Daddy It's Cold Outside...

I heard this song on the radio and thought it was the cutest thing EVER...!

Click here for a free download...the smile is no charge as well!

Fake Thanksgiving...

Last Saturday we made a turkey dinner. I'm using the term "we" very loosely. Really, Lee made a turkey dinner...Complete with homemade apple and pumpkin pie! See, as I mentioned earlier, we have to do our own turkey meal. But this year was different! He whipped up an onion/garlic butter to coat the outside of the bird, he peeled and mashed all the taters, he whipped up a perfect fruit salad, and then still managed to make 3 fabulous pies! (One apple, and two pumpkin, because one pumpkin is just not enough...!)

Lee's parents and little sister came over for the meal. And I was so proud of my very kitchen-savvy spouse! He really loves to cook, and it was fun to see him do it so successfully!

My contribution, incidentally, was Rhodes rolls. I took them out of the freezer, HE cut and arranged them in the muffin pan, and then they went into the laundry room to rise. And rise they did! When I went to get them to put them in the oven, they were like the size of my head!! (Slight exaggeration, but ONLY slight!)

But I guess it was a good dry run...Eventually, the parents will tire of cooking for us, and now we know...We're ready to host when that day comes! :D

Secret Sister...

Sydney was given the assignment on her first Sunday in Young Women of coming up with a person she admired/wanted to serve in our ward, and then delivering a treat or a note to her secret sister.

In true McAlister form (Lee aside...But hey, I'm trying to work on it!), she sort of forgot about it until this week...when all of a sudden she was in a panic to complete her assignment! So Sydney announces to me that she needs to make cookies for her secret sister. I sort of groaned at the thought...thinking I have tons of other stuff I need to do...and then I remembered we had "Krusteaz Sugar Cookie Mix" in the pantry. Add butter and an egg...I think she can manage!

So my 12 year old has now completed her first complete dish on her own! I was in the kitchen while she worked, and I answered a couple of questions, but she made them herself!

Woo-hoo! Now if I can just get her to figure out main dishes, I'll have found myself a new chef!

Library...

We went to the library today.

Is it a bad thing when you go to the library, and your 5 kids check out a total of 5 books, but a total of 12 movies? (And that was after I made them each pare their stack of DVD's down from 6 or 7 to 3 each!!)

Just wondering...

Aww...

She's not a teenager yet! (No, really...she isn't...but she also doesn't (always!) act like one, either!)

Yesterday at church, I was sitting in Relief Society waiting for the meeting to start. My cute 12-year-old darts up to me, kisses me on the cheek, says, "We're having opening exercises with you guys!" and then runs off to sit with her friends.

At first, I was thinking, "Whatever...don't come sit with your mom...!". Then I realized she left her friends to come and say hi. I hadn't even seen her yet, so she didn't do it out of guilt or anything. She's just pretty special!

I'll take it. :D And I'll continue to remind her that she's never going to be one of THOSE kind of girls!

Gotta love it!

I get a kick out of my kids. I'm not really sure what the rest of this letter to a snowman says, in fact to hear Spencer tell it, this is hate mail. But I'm putting it on here for the sign off:

Peace Out...Or "Pes Owt", as some might say.

Christmas Fun!

This a call for help! Today is my kids last day of school for a whole month...And what a great month to have off!

I need some ideas of some fun-to-do stuff: free and cheap would be great, but any suggestions of things you've done or heard about would be awesome! I'm excited for this long holiday season of playing with my kids!

(The only thing that would make it better would be if Lee got to be "Off Track" too! Bah! Stinky work!)

Crumb...

Don't you hate it when you run to Smith's to buy a hair color kit, and you buy two different kinds because you aren't sure which one you should use, but you plan to go back later and return the one you DON'T use...

But then when you go in, instead of refunding you for the hair color you no longer want, they CHARGE you for it a second time? And now you've paid twice for a hair color you don't even have?

Oops. Hee-hee!

So now I get to go back again! :D

Enough...!

