I love that story...

Happy Happy Birthday Max B Dear!

2012-02-02T01:03:00.002-06:00

Max is 9 today......sigh! He is growing into such an amazing young man! I now get to serve in the primary and one of my favorite things about it is that I get to see my children grow in the gospel. All my children love the gospel but Max loves it with a childlike passion! One of my favorite things about Max is watching him raise his hand as high as he can to be picked in primary to answer a question or participate in a song. A few weeks ago he was so prompted by the spirit to share a scripture (even though it wasn't his week, turn, talk or anything of that nature) that he was beside himself until I could help him find the scripture he was looking for. (We had to enlist Brother Williams) I don't remember where the scripture is but it was about making your weakness your strengths and how the Lord can make hard things easy. Max was REALLY passionate about sharing it out of the blue. I cried as my sweet sweet boy followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost with out any question. He is AMAZING! Mommy said: "I love that Max is NEVER afraid to hug or kiss me in front of the school. No matter who is looking. Max has GREAT taste in music and music groups! He loves what he loves and doesn't care if it's cool to anyone else! I also love that he knows all the words to Pumped Up Kicks, even the whistling parts! "
Nana said:
Juliet said:
Daddy said:
Darby said:
Dash said:
Callie the cat and Lola the kitten said: "Meow, we love that he likes to pet us. He doesn't try to carry us around like babies and he lets us lay on him when he plays video games, Meow"

Happy Anniversary to us!

2012-01-30T19:31:00.002-06:00

We have been married for 14 years now! WHEW! We were able to go out to do our favorite things! EAT and go to a movie! (and of course learn 3 new things about each other) We also reflected on our top 3 life changing things in our marriage (not including kids)! It was really cool to see how very different our answers were! Very special! B took a picture of me before we left and because their are rarely pictures of the mom I am throwing it in here! (And because my hair looks AWESOME!)
I love Brandon's smile in this one! Darby is taking the picture! Good job Darby!
Here's to another 14 years!

The Kindle FIRE

2012-01-30T14:41:00.002-06:00

This is how we find our kids a LOT lately! Huddled around Darby's Kindle. Sometimes it's a game she is playing or a book she is reading. Either way I love that they all snuggle up together and will sit with out fighting for a good 20 minutes or so! It's a real bummer when it gets taken away! EVERYONE loses then. (Including mommy) :0 )Whatever it is.....it's very serious!

Christmas Morning is finally here!

2012-01-30T13:59:00.005-06:00

The kids came in and woke us up bright and early (5 am) which was kind of good because we had church at 9. Christmas only falls on a Sunday every 6 or 7 years so we go to church and remember that is the real reason for the season! BUT before church we opened the gifts Santa brought us! Juliet is realizing that she got the doll house she had asked for! (instead of the lump of coal she probably deserved!) Dash just spotted his bike!
opening her first gift!
She was in awe.....
7 princess barbies to play in her new doll house!

Dash was opening some Skylanders and a new Remote Control car!

They were very excited for yet even more Skylanders!

Darby had gotten some girly lotions and sprays.....
and she is realizing here that she got a kindle fire......
VERY HAPPY little girl!
He got the DS3D he wanted (Zelda style)!
Tangled figurines!
AND Tinkerbell too?
Singing songs from Tangled while she played with her new doll house! SO cute!
This was Brandon for most of the day. Helping the kids with their new Electronics. He didn't get to play with his new "toys" til New Years! Such a good and patient daddy!
Dash put together a Lego set that Grandma Ellen had sent him all by himself (mommy helped with 2 pieces and dug one piece out of the trash for him).
SO many Princesses so little time!
We had such a very blessed Christmas. Brandon planned and saved and planned some more. (I planned too) Every year I don't think it can get any better and every year it does. WE are so very lucky. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

More Christmas Eve.....Santa Came!

2012-01-23T20:10:00.004-06:00

Santa came and left all the gifts......Dash's little section.
Max's little section...... (as you get older it seams your sections gets smaller)
Darby's little section.......
The last night the tree will be all lit up. ....
Such a very blessed Christmas!

Juliet's section......
Such a fun doll house!

Christmas Eve.....

2012-01-23T18:11:00.004-06:00

On Christmas Eve we open up the gifts that we got each other. We draw names in our little family the day after Thanksgiving and talk about the person we have drawn for ALL month long! We oooooo and ahhhhhhhh over the perfect item we have chosen for our person every year. I think this is my most favorite tradition of all of them. Each one of my kids are the most excited to GIVE their gift to whomever they have drawn even more than they are to receive their special gift. (don't get me wrong.....getting that special prize is nothing to snuff your nose at either!) We decided to start doing this when we were each buying something small and cheap for each other and finding it all in the trash a week later. Now we only buy one nicer gift (twenty$ or less) for the one person you drew for. I love it. They love it. It's a big love fest of gift giving! :)

This year Dash had Juliet. Look how happy he is to give it to her. She had the biggest gift under the tree this year and she couldn't wait to open it!
A Tangled doll (her favorite Disney Princess because she thinks she is Tangled) with a matching dress......take note of Dash's face still! (try not to tear up!)
NOW try not to full on cry!
Darby had Dash!
SKYLANDERS!!!!!
Brandon had Darby.......He had a little help from Miss Anna. She custom made a "Finn" hat from the Cartoon Adventure Time to go with the shirt he got her. You can tell she didn't really like it. ;)
Finn and Jake Adventure Time T Shirt from her Daddy!
A little more love from Tangled and Tangled.
Max had Brandon. He REALLY wanted to get him an Iron Man bobble head but I talked him into t shirts so he dug in his toy box and found him an E wok figurine for his desk. No man should have to open only clothes on Christmas.
Darth Vader T shirt (says Vader is coming.....look busy)
Pitfall T shirt. Max was super excited to give his dad his gift. He LOVES to see his dad wear his shirts he gives him through out the year.
I had Max. MORE SKYLANDERS!!!! Darby and I planned it. It seemed kind of boring to us but they both REALLY REALLY wanted it.
Juliet had me. She kept telling me all month that she got me boots. I knew she hadn't because Brandon would NEVER buy me boots. BUT little did I know that they bought me slipper booties! I loved them! Super warm and comfortable! She was really proud of her gift! She couldn't wait for it to be her turn to give me her boots! I sure love that little Tangled girl!
As the fun evening was coming to an end and we were cleaning up the wrapping paper and getting the cookies out for Santa I got this quick shot of Juliet watching her brothers playing with their new Skylanders. I love that she is in her pajamas from Nana (couldn't get them off her) and her Tangled dress with her Tangled doll watching her brothers with their spoils! What a night!!!!

Nana's Christmas Jammie's

2012-01-23T18:06:00.002-06:00

Nana makes our Christmas Jammies! I'm sure you could buy them cheaper but she is an amazing seamstress and she picks out the fabric and shirts for each person individually. Look at these faces! I am sure it is an expensive tradition and even a stressful one but it is one that we will take as long as she will give it! THANK YOU NANA!!!! WE LOVE OUR CHRISTMAS P.J.'S!!!!!!!
Even B and I get pajamas! I got a Wonder Woman shirt with my sweet bottoms! LOVE IT! How does she know? :)

more knock and runs

2012-01-23T15:11:00.002-06:00

This year some of our "knock and running" was helped along with pinterest! "HO HO HO" You've been "DING DONG" ditched were a few of our little gifts this year! Made for easy transport and cute sayings! FUN FUN FUN! Thanks again pinterest! (They made great neighbor gifts too "HO HO HO for the DING DONGS next door!") :)

knock and runs!

2012-01-23T13:47:00.004-06:00

For Christmas Eve we do "knock and runs"! They are my kiddos favorites! We put together our goodies plates and some other things and then we are ready for the fun part! One of my favorite goodies is the little pretzel with the Hershey kiss and the m&m. There is plenty of unwrapping to do and when the chocolate is melted the kids can place the m&m on the kiss. It is a perfect thing for them to all help with! LOVE IT!

They all like it too because a few stray kisses and m&m's end up in their mouths too!
intense focus.....
serious work....

You have to be very careful not to mix the regular m&m's with the mint ones. That can be disastrous! ;)

Christmas Eve Breakfast!

2012-01-23T13:44:00.002-06:00

Super yummy! Just don't put them to close together cause they don't cook in the center and they will be to doughy! :) The kids thought I was AWESOME though!!!!!!!

Good Bye Our Elder Grow!

2012-01-23T13:33:00.002-06:00

Good Bye Our Elder Grow! (Sung to the tune of good bye yellow brick road by Sir Elton John!) This is Elder Grow! One of our Favorite Missionaries. He was in our area WAAAAYYYYYY toooooo loooooongggggg! Why do I say that? Because when they leave an Elder in an area this long it is to hard to say good bye. We had a few members over for dinner and sang some carols (and other songs) to say good bye to Elder Grow. If these are their "cool" faces then we are in trouble.
We really did have a lot of fun with Elder Grow in our home. He first came for Max's baptism almost a year ago. (most missionaries are only in an area a few months) He has had more than a few dinners in our home, broken in a bunch of companions, shared many a spiritual message with us, given a couple blessings, and shared his love of the Gospel and the Savior openly. How can you not love this great guy! He will be sorely missed. (No one can get a room goin' with a rousing round of "I've got Friends in Low Places" like Elder Grow and Sister J!)

helping with some christmas goodies!

2012-01-23T12:30:00.002-06:00

My little's loved to help me bake and make the Christmas Goodies! Measuring and mixing and lots of licking! I love spending time with them! The shirt Juliet has on has a twin that we gave to Nana! Juliet LOVES to match her favorite people!

Secret Santa strikes again!

2012-01-20T14:21:00.002-06:00

Secret Santa got us again! How much fun is that! This is the beautiful candle holder that we found on our door step! It had a super yummy candle and popcorn and movie tickets! Thank you Secret Santa!!! WE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
This is how cute it is all lit up!

Temple Trip!

2012-01-20T13:54:00.002-06:00

We were able to go to Temple to see them play the bells at Christmas! It was a really cool experience and we will for sure go there again next year and take friends with us! Tons of fun!!!! Darby with her friend Olivia. (she is in our ward and they love to hang out together!) Max and Juliet with their cousins Jerermy and Journey! (Jeremy and Max LOVE to hang out together!)
B and Jamie!

Pop Pop Pop Canadian Style!

