just me & T

Last week one night Trent & I found ourselves home alone- just the two of us! I asked Trent if there was anything he wanted to do- watch a movie, go get ice cream, etc. He wanted me to jump on the trampoline with him.

Sounds easy enough- except I'm not really a trampoline kind of gal.

Having six kids has done wonders for my bladder.

I'll leave the imagery to you.

I'm a good sport so-

I took a potty break then met him on the tramp.

Look who joined us...

the boys!

Trent was over the top excited!

He has been trying to get these two goof balls on the tramp all season.

They never want to go with him.
Gee I wonder why?
What-? Sudden jumping & jerky moments by a 10 year old on a tramp isn't their idea of fun?
-Cowards-
Since they are my double shadows all day, every day-
(thank goodness they sleep in kennels)
they were right up there with me.


It was so funny to have them walking around the tramp like two kids.

Ah this is what summer is all about

isn't it?

seriously- there's nothing going on here...

So- my lack of blogging is just because there is nothing to say...

Until yesterday when I had the thrill of dropping the dogs off at the groomer.

(hello, that was sarcasm)

The grungy mutts were dropped off & I ran downtown to do a little shopping!

I wanted to get this
but they were sold out.... dang- that apple is so cute!
I ended up getting an orange apron with an embroidered pumpkin on it.
happiness


On the way home I couldn't help myself-
I stopped off at Tulie Bakery & in honor of Michelle
bought one of these...

HolY COW!!!
It was so good- It was buttery & crunchy on the outside & sweet & moist on the inside with almond flavoring... oh my. I was only going to have a bite... I ate half then called my sweetheart & offered to bring him half at his office. He didn't even act excited & could care less about the best ever croissant of my life. What? I took it home & ate the rest a couple of hours later. He was not croissant worthy- no, no, I do not get excited about all baked goods- this was exceptionally fantastic & we are going back- me & some bakery enthusiastic person.


On a positive note:
I am still working on Christmas projects & slowly making progress. I wish I could post them all over the place. I am so happy about how my projects are turning out!

Another positive note:
some bloggers are meeting for a creative day here today!
YEs- something to blog about

Another positive note:

did you see nie nie on Oprah!!!? she was gorgeous & inspiring & I love her for making me feel like being a better wife & mom. Hooray for NiE!

** are you a bakery enthusiast?

pictures found

I found all of these on my camera - funny kids-

dogs & little boys

Every morning I try to walk the dogs. I try to walk them again in the afternoon- we don't go very far but they love it. It's good for us all. They get so excited, especially the puppy-- that by the time I get the leashes on them I'm ready to call it quits- Just kidding.

They are crazy though! Of course, I'm not the world's smartest dog trainer so that doesn't help. Poor Bronco was sitting...

This afternoon I took the cub scouts (with two other moms/leaders) to the University of Utah Museum of Natural History. We earned the museum walk patch. It was a little crazy... kind of like the dogs, but really educational & fun.

Besides cool dinosaur bones, minerals & precious stones, there was a great hands on lab

and a super cool, temporary, live amphibian exhibit.

There were frogs from all over the world. They were really fun to see.

The first Monday of every month is free at the museum.

If you are local & don't have plans- it would be a fun/free start to spring break next week!

spring.snow.spoiled

My front yard- the garbage heap

The weather has just been Fabulous here lately!!

REally warm & spring like. Cruel really, when you consider we have a bit of winter to go. This morning I went to take the dogs for a walk & brought my camera along. Brett was leaving for work & said- "You're taking your camera? Great!"- I think he is happy to know I am pulling out of the slumpy winter blues I have been in. It didn't dawn on me until later, that it is nearly impossible to take pictures while walking TWo dogs- Especially these two crazies.

I am trying to teach Bronco to heel (he is learning surprisingly fast) & reteach Max. Max has forgotten all walking manners with the addition of the young pup. I managed a photo which shows exactly the crazy behavior I am trying to avoid.

Now that the weather has brightened a bit & I am out walking -

Everyone in the neighborhood is finding out about our new pup too. I have had a couple of people say- "you have two dogs?" with this look of shock & surprise-

like they are thinking...

you seem like such a normal person at church & around the community?