So at the risk of sounding redundant, I had to color my hair last week. (Although just saying I did it isn't the redundant part...The part that comes next is.)

Last Wednesday was a Grandparent's Day Open House at the school. Grandpa McAlister met us there, and we spent some time going from class to class. They had a little photo sitting set up, so you could get a picture with your grandparent. We made that our first stop. I was standing off to the side, holding 37 coats (or maybe just 5...whatever...) while the kids posed with Grandpa. Behind us, another lady had come in and was waiting with her granddaughter.

She tells me "Go on and get in the picture with your husband!"

What?!

I just ignore her. She was viewing me at a profile, and from the "gray" side...

But she said something again about how lucky I am to have all the grand kids at the same school.

sigh

I went and got my hair cut, and when Lee came home he looked at me and said, "Why didn't you color it?" Um...'Cause it's kinda expensive! So he sent me to Smiths to buy a color kit so he could do it himself. It turned out great...I love it!

Thanks again, honey!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day started out peacefully in our home! We slept in and relaxed for the first half of the day, then got ready to head over to Grandma Crabb's house. Lee and I have yet to actually cook a Thanksgiving Dinner...well, at least ON Thanksgiving! (We usually buy and whip up a turkey dinner during the week after...I think we both miss leftovers!) We've been married 13 years, and love being close enough to our families to take turns seeing them every other year. Despite the differences (Lee can't believe my mom puts the giblets into the gravy!...And Thanksgiving without his mom's pie?!) it's a great day no matter where we are!

We started out at Grandma's with some sledding! Cody had spent part of the day before building a fort with his friend. The kids were so excited to check it out! Also, Jen convinced Grandma to buy something they kept calling "Butt Shovels"...They used them as sleds, but they looked like giant shoe horns to me!

Please enjoy the following photos of children careening down Grandma's very steep, icy driveway:

So while Cody and the kids (he was such a trouper, hanging in there in the freezing cold so he could keep playing with the kids!) were outside, there was cooking going on. I'm not really sure how it started, but it is Lee's job every year to "scuplt" the mashed potatoes. This year he did one better:

He added food coloring. :D I sure love this funny guy!

He tried leaving off the Jack-O-Lantern face (what is this, Halloween?) but mom was pretty persistant, and he finally cracked. Nevermind the laughing about how mom bought a Sam's Club sized bag of potatoes and Jen and Cody peeled them ALL...and the jokes about how we'll probably be eating THESE potatoes until NEXT Thanksgiving! Hee-Hee...Good times!

All in all, it was a fantastic day well spent. I love hanging with our family and refilling my laugh-gauge. I am so thankful for LOVE, for LAUGHTER, for MESSY KID FINGER-PRINTS on shirts, for the MOMENTS, and the MEMORIES!

Hope you enjoyed yours as much as I did mine! :D

So at the end of the day, I leave you with this photo. It's just a little something Cody calls "Dinosaur Tongue", and the picture doesn't do it justice. He is somehow able to cause his tongue to SWELL until it fills his entire mouth. It is both disgusting and inspiring all at the same time. I'm reduced to a puddle of giggle-goo when he does it...It's just so crazy!

Enjoy!

Michael's 5th Birthday!

Michael turned 5! He was super excited about all his presents. I think he woke us up at 6:30...Yawn! :D I think he got everything he could possibly want...that's a seriously spoiled kiddo!

He's into anything that rolls, really! He wanted a Thomas train set, and he asked for Chuch the talking Dump Truck. Well, he asked for everything he saw on TV, but these are the two we decided to oblige on! He would sit there, and with every commercial that came on TV I would hear "I want that!". So I finally started saying, in response, "You want everything!"

"No." He would say "Not girl stuff."

Funny!