2012-01-20T13:47:00.002-06:00

Brandon's office roommate (Jen) is from Canada and for Christmas she gave Brandon a box of these Beautiful poppers for us. She said that is was their tradition to pop them and have the little gift that came out. For F.H.E. we got to have them for our little treat! Our kids had such a great time with them!

Each popper had a small token and a paper crown. Super random things like a little compass and a bottle opener or a parachute guy or a ball with some pins to knock over. Little trinkets that the kids loved! Thanks Jen for sharing your fun Christmas tradition with us!

(Do you think we will ever get a picture with everyone wearing pants?)

Like father Like daughter!

2012-01-19T19:51:00.004-06:00

So sometimes this little worm gets in bed with us. She loves to snuggle with him. She LOVES to sleep in. So does he. It's REALLY hard to make them get up and help in the morning when they are this cute!

But all the grumpy mommy yelling in the morning is not very cute. (and neither is our mix matched bedding....time to ask for new bedding.....and a head board.....and end tables....maybe I will just focus on how cute they are!) :)

Ward Christmas Party!

2012-01-19T19:38:00.003-06:00

At our Ward Christmas Party, Santa made an appearance to let the kids tell him what they wanted for Christmas! It was great that they all got they all got their turn! Juliet just wasn't quiet sure. This is Justin. One of Max's best buddies.
Dash knew exactly what he was going to ask for. A bike with training wheels, and some skylanders.
Max knew too. A Nintendo DS3D Zelda style with the Zelda game and he promised to take better care of it than any other DS he had ever gotten.
Johhny. One of Dash's best buddies.
Tristen Cannon. Another one of Max's best buddies.
Olivia Cannon. One of Darby's best friends
Jake. He is one of Darby's friends and Jake and Johnny's brother too.
Darby and Emmy and Allyssa!
Such little ladies.

Office Christmas gift!

2012-01-19T19:31:00.003-06:00

Our homemade nativity!

2011-12-26T20:22:00.003-06:00

This is one of our favorite traditions! We have been doing it for about 7 years. (Long before pinterest!:) I assign everyone someone special to find to complete our nativity. I try to mix it up every year (everyone wants to find Mary, Joseph and Jesus!) Every year it ends up being one of my favorite traditions. This year Max found our Shepherds and donkeys! Dash found the wise men. Darby had Mary, Joseph and the angel and Juliet did great finding baby Jesus. Wonder Woman Mary was kneeling at first and was a little to "thrusty" so Brandon sat her down saying she was a little "too involved" (I laughed for a long time on that one) We did end up changing out baby Jesus a little later (he started out a little bunny) but because we had a chef smurf it looked like Joseph was going to eat the baby Jesus. Jesus ended up being R2D2. At any rate WE LOVE THIS TRADITION! It is highly recommended for families with small children or weird collectors of figurines and McDonald's toys.

office goodies

2011-12-26T20:08:00.002-06:00

These are the treats we made for Christmas (and Hanukkah) for Brandon's crew at work! We made dipped spoons for their hot chocolate and some dipped marshmallows then put them in fancy mugs! I found the mugs on sale so we were able to get everyone one. He felt great spreading cheer to everyone he could! It made me feel great too!
I think they turned out really cute! Thanks pinterest for the dipped spoons and marshmallow idea! (I added the cup....;)

a cute gift from my max!

2011-12-26T20:05:00.002-06:00

Max made me these in scouts. The cute little gumball candy holder is REALLY cute and I couldn't wait to put candy in it! The lid comes off and it is a perfect little dish. I think we will be making these for Nana and Great granny this year! SO very cute! I love most of all how excited he was to give them to me and how much love his scout leader has for them. Thank you Akeala!

He looked soooo nice when I sent him to school???!?!?!

2011-12-15T00:44:00.003-06:00

Today was the holiday program for the Kindergarten, first and second grades. They were supposed to come to school in nice clothes.

I can do that!

This week of course was extra crazy so far, so the shirt I wanted Dash to wear was too wrinkly! We decided to go with a clean unwrinkled shirt. It does happen to be the shirt though that only has a Sunday or 2 left in it because the sleeves are almost too short (please say almost in a squeeky voice). When you tuck in the shirt and add a tie though it really looks GREAT! SO then we have the hair that is overdue for a haircut. No time for that so we add some hair gel and slick back the sides. ADORABLE so far. We have a fight about socks and shoes because no one wants to wear church shoes to school and he just won some holiday socks at the youth Christmas party he got to go to with daddy last night. OK he wins! No one will look at his feet when he looks this cute, right?

I got to the school at 1:00 so excited to see my sweet boy sing and dance to Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and La La La La La Lachtas! (Hanuka with a Latin flair!) They parade in the 1st graders and I cant see my adorable tie sportin' boy. The only boy I see is a fluffy long haired no tie wearing, untucked, KETCHUP stained shirt, socks fallen under his heel so looks like he has on NO socks with his tennis shoes boy. He looked like the poor kid in class with no mom to cut his hair, tuck in his shirt (that fits), and make him wear socks.

How can you not love this little face though! You should see him salsa to his Hanuka song! I loved every Ketchup stained second of it!

Holiday breakfast...so easy!

2011-12-12T17:01:00.002-06:00

So this little number is a pinterest idea and I loved it! It was easy and no extra work really. I was making all this anyway. It was just a matter of placing it on the plate! I love things that make me a hero in my kids eyes! This is a really winner!

Happy Birthday Juliet Zuzu!

2011-12-12T16:53:00.002-06:00

Happy happy birthday Juliet Dear! Juliet turned 3. I don't want to talk about it! She told everyone for weeks that she was getting a La La Loopsy doll! She did. She obviously loved it! look at that little face! Her brothers and sister gave her Hello Kitty slippers!
A couple days later she had a little party with her cousin Journey and her friend Caroline. We made a polly pocket princes cake! (it was a little hammer time but for my first one it will do!) It was magical for her and that is all that matters to me!
getting ready to blow out her candles
big breath
and your wishes will all come true! Each little lady got to have a polly pocket cake and then they took the princess home! So much fun! Happy birthday sweet sweet baby of mine!

Reindeer at Whole foods?

2011-12-12T16:49:00.002-06:00

Yep! Santa made a guest appearance at Whole Foods and brought Dasher and Dancer with him! We ran over and got a quick picture with them!

Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-12T16:43:00.002-06:00

The day after Thanksgiving we decorate for Christmas. We have done this every year since the first year we were married! I love love love it! The kids love it too! This year Nana and Papa got to be a part of it with us! After the house is all decorated we have pumpkin pie and eggnog and light a fire and watch a holiday movie to kick off the Christmas season! This year the movie was Elf!
we all had a great time!

The next day Christmas came a little early for the boys when Nana and Papa surprised them with the new game Skylanders! They were so very excited. The picture doesn't do this justice at all! After that we went and saw the movie Arthur Christmas. 2 movies in one week? My dad almost exploded! :)

Turkey Time! Gobble Gobble!

2011-12-12T15:55:00.006-06:00

Sooooooo much food! SOOOOOOO yummy! We did it all buffet style! Enjoying our dinner!

The "kids table"
Ireland and her friend Maddy!
Uncle Jamie and Sue
Aunt Marilyn and Sue
Papa and Nana
I loved this picture of my parents so I had to put the both of them in! SO cute! I think they should make this a Christmas card!
B and Sue. I am looking a little rough! (Like I just made a huge Thanksgiving dinner:) But I love love love my new sweater my friend Jen gave me!
This is my brood! So pretty.
I will claim these ones instead!
Cousins! I love that my kids get to grow up around some of their cousins. Juliet and Journey and Jeremy all love each other and love to play together. Jeremy LOVES Max! The feeling is mutual!
Juliet thought it was still time to be goofy!
Juliet is wearing the turkey shirt that my mom made Darby. So far all my kids have worn it! I think I can get 2 more Thanksgivings out of it then it will be retired!
Best buddies!
SO sweet!
The boys LOVE their cousins.
Jeremy and Journey LOVED Papa! They loved that he only had 1/2 a finger! Even Ireland was amazed! :) Jeremy followed him around all evening and at one point wanted my dad to hold him and walk around. No one can ever take Papa Keith's place for these kiddos but my dad felt honored to have them call him papa for this day! So sweet.
After dinner and bingo was over the girls sat down to read and snuggle with Aunt Marilyn. THIS is what Thanksgiving should feel like!
Then Juliet decided to read to Journey!
Best buddies again! (don't let those doll faces fool you though....they can fight like they are sisters!:)

This is how we get ready for Thanksgiving!

2011-12-12T15:49:00.002-06:00

We put together a puzzle (that will be up til Christmas and I freak out and destroy it or at least threaten to) It may or may not be every ones favorite tradition!
We eat peanuts and pistachios getting the nuts all over the floor!
We sneak rolls from the kitchen.

We set the table with all paper products so the clean up is easy on mommy!

Thanksgiving prep

2011-12-12T15:36:00.004-06:00

This year Brandon's Grandma Ellen sent us a recipe that they have at their Thanksgiving every year. We decided to add it to our traditions as well! Dash is helping me make it the night before! It was REALLY yummy! (and easy)

One other things we love to do is make Cornucopias! We put an ice cream cone on a graham cracker and fill it full of candy corn, popcorn, peanuts and runts! So cute. Then they are a little place setting on our table. My mom used to make these for my classes growing up!

So yum!

pardon the blogging barf!

2011-12-12T12:17:00.002-06:00

I have a LOT to catch up on before the end of the year so we can get our blog published! You will have to pardon all the blogging in one day! I promise I am going to be better! :)

mom's new hair do!

2011-12-12T12:15:00.001-06:00

This is the hair Jen did! LOVE IT! It is perfect on my mom! Look how happy she is with it! Seriously, the BEST!

Parents come for a visit!

2011-12-12T12:03:00.003-06:00

My parents came to spend Thanksgiving with us. I loved EVERY second of it! They were here for a whole week. My dad has NEVER taken that amount of time off. He works. A lot. It's what he does. BUT now he is on salary. SO no overtime for him no matter how much he works making it a great time to take your first real vacation. Ever.

