Ski bunnies and Scott

My favorite family tradition is skiing over Christmas break in Utah. This year Sydney was able to join us on the mountain. She was so brave that she wanted to tackle the big mountain. She said she did not want to be a loser on the bunny hill. Taylor is our cautious skier always worried about everyone crashing into her or falling off a cliff. She did forget to get off the lift and instead of waiting for them to stop it...She decided to jump off the lift and fell 8 feet. Everyone was freaking out and the lift operator came and stopped the lift. I told her it was the best jump I had seen all day. I think that kept her from crying. Carly is going to get a speeding ticket for how fast she goes. I think we are going to get her a helmet. She always waits for us at the bottom of the mountain. Sydney just wants to keep up with her sisters and not have them be better than her. She is 5 and expects to be great at everything. I love sitting on the lift and not competing with the blackberry. You can't text and ski at the same time. It is amazingly peaceful.

Christmas Card

This was our family christmas card photo. Some people were disturbed...I thought it was funny. No one was harmed in the taking of this photo. I promise.

Brody is 1!!!!!

Look how you have grown in one year!!! We managed to squeeze a birthday in. It makes me realize how hard his birthday is going to be in the future.
I found this cute shirt with the #1 on it.

Look at my creativity with the cake. A NUMBER ONE.

I think he was my best kid at destroying a cake. You must be a boy. Happy Birthday B-Dog!!

uncalled for

I don't appreciate people finding joy in my pain. Someone took this photo at costco and sent it to me. Not funny! (well maybe a little)

Good laugh

http://www.flashfunpages.com/couple.swf


SOOOOO True.

Enjoy

losing my mind

I know everyone is busy with Christmas, so I won't complain about that. I thought I was doing really well at keeping it together until I made a startling discovery. I have lost it. How much Jet Dry do I really need. My mind keeps telling me that I am low on Jet Dry so I keep buying the large size at Costco. Why do I listen to that voice? What will really happen if I run out of jet dry? My dishes won't be as sparkling clean? (As if anyone notices on their plastic Ikea dinnerware) This is $35.00 worth of Jet Dry...money that could of spent on a needy family or a new pair of earrings for me. I think I am going to add this to my food storage year supply. When the world is coming to an end my dishes will have a sparkling shine!!!

Note to self...You do not need JET DRY

Too many crafts

Isn't this look welcoming and fills you with the Christmas spirit. This is what you see when you walk in my front door. I told my kids the red Christmas paper on the floor is decorating for Christmas. This is also one day after my mom came up and cleaned it up for me. My new years resolution is not to exercise but get my dining room back and void of vinyl. I promise Honey!!

Her Real birthday

First I wanted to start with this great coupon for all the people who love free stuff. You get everything for free. I even printed out 2 and got two lanes for free, all shoes for free and pitchers of root beer. We used this on Sydney's birthday.I woke up on Friday and decided I needed to have her birthday today because I have no time next week. So, her real birthday is Monday so I had a hard time convincing her we could do it today. (Remember the whole lying at school that is was her birthday) We asked her where she wanted to go eat on her birthday. She said McDonald's...but mom and dad used our expert mind powers and she ended up wanting to go to In-n-Out. I wonder how that happened.


Then because I did not prepare ahead of time and reserve the party room at the bowling alley. We made our own party room on the floor and in the corner of the arcade.

Free bowling!!!!

Everything was great and I hope she felt how much we love her...now I have that checked of my to do list, back to vinyl stickers. I have one more December birthday to plan. Do you think I can count the ward Christmas party as their party if I bring them some gifts?

Mickey the Wind beneath our wings

I have some sad news for all. I have received news that Mickey our Hamster has gone to Hamster heaven. I know he lived a great last couple of months in his new home. They made him obstacle courses and gave him a new name of Lil' snoop Dog. I think he missed us so much he could not go on. Sorry we could not make it to the funeral. If you don't know what I am talking about go to August post of Pack Your bags.

More fun than a stick

Well another Sunday came and I was so proud the girls decided to get creative and not complain. I had some sticks standing by for them to play with. They decided to turn my kitchen into a grocery store. Sydney was the cashier.
Taylor was manager/restocker.