We opened presents, and then we all got ready for the day. We told Michael he could choose: We could take the family to see "Megamind", or he could pick to go to the Build-a-Bear store and make a new friend. We thought he'd pick the movie...he's been so excited about it! But nope...He wanted to go make a new friend. So dad, the big softy, said we'd do both! (I loved Megamind, by the way...That Will Farrell is at his best in cartoon form!) Anyway, after the movie we headed to the mall and Michael "made" himself a monkey named Oso. (I also got me a Apple Pie Carameled Apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! Yay! Everybody wins!)


Then off to birthday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They asked what he wanted for dinner, and he picked:

Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, and Bananas.

Yep. He's Five!

Thanks to all the generous gift givers in the family! He is definitely well loved!l

Oh, The Shame!!

I am so ashamed!

This morning before school I was helping Spencer pack his lunch. Then as he was finishing putting his food in the lunch box and zipping it up, he turns to me with a bit of a stomp.

Spencer: "How come you don't ever put a note in my lunch?"
Me: "What kind of a note?"
Spencer: "You know, like a love note."
Me: "Oh. Who is getting notes?"
Spencer: "Everyone...except that don't bring a home lunch!"

I guess every day all his little friends are getting love notes from their moms. But not him. Sad!

Oh, the shame...

Why...Oh, Why?

Why is it that on the weeks where I forgot to take the recycle can to the curb, I end up with the very most recyclables to dispose of? When the can is already full? And the city only picks up the recyclables every OTHER week...

Blast.

Then I war with myself...Do I just throw it in the regular trash so as not to store the garbage for a whole week? Can I live with myself if I don't recycle?

What to do, what to do...

Adoption Day!

Four years ago today, our little family met downtown at the court house to be made a little bit bigger! Michael was almost 1...3 days before his first birthday. Megan was about 5 1/2 years old.

Megan's smile and enthusiasm for things is adorable. When we change the calendar over to November, she starts to get excited for adoption day...We're so glad she's excited about it! She makes friends so easily, and who doesn't love Megan?

Michael is a sweet heart. Every time he has a treat he shares with me, just comes up and sticks his little sticky "extra" right into my hand. When we sit together to watch TV or anything, he likes to sit his little body right up against mine to be cozy. He's crazy, and wild, but that's normal...He's 4!

I have watched my other kids accept these two without question. Sydney has a sister to play with! Spencer calls Michael his "Bud". Somehow, it just stopped feeling like these two came to our family any differently. We love them all the same, and truly feel like they belong in our family...We're glad they found their way home!

Happy Adoption Day, McAlister Family! :D

Who Knew?

Who knew there was really a flaw to my dog ringing a bell to be let outside?

Yesterday it was nap time. I put Michael down for a nap, and was puttering around cleaning up the kitchen, when I heard the bell ring. I grab the leash and take Luke outside, then stood patiently watching him take care of business.

I opened the door to come back in the house and what do I see? Michael, running full force from the kitchen to the stairs in a desperate attempt to make it back to his room before I came inside.

And why was he in the kitchen you ask? Apparently, the ringing of the bell signals the child to wait inside the bedroom door until he hears me close the front door behind me. Then he BOLTS down the stairs into the pantry, grabs a snack (Yesterday's score?...A Twinkie.), and tries to BOLT back to his room before I can catch him.

Busted. Nice try, bucko.

Boy, that Twinkie was good.

Braces...

Today Sydney had a routine check up at the orthodontist. We don't start school until 9:00, so I usually try for the 8:00 appointment, because most of the time we finish in time to get everyone to school on time...or close to on time!

We were waiting to be seated in the chairs, and one of the assistants was talking with Sydney. (They apparantly have a mutual friend...HER (Aubrey) family is good friends with Syd's friend Ryan's family.) Aubrey was explaining that next time Ryan goes to have HER braces checked, they are going to do a laser treatment to her gums. (I guess it's something they do if your adult teeth aren't growing in fast enough?)

So we went to her chair, and after initial wire removal, the doctor came over to look at her mouth. The proceeds to ask me if we're in a hurry, 'cause he'd like to cut away her gums with a laser! (WHAT?!) Now that he's said it out loud, I feel like we kind of have to do it, or Sydney will be in a panic by the time our next appointment rolls around. Okay...sure. Do what you gotta do.