I always find myself saying--"it's not me- really- brett is such a dog lover. I have no choice. It's him- I just go along with it... I really have no choice..."

I sound like an idiot.

I came home & looked around the yard with absolute shock & surprise of my own.
Our house faces north, so the front yard rarely sees sun. The snow takes forever to melt on our side of the street. You won't believe what the blanket of snow was covering!trent's blue sled...

multiple pieces of wood from trent's projects...

trent's plastic snow board...

trent's mini skateboard...

two shovels...

and a Christmas tree-

okay, okay- the Christmas tree- we knew it was there on the side of the house.

It's from jack & his hooligan friend's treeing escapades.

Every year the teens in our house "pick up" (steal is more like it - not that anybody cares) old Christmas trees off of people's curbs around town & then "tree" someone? "treeing" is when your doorbell rings, you go to the front door, no one is there... except for a dozen old Christmas trees. this tree got left behind & jack has promised to get rid of it for a month. For some reason the teens (jack & brian's friends) think this is absolutely hilarious. There have honestly been times when the boys & their friends have picked up trees all over town & we've had dozens in our back yard hiding until dark- when they mysteriously appear on some one's doorstep. In one night those trees have been known to visit several unsuspecting people. Family after family get treed on one night. All the same trees. The whole process is about shock value. Once you've been treed & your dad gets all ticked off - they take them to another door step.

don't panic- it's all in good fun- at the end of the "treeing" season they drop them off at the dump to be made into mulch.

All I can say tonight is

It's a good thing tomorrow is TRASh day!

holy moly
this is down right embarrassing

-It's a good think I went out & noticed all this mess-

*have you ever found anything out in the yard after the snow melts?

*have you ever put a Christmas tree on the curb- then wondered where it went?

You can thank me later

do you think it's too early?

Today I went looking for some card making supplies with Lori.

Look what I found instead...I have wanted one of these little trees forever.

Especially the one from Pottery Barn-

(but didn't want to pay the $70- ridiculous)

Hurray for Hobby Lobby's version!!

Do you think it's too early to put out EASter & Spring decorations?

I've got Spring Fever-

BAD.

Look how big this guy's getting.

He's almost six months old & on his way to get some shots here in this picture. It's funny how dogs get into the parking lot of the humane society or the vet & just know something's up.

He's doing so much better now

-NO accidents for a couple of weeks-

wooo hoooo!!

He won't be any bigger than Max- we think.

He has a sweet disposition, but he's still really puppy hyper.
Lots of walks help & that's what I need so I suppose it's a good thing.

*do you have spring fever?

*when do you put up spring decorations?

wordless wednesday

humble pie

WEll- as you can see...my walking the dog, worm saving days are over for a while.

Yesterday I was walking Max- long story short- I broke my ankle. Yep it's broken. I'm lucky is what they say. It's a clean break, I don't need surgery- that is lucky!

Anyhow brett was in Houston on business trying to get out of the storm. While I was lying in the street in A LOT of pain. A city worker named DAVE, at least that's what the name on his shirt said, came across the street and helped me - YAE DAVE. I called blogger mom kristy who lived a block away & she came, took max home (she had to drag him in the house because he wouldn't leave me) then took me to instacare for x-rays etc. I was in shock & shaking & kind of a mess (remember I am just a little dramatic at times.) So it's been quite a day...

Well the blogger moms were supposed to go out to lunch for Wende's birthday- I am so stinkin mad that we missed Cheesecake Factory- they all came here with take out & we decorated the best we could. We had a great time while I lay half drugged on the couch loving every minute of it. Brett came home & called me-- spoiled. Yes, I am spoiled.

*thank you dave the city worker guy

*thanks jack for coming home from school, getting my RX, running around the house finding decorations so karrie didn't have to see the inside of my dirty closets

*thanks kristy for saving me off the pavement & not taking my picture even though I told you too (we are going to reenact it someday complete with one of the blogger mom's dressed as DAve)

*thanks karrie for picking up crutches & driving me home & getting me in the house & decorating & making me laugh

*thanks wende, lauri & janae for coming over & staying with me so jack could go back to school,

*everyone for bringing us dinner & spoiling me- I told brett that he could go to work today & you guys could come back ;)

*thanks lori for bringing me diet coke & donuts for breakfast.

