temple trip #2

 It's been a busy & pretty quick month--

I was a little worried we wouldn't make our goal of getting to a new temple.

But we made it.

  

We went into the big city- to the Salt Lake Temple last Saturday afternoon. 

Saturday's (we have learned) are just too busy for us to get into any temple. We are from now on going during the week. It's wonderful to see so many youth in the temple!

It was my first time into the Salt Lake Temple Baptistry.

Gorgeous -- amazing. We were truly blessed & lucky to get in- it was very busy.

Did you know the Salt Lake Temple is the first temple the Pioneers started working on- yet the 4th temple to be completed? St. George was first to be completed, then Logan, then Manti. The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to complete. Only one of those years for the interior. The exterior is full of religous symbolism & made of granite mined from the mountains to the east. The exterior walls are 6' thick! 

It was a cold windy day with a storm coming in-brrr.

Afterwards we went to Litza's Pizza.

A favorite place that we used to frequent when the kids were younger. 

We hadn't been there in way too long!

Chloe & I could not-- for the life of us--- get a decent photo!

so... We opted for our mad model look.

She pulls it off well-- I look like I'm just plain tired.

Oh well, it was fun & I am so glad we made our goal two months in a row now!

5 for friday

1. Last Sunday's snow. 

2. Last Sunday's activity

3. Pinterest inspired good mail.

Box of sunshine for a friend who needs it.

4. I found a quarter on the sidewalk at the post office after I sent it- score!

5. Pinterest inspired dinner tonight-- delish.

Spicy Thai noodles-- YUM

This week... It's getting better.

hard week

For reasons I cannot share here-

It's been a really, really hard week.

I'm glad to say,

Things are Looking UP!

And.....

Thank you intimate friends & family for your prayers.

Thank you whomever sent these flowers.

42 Days

Yes- You read it right.

Only 42 Days until missionary Jack comes home.

Oh-- it will be good to have the whole family together again.

pago

For Christmas- Megan & Tony gave us a gift card to go here!

Pago

We finally got there the Saturday before Valentine's Day-- NO Chance we could get in on Valentine's Day- so this was the next best thing.

We went after I got off work & had brunch.

IT WAS SO- SO GOOD!

We had chocolate chip scones with artisan peach jam for starters.

 Then- we shared Almond Encrusted French Toast with Berry Compote

and

 the Pago Breakfast.

Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Green beans Fried Potatoes.

Everything was divine & cooked to perfection.

Thanks Megan & Tony -

We loved it & it was so fun to go to a new place.

this week...

This hasn't been our most exciting week- 

but some of the highlights are:

Trent is on the stage crew for the elementary school play. He stays late for practice (they are performing Beauty & the Beast) he got a t-shirt this week and was rightfully- so proud. I think he moves a table before one scene. Social progress- we will take it.

Chloe roasted a chicken for dinner!

How great looking is this? 

YUM - it's fun that she is learning to cook. Plus, getting to sample her food isn't so bad either!

Friday afternoon there was no school- we ran over to pick up some things at Costco- (yes we are living la vida loca.) Brian & Laura were doing the same so we shared some hot dogs & pizza. Trent is always fun. Brian enjoys him so much.

While walking past the mattresses Chloe jumped up & Brian was shocked then snapped this photo. He offered her a dollar if she would run & jump into the giant bin of giant stuffed animals.

Too bad I wasn't there to get a picture of that-- yes, Chloe is a dollar richer today.

Today it's a snowy Sunday & I love it.

We got 4 inches last night. I didn't realize we were getting snow. What a fun surprise.

 I love a slow, snowy Sunday.

Valentine's Day 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

(I can't get this picture to rotate... aargh!)

 I hope you have Fun!

 Lots Of Love,

patsy

Valentine's Day dinner comes early

 Because of very busy schedules- we had our annual Valentine's Day family dinner tonight!

It's a very rainy, winter day here -- so Savory Thick Beef Stew with Leslie's Salad & Chloe's homemade bread was on the menu.

Branson joined us!

  Brett's favorite new dessert.

Vanilla ice cream balls that have been rolled in toasted coconut, on a brownie (my favorite scratch brownie) with Chloe's caramel sauce over the top! 

OH THIS IS LOVE

Do you have Valentine's Day plans?

Click on the link to see our Valentine's Day dinners from years past.

I spy.... charlie's quilt

Friday I finished the top to a much anticipated I SPY quilt!

Megan asked me to make one for him nearly a year ago & I am just now getting on it... it has taken me a long time to collect (and go through) fabric for this sweet, little, toddler bed quilt. Finding multiple pieces of fabric that a little boy would like to look at is not as easy as it sounds! Honestly, I LOVE how it has turned out so much that I am putting a couple of sneak peek pictures up now- instead of waiting until it's all the way finished. It has turned out even better than I imagined.

I'm hoping to have this quilt finished up & sent off by next week!

Charlie is at the perfect age to point out things he finds- I only wish we could find things on this quilt together.

It's painful having my two babies so far away.

But-- I'm just glad I have them.

this week

THIS WEEK--

Was New Beginnings

a celebration of a new year/new goals etc. in our congregation for the Young Women.

A carnival theme- with popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy... super fun!

Except our sweet Bishop fell off a ladder while decorating. After the activity we found out he broke 3 ribs & punctured a lung. OH NO! prayers please.

For family night- Brett talked to the kids about some family history. We decided to look for some family names to take with us on our temple trips.

Trent was very upset to learn of several babies - back in the 1800's who only lived a week or two, or just days.

We LOVED super bowl commercials & FANTASTIC food at the Johnson's house Sunday night.

SUPER FUN is what that was.

My favorite commercial

was Chevy's from the End of the Work Week Til' the End of the World.