While they were here we did a TON of things. We went to a movie. (their first in over 14 years. My dad couldn't smoke in movies so they never went. He doesn't smoke now so we ventured out.) It was a great date with them! Just me and them. So much fun! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of them. Seriously soooo cute!
Juliet is doing Nana's hair. Nana is so patient to let her go to town! The next day Nana got her hair done by Jen. (the best) Take note of the before and after pictures. Her hair is cute but once Jen got a hold of her it was a whole new ball game! ADORABLE! (photos to come)

Kim's mom, Pat came to visit Kim's brother and while she was here we got to take her downtown with us. We had the best day! I just adore her! Kim and I have wanted to get our moms together forever because we knew they would just love each other. They had a great day together and I think if they lived near each other they would be best friends! :)
Pat hates getting her picture taken but I forced her and promised I wouldn't put it on fb but I had to put it on my blog for my books! She is a good sport!
me and my mommy!

only in L.A.

2011-12-12T11:57:00.002-06:00

This is the car that was parked in front of my house before Thanksgiving. It was soooo crazy I had to get a picture. Yes that is a coffin. I decided it was for the new Breaking Dawn movie. For sure no one REALLY have that car. Right? seriously......

Youth Pizza Party!

2011-12-12T11:50:00.002-06:00

I love to open my home up to the church. I love having everyone over and feeling the spirit with them all. When we got into this house I said right away that we would use it to serve the Lord and those in the gospel! Do I have to tidy up a bit more? Yes. Do my carpets get a little dirtier? Yes. Is it worth it? EVERY TIME!

We have had countless opportunities to share our home with the youth and I think that is my favorite! This time they had a pizza cook off! It was a ton of fun to see what they would come up with. I got to be the taste test judge! My favorite was Austin and Tylers. They made a stuffed crust with string cheese and they added extra seasonings to the sauce. Very yummy! They were all so creative!

I think they all had a good time!~ I wish we were having their Christmas party here but alas, we have to share them with others! :)

Turkey bums!

2011-12-12T11:19:00.005-06:00

These are one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions. They are called turkey bums! The first year we did them daddy wasn't home to cut out a perfect turkey so mommy did it. They ended up looking like turkey bums. This year the kids asked me to make them because they loved the "bum" effect! No! Daddy did them again. Free hand. I sort of hate him.....until it is time to do a science project or a Halloween costume....then I love him again! :)

You write what you are thankful for on the feathers. Everyone gets 6 feathers....I get 7 :) too much to be thankful for! When you come to our house you get a feather to add to the wall of what you are thankful for. I love this tradition. A wall of thanks and gratitude. It should be up all year! It is a great kick off for the holiday season! Love love love it!

Max's turkey bum.......my kids all think of what they are thankful for on their own. We don't even suggest to them. I like to see what they come up with on their own and what they are REALLY grateful for. I was so happy when each of my children had aspects of the gospel that they were thankful for. (except Juliet....who is honestly a little shallow for a 2 year old) :)

the wall of turkeys......I didn't get an end of month picture but this wall is covered in feathers by the end of the month.!
Brandon's turkey bum.
Darby's!
Juliet's.....
Dash.....this year he wrote his very own. I was so proud of him. My favorite feather of his is Heabenly Father. :)
Suzy's.....

This is my friend Jessica.... I love her!

2011-11-11T19:20:00.000-06:00

by Jessica Garvin

My name is Jessica and I’m a regular Joe… or Joan, or Jane… whatever, I’m just average. By the way, it’s all a part of Spartan’s plan, to turn the “average person” into a Spartan Hero. Well, they found me.

I’m a single mom of two, and I live in L.A.I drive a mini van. I don’t like boo boo’s. I don’t like scrapes, scars, blisters, splinters, bruises or paper cuts. I will cry if I stub my pinky toe. My nails are not long, but are manicured. I don’t like to be cold or too hot for that matter. I don’t want to put anything of mine into a bucket of ice. Ever. I like Chai tea lattes from Coffee Bean and fuzzy socks. I’m a little bit of a girlie girl. But don’t judge me yet.

On the flip side, when my kids are not around, the F-bomb is a necessary part of my vernacular. I can drink almost anyone under the table. I can gross out the most perverted, dirty dudes, and I rock at bar basketball. I own one pair of heels and none of my purses cost over $50 bucks, not because I can’t afford it, but because $1000 bag is really stupid. People are starving. I live in flip-flops and converse, and hardly wear any makeup. BUT, I would grab my lip-gloss first if in a fire.

I like pink.

So what does any of this have to do with Spartan Race, you ask? This year I re-connected with an old best friend. The kind of best friend you laugh with, hysterically, while going through a drive-thru. The Thelma and Louise kind of best friend. I don’t know what happened that made us lose touch. I got married; she moved to NY, blah, blah. It sounds cliché now, but we found each other on facebook and picked up immediately where we left off as if no time had passed at all. Except it had: a very important, life altering chunk of time for both of us in our own ways. I told her of my two kids; she told me of her two battles with cancer. I told her of my divorce; she told me of her third battle with the same cancer. I was trumped. Humbled. Suddenly, selfless. I wanted to cry for her, but I didn’t. That would have been self-gratifying and in no universe should someone with an illness be made to comfort someone without one.

With a torturously brief “clear” period, she was here in Los Angeles with me. She was hoping to grab a stake in this life again. She looked for a job, made some new friends, got drunk with an old boyfriend, walked on the beach, met my daughter who said to me, “she’s your friend that’s in the picture on our fridge”. The picture I placed there after we re-connected with a word bubble over her head that reads, “Suck it cancer.” I told my children who were 3 and 5 at the time who she is and that she’s sick but fighting it. And that that’s what we do. We fight for things that we want. And she is very brave.

Periodically, when standing in the kitchen, they will ask about her and my son will say, “I hope your friend gets better mama.” So do I, little man. So do I.

But, her time in LA was short and a routine check proved that her fight was not over.

Today, she is in NY, fighting again. This is her fourth battle with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s. Fourth. And I miss her. And I need her. And I’m sad. I was supposed to be the friend that would hold her hand after chemo, read her the tabloids, mock the male nurses or sleep with the hot one. I was supposed to be the friend that would shave my head when she lost her hair and paint funky moles on our scalps. I was supposed to be there. But, I am here.

One morning I read an email from her. She had been looking at my facebook profile. Admiring my life, my kids, my various pictures of me doing stand-up, out with friends, random status updates that have no meaning. Her email simply read, “I’m so proud of you. I love your life.” I was changed. I’ve always felt blessed. Not a day passes when I don’t feel grateful, but it suddenly became clear that I wasn’t giving my life the respect it deserved. I wasn’t giving my life the respect SHE deserved. And so it began. Seek and she shall find… or something like that. I sought.

Then, I found Spartanrace.com, or it found me, and I was mesmerized. Hooked. Stunned. I. Was. In. Love. Crazy Love. Mad Love. Almost immediately my thoughts went to my friend. If she could fight cancer, I could climb a wall. In the same instant, my goal for my 40^th birthday went from rocking a bikini at burning man, to making Spartan my b… Okay, that’s a bit of an over statement.

But something happened to me that day. I wanted something for myself for the first time in a really long time. I wanted to feel my life running through me. And I wanted to show my friend that I feel it. Suddenly, I started finding myself doing pull-ups on the monkey bars while at the park with my 4 year old. I found myself not only taking the stairs instead of an elevator, but also taking two steps at a time. I found that when just sitting on the floor, I would lean back a bit and secretly, isometrically do a crunch. I bought a chin up bar for my room door and I don’t hang laundry on it.

I was recently asked why I would want to do this. I couldn’t explain it. You either get it or you don’t. But, the real answer is, because I can. My best friend sits in a hospital room today, waiting for chemo so that she can be strong enough to have a bone marrow transplant. Again. I don’t want to have to get cancer or have a near death experience for me to find out who I really am or appreciate all that I have been blessed with or what I’m really made of. I won’t finish first, but I will finish and I will show my friend that I may not be able to fight FOR her, but I can fight WITH her. I will wear her name on my sleeve so when I want to exit the race, I won’t. Because she can’t exit hers.

My name is Jessica. I’m just a regular person. Just a mom. Just a friend. And this race terrifies me, which is exactly why I am doing it.

Confessions of a weak bladdered woman!

2011-11-08T19:13:00.003-06:00

Haven't done these in a while.....

1. I love ranch dressing. On a LOT of things.

2. I wish I could eat at Outback at least 2x a week. I don't care how fancy a steak place you like I always end up wanting good ol' Outback in the end.

3. I have weighed my pregnancy weight not being pregnant 3x. (like "Hi I'm due to have a baby today....wait no I'm not) Kind of chubby.

4. I want to hire a housekeeper for 2x a month but have guilt that I don't want to pay someone something that I can do myself. I always want to go help the gardeners or apologize. (they come with the rental...everyone in L.A. has a gardener. NO one does their own lawn)

5. I wish I was in Relief Society still. I love my activity days girls but I REALLY love R.S.

6. I will go where the Lord wants me too. (and I will try to like it)

7. I am super blessed and have guilt for wanting more.

8. One day I will hire someone to decorate my whole house. I hope it's Tiffany Thomas. I LOVE what she does to a house!

9. Someone peed on my mattress and I didn't know what to do so I just flipped it over. SO gross I know. I hope no one pees on this side or I don't know what I'll do? Suggestions?

10. I would have another baby today if someone would just hand them to me. All though I sure like not having a diaper bag. No..... I would raise another. Anyone want to give me a baby? :)

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-03T18:17:00.008-05:00

SO here we are in November and I am still trying to catch up Halloween so I can move on to Thanksgiving! Juliet changed her mind on a daily basis from the end of September til Trunk or Treat on what she was going to be. She ended up being Cinderella on Trunk or Treat night. Someone hand me downed this beautiful costume and she LOVED it. She was a cheerleader the day of the kids school parade and because she spilled on it she was a "farmer girl" the night of Halloween! (overalls and cute shirt with piggy tails only because she didnt' want to be Cinderella again!) She looked and felt beautiful! She got to wear makeup with MY help and sparkle spray and a tiara. I want to wear the tiara secretly! She loves it and has been wearing it with her every day clothes too.
So pretty. (and a little low cut too....who is this little harlets mother?)
Darby as B-Mo from Adventure Time the cartoon. Of course Brandon did her costume for her! Dash the Dementor from Harry Potter and Max as Link from Zelda and of course Cinderella!
Journey and Jeremy came to Trunk or Treat with us at the church. Juliet LOVED that Journey was Tinkerbell! Jeremy was the best little skeleton ever! He is SOOOOO cute!
At the Ward party they had bobbing for donuts. You can't use your hands. It was hilarious!