They numb her mouth. She's got three teeth that are growing down, they just can't seem to break through the gums. The doctor used that laser, and seriously cut a little circle through the outside of the gums where each of those teeth are. Here's the part I was unprepared for...They glued little brackets in each of those holes, and hooked them to her braces. Apparantly, those teeth are coming down whether they want to or not!

She was a trouper! The first one, no problem; the second one, the tears are just weeping from the corner of her eyes...I was holding her hand, ready to knock that stinking laser out of his hand if she needed me to...It's sort of like taking your babies in for shots and letting them get stabbed. They just look at you like you betrayed them...I'm always so sad! But she is tough. And after the fact, was pretty excited to show off the new holes to her siblings.

She REALLY can't wait to show dad. She can't wait to see his "heebie-dance" when looks at her holey gums!

Howdy!

So I posted some older stuff below these last few...I just thought I'd tell you to check so you don't miss them! :D

Have a spectacular day!

Teacher Conference

Can I just tell y'all how smart my kids are? I have such amazing kids! We had teacher conference last night. Aside from the stuff I already know (Really? Spencer doesn't always follow class rules? Shocker...! Homework? They're supposed to turn ALL those in? Hmm.), I heard nice thing after nice thing. About how my kids are friends with everyone. About how they are leaders. About how they help others with classwork when they've finished theirs.

Well done, McAlister kids! I'm so proud of you all!

Happy Birthday to my Big Girl!

Sydney turned 12 today! Can I just tell you, I am unprepared for her to seem so grown up? She's old enough to sit in the front seat of the car...she goes to Young Women...! Before I know it, she'll be dating and driving. **HOLY COW!!**

I thought that to mark such a special birthday, I should do something fun. We pulled up to the school and everyone got out of the car. I just put my hand on Syd's arm (easy to do, because now she sits up front by me...!) and waited until the back door shut. Then we took off...We were playing HOOKIE!!

First stop...Rhoda's house to drop off Michael. Totally not invited to our girl's day out! (Plus, he'd much rather play at Rhoda's house, 'cause she's so much cooler than me!) We went to the hair salon, and when she realized what we were doing, this is the look I got:

Sorry...I took THAT picture with my cell phone to send to dad! Not the best photo quality, but it captures her genuine excitement! She got to look through the color choices herself, and we did an all-over color, with highlights added in after that. (We did highlights once a couple of years ago, but the natural highlights totally blended with the NEW ones, and you couldn't even tell...We wanted to make sure you could tell this time!)

The stylist spent a long time on her hair, and it looked great! It was funny that she wouldn't let Syd see it while she was drying it, she made her wait until she was done for the "Big Reveal". So cute!

We finished there, and headed to the next stop, the Nail Salon, where I took this great shot to show off her cute new hair:

Both of Lee's sisters (who may not be cooler than me but are DEFINITELY girlier than me!) have taken my daughter to the "paint nail" store before for manicures. So when I told the manicurist that we wanted to put a set of nails ON, Syd sort of flipped! (She's bought and tried those "press on nail" types from the store I don't know how many times, and she's always disappointed with how they don't stay on! I thought it'd be fun to let her try the real thing once!) The woman doing her nails (who, by the way, was like 12 months pregnant...She was HUGE...I was just waiting for her water to break right there...!) found out that it was her birthday, and painted her a couple of flowers on her tips for free. So all decked out with fancy hair AND fancy sparkly nails...We...

Well, we headed back to school. I had one more thing planned, but Syd's teacher sent out an email telling us that the kids couldn't miss Nov 2nd because they were doing some testing that day. Seriously? -sigh- So after conferring with her teacher, I got the okay to take her...I just needed to make sure she was back in time for the test in the afternoon. (Actually, the teacher was so cute about it! She offered to make up an excuse to go have Sydney take the test in the morning so I could have her...She was very sweet!)