Oh man- I laughed my head off. So good.... hahahahaha- wow.

  My new favorite food-

this Greek Dip

So good- by the way- Karen I need the recipe!

Hailey & Branson- (they wouldn't let me get a decent picture)

sang to us- these 2 are AMAZING! It's so much fun to watch & listen to them.

p.s. Branson is Hailey's new friend :)

isn't he so cute!?

She is probably going to kill me upon reading this post... so you may never hear from me again.

It was nice knowing ya'll.

*Did you do anything fun this week?



annual birthday lunch

 Last Saturday- 

Ruthie & I met the two Brittany's & this cutie- John 

for our annual birthday lunch & shopping.

It was so much fun!

Look how big Johnny is getting?!

He is scooting a round now. He is such a good baby- loves shopping & people.

I love his cheeks, especially with this hat.

It was a cold- yet beautifully sunny day here at Gardener Village.

We looked around more than usual & had such a great time.

I bought a few fabric fat quarters for the Eye Spy Quilt I have just started to go on Charlie's bed (more on that coming soon...) and we got to catch up on all the many things going on. Brittany is almost finished with her master's degree & Marcus was accepted to go on an international internship this summer to Brazil!!

Good times- I love these guys-- you too Ruthie!

Happy Birthday Brittany.

he's got the moves, alright...?

Trent: Hey mom, how do you spell jugger?
Me: You mean-- jogger?
Trent: no- jugger
Me: You mean-- joker?
Trent: no- jugger
Hailey: Use it in a sentance-
Trent: I've got the moves like Jugger.

extreme outburst of laughter.
poor trent
we get so much joy out of our conversations though- hahaha- really awesome

science fair 2012- another last & just in time

Hallelujah!

A first I can really get excited about-

our last school science fair project.

happy, happy, joy, joy

Disclaimer: I NEVER WANTED TO BE THIS KIND OF MOM. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE SO AGAINST EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS.

This year-2012- will go down in history as the very last year of science fair projects for me my kids! Whomever invented the science fair- I want to punch them in the gut. If I would have known how many hours of my life would be consumed with science fair projects- I would not have had six children. Okay, Okay... I am exaggerating... still-- the science fair is in a word:

painful

 Six kids times at least 2 projects each= misery.

 I like science, I DO! I just can't explain it in words... the science fair- sigh.

I vaguely remember Megan's first science fair project- we were all involved & so excited- HA!

This year I decided if we had to do it-- Trent should really learn something!

So (hooray for the Internet!) I googled a science fair project website & found a great idea on:

Facial expressions & communication.

Perfect topic for a kid with aspergers. It was a good project & really not too hard or complicated. But... something in me just wouldn't do it. I just couldn't do it. Something in me snapped.

Brett asked me - what he could do to help me with Christmas?- the science fair project. Then he asked me later what he could do to help me get ready for Christmas again?- the science fair project. This happened several times. My answer never changed-- I just didn't have it in me. I couldn't do it- poor Trent his mom had reached total & complete science fair burn out.

Lucky for Trent-- Dad saved the day. The day before the project was due... (ya, I know) Dad & Trent finished the project.

IT'S OVER.

(cue tears of joy)

WE MADE IT!!

CELEBRATION - JOY- BALLOONS & CONFETTI

 The real science fair question? How many science fair projects does it take for a mom to get totally burned out & want to check herself into the loony bin?

a year of-- lasts

Wednesday was Trent's last parent teacher conference!

Of course, there are parent teacher conferences in Jr. & Sr. high-- but it's not the same- at all.

Trent was SO EXCITED! He woke up in the morning & announced- "It's my last SEP (student education plan) - so I am wearing a tie!" Okay then

I didn't think much of it, but when he came home from school- he went straight up & put on his dress clothes. 

 The computer lab is right across the hall from his classroom and we were there early, so he showed me how to log on & his passwords. He said several times- I love this school. So sweet. He is such a nice kid.

Trent with his teacher- she's the best. Really she is!



Trent with his-- how do you say this? extra needs teacher.



She really is amazing.  She has been working with Trent since the 2nd grade. She has been a life changer. I truly mean that- his advocate & fan.

I love this school too.

dang it

why does everyone have to grow up?



creating

Last week- besides finishing the quilt-

( I forgot to mention I am naming that quilt "snow day")

I finished two pinterest projects!

I had some fabulous orange hand soap that I made a soap dispenser to match- It is sitting on my sink next to the dish washing soap.

I also made these birthday cards. I need a lot of birthday cards throughout the year. This idea I found at Ucreate. Kari at Ucreate is the best! She used to be missionary Jack's Sunday School teacher!

Being creative is the best way to improve the winter blues.



been busy

I've been gone a while.

Kind of a rough week for me.

It's January.... and January is usually hard for me, so no surprise.

I get in the sun every little chance I can- which isn't too hard- it's seasonably warm (which is still cold) we've seen much more sun than a typical January.

Anyhow- I'm back & here is a bit of what I have been doing.

1. Working- inventory.

2. I finished this quilt for someone dear to me- that I started LAST JANUARY!?

 My plan was to have it finished for Christmas...

but that didn't happen.

Oh well- better late than never.

It's packed up & I mailed it off last Friday.

3. It's early out week here for Trent. He has his very last elementary parent teacher conference today! He told me this morning that it was his last conference & that he was going to ear a shirt & tie...okay?

4. I joined PINTEREST.

Oh boy

I pretty much have spent my usual blogging time pinning. PInning, pinning & more pinning.

 OH I LOVE PINTEREST!!

I told myself I wouldn't just look at pinterest but DO something about it.

TOmorrow I will show you two pinterest projects I have completed.

HOw Is YouR JaNuarY?