Dash finally got his off and onto the floor where he attacked it! Juliet got mad and pulled hers off with her hands and walked away !
Jeremy just took one too. There's no messing around with this silly no hands thing when there are donuts involved.
The cute littleies with their donuts.
Darby and her friends went to town.
Get it girl!
Then there was a cupcake walk. I had to get a picture of the princesses. This is Journey, Juliet and Daisy! Daisy is a close family friend of ours. (Anna's niece)

Anna went as Tangled! She even got contacts to make her eyes extra big like the Tangled girl!
Juliet after the Trunk or Treat showing off her card that one of her friends, Gavin, gave her. Gavin told his mom and me that he thought Juliet looked beautiful as Cinderella. What a sweet boy. Gavin is only 4. I love it!
Ahhhhh enjoying the fruits of her labors!
Hanging with my bros.
What a sweet princess.
Starting to tucker out.
and she is down for the count, sucker in her mouth and all!
More pictures of the super cool costumes! Thanks Nana for making the costume and Daddy for making the shield! Mommy couldn't have done any of this!

I did do this one. I drove to party city and pulled out my 14$ like nobody else could! Pretty good stuff right?

Darby as B-Mo. If you don't watch the cartoon then she looks like a game boy. BUT if you did watch then you know how very cool this is! VERY VERY fun and Happy Halloween! The only thing I do want to know though is when did Halloween become a week long event? When I was little it was one AMAZING night! Now there are SEVERAL if not A LOT of opportunities to put on your costume and get candy. I wish we could go back to the ONE amazing night with the parade at school or one other party. If only I were in charge! :)

Darby's Birthday!

2011-11-03T17:55:00.004-05:00

Darby turned 11. I don't want to talk about it. She is growing up so fast and is becoming such an amazing young lady. She babysits for me and she will be ready when she is 12 and REALLY good at it by then. I have a feeling she will be in high demand. :) These are the creepy monster cupcakes I made for her primary class. They were super fun and yummy! Here she is blowing out her candle/match. She got this cute hat for her birthday and then bought the cure crochet hat with some of her birthday money from Nana and Papa when we went downtown.
Her siblings gave her a book light.....
and the next 3 Leven Thumps books. She really was this happy. This is not a posed photo. She is great to be happy for what ever gifts she receives. I love her for that.

Brandon asked her to go get him a soda from the garage. This is what she met at the door. An electric guitar with an amp.
She wanted a guitar and I said no. She does sooooo many things and I knew there would never be time (or money) for her to take lessons. BUT our good friend Anna made it possible for her to get a guitar. (details later) Anna is amazing and we LOVE her for all she does for our little family. I love her like a sista! Brandon taught himself how to play the guitar so I think with his help Darby can find the time to play around and eventually learn!
She couldn't believe it. She just kept saying "It's too much. It's just too much! I will pay you back, it's too much!"
Our little rock chick! (I didn't know this but electric guitars have softer strings so they are easier to learn on! Who knew?)
Plugging it all in so we can get our rock on! ALL the kids (even the big one, Brandon) were excited to test drive this machine. The amp makes it REALLY fun because it can make all different fun noises with the guitar. Darby stayed home sick for 2 days with the stomach flu and she played guitar so much that she had blisters on her fingers! Happy Birthday beautiful girl! We love you!

Halloween Party

2011-10-31T18:27:00.005-05:00

We were invited to a Halloween Party by a friend of Darby's. It was a party for the whole family. I guess it is an annual thing that this family does so they go all out and make it really special. This party happened to fall on Darby's birthday. We were originally going to do a little party with 4 friends at our house but it was falling on the same night. I didn't want to disrupt the party and steal away a few of the girls so we cancelled and decided to have a girls night after the holidays! The mom of the party was really grateful and she did a lot of things to make the night special for Darby even though it wasn't her party! It was really really sweet. They had some really cool crafts to do while everyone was getting there! They also had some AMAZING food and drinks! So yummy!
Amanda's mom got Darby a special cake. (I felt bad because this cake was WAY more amazing than any cake I would have gotten her! AND IT WAS DELICIOUS!!!)
A little later in the party a puppet show guy came and did a marionette show with Halloween puppets. AMAZING again! My kids LOVED it!
It was fun just to watch all their faces as they watched the show.

This isn't a really good picture but it is a little Frankenstein monster! So cute!
I love this picture of Dash. The puppet master had pulled out a Marionette that was called "fat man"....he was a fat Batman. It was quite funny and Dash really enjoyed that part.
I thought Brandon looked so handsome that night. I sure love my boys.
Daddy and Juliet, enjoying the show.
Here are Darby's friends singing Happy Birthday to her. A few of them brought her gifts. It was really very sweet. We had a wonderful time and I am so grateful that the Meyer's made it special for Darby too!

Nightmare Before Christmas 4D!

2011-10-31T17:47:00.004-05:00

We were able to kick off our Halloween Season by going to see Nightmare Before Christmas at the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood! It was very cool and I am sooooo thankful for my friend Anna for putting it all together. I was struggling a little paying 10$ a person for a movie that we own but it was worth every penny and then some. It was in 4D!! What is 4D you ask? Lights, wind, smells, ghosts! All of it! VERY cool! Here are Darby and Dash before the show started. They were just enjoying the organist playing all Halloween music. VERY FUN! Juliet wasn't excited at all!
Daddy got there right before the movie started! (p.s. I love him in this hat!)
Darby and her friend Olivia Cannon. (A lot of our friends from church went. There were over 60 of us.)
In the basement, after the show, they had a lot of Nightmare Before Christmas collectable items! It was a TON of fun to see and be a part of!
Some set!
My boys with Tyler and Aaron.
When we were walking back to the car there was a shop selling these cute hats. They were clearing them out for 7 bucks. Darby has wanted one for a long time. Since her birthday was the next day she got to get one. Aaron got one too! I love that he is a high schooler but isn't too cool to hang with Darby!

This is Halloween, This is Halloween! HALLOWEEN! HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-31T14:25:00.004-05:00

So every year Brandon makes something for our kids for their costumes. It goes with being the artist. I used to get my mommy tail feathers ruffled until I realized that I can go read a book and I will never have to do a science project, ever, with him as my hubby! Anyway....this year he made him a costume also. It is simply AMAZING! Here is the beginning. He made a tie. Then he sculpted out of paper mache a head. This is the head drying on a tower he made in our bathroom to get it closer to the heat lamp.
Then here it is with the heat lamp on looking extra creepy. I was worried that the kids would have to get up to pee in the night and go in and freak out at seeing this!
That would scare me!
Here is the painting process....
The jacket I found for him at goodwill for 4$. He painted it and did some reconstructing. I helped sew some of it for him. (Now I can say I helped)
Here is the finish product! AMAZING! I hope he wins something for it at work. I hope someone else dresses up at work! ;)

Halloween Treats!

2011-10-31T14:15:00.002-05:00

One of our favorite treats at Halloween to have are Caramel Apples! WE ALL LOVE THEM!!!! I usually make them once a year. So far, I have made them twice all ready. They are so easy now with the caramel wraps. Takes about 10 minutes start to finish! Can't lose with those! Juliet just likes to eat the caramel off of her apple. Then she saves the apple for the next day!
I also made these cute little witch hats from an idea of pinterest! Super easy and the kids could help too!
Just an E.L. Fudge cookie turned upside down. Squirt a dollup of frosting on there then squish a hershey kiss on top of the frosting so it smooshes out to make a cute orange brim. (Very technical) I even used generic everything. This made 2 packages of cookies and I had kisses left over. A cute treat for under 8$. Would be very cute for a class party or church party!

This is what General Conference looks like at our house!

2011-10-31T13:28:00.002-05:00

I wish I could say this is the first session.....it is not. Second session and we are still in our jammies. Do my kids ALWAYS sit like angels with notepads for all 4 sessions? NO WAY! They come in to listen to the prophet. The only one we "make" them listen too. All though if you want to partake of the conference goodies in the conference basket then you have to sit and listen. They will come in and graze and listen then leave to play. There is also a lot of sleeping and a little yelling to be quiet. I had to get a shot of what Max was drawing. I love that he was drawing the prophet....not really taking notes.....just drawing.

A shot with mommy in it. You can't really tell it's me. But I will take them when I can get them. I am rarely in the shots because I am taking the pictures.

I love conference weekend. Especially the fall weekend. It's time to slow down and reflect and be together.
These 2 doll babies weren't even drawing the prophet. They were drawing scenes for the gummy bears that they were enjoying. I don't care though because they were all with us and they were listening.....sort of. :) What are your conference traditions?

Student of the month!

2011-10-31T13:01:00.002-05:00

Max was student of the month the first month of this school year. He shared the honor with Lizzie Cannon from our ward. They are not in the same class but they were both selected from their classes. So proud of my sweet boy! The 3rd grade student of the months!
Max and Lizzie!
Max and mommy!

Dancing with the baby stars!

2011-10-31T12:51:00.002-05:00

The other night I was watching Dancing with the Stars. With out missing a beat, these 2 just started dancing with each other, copying what was happening on the television. I almost started to cry cause it was so cute! I had to get a few shots of it! I love my 2 little dancers dance apparel. It is obviously a few minutes before bed because we were about to get in the tub and get jammies on! Who doesn't like to dance in there undies now and then!?
Juliet LOVES to dance! Her big brother just loves her so he will dance with her to make her happy. (I think he secretly might love to dance a little too!)
This was the ending pose. I love it!
When Dash was done Juliet wanted me to rewind this dance and let her continue on with out him. It was a waltz and she loved every second of it!

What do we do when the Thomas' visit?

2011-10-31T12:05:00.005-05:00

We play video games! Lots and lots of video games in our pajamas! We play outside with the turtles!

We make a turtle paradise for all to visit!
And a turtle training center!
We dress up and act dorky......
because we can with our best friends!

Seriously, these girls are out of control!

We make up dances and songs!

We eat and play restaurant and sit by our future husbands!
We get treated for lice....yes, lice. Because someone gave it to your little brother while you had company at your house.
We take the seats out of the van and take every piece of bedding and laundry to the laundry mat in the wee hours of the night!
We bond as friends. You can laugh or cry. I think I did both, but Tiffany made it easy to laugh a lot. I would have been lost with out her. Brandon had to work late (very late on a freelance job that came up that day....Tiff said "Take it! We will be fine with out you!" I cried)
We fall asleep where we can because there is no bedding or blankets or couch covers or pillows because we had to wash them all!
Poor little Tanner!
We feel like Tiff's face is saying. We even had to treat each others hair. SO gross! I really am happy she was here even though I was also mortified! I sure love her and cherish our friendship! The only thing we were missing were Nat and her kids. That would have only made it more fun! I love it when they all visit!

Student Council

2011-10-17T20:45:00.002-05:00

Darby decided that she was going to run for student council her 5th grade year. The way it worked was you had to be in the top 3 in your class and if you won that then you would go on to compete with the other winners of the other 5th grade classes. I was a little nervous for her because this is only her second year at this school. I know that if she was running and the whole school got to vote she would have a fighting chance because all the underclassmen LOVE her. She is kind to everyone no matter what grade you are in and they all know and love her because of her brothers! When she told me she was going to run I thought that everyone HAD to run or it was an assignment because this is really out of her comfort zone. Nope. It was all her decision. So the day came that they had to give their speeches. She and Brandon worked on a poem for her speech and the night before decided what her campaign would be about. She wore a "cat in the hat" hat when she stood up to read her poem. She had a great time and her favorite part of the campaign was when someone would promise something ridiculous (field trips to Las Vegas) and everyone would flip around to see the teacher's response and she would just nod her head "no". She said it was really funny. Darby DID win her class election. I was really excited for her! She did not win the next step though. One of her good friends did and she was really happy for her. After you win the 5th grade election they take the top 4 and you campaign with the whole school. These four kids all get to serve on student council regardless of the vote though. Voting just decided who would be Pres, vice, sec, and treasurer. (popularity wins out here) I am really proud of her for stepping out and trying something. She says it was a great experience and will for sure fun again next year!

Here is her poem!!! I would have voted for her!

Instead of giving you a speech that's long and boring

and talking up here til one in the morning

I thought you'd enjoy it if I recited a poem

I wrote last night while sitting at home

for those of you that only know me as "that girl over there"

My name is Darby Jeffords, and I'm in the back chair

Though Tarzana California is the place I'd like to stay

It wasn't long ago that I lived far away

I came here from Florida and Texas too

But I don't say "Y'all" or "Howdy doo"

And of all the kids in schools all over the world

I'm proud to be at Wilbur and a California girl

you may not know it, cuz you've been here since birth

But the students at Wilbur are something of worth

If you vote for me you'll find that I'm very outgoing

Creative, responsible and my skills are still growing.

I'll bring to this counsel a boat load of fun

Ideas for activities to play in the sun

I'll help to get rid of the stuff that offends, cuz

Nothing makes me happier than helping my friends

So when it gets closer to voting time

Just remember the girl that brought you the rhyme.

Vote for me, Darby Jeffords, for Vice President!

Quote of the day!

2011-10-17T19:38:00.000-05:00

Max came to me the other day and said "Mom, I used to stink at hand-ball and I hated it but now I'm really good. Now I'm a legend!"

I love that in 3rd grade you can be a legend at anything!

Original song recorded by Emily Jacobs!

2011-10-17T14:01:00.002-05:00

http://youtu.be/y8EtsyCPuXs

This is a song from one of my young women in Florida! She has an amazing story and even more amazing talents! SO good! Way to go Em!

missionary Dash

2011-10-17T12:56:00.003-05:00

This weekend I got a text from a friend (Amanda) that has a son that is a friend of Dash's from school. It made my heart melt so I needed to blog about it!

Here is her text to me!

"ok.....this is adorable.....garret just randomly started talking about heaven.....which he has never really talked about. I asked him about it and he said it was wonderful...a place that you are happy. I asked him where he learned that and he said dash taught him everything! Gosh...I love u guys!"

I love that Dash has no qualms about sharing what he believes. What a sweet sweet boy!

Working out BIGGEST LOSER style!

2011-10-15T20:30:00.004-05:00

Today my friend Robyn took me to a gym in Hollywood. We took Bob Harper's class! Yea, I said it! BOB HARPER!!! "Biggest Loser" Trainer extraordinaire! Don't worry because Jillian Michaels was only about 6 bikes down from me! It really was an AMAZING experience and one I can mark off my bucket list now! He was motivating and inspiring and pretty much just cool! I have never been one to sweat "buckets" but I sure did today. I actually had a little puddle under my bike. I was pretty proud. I didn't cry. (I cried out a few times) I didn't throw up. (wanted to!) I didn't pass out. (almost did!) I didn't freak out and hug him or say anything too stupid! (Still hugged him and told him I might cry....semi stupid but I REALLY needed oxygen so I will blame it on that!

I did realize that I want to be a better group fitness instructor and it is time to really start pushing myself again and stop "phoning it in"! (Robyn's phrase and I love it!) SO, I AM going to do better! Better instructor, better mom, better wife, better friend! Thank you Robyn for helping me get there and driving me and giving me peppermint gum in the middle of class to help me keep my food down, for giving me pants ;), and for just being a good friend! Thank you Bob Harper (I'm sure he reads my blog now because we are sort of BFF's....we work out together) for not killing me, for not touching the dial on my bike, for yelling at me to get out of my seat, for touching my hand in the middle of class, (sigh) for pulling up your sleeves and having delicious biceps to look at, and for motivating me to be better! (thank you Jillian for being there!) Seriously SO much fun and I feel super blessed to have been able to do this! It was a good day in L.A.! Now I will go take some Advil and pray that lactic acid doesn't take me in my sleep!

Bob and Suzy.... best friends forever? We'll see if I can fit him into my busy schedule! ;)

What happens when leave the kids in the car and go into piano!

2011-10-08T13:10:00.004-05:00

I ran into the piano lesson to grab Darby and was there for maybe 3 minutes discussing next weeks lesson and the things Darby needed to do. My purse was in the car with the kids and the camera. THIS is what happens when kids are left for THREE minutes with a camera in the car. (The car was in the driveway of the house I was at, the windows were down, no kids or animals were harmed in the filming of this blog post!)

I love to see the REAL attitudes and action shots when I am not around.
Some really important shots were taken.
No idea? Why are they in the front? How did she get out of her carseat? OH they are admiring themselves in the tiny rear view mirror that they turned to look at themselves in. Mom will NEVER know we touched it!
The all important Yoda shot! I love that Juliet has moved on to another mirror in the front seat.
Thinking what I should do next. Do it quick cause here comes Darby.
You guys are gonna be in SO much trouble..... I can hear her now!
Not happy with the music that WASN'T playing on the turned off car she thought she would CRAM a cd into the cd player.

Mom will LOVE these shots! Get a few of me!

They were right! With out the random shots of arms and noses I would have missed these 2 cute ones of Dash! I love them! He is a ham and I love it! They didn't get in trouble. We laughed a lot. I don't leave my purse in the car with them. I don't go to get Darby at the door any more either. I send a sibling and the piano teacher comes to me. ;)

Endless Glow convention

2011-10-08T12:45:00.004-05:00

We had an Endless Glow Convention in Las Vegas where we were learning some extra tanning techniques and growing as a team. We had a TON of fun together. Madison and I made the 4 hour drive on Friday night and drove home on Saturday night. Again having a TON of fun!

Saturday night we all got to dress up and go see some special speakers and go to a meet and great. It was a great night! Madi and I started the night out at Firehouse Subs. Not super fancy but it happens to be on of my favorite places and her brother owns it!

Free Firehouse Subs are THE BEST!
Ronnie Price of the Utah Jazz was one of the speakers that night. He was a great speaker and really motivational. A great guy in general.
Chris and Tiff were there! More of my favorite people. I may have forced Chris to take a picture with me! He was still a good sport and I think it turned out pretty cute....except we sort of look married!
Best friend! Tiff was honored a few times in the company! I was super proud of her!
The real married couple! I love this picture of them! I love that Chris looks really happy and not like someone is pinching him on the back to make him stay and take a picture!
Miss Nevada was also a speaker. She had a great story of failing and trying and never giving up. I liked that her story wasn't one of ease. She worked really hard to get where she is! She is an Endless Glow Representative! In all her pagenting she will always have an Endless Glow tan! Very cool!

End of SUmmer Party!

2011-10-08T12:18:00.002-05:00

We had an end of Summer Party at our house to celebrate the end of summer and to honor Miss Loretta for teaching us a cooking class all summer long. Here is one of the water games we played. You had to put on a wet t shirt then run to the other end of the yard and take it off and ring it out into a bowl to fill the bowl up. It was a relay and it was really fun! Pretty soon the kids just started putting them over their heads and running to get to the end. The need to win became to great!
Here they are ringing them out.
Brother Au just happens to be a professional DJ and he came and dj'ed our party. I say I need a DJ at ALL my parties. That was just FUN! He had a bubble machine that the kids loved too! Call me if you live in the L.A. area and you want a GREAT DJ! I know he does tons of parties and dances!
We played a lot of water games but I think this was one of the kids favorites. It was "dry dry, wet" Like "duck, duck goose". With a cup of water you walk around tapping heads saying DRY DRY DRY DRY til you get to the person you want to soak and then you drench them and scream wet and RUN as fast as you can! The kids played it FOREVER and it didn't matter if you were 3 or 13 it was FUN! Something about not knowing if you are going to get the soaking that makes it so exciting!
SO summer is officially over as I blog about it in October. WE had a great summer and it breaks my heart a little to think it is one more summer down before my kids are all grown up and won't want to play these crazy games we have for them. I still have a few more summers before they get all drivers licences and water parky on me! :)

quote of the day.....not mine!

2011-10-08T12:12:00.002-05:00

I found this great quote and wanted to share it and have it to keep!

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost more than 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed"-- Michael Jordan

I also found this and LOVED it! Just a few words to remember when my kids are in sports!

"Saturday game day! Parents, remember kids never try to perform poorly. Your negative reaction to performance (even an eye roll or body language) only adds to their pressure and diminishes the confidence they need to succeed. Supportive parents realize that even a kid who "chokes" is trying to succeed. In fact, part of the problem with many athletes is that they are trying too had to succeed for someone other than themselves."--- Chalene Johnson

Let's Make A Deal!

2011-10-07T19:12:00.002-05:00

For my Birthday one of my friend's, Amy, took me to be on Let's Make A Deal! We had THE BEST TIME!!! It was like an all day comedy club dance party! I highly reccommend going to a taping. I did not get on the show. Boo. (I later found out that I was not eligible because I know someone in the sound booth.....so they gave me a nice Let's Make a Deal sweat shirt.....not a car) very sad) BUT that being said I STILL had a great time and would go back ANY day of the week with ANYONE so that they could play! WE seriously had SOOOOO much fun! It should be on the air any time from now til Jan! So I will be dvr'ing every episode! SO MUCH FUN! Thanks AMY!

Happy Birthday To ME!

2011-10-07T18:57:00.005-05:00

For my Birthday Brandon and the kids made me Garden beds. We planted some pumpkins and even though the pumpkins aren't growing because the critters keep getting into them. I have garden beds to plant in the spring and I am REALLY excited. It is what I REALLY wanted! Darby also gave me a feather in my hair! She paid for it with her own money! Super cool! I felt like a teenager for a few weeks!
Brandon made me a "better than anything" cake! YUMMY!
It was a wonderful birthday celebrated with my hubby and my kids! (and a couple of my friends via phone and lunches!)
Thanks Brandon for helping all my wishes come true!

Christmas in July!

2011-10-07T18:23:00.004-05:00

My mom had a super fun idea to do Christmas in July while we were on vacation! We all drew names and got each other a gift that was under 5$! It was a TON of fun and everyone was SOOOO excited to do it! We played holiday music and ordered pizza and just had a great time!

Darby had Papa! She have him a t shirt and hat! Worlds greatest Papa!
Dash had Curtis and he gave him a carved sling shot that look like a deer. Curt loved it!
I had Ryeley. I gave him a gift card (some of it used) but he was excited and a Flash Gordon t shirt that he gave to my dad because it was too small!
Max had my mom and he made her a first aide kit that he made at scout camp! She LOVED it!
Juliet had Gracie and she gave her a water bottle! (Grace loves a good water bottle!)
Nana and papa gave Juliet an Mp3 player that they found on clearance! She obviously loved it because she is always wanting to use Darby's ipod!
Nana gave Dash an art kit! He loved it and was able to use it on the trip home!
Grace gave Darby an art book and colored pencils! She loved it too!
Curtis gave Max a paper airplane making kit that he couldn't wait to do with Brandon!
Ryeley gave me a picnic basket thing. I look really surprised because I was with him when he bought it! We had a GREAT time and I am sure we will do it again! What a fun idea Nana!

Dance party U.S.A.

2011-10-07T18:13:00.002-05:00

The kids decided to put together a Dance party. It was taking up a lot of time and a lot of imagination so we were just letting them roll with it. The only time it stresses me out is when a menu gets involved. (They had a pretty extensive one that I had to nip in the butt!) They had a great time putting it all together and decorating for it! Even Juliet got to get in on the fun!
Max was a ticket taker. I really loved his uniform. No shirt and a tie!
I got a great action shot of Juliet dancing! Very cool!
Dash was part of the entertainment. I'm not sure what was happening but I know that he was a jumper or something. There was definitely jumping and leaping on a couch. Lots of fun!

quilting anyone?

2011-10-07T14:15:00.002-05:00

Again, while we were in Utah, one of the fun things we did to pass the time of our vacation was tie a WHOLE BUNCH of quilts. My mom set up her quilting frames and we scavenged through her fabric and yarn and batting and came out with some fun things for everyone! The funny thing is that it was all Ryeley's idea! He was the one that wanted to pull out the frames and tie a quilt for his bed! Good idea little brother! Here is one of the quilts we finished for my house. It is a little bigger than queen size quilt.

Each one of my kids got a new quilt for their beds. They are the perfect length but are on the skinny side. A little trial and error on my part. They still all love them and sleep with them. They will make for great lounging/snuggling blankets!
Darby chose cats and Dash has a cowboy fabric.
Juliet has frogs (because of the speckled frog song we sing) and Max has the other cowboy print in another color!
Here I am NOT posing while I quilt away!
I told Ryeley late one night that I would love some quilting frames of my own one day. The next morning when I got up he was gone. That was kind of weird because when I am in Utah we usually go everywhere together! He was out buying the supplies to make me quilting frames for my birthday! Here he is looking oober creepy while building my very own frames!
more of my blanket!
Ryeley working on my frames! (I secretly love the cigarette hanging out of his mouth.....he has quit now and I am super proud of him but I think it adds to the "white trash" -ness of this picture! Take it all in..... his shirt, the cooler in the back, his make shift working station, the cigarette, the trash can off to the side, even the tattoo adds some "flavor"! :)
Here are some of MY quilting frames. Call me if you want to borrow them! They are hand made by my brother and they are AWESOME!!!

quote of the day!

2011-10-01T20:02:00.003-05:00

Juliet had decided and changed her mind a dozen times what she wants to be for Halloween. My favorite thing she says is..... "I want to be a Ballaweena for Hallaweena!" oooooooorrrrrr Like...... Cindalllelllaa ooooooorrrrrrrr like....... Ariel with earings ooooooorrrrrrr like ....... a princess!"

All while twirling and then asking me what I want to be and giving suggestions that include a cowboy oooooooorrrrrrr like a ball. I must not be very "like" princessy! I love that little girl!

Walking the dog!

2011-09-26T12:39:00.002-05:00

One of our MOST favorite things to do at Nana's was to walk the dog. Seriously? I don't know what it is! They would ALL fight over who got to do it. Tears would be shed and sometimes privileges taken away from the arguments that would happen over the dumb dog....that we all love so much. BUT look at how happy he makes them all! This particular time they ALL got to go walk the dog/ride in the wagon! Safety first....Dash! Darby is a good sport. I think she was taking on the chore of getting them out of my hair and settling the fight over who's turn it was to walk the dog. Every one's turn.
Juliet opted out of riding in the wagon to get to hold the all coveted leash! Look at her dirty little "I got leash neener neener neener face!"
Here is the reason for all the fighting! Bingo is his name-o! How would you feel if I told you he doesn't even like kids!? He sure did like all the walks though!

Dragonfly catchers

2011-09-26T12:33:00.002-05:00

An evening event that all the kids like to do this summer at Nana's! Apparently the best way to catch a dragonfly is in the middle of the street in your diaper! Not embarrassing at all.

learning to ride!

2011-09-26T12:09:00.003-05:00

While we were in Utah Max learned to ride a bike! He is kind of a nervous Nelly on a bike and it has taken him a while but he FINALLY learned and he really liked it! He still needs to practice and gain some confidence but for the most part he learned how and we all got to be there to cheer him on! GO MAX GO!!!
YOU CAN DO IT!!!
GOOD JOB MAX! We live in L.A., not Utah. I wish that he could just go outside and ride to his hearts content but it is just not so. We will have to find a place that we can practice at home. It was still fun to cheer him on and have the whole family there to watch him with this big accomplishment! Now if someone could just potty train that droopy diaper baby in the back that would be great!

playing in the rain!~

2011-09-23T11:48:00.003-05:00

When you are out of money on summer vacation what do you do? We played in the rain! I LOVE to surprise the kids and walk outside with no umbrella and stomp in a puddle. Curtis yelled into Darby and said "Your mom said we are going on a walk RIGHT NOW! She is soooo cool!" It's not that often I am so cool so I will take it when I can get it! Here are Max and Dash AFTER the walk in their boxers waiting for some hot chocolate! The girls still enjoying the dancing and stomping in the puddles!

Uncle B and Curtis hugging after a lovely wet walk!
The "cool" mom!

Pink Floyd Chooses the Right?

2011-09-16T12:40:00.004-05:00

This is the poster that hangs in my little brothers room. It is a Pink Floyd Poster of all his albums or something like that. I'm not cool enough to know the logistics of it all. 2 summers ago my hubby locked himself in my brothers room for a couple hours for a little secret project while my brother was at work.............. This is what was there when he came out. My brother has left it up. It is a one of a kind Pink Floyd "re-make". Brandon made them a little more.....how do you say.....modest! :) enjoy......

. I like Brandon's version better!b So funny!

Bennett's Birthday Party!

2011-09-16T11:34:00.007-05:00

Bennett had a super fun Ninja party while we were in Utah! There was a cool kicking/punching contest where you got to show off your sweet ninja moves! What 5-8/39 year old doesn't like to show off his sweet ninja moves? My favorite part was that all the best friends just happened to be in Utah that weekend! The Thomas', The Jeffords and The Sanfords! Just like it was supposed to be!
Go birthday boy!

There may have been a surprise visit from Darth Vader! Because what Ninja party doesn't have Darth Vader? (Bennett really likes "Star Hores" so I made Vader come thinking that would be AMAZING!)
There was music and light sabers and it started out VERY cool and excited.......(just look at their faces....amazed and excited and not at all nervous...or scared....or worried.........).........

......and may have ended in a lot of tears and running away! It seemed really real! So the moral of the story is that Ninjas and Darth do NOT mix! BUT if anyone wants a REALLY good REALLY REAL Darth Vader to come to their "Star Hores" party, I totally know someone!

SURPISE!

2011-09-12T13:41:00.001-05:00

We surprised the kids with a quick visit by Brandon! He flew in with out them knowing. I told them I had a doctors appointment and went to pick him up. We had been in Utah all ready about 11 days. Here is Max just realizing daddy was here! Then there was the mad rush!
and no one wanted to let go! Surprises are the best! I love Juliet's hand on Darby's face. So sweet!

Classic skating!

2011-09-12T13:15:00.003-05:00

Classic Skating? This isn't the Classic that I grew up with! This is a whole new ball game! They have a whole lot more. While we were in Utah I got a killer groupon deal that gave us 4 entries into the water park part of classic, 50 tokens for video games, and a large soda for 20 bucks! YES PLEASE!!!!! We bought 2 of them! That got all of us in and we had plenty of food! We set up camp and made a day of it!
Even Uncle Ryeley had a good time! Hard to believe!
This is the dance off they had! None of our kids won but they danced their booty's off!

Juliet and Dash soaking in some rays!
so cute.
she stole Uncle Rye's hat while she was eating a slim jim. Only she could get away with that!

The Hogle Zoo!