After school, I took all the kids with me and we went to Nordstroms for a make-up tutorial. (Yeah...The four other kids SO did not love that. Or the people at the make-up counter! She's been trying to wear make-up for years, (Kendra has passed down lots of fun old make-up Syd likes to play around with!) which, aside from the fact that she SO doesn't need it, I really don't mind it. But I thought she could benefit from someone other than her MOM telling her how to put it on, and how much is enough. They did a great job, and recommended just a few basics, especially for now.

Then the party at Grandma and Grandpa McAlisters! Syd picked her favorite meal: Steak...and shrimp...and baked potatoes...and salad! (I think she's the only grand kid to pick a whole MENU, not just the main dish! And it's funny she thinks to throw steak in, for those of us who think shrimp is...well, gross.)

We got her cake at "Nothing Bundt Cakes"...It was so moist and yummy! Plus, totally funked out for the lucky 12-year-old!

In this picure, Sydney is diplaying her exemplary manners as she inhales her cake off the plate. (Actually, I included this picture to show off her new shoes...like grown up shoes!)

Does she look like a teenager to anyone else here? Slighty sullen look on her face, (really, I think she is just super focused on the cake...) with those dang ear buds in?

Sydney's gift from the Richin's Family:

I love that Mia looks as excited about this present as Sydney does!

One of those very cool watches with cool bracelet like bands. I got one for my birthday back in September, and she's been so jealous of me ever since. Yep. I know that deep down, she just wants to be just like me.

See Kendra's face here? She's laughing because Grandma and Grandpa bought Sydney a bedazzler. Okay, it's not an actual bedazzler, but it does the same thing! But unlike Kendra, Syd doesn't think it's funny. She thinks it is awsome! She can't wait to make something all shiny!

This is her present from the Wright Family:

It's a 1-year subscription to Teen Vogue! In the front of the magazine was also a note specifying that mom gets to go through it first and take out things that are inappropriate, or use a sharpie to modify immodest clothes! I'm kind of excited...I've always aspired to be a fashion designer...!

Her last gift from Grandma and Grandpa:

They usually buy her clothes, but they wanted her to be able to shop on her own! They are far too generous! What amazing grandparents! We are so lucky to get to see them so often.

Do you love this priceless expression?!

I wanted to end with this poorly-taken picture, but I think it is so sweet!

We had finished opening up her presents before Dad had to leave for work (see how Syd's hair is done, but she's in her jammies? She was hoping for a new outfit, so she didn't get dressed!), and as he leaned over to kiss her goodbye, she leaned into him ever so slightly, and she's got this sweet smile on her face.

Ah...Here's hopin' she never thinks she's too cool to lean into a kiss goodbye from her daddy, or sit down for a snuggle with her mommy!

Happy Birthday, Sydney! We love you so much!

Halloween, Part 2!!

So Saturday night we got all dressed up and headed to Grandma and Grandpa McAlister's house. Well, except Syd. You can't really sit in a car in that clown suit. Or anywhere else, for that matter. :D So we dressed her once we got there. Then we did some token Trick-or-Treating at some of her neighbors with the cute little Wright girls...both dressed as little tiny U of U Cheerleaders. Grandma took some pictures and gave our kids each a fun Halloween doughnut to go with their soda and candy bar. They gave us a cute little witch doorknob hanger...She always finds the cutest things!...along with some bags of Hershey's Bliss Mint Chocolates. Mmm...Yum! Tastes like Christmas in your mouth! Then we bid them all farewell (after "de-clowning" Syd!) and piled back in the car. Normally, this is where we head off to Grandma Crabb's house, but she had the nerve to go to Disneyworld! Rude. :D (I'm just jealous they wouldn't shove me in a suitcase and take me along!) On the way to our house, Sydney called her friend Ryan, and we went and picked her up...She wanted to Trick-or-Treat with us!

From left to right, Syd's friend Ryan, Syd (The Fat Clown!), Spencer (IronMan!), Michael (A Dragon...From "How to Train Your Dragon"), Megan (Astