just a great saturday

It's a beautiful spring here finally!

This is the view from my driveway into my next door neighbor's yard.

Gorgeous!

I went to get the mail & just had to go back in to get my camera.

I wish you could see the majesty of the mountains in the background.

Because of my love of Rhododendrons...

I planted two in my yard, right after we first moved in. They don't bloom at the same time & I know they will never be as beautiful as in the Northwest. But I love them just the same & it is a thrill for me when the do bloom.

SAD, sad news.
Trent finally found the carefully hidden Guitar Hero aka: Guitar hell.
Bummer. I hate this game. He ran upstairs exclaiming, "you won't believe what was way, way behind the games in the game cabinet?!!"
I think it's okay for older kids, but come on- nine year olds should not be playing to- rock me like a hurricane.... somehow it is going to be "lost" again soon.


I finally got around to washing these & put them on my bed!
700 count sheets I bought just outside of Battery Park in NY for $20- score.
Some guy was selling loads of them, I decided I could carry one set around for the day in my bag- it was worth it. They are luxurious.
I did ten tons of laundry & ironed almost everything in my ironing box, all while listening to Chloe's IPOD- the WICKED soundtrack. When the first song came on I got goosebumps. Oh how I love that we went to see that! Do you ever feel like this? After a big, exhausting, vacation you did something right- it was all worth it- just for the memories?

I'm having a hard time getting rid of or even recycling my crate & barrel bags...

The armed forces are in full force sending Jack info about joining up...
hmmmmm- I would be the proud mom of a soldier- on one condition.... he waits to make any big decisions like this until after his mission.

Bronco had an accident- again.

holy. moly. somebody. help. me.

-that is all I am going to say about that-

Finally the time came to go pick up Megan at the airport!!

Hooray!
she made it & we are all hovering around her like she is a superstar.
She is of course better than a superstar around here.

We made it to Cafe Rio - YUM.
It was just as good as she remembered.

Jack is very cool here-I love this photo.

Do you ever miss someone, then when they come back it instantly feels like they never left?

love that

journaling a saturday

It has been a really busy weekend. The kind of weekend when you feel like you need a break & you're ready to go back to school & work to get one. AFter a long Saturday of yard work & a nagging nine year old who is ready to put in a roof with solar panels on his tree house?? (heaven help us)- brett went to HOme Depot to buy weather stripping for the back door (bronco chewed it up & a snow storm is a comin'.) He brought home some rope for my scouts. How thoughtful - I know?!! Romance is not dead. He & trent measured it off & he taught trent how to burn the ends & tie it up into neat bundles. Now when there is down time with the boys I will have them start working on knots.
It looks like he tying trent up. Hmmm... that's got me thinking?

(quilt squares- I'm working on two quilts for the twin beds in chloe's room)

The Girls had AIM= achievement in music. It's a music testing day... hard to explain- they play two songs for judges, scales & more, then have a written test. There are 10 levels in AIM. Hailey is level 6 chloe is 4. It's pretty tough. But remember- we can do hard things :)

One of these days I will put video up of them playing. Their songs this year were amazing- fabulous & so hard. They are wonderful musicians. March is tough, but one day they will thank me.. right? I tried to take video at their recital last week & my camera wouldn't work!aargh!! Now they probably won't let me... we'll see...

AS I was thinking about telling them 'they could do hard things' I refrained. Moods were low. there was some serious frustration & even piano pounding going on... I kept my mouth shut- but thought to myself. I can do hard things! I got down on the floor & cleaned it! Scrubbed it! the whole painted floor- whole thing. Then cleaned all the floors & got tons of laundry done. I cleaned most of the day. Yes- I can do hard things.

Rugby Jack came home with blood running out of his under armour. Gross. Bronco thought he smelled good though.

Friday I went to Costco & bought this evil stuff that has sustained us through the hard times this weekend. Que Bueno. Have you ever tried it? Don't judge me until you've had it! It's so, so good. Brett tried to read what was on the ingredients but I wouldn't let him- I don't want to know. Let me live in happiness. I only buy it maybe once a year. I mean come on... it's a whole can of cheese sauce. Once a year/can of cheesy queso = happiness.

Later Saturday night the girls & I went to the general YW conference broadcast at the stake center. It was FAntaSTic! I cannot wait for next weekend- Conference weekend is my favorite weekend of the whole year!!!

Now it's Sunday night- Brett was in charge of a YM stake fireside on the duty to God program. He is a great motivational speaker. He did a great job. It was nice to sit in the audience with jack. It snowed at least 5 inches today, but it's melting. More snow to come tomorrow. I just wrote to the missionary. Monday is email day. My favorite. I hope he is good. I know he is.

it's been a big day

I woke up to a lot of snow this morning.

I absolutely LOVE Christmas snow- so it's definitely a happy sight.

Lucky for me, Brett let me sleep in. It's been a long week for me including Brett in Houston on business-(I don't sleep well for that)- then up until 1:00 AM the past 4 nights! I was so tired today. Besides sleeping in I crashed on the couch for a couple of hours with Max. I love a non committed Saturday.

Seriously- is there anything better?

(Hailey & her best friend)

We went to our church Christmas breakfast.

You can't tell from this picture but it was decorated so beautiful.

There were pancakes & sausage. A darling program- love it.

The most exciting part of today....

Jack was asked months ago to the Christmas dance & tonight is the night.

I know he won't admit it, but he was so excited.

How do I know?

He got dressed really early & told us to put the dogs up, etc.

before she got here to pick him up.
He wasn't cooperating with the before photos- not surprising.

But makes up for it here-

Isn't she the cutest thing EVER!!

They were going to the Macaroni Grill then to the dance at the Capitol!
What fun!
I hope the have a fun, safe time (it's still snowing...)
-Great day-

saturday- the garage, a bike ride & the peanut

Two years ago Jack finished his Eagle project. You know- for his Eagle scout rank.

Ya- you read right

TWO YEARS AGO

Since then he has needed 2 bike rides. A 25 & 50 miler. He did the 25 this past summer & the 50 has been looming over his head like a bad omen. Finally today... the last great weather day of the year (so the weather man says), he got it done!!!!!!!Poor kid - with a mother like me- he can now sleep easy :).

He still has a board of review & Eagle court, but as far as I'm concerned- this babe's done! YESSSSS

{jack the studly -almost- EAgle SCout!}

Years ago when Brian was working on his Eagle & I was encouraging him along aka: nagging him to death- he used to say,"you only want me to get my Eagle so you'll look good for your friends!" Oh man- that was the funniest thing one of my kids had ever said. I thought I would bust a gut. Seriously- if I wanted to impress my friends I'd lose 40lbs. & wouldn't drive a mini-van.

Kids-sheesh.

Way to go Jack! I am really excited for you & so glad you did it with a good attitude.

Way to get up & get going today bud. I know it was hard & we really should have pushed you to get it done earlier- but it is your award not ours. Anyhow- I'm really proud you did it & on your own, even if it did take 2 years to finish up the end of it- who cares? You got it done! Someday, when you have kids... you're going to be so glad. Today along with cleaning the garage out (serious all day project)- Brett & Trent finished up some remodeling on the tree fort. It is now complete with an all-enclosed bottom level.

Besides laundry, dishes, Halloween clean up & driving to ballet TWiCe- We've got a visitor today. The Peanut is here while Ruthie's family goes to Lagoon.

I think he's going to be a model someday- he's got the serious look down- for sure!

The Peanut, Max & I had a great time playing in the autumn leaves. The Peanut loves to be outside. We had to take turns taking him out or severe crying ensued.

Max didn't mind- not at all.

family fun before school starts

In an attempt to get out & do something fun before school started

- the six of us went bowling & out to dinner Saturday!

Guess What?

It worked. We had a great time :)

Trent loves bowling & I mean loves it.

He's not too shabby at it either...

well that's what we thought until about 1/2 way through the set when he shoved one half heartedly. It went SO SLOW that it actually stopped right before it hit the pins. I thought it was pretty darn funny & down right amazing when you think about it. I don't know why- but I think it's comical when big kids try to throw a fit. It just didn't work- he's too big now. We just walked around him and that was that.

Luckily it lasted all of about 45 seconds. I remember the missionary doing the same thing once in a grocery store. I just stepped over him & he had this look in his eye, like- dang that didn't work.

This is Jack below after throwing

THREE STRIKES IN A ROW

He talked the whole drive over to the bowling alley about what a cruddy bowler he was too- what a guy- he's a big fat liar is what he is!

I of course stink at bowling. I mean if anyone should never go bowling just because they are so bad- it's me. Once I went bowling with a large group of women for a girl's night type outing & bowled a 39. I'm not kidding, it's down right humiliating... & yes you can stop laughing now.

I did a little better this time.

I only threw 6 gutter balls-- what can I say? It's not my thing.

Hailey was having a rough time & at one point Brett suggested he have them put up the bumpers for her- she looks happy- huh?
But then - the bumpers did the trick. She actually wasn't even doing bad!

Imagine my joy & happiness (I'm being completely sarcastic) when the bumpers came up on my next turn- OKAY I ADMIT I STINK BUT THAT WAS REALLY NOT FUNNY.

Trent had the most fun rearranging the bowling balls & handing them out.

I'm so glad these three are such great sports & so fun to be with.Afterwards we went to Cafe Rio & had a great dinner & even better dessert-
the best ever key lime pie!
They make it from scratch there & it's just right- loads of whipped cream & not too tart. *what did you do this weekend?
*do you like to bowl?
*have you ever scored a 39? Or worse????
(that would be sad & hard to do)
*were you wondering if I fell off the planet??

Saturday

Well, it's Saturday & you know what that means...

after karate, Trent went to work with Grant the remodeling neighbor.

It's a little hard to tell in this picture but, Trent is sporting his new tool belt from Home Depot. It's black so it blends in with his shorts. Brett finally caved in & bought him his own. He is so proud of it & wears it every chance he gets.

Today in the car on the way to pick up Chloe from Nutcracker tryouts Trent asked me how long a year was. I said, a really really long time. In a year you will be a third grader. His eyes got wide. That's how long Grant the remodeling neighbor said his project should take.

It's a good thing I wasn't driving. Brett is considering filing a grievance with the city. Surely there is some code that could make him get the project done this month?! Oh well, Trent is loving it.

Speaking of Nutcracker tryouts.
Here is Chloe coming out threw the crowd. She has made the cut every year for the past three years. The first year she was a cupcake, next a cookie & last year she was an angel. She wore 50 curlers in her hair every night & all day for more than a week (that's when her hair was super long). She was gorgeous & the perfect angel.
Like every year we talked all week of how there are good things about making it & good things about not. Fifty percent of the girls who try out are cut so we went into this knowing it was tough competition & hey~ she has had her chance three times over. But, you know this girl LOVES ballet. Well, it truly never occurred to me that she might not make it this year. I was the idiot with the camera. I was trying to get her first expression- she is crushed. I wasn't going to post the picture, I wasn't going to mention it too much. Then, I remembered... there are so many great things to be learned~ when you don't make it. It's just so darn tough. The whole way home I was trying to be strong, fighting back the tears, seeing her do the same. I had to be the good example. It's okay to cry I told her~ you're disappointed. She said, "It's not the not making it~ it's being told I didn't make it." Ain't that the truth.
She's got a good attitude. Two out of the three carpool girls didn't make it this year. We will go together & celebrate for the other!

Just for fun I took her to work with me tonight. I am so glad I did. We had a great time working together! She's such a FANTASTIC worker. For eleven- it's amazing how great she can get things done. We snuck in a couple of pictures when the wedding line was slow.

Here she is pouring sparkling apple juice.

This is Stephanie, Tiffany, & Jan. They are awesome to work with & so much fun.
Jan is the smartest gal around- not just because she told me she thought I looked 30 just before my 40Th birthday, either. Tiffany just moved into my neighborhood & is starting a blog soon- I can't wait. Stephanie is doing her student teaching at my kid's H.S. & drat I forgot to ask her about it tonight. They are so cute!

Here is Chloe & my self-portrait at the end of the night.

It was a beautiful wedding. The pictures don't do it justice.

We had a great time.

I am so glad Chloe could come & help. She is great- and a great dancer. For now, she is a "Strong Woman" - that's a long story for another time.

I am proud of her.