2011-09-12T11:43:00.000-05:00

While in Utah we got to go the Hogle Zoo! It was a special night because it was Kennecott night. All Kennecott employees and their families were free and everything in the zoo was free! (Except the gift shop stuff of course.) It was soooooo much fun! "mom can I ride the train? YES! Can I ride the carousel? YES! Can I ride it 50 more times? YES YES YES! Can I have cotton candy? YES! Can I have popcorn, Slurpee's, soda, pretzels, nachos, and any other carnival food you can think of? YES! BECAUSE IT'S FREE!!!!!!!" Now that is just a fun day at the zoo! They just opened a new dinosaur exhibit. Pretty cool!
Free Kennecott hats too while we eat our free Dippin' Dots.

Enjoying our FREE face painting......

for even the moms!

The only bad thing about EVERYTHING being free and saying yes to everything is that when you leave the zoo and all the kids ask to go in the gift shop just to "look" and they ask to buy something and all of a sudden you have so say the word NO! Wow. No one wins then! Thank you Papa and Ryeley for working at Kennecott and taking us to the free day at the zoo! Thank you Juliet for acting like the dinosaur below when I said NO to you one time at the zoo!

Clear Eyes! Full Heart! Can't Lose! First Day of School!

2011-09-07T13:47:00.004-05:00

So these weirdos started school today! I was REALLY excited for that to happen! It has been a great summer and we have had a wonderful time together (obviously....who doesn't love wearing a diaper?) but I love me a good schedule and the kids were antsy and ready for the seasons to change and be back at school! SO we traded in our weird ........................and the left me alone with this little girl! Who thought she was going to school too! She had to have new clothes (on clearance at Wal-Mart for $1. Really? $1 I felt stupid not buying it), new shoes (she needed them or she wouldn't have gotten them and they were on sale too) and a new back pack. (not needed)

Clear Eyes................A very serious 3rd grader. (he had some smile pictures too but I couldn't pick and I loved this one the best!) He was excited about his teacher but his "worstest enemy" is in his class (Elizabeth) I think she may be a super model or something. I don't know why she is his worstest enemy but she just one day was and now she is in his class. 3rd grade is hard.
Full Hearts................My super excited 1st grader! Ready to roll. The 1st one up and dressed. Helped me with breakfast and packed his own snack. I am really gonna miss this one. He is going to have a GREAT year this year! He REALLY wants to learn to Read better!
Can't Lost..............My big 5th grader. 5th grade here is the top grade. The last grade before middle school. I don't like that one bit. She does though. She has a great teacher. A tough one but really great. She really gets them ready for middle school and helps them with organization. Darby is a huge help at home and I forget how much she helps me until she is not here. :( I remember the 1st day I took her to kindergarten. The principal brought them up and introduced the class of 2019 (I think). I laughed because it seemed sooooo far off. She said "you will remember me saying this as they walk across to accept their high school diploma." I called my mom to tell her how silly that was. She said she remembered thinking that exact thing on my graduation day! WHAT!!?!? But here I send Darby off to her 1st day of her last year of grade school. It FLEW by! I JUST sent her to kindergarten like yesterday! It really does go soooooo fast. SO as much as I LOVE the new school year and I LOVE sending them off and getting back on track it is one year closer to sending her off to college! So I cried. and I'm still crying. because I miss them. all of them.

It's gonna be a great year though! Tons of fun and learning and new things! I'm excited for my kids and anxious and thrilled. We are truly blessed to live where we do and they get to go to school and learn. They are happy and safe and healthy. (Knock on wood.:) SO Let's have a GREAT year Y'all! CLEAR EYES! FULL HEARTS! CAN'T LOSE!

The Mayan!

2011-08-23T17:44:00.002-05:00

So, it looks like all we do is go out to eat when we are in Utah! We do eat a lot but we try to go to our favorite spots so we make memories too! This is a fun restaurant because of the entertainment and I hate to talk bad about a place but the food,..... how do I say this.......stinks. Not only was it pricey and not so good but a lot of us got sick from it. BUT the entertainment is really cool. Maybe go and get desserts or something just to see the high divers! Juliet with Uncle Ryeley! Seriously, can you tell how much she loves him? She may have him wrapped around her little finger too.
What a fun group!
She LOVED the divers! She would clap and clap for them!
This is her "PLLLEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEEE" face. It works almost every time. How do you say no to that?

The Cracker Barrel!

2011-08-22T20:35:00.005-05:00

Cracker Barrel is one of our favorite places to eat breakfast. They have the BEST breakfast EVER and the country store they have is a fast favorite for everyone! Nana always takes us when we visit. We don't have them in Ca. Boo. We had them in Tx. We used to go there for our Christmas Eve breakfast every year.Nana with all her grandkids!
While we were waiting for our food, Juliet got a little restless and took over the camera. Some of her shots were not too bad!
some where.....well.....
we decided to do silly face pictures!
more silly!
more silly.....
and just some down right cute!
I love when I see the cousins playing and helping each other!

Fun at GG Ma's!

2011-08-22T20:04:00.002-05:00

We went to my grannies house for a bbq while we were in Utah! We always have a great time with them! My kids call her GG for Great granny! She has a SUPER ugly dog named Maggie! Maggie has a SUPER cute personality and makes me want to take her home every time we visit. Juliet LOVED Maggie!
3 generations and one ugly pup!

The Sanfords....

2011-08-22T11:56:00.002-05:00

When we were in Utah I got to visit one of my very best friends (a few times) Natalie. Her kids happen to be some of my kids bests friends also! Here I am meeting my new favorite Sanford, baby Cole. I wanted to steal him sooooo badly! I even liked his cry. I don't think I set him down the entire time I was there (every time). I may have even spoiled him a bit so that Nat had to hold him more when we left. Oh well....he deserves it, cute baby! I did have to fight Max for him though. Max LOVED holding him. I love this cute picture of Baby Cole!
We took the kiddos to Chick-fil-e for lunch and as we were eating we saw these monkeys pressed behind the glass.
Some of them may have been licking the glass.....
can you guess which ones? So gross. Where are their parents?

The "Up" House

2011-08-19T18:30:00.002-05:00

In the city of Herriman in Utah there is an exact replica of House in the movie "Up"! Of course we had to stop by and check it out. I don't know why it is there, but it is and it is cool! All the kids in front of it!

So much fun!

workin' out on Papa's work out machine!

2011-08-19T18:19:00.002-05:00

I don't know what it is but work out machines are REALLY cool to play on! Work it girl!

The Oquirh Rec Center!

2011-08-19T17:59:00.005-05:00

I don't know if I am spelling that right but I'm gonna go with it! We needed to cool off in a pool and someone had told us the Oquirh Rec had a great pool with diving boards and a splash pool and a "dumping bucket"! It did not disappoint! Juliet did not have a nap so she was resting under my big floppy hat! Surprise! Not resting!
We packed lots of snacks so we could spend most of the day here!

Uncle Rye, chillin in sun! He looks gruff but he is really a big ol' teddy bear!
More snacks!
.....and more snacks!
Darby hopped off the chair to throw something away and it made Curtis tip! I loved this shot cause we are all laughing and Darby is running back to push the beach chair back down!
Dash is putting ice down Uncle Ryeley's pants.....shhhhhh! :)
Juliet is "tickling" Uncle Ryeley's head to help him relax. (I wonder if the ladies behind him care that they are in my blog now!?) :)

The Alpine Slide

2011-08-19T17:39:00.005-05:00

There is a GIANT slide up in Park City. We took the kids up to try it out! It was really fun because you have to take the ski lift up to it. Kind of scary though when there is no snow underneath you but a cool experience for everyone involved! Here we are after we got off the ski lift pulling our "sleds" up to the slide. Max chose to go down the "fast" slide! The sleds have a brake system that you pull up when you want to slow down. This is the slide that goes down the WHOLE mountain with dips and curves.
Darby was up next.
She wanted to make sure she had ALL the instructions correctly. She was a little nervous because it was a little overcast and was sprinkling on our way up. One of the instructions were that if it started to rain then you needed to stop and get off your sled, take it off the slide and walk down the mountain.
Dash wasn't tall enough to ride alone (very upset about it too) so he rode with Uncle Ryeley. Uncle Rye was cool to let him have the controls though and he said that "little man" was a scary driver!
Curtis and Gracie went also. I didn't get their pictures because I had to go on the "slow" side with Juliet. It wasn't very slow and Juliet did NOT appreciate it. She kept saying/crying "dis is fun? did is fun?" I thought it was. :)

Fun at Nana's!

2011-08-19T17:23:00.003-05:00

This is how our Summer vacation started out in Utah! We stayed at Nana and Papa's and Uncle Ryeley's house! There was a LOT of "chillaxin"! I love how she had her little feet crossed. ...and of course A LOT of time with this guy! Her favorite person in the world besides her daddy!
.......more time with this guy!
Playing dress up! "WOOOOO HOOOOO"!
Posing a pose.....ALWAYS!

scout camp

2011-08-19T17:12:00.002-05:00

This was Max's first year at Scout Camp. The theme was "Safari"! Here he is on his first day before I could just leave him there to have fun with out me and fend for himself all day.....I had to get a quick snap shot of him! You can tell he was devastated to have me leave him for the whole day! He had a blast the whole entire week! I am so very grateful for all those who make this camp happen for them. It is all volunteer!

Farewell Elder!

2011-08-19T17:01:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you just get some really fun and amazing Elders in your area! (They are usually all amazing but for whatever reason we all really fell in love with these 2) Elder Adams was leaving and we had a little farewell dinner for him. We had to have the Gile/Camling clan over because they usually came over when we fed the missionaries to have dinner with us! Elder Grow and Elder Adams.
Elder Adams was....how do I put this...... kind of a...... smart Alec..... I may have wanted to call him something else there! I think that is why we loved him so much. He was really spiritual and really fun! On his farewell cake we wrote "we love you Elder Grow!" HAHHA HAHAHHAHHA! It was fun to see the look on his face! He quickly smooshed it out! We will miss you you Elder Adams!

"The Pirate Beach"

2011-08-19T16:36:00.002-05:00

This isn't really called the Pirate Beach. There is a Pirate Park right next to it and we don't know what else to call it. It is FOREVER away but as you can see it is a really nice beach and practically deserted! SO it is our favorite beach! Brandon brought one of his Beach kites and a kite for the kiddos too. You can guess which kite they wanted to fly! Sometimes the beach gets a little chilly. You would think all sun and warmth but the wind and the waves = a sweat shirt over your "wim soup"!
It never phases Darby though. She LOVES to be outside and in the water!
Brandon's super cool beach kite!
This is the kids kite that he ended up with. At the end of the day we had a TON of fun sharing kites and building castles! Can't wait to go back!