Carly was the free sample girl.

And Brody was the shop lifter. After they played for hours I sat back and had a thought. Could this be considered shopping on Sunday?

I have a boy

The question I get asked the most is..."How is it different with a boy?" Basically it has been pretty similar except removing his hands during diaper changing. I am sure all mothers of boys relate to this. Today was my first real moment of difference. Brody had to get a haircut with clippers. I have never had to take a baby to get a hair cut before. With girls you let it grow. I didn't know what clipper size to tell her to use, so I told her to just give him a boy hair cut. I was sad because I felt like my baby was becoming a little boy. I knew it needed to be done because my girls kept saying business in the front and party in back (mullet). He did great and sat their like a big boy the whole time.

the stick

A couple of days ago I heard that the stick was put into a museum as an honored toy for all ages.

With that said I was walking through my house today and found all three girls listening to their ipods at the same time. I told them to put them away and lets spend some time together. "What can we do mom it is Sunday?" I said "Let's go play with a stick." Sometimes I only make myself laugh.

Happy Halloween

We had a tortoise crawling everywhere.

We had a hare bugging the tortoise!

50's girl!

My mom made Taylor's costume from a picture. She was Felicity from the American girl books. We thought it was amazing.

The group shot.

We wanted to have some fun on Halloween. We decided to get crazy and make a Yes on 8 pumpkin. I thought for sure it would get smashed in. The only thing that happened was someone turned it around. I guess the No on 8 people took a break.

Grateful each day

Our first day off track is always an adjustment for me and the kids. It never goes well. I get angry...the kids think they should be on vacation and not do chores. I forgot Taylor had soccer so she was half hour late to practice. Sydney and Carly spent 6 hours cleaning their room. Then it took them 2 hours to fall asleep because they were dinking around. All three girls managed to break glow sticks and their hands and sheets glowed into the night. I was so mad I didn't let them wash their hands. Later I thought that might be a mistake if they are toxic. Brody also had 6 toxic diapers that did not add to my patience. It was not an enjoyable day. I was not looking forward to the 2nd day off track. Out of obligation I took them to get their pumpkins but it was so hot and tons of flies. I dropped them off to go swimming with friends and had a moment to myself. In that moment Oprah was calling to me. It was a moment that will change how I look at the days with my children(At least day 3 of off track). This video is a great reminder to cherish the days you have with the ones you love. Each day is a gift and I want to try harder to remember that. Taylor I am grateful for the 3695 days I have spent with you. Even in the midst of my anger you bring to laughter as you see my bed head and tell me the bride of Frankenstein is at my door wanting her hair back.

Carly I am grateful for the 2675 days I have spent with you. You are so caring and so easy to love. I know you are stuck in the middle and feel lost sometimes. You stand out more than you know and you will always be noticed.

Sydney I am grateful for the 1795 days I have spent with you. Your spirit can not stay trapped in that small body. Every morning when I come home from bootcamp you say "You go Girl!!!" You encourage me as I hope to encourage you.

Brody, I am grateful for the 305 days I have spent with you. I take each moment and try to bur them into my mind. I know how fast these moments go by as I have learned with your sisters. I give you extra hugs and cuddling because I know with you being a boy those will be gone soon. I am grateful for your good nature and easygoing personality. We needed a boy to help with the drama.

Scott, I am grateful for the 4420 days I have spend with you. Notice I subtracted 22 days for days that I am sure I was mad at you. I am a realist and everyone who is married has those days. You bring me Joy and Laughter and Adventure that make the hard 22 days bearable.

Summer go away!!!

It is the end of October...If I have to wear the shorts I have been wearing all summer one more time they are going to disintegrate in the wash. My sweatshirts are begging to be worn. My jeans need my thighs to stretch them out. My everyday mom black sweat outfit is starting to feel unwanted. My AC needs a break. My electric bill is still in the $300.00 range and my pocket book wants to save some money. This picture is of Carly on Friday playing in the hose in 100 degree weather. Please summer go away...You are not wanted. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. What is the other saying...Too much of a good thing...something...something?