*thanks karen for offering over & over to bring dinner tonight

*thanks becky for coming over & rick & linda for helping brett give me a blessing.

I am truly eating...

HUMBLE PIE

I feel like the luckiest, gimpy, uncoordinated gal on the block!

I have so much more to say but the drugs are kickin' in I am starting to drool & I've got to go lay down.... :)

This week!

It's been a great first week of school-

A new year- change- hope- boundless possibilities- that's how I feel about the start of a new school year.

Our morning routine is off to a great start & I am loving it! We have started reading scripture as a family every morning (minus trent) at 6:30. That means I'm getting up at 6:15 to start some breakfast to make it a little easier for everyone. This is something we have done before at different times of the day but never this early. It's a hard thing to do- but the hardest week (the first) is behind us & I can tell, it's a good thing.I've been walking trent to school & then going on for a walk with max, then trying to make the most of every day. It's hard - I'm adjusting- I don't do change very well & I'm struggling with my day time routine- but I know it will come.This picture really sums up Max's heartbreak with all the kids away...look at that sad face. He was so happy dad came home for lunch on Tuesday!

And hey look at this- I found a new candy bar at the grocery store this week- Snickers Rockin Nut Road- mmm good stuff

that'll get you going!

so we're off to a great new year

has school started at your house?

do you have your "day time" routine down....?

working men

Saturday night brett & I took chloe, trent, & max to his office to print out the missionaries out/inbox of emails. (brett got permission from his boss) Brian's inbox/outbox of email was getting so full he was worried he wouldn't be able to get messages. What would've taken 1/2 a day at home only took 45 minutes on a high tech office computer. Why did two (overly experienced) parents take two kids & a dog to the office on a Saturday night?Pure stupidity, I guess. Anyhow- one of brett's co workers was down the hall working on a problem- I apologized profusely about all the running & noise- she was really nice about it.
Brett was busy printing & deleting & I got out a notebook & wrote down every funny thing trent said while we were there. I was writing as fast as I could. I'm sure it's all funnier in person, but if you know trent or have read enough about him... you'll understand.

1. trent - (with phone headset on) "why don't I ever get any business calls?"

2. "can I make a few calls?"

3. "dad, I have a job here- I actually have a job here! I can come to your office on monday, tuesday, wed, thur, fri. for all month- all the months in a row." (the mental picture made me laugh)

4. pointing his finger-"dad, I have a job here & I don't want to get fired!"

5. after bringing in a can of rootbeer from the break room & setting it on the desk. Dad- no thanks trent I don't want any soda. trent-"are you crazy? do you think I can read your mind? this pop is for me!"

6. "dad, I accidentally spilled water all over the carpet- (under his breath... ) they'll never know... mom I'm I gonna get fired?"

7. "Can I call home & say hi to everyone?" dad- no one is home.

8. chloe- trent they are going to fire you & hire me because I am soaking up all the water you spilled- trent-"be quiet"

9. chloe- trent just punched me... again!

10. "dad- I need to download some stuff"

while playing hide & seek:

11. (trent is supposed to count & chloe runs to hide) trent- "great, she's gone!"

12. MOm- trent don't you know how to count to 45? trent-" mom I got drunked!" mom- you got drunked? trent- "ya 5 years ago"mom- you were only 4- trent-"I know!" mom- that's not funny.

13. while hiding under dad's desk- "she'll never find me here! hee hee hee hee hee" after she found him immediately- "I'm done now"

14. On the way home in the car. Dad- trent when we get home you have to go straight to bed it's after 10:00- trent- "can we stay up later?" dad- trent I have a meeting for church at 7:00. Trent- can I come? dad please I'll behave (the thought of trent going to ward council... hee he :)

Just had to post this beautiful picture of all the jam chloe & I made yesterday!! thanks for your help chloe.

surprise fun

Today I had a long list of chores. Ironing, emails about the benefit concert & luncheon, cleaning the painted floor, kitchen, etc. etc. Anyhow... surprise- my dear friend Karen called & asked if I could spare an hour to go get a pedicure with her-

Uh~ YA!

