot on my mind.

Still... I'm so disappointed I didn't do a better job.

Three of her good friends from school came closing night.

So nice- such good girls.

They came to support Blair (left of Chloe) & Chloe.

I love that!

Aunt Ruthie, cousin Sarah & Sarah's best friend came too!

(Sarah is on the left.)

They are both ballerinas too & their nutcracker is in Logan this weekend!!!

At $17 a ticket... and me working Black Friday... we won't be attending- I'm so sorry Sarah! Break a leg- We love you!

Now that I'm private I can use Ruthie's kid's names--

and- by the way- Ruthie lives in Logan.

(Logan is 1 1/2 hour drive away.)

I'm not sure Sarah is speaking to me any longer...

She ordered this mint Oreo shake at Jake's Over the Top after the performance.

I of course, didn't want to eat too much dairy

(I'm lactose intolerant.. T.M.I??)

Then, proceeded to eat a hefty portion of hers.

It was so, so, so good - that I risked spending the rest of the night in the bathroom.

Lucky - the risk was worth it & I didn't get sick since Chloe & I waited for Brett to help unload the set into trucks until 12:30 AM. He didn't want us to drive home without him (winter storm coming).. so we didn't bring two cars & opted to go out for shakes instead.

Tomorrow's Topic

My New Job

It should be riveting- I work until 2:00PM so I won't write until later.

Don't miss it!

(that was sarcasm)

a conversation

Me: Trent, all I want for Christmas is a kiss on the lips!
Trent: No Way
Me: Why not? Dad kisses his mom on the lips?
Trent: So
Me: Brian kisses me!
Trent: That just proves Brian is dumb.

waking up to winter

Last night a "big storm" was blowing in.

Lots of wind, rain & some sleet.

Grandma & Grandpa couldn't get a flight out in the morning & took a shuttle instead, in effort to get home before the storm. These pictures are for you mom-

Just to confirm you made the right decision.

During the night the storm got here!
In the clear of the trees it looks like we got 6-8 inches.
It's the first measurable snow of the season.
It's so pretty.
Yes- after getting home from the last performance at 12:30 AM we are going to be late for church. Hailey & Brian are heading out now... Brett went early for meetings... but Chloe is sleeping- solid - in bed. Trent of course slept in for a micro second until I whispered to him that we had snow. He JUMPED out of bed- and ran out to shovel.
Later Brian looked out the window- Trent had NO coat on?
He had shoveled the sidewalk & half of the driveway without a coat!
All that energy-
It comes in handy!
*Do you have snow?

nutcracker week

Thank you- thank you

To all you readers out there!!

I was so surprised at the response I had to going private- wow!

It's just so nice to know there are people out there who love us....

SOOO

anyway...

thanks again

and I should be blogging more regularly - even daily now

-BACK TO THE BLOG-

THIS WEEK IS NUTCRACKER WEEK!!!

This cutie has been having the time of her life dancing all week up at Weber State.

Her ballet school puts on the Nutcracker there every year there.

It's such a wonderful production!

The New American Philharmonic Orchestra plays live music for them & there are 4 professional dancers from Ballet West in the show. Also- a lot of the costumes have been handed down from Ballet West so they are really great too.

Ya- I kind a like it...

It's a big commitment being in the nutcracker!
She tried out back in September- has been practicing since.
Besides selling a required amount of tickets (not too hard), chaperoning twice, being on a committee.... etc. Brett is helping take down the set tonight after the last performance.
It's absolutely worth it- every minute- when you see the look in Chloe's eyes. Well, that & see her commitment, drive & excitement about the whole thing.

Tuesday night- I chaperoned the Arabians.

Last year I finally learned that chaperoning on Tuesday night (the first dress rehearsal) is the best! Why- because you don't have to stay downstairs in the dressing room the whole time. During the act they are not in- you get to sit in the audience & watch with your dancers. It was so fun to sit next to Chloe & hear/see her reaction to the show. She absolutely loves it.

the Arabian scene is in the second act-

We went down & got costumes on.