Got me

Boy, you really got me!!!! Maybe instead of keying my car and defacing property spend time to promote your cause. Oh, but wait that would take some intelligence instead of such juvenile behavior.

I was tagged...6 quirks

1. My husband says I have to sleep in a wind tunnel. I have to sleep with the overhead fan on and a small fan on the night stand directly in my face. This must happen even in winter. I don't sleep quite as well on vacation without my fan.

2. I hate to have my sheets tucked in at my feet. Hotel beds are the worst because they are so tight. I always kick out the bottom before bed. I have had many conversations with my husband how I am odd and normal people don't do that. After many years he has relented and sleeps with no sheets tucked in.

3. I never put lids back on things. Why put the lid back on the milk when I am going to have to use it again soon and it saves time. I cleaned out my bathroom drawers and found 20 lids to beauty products.

4. One of my favorite shows is people's court. I have watched it since I was in high school and now I record it to watch while I eat lunch. I give legal advice to some and all my knowledge has come from people's court.

5. The onesies on babies have 3 snaps at the crotch. I only snap one. Waist of time to do all three especially since they are under real clothes.

6. After childbirth I don't want to hold any of my babies. I am a little bitter about the pain they caused. (no epidural) I tell the nurse to give them to Scott. So they always send in a counselor to come in to talk to me about what I am feeling. With Brody it was the worst because they would not let me leave until we had one on one skin contact for an hour...Good one. I made Scott take off his shirt and do it. He would not let me takes pictures as I was busting up at the sight. Sure enough a counselor came in and asked what I was feeling toward my baby. After number 4 I finally told them to leave and I would love him soon enough just not right after nearly facing the pain of torture.

Prop 8

I wanted to go big. So I made my own prop 8 sign on the back of my car. I have got some interesting responses. I have even had people stop and ask for one. Everyone who is out of California you don't know how big this is right now. Everything is being centered around this. I was a little bugged today though when I saw Oprah did a whole show on Prop 2. Which is getting bigger cages for animals that we are going to kill and eat. Boy, that will really impact our world if we get bigger cages for chickens. Sometimes even Oprah misses the boat on changing the world. Anyone who wants my huge Prop 8 sticker...I am giving them away for free, while supplies last.

P.S. my song choice for this post is "I DO!!!" I am referring to a man and women just in case there is some confusion.

Please leave your e-mail so I can contact you!!!!

The Perfect Man

When do men loose their fascination with doing the dishes?

put a smile on your face

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I saw this on someones blog and loved it. For some reason I have been emotional lately so this made me cry with happiness. Now I want to go get a lion and release it into the wild.

pumpkin bread

Finally a fall day so I decide to bake. I made some good pumpkin bread for some people. Actually, these will probably be my visiting teaching message. I thought I would post the recipe. I bought those cute baking dishes at Michaels for $1.00.

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

preheat 350. Grease loaf pans. Mix wet ingredients. Then in separate bowl mix dry. Then combine until just blended. Baking depends on loaf size. insert toothpick until it comes out clean.

One of those weeks

Do you have have one of those weeks where you go to the car wash and your batteries dies. You have no choice to buy an expensive battery just to get home. Then when you get home your Air conditioner is broken. Yes, it is October but it is still 95 degrees and therefore needs to be fixed. Then the next day you need to call the same repairman to come and fix the dishwasher. Needless to say it has been an expensive week. At least I can look outside and see my kids having some free fun playing handball.

Just as that thought was crossing my mind I heard a big shatter.

Just another expense to add to my week.

FYI

I am not telling the story...nor do I have real pictures of the highway patrol. I just wanted to let everyone know that your kids are not allowed to pee on the side of the highway. No matter how bad they have to go and even if you are in the middle of nowhere. We will leave it at that.

UN-birthday

No, it is not her birthday. Her birthday is 3 months away. I guess someone needed some attention. She told her teacher that today was her birthday. Instead of calling me or checking her records, she believed her. She frantically made her a hat and had all the kids sing to her. What should her punishment be? She told me it was OK to lie on your birthday. IT IS NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!