Summer FUN!

2011-08-04T14:18:00.002-05:00

Can we cram any more into this trip? I don't think so! The last 2 days of a trip I think are the saddest for sure. You are cleaning and doing laundry and feeling sad that you don't get to see everyone for a full day again (or at all). I am sad that I didn't get to see everyone I wanted or visit people for as long as I wanted! Boo. 3 weeks seems so long and then all of a sudden it is time to go. I am sooooo grateful that my parents help with the financial part of the trip (gas money) so that we are able to come out here! I love that my kiddos get to know all their family out here. We either need to move here (so we can vacation other places) or we need all our family to live in one place. I see many a summers in Utah! SOOOOO I am going to try to not be sad about leaving and just be happy that we have had a GREAT summer vacation!

Things we did while here (pictures to come)

The Alpine Slide (Park City)
Classic Water Slide
The Hogle Zoo (on Kennecotts dime! Thanks Papa and Uncle Ryeley for working there)
Sleep overs at our best friends house!
Sleep over at Grandma Myrna's (with marshmellow roasting and movie screen outside)
A suprise visit from Daddy!!!!!
Birthday parties (with a suprise visit from Darth Vader)
Visits with amazing life changing friends
Another trip to Classic (with daddy this time)
Dinner at the Mayan (food poisoning but GREAT entertainment!)
Dinner at our FAVORITE Tepanyaki!!!!!!!
Tied 5, yes FIVE quilts and may do more before we leave!
Had Christmas in July/August! (Fun idea Nana!)
Ate WAY to many Dunford Chocolate donuts
Played in the RAIN!!! (for an hour and made a waterslide out of it with our snowsleds)
Went to a Movie or 2! (with the kids and on a date with B)
Vistited with family and played games! (Thanks granny)
Chinese buffets! (The kids think these are the best cause you pick your own food!)
Played in a creek and had a pic-nic!
Juliet found her Christmas present from Nana and opened it and called it her birthday present! (her birthday isn't until Dec. but she insisted it was that day so she could have her gift. That is what you get for not being so on the ball Nana!)
Cleaned my brothers house and fought with him the whole time to throw stuff away!!! (AHHHHH I will destroy the horder in him if it kills me!)
played video games WAY too long but it was fun all the same!
Celebrated a real BIRTHDAY for my Aunt Andi where we were able to play the frozen t shirt game! (a family favorite)
Walked Bingo, Nana's dog! It is one of their FAVORITE things to do and they would do it all day if they could. (and it's free)
Road bikes! (Max learned how to ride a bike!!!)
Nana and Papa work in the Nursery so Juliet got to go to nursery with them! How fun is that!?
Played poker with my brother and took his MONEY!!! (He still owes me come to think about it!)Played with my cousin and friend, Mal!
Inhearited all my dad's camping gear!
My brother made me quilting frames for my birthday (in 6 days) so I can tie as many quilts as I want at home! (thanks Rye for working in the hot sun!)

I know I am missing some things but as you can see, it will be hard to leave and go back to a non vacation sort of life because we really did "live it up" out here!

I am excited to go back to......
my husband and best friend!
my own bed
my work outs
my schedule (I love a good schedule)
friends I have missed
a budget (ha ha ha ha)
my own tv! (my mom had direct and I can't figure it out!)
cooking.
my own ward.
L.A. traffic (sorry I took some crack for minute!)

I made this little list to make me feel better and it sort of does because I am truely blessed but really I'm just crying now and want us all to live by each other so I can have all the fun all the time!

2011-07-18T01:28:00.002-05:00

I'm at my parents. One of my favorite places to be. I can't sleep. Probably because my hubby isn't here and I like him in my bed with me. :( All through out this day I have had this crazy feeling that I need to change some things in my life. Not knowing what these "things" are I just keep pushing the gnawing feeling out of my head. It could be a lot of things though. My health. Spirituality. My home. Parenting. The list is endless on all accords! I'm not sure. I am sure it is something I will have to ponder and even seek friendly advise. (It could be that I get to go see my good friend/ marriage counselor Melinda and I am excited/terrified that I will spill all my beans and she will have the best/hard advice ever! I love her. The end.) I keep THINKING that MAYBE I am biting off more than I can chew in my life so then it feels like I suck at EVERYTHING. I think that is why Alison's blog post that I stole hit so close to home. I am definitely hanging on by nails Suzy as of late. Maybe when my teeth and sinus garbage is taken care of I will feel better about life. Maybe I need to cut the "fat" in all areas. At any rate, I put it out there in writing and now I can't ignore it! We'll see. Exciting? Scary? Daunting? Exhausting? WHEW!

I love this boy!

2011-07-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

I love him. The end!

Hilarious look into my 10 year olds world!

2011-07-14T10:31:00.003-05:00

So my 10 year old daughter left her email open on the computer. She was replying to a friend in Tx. about moving home! I often wonder how kids talk to each other when we are not around. This actually sounds like a mini conversation she may have overheard me saying to one of my friends! :) I can't believe she is getting old enough to "be confused" or "catch someone up" :) Enjoy the glimpse......

"no im srry not any time that i know of but im going to utah tomorrow night! all this is soooooo confusing! lemme catch u up though. juliet is still a devil . max is still obsessed with video games , i just got to like music, singing (not in public), and cell phones!!! Dash still strugling to wipe his own butt , (dash is still the weirdest person ive ever met) and im going to 5th grade!!!!!!

i miss u

, Darby I BUBBLE GUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

4th of July!

2011-07-13T11:52:00.004-05:00

I love the 4th of July! I am grateful for the free country that I live in and for the men and women who have sacrificed so that I can enjoy all that I am blessed with! I was really sad this 4th because I wasn't near any family. I wanted to go camping with them or to a rodeo or have a bbq. We were going to go to Six Flags with my kids reading tickets but my dumb teeth hurt and I couldn't seem to get it together enough to go! SO we went to an early movie of Kung Fu Panda II. Then off to Yogurt Land one of our favorite places. She looks sooooo big in this picture! Everyone thinks she is at least 4 years old because she is so tall. She is still only 2. (All her clothes are 4t's and sometimes even a 5t though!)
Darby and I rockin' the 4th of July!
I was rally likin this picture looking like a Yogurt Land commercial or something and then I saw my shirt makes me look like I have a HUGE muffin top! I have a mini muffin top and hate any stupid shirt that makes me look other wise! :)
We went home to relax a bit and have a little bbq of our own. I was grumpy because I wanted to make a HUGE production out of the 4th and have more than just our little family there.
Then I saw this....... If there were more people then my girls wouldn't be in the pool together in their under clothes playing barbies. There is 8 years difference between them and they played out there for nearly an hour, just the 2 of them!

Brandon BBQ'ed for us and he wasn't out there for hours because it was just us!
The boys played their video games and had a nice relaxing time!
After all this we went to the fireworks put on by the city. We didn't have to worry about sitting by anyone or making sure other people were happy. IT ended up being one of my favorite 4th's ever! Pictures of the fireworks to come! What did you do for the 4th?

cute hair!

2011-07-13T11:42:00.002-05:00

This is Jen! She is my friend and my hair stylist! After Kat moved I was sad and scared and didn't know what to do about my hair. Isn't it terrible when you lose a hair stylist? You have to start all over and pray they don't chop it or fry it or charge you 300$. Jen's little girl was in Dash's class and she had been wanting to trade me hair stuff for tans all year! We are both sooooo happy here! (I miss Kat still....don't get me wrong!) After she was all done she showed me how to curl my hair with the loose curls! I felt so purty!
Not a stitch of make up! We had a great time and I left feeling gorgeous! I can't wait to go back! I do have to give Jen another shout out! She is literally one of the kindest most giving and thoughtful people I have ever met. She has given more than one of her tans (that we trade) away to someone as a gift or a pick me up! It gives me a new client and takes one of her tans away! She really is a great example of Christ like love! She gives openly with out expecting anything in return! She is also really open about her religion and asking me questions about mine! It is tons of fun to talk to her about being Jewish since the only thing I know about the Jewish religion comes from Fiddler on the Roof! (a movie she's never seen!) I seriously adore her! Thanks Jen! :)

Cutest pirate party EVER!

2011-07-12T20:38:00.004-05:00

My friend Amy REALLY knows how to put on a party! This was at her son, Luke's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese! Now if it were me, the party would just be Chuck-E-Cheese because I am a bit, how do you say it.......tired, overwhelmed, and lazy! Amy on the other hand is adorable, on the ball and not lazy in the slightest! SO I had to blog about it because it really was the CUTEST thing I have ever seen!

The table cloths......adorable and not something that even I wouldn't be able to do! Plates....so cute! But the topper for me was the cute jars of pirate themed candies! SO CUTE!
Gold treasures! And look at the message in the bottle too! Adorable!
Red vines!
My FAVORITE! Gummy Sharks!
Swedish fish!
These were the goody bags! She made them. The end! I usually HATE goodie bags. Amy and I have had this conversation for you. I always feel super bad when I get a goodie bag full of junk that is going to break before we get out of the van. I feel like the mom just gave me a 5$ bill to throw in the trash! I have to apologize to Amy because I think I gave her a complex! ;) Her goodie bags chalk full of the BEST things! An eye patch (going in the dress up box) a ring pop (yum) swedish fish (more yum) a compass (into the dress up box, guy box, or outside to play safari) a pirate guy (going in the guy box). I know that there was more great things in there but that is all I can remember for now! Thank You Amy for the amazing guilt free goody bags! We all loved them! AND sorry to all the other mommies I have offended or stressed out with my feelings on goodie bags! :)
Cupcakes.....adorable!
Pirates Booty was the goodie bag for the adults! What? You just fed my kids and let them have an endless supply of tokens! Thank you for my yummy treat. Juliet loves pirate booty so she may have taken 3!
Dash.....had an amazing time!
Darby........had an amazing time!
Juliet.......had an amazing time!
Max.......obviously!
This was the yard of gum that JULIET had won! Amy had warned me about it too. (I thought it was like the yard of gum that you can buy at 7-11 in the little circle container with the baseball player on it!) She put a pirate ship on the back of a few chairs. (I thought just decoration) When she told the kids to look on their chairs I had my kids looking under them. Amy showed us the ship on the BACK of Juliet's chair and she had won! Juliet LOVES that this is her gum! She is happy to share with the other kids though and they are happy she won too! She will let you know that this is HER gum though!