While we were waiting I snapped some photos- these girls have been really fun & nice.. some of them frankly... have been a little jealous of the soloist (Chloe.)

Let's face it- it's hard being a teenage girl.

EVERY YEAR I forget and EVERY YEAR I am reminded of how nice my daughters are. I know they are not perfect- I know they have their bad days. But, sitting quietly as a chaperone in a room full of candy canes & Arabians I see some mean things, just a few- thankfully- but still. I of course... don't take to that very well & typically find myself embarrassing the mean girl by calling her on it ... but I won't go into that. (who's the real mean girl... ?)

I'm so grateful for Chloe's kind friends.

Blair on the left here is one of them... love you Blair.
She is a red soldier this year & I NEED a picture...?

Chloe- Thursday night, just before going on.

isn't she beautiful!

All the YW in our church congregation came to support her. It was so fun for her knowing her friends & leaders were in the audience.

Of course when the started chanting CHLOE! CHLOE! CHLOE!

that wasn't really, ya know... proper? oops.

Afterward- on the way home (11:30 PM)

we dropped Hailey off on our way home at Wende's house.

Months ago Wende was so sweet & bought Hailey a ticket to the midnight show of Harry Potter. Of course that's before the whole nudity issue came up. We let her go anyway... she's seventeen for heaven's sake & I didn't think it would be all that bad... Hailey said - even though that scene didn't need to be in the movie- it was not as bad as the media made it out to be- you couldn't see "anything" & it was just plain media frenzy? I'm curious what other people think now?

on to last night-

This is a LOOOong post.. I have so much to catch up on!

Wednesday morning my parents flew up from St. George where they live (my sister works for an airlines.) It's been a very special nutcracker year! They've never seen her dance before so we were of course, thrilled to have them. The whole family was here. Marcus, brittany & brit came up. We had dinner than traveled up to the ballet.

getting in those last few messages...

Trent loves brit & of course... wanted to sit next to her!

She is a 1st grade teacher & she is wonderful with kids- but especially wonderful with Trent.

DAd & Me

photo by Trent

siblings- after the show-

this photo is for you Megan & Jack.

I'm not so sure if Trent is happy to be in it.. ha ha? - he says he was trying to go cross eyed- Well, of course? That would have looked good! NOT

boys...?

Grandma & Grandpa with Chloe.

cousins

Grandma & Grandpa with the grand kids.

Chloe did such a GREat job!

Being the Arabian Soloist has been an absolute dream come true for her. It's so fun to have a part where everyone can see you & tell it's YOU. Every night several different little dancers come up & want to talk to her & point & stare. She remembers doing the same thing at their age. It's just been such a thrilling experience for her.

I love you Chloe!

I'm so lucky to be your mom

The last performance is tonight - I can't wait to be there- in ROW K!!

-awesome tickets-

BREaK A LeG-

well, not really
Love mom

going private... but why???

Dear folks out there...

I am going private in one week from today.

WHY?
Because I have so much to say that I'm nervous to say to the whole wide world.
Ya know like...
how I started a new part time job (it's so exciting!)-
where & when hailey is singing-
how the job search is going & what we've been doing in the mean time-
where chloe is dancing & when you can see her-
details on brian's dating life... (oooh la, la)-
adventures of 11 year old trent & aspergers syndrome & how he came home last FRiday night early from a friends house because,
"He doesn't want to play with me anymore!?
Only because I have really bad gas that I can't control!"
stuff like that-


I feel stifled by the fact that anyone can & is reading this.

I'm not posting like I used to because of it.

I don't like that.
I want to be more personal.

So - if you really are a reader and you want to stay a reader...
leave me a comment with your email address or email me at

sixandholding@msn.com

and I will put you on
the list.

happiness is....

Pictures of the missionary in my inbox! but why are they so small?

Can someone tell me how to get them bigger?
Doesn't he look great!?
Gotta love that missionary!