She had a gift certificate & a babysitter- and I have deep love for pedicures & haven't had one for a year. Not to mention I have been so busy these days it feels like I haven't seen Karen for a year.We chose matching polish, not cause we're weirdos who think they're in 8th grade... we just liked the same polish.

Today I ran to the Jr. high to pick up Hailey then 1/2 hour later ran to the H.S. to pick up Jack- he had a test. Max came with me & refused to get out of the car. He loves the car. I finally left the side door open & came inside. About another 1/2 hour later I remembered he was still in the car. I ran to the garage, opened the door & there he was sitting in the driver's seat. Just lookin' around. I wonder if he pretends he's driving? It took another 1/2 hour before he would come in. He is so funny.
*do you have a dog?
*do you think people who wear matching clothes are weird?

*man I love a pedicure- do you?

This week

It's been a busy week & I haven't blogged as much as usual or as much as I like to for that matter. Anyhow this is a little bit of what happened in my life this week.

Max (our Schnauzer) peed in Jack's shoe one morning.

It's a long story but Jack came down from brushing his teeth, stopped to put his shoes on & there was a puddle in one. He came in & told me- I didn't believe it until he put a tissue in pulled it out- yep it was a yellow puddle. I laughed so hard & just about puddled myself. I took Jack to school that day & laughed the whole way. Jack didn't seem to think it was as funny as I did. You see, Jack is always saying that Max is a not a very smart dog- yada, yada, yada & that we should get a new one- blah, blah, blah I guess Max showed him- hee hee hee. Needless to say, Jack better watch his step- (Brett took Jack to get new shoes- even though I cleaned them out- big wimp!)

I took Chloe with me to a school board meeting, volunteered in Trent's class, & sent a lot of emails about a fundraiser coming up this spring & Jr. high legislative updates.

I loved going to the capitol but had to leave early to visit the wedding photographer.

I bought a new purse, it's not this one, the one I really want- but it will have to do.I added a new recipe for corn bread to a new cooking blog. Check it out here if you haven't yet. It's really fun & new recipes are being added everyday by me & my local blogging buddies.
I went to breakfast with Lori & found a perfect dress for Chloe for the wedding today.
Later I took Chloe & Trent to the library after school.


Gosh when I write it out it doesn't seem like that much... that's what I get for not blogging everyday!

*would you wear shoes that had been peed in?
*even if your mom cleaned them out with a disinfectant?
*do you love Vera Bradley too?
*do you think Trent needs a haircut or what?
*are you as thrilled as I am that spell check is working again?!!!
Today is Brian's 100th day as a missionary.
Congratulations Missionary Boy

Everyone Loves Sees

I have been working a lot because of the busy holiday season. This is one of the many ladies I work with- I'm not sure she wants me to put her name on my blog? She is so much fun to work with & a GREAT cook just like her mom. Saturday I left my camera at work after taking this picture, I felt like I had left my right arm. Blogging has truly changed my life. Here is a picture of Hailey who didn't want to go to the church Christmas breakfast so I took a picture to document it. I am calling it - Hailey At Fourteen. Every time I take pictures I look through the camera afterward & the ones of her have mysteriously disappeared. hmmmm

My dear friend brought this by yesterday. Isn't this the cutest thing you have ever seen?! It's a box of graham crackers, bag of marshmallows, & large chocolate bar. The little marshmallow ornament matches the plate which has a quote on it that says "Let it Smore."

Here is the note with the indoor smores recipe. She also made smaller versions for neighborhood gifts that had a smaller pack of grahams, ziploc of marshmallows, large candy bar... you get the idea. I just had to share this idea because it's such a great one.

And, as if you needed more proof of how fantastic See's Chocolates are...

Sunday morning I was reading a book with Trent and I could hear Max eating in the dining room. No big deal, right? Then later I went into the kitchen & he was just eating as fast as he could knowing he was about to be in big trouble! I couldn't believe it. The kids had put all of the packages under the tree. He probably could smell it & just couldn't take it anymore!

It's a good thing they are replaceable.

I tell ya, everyone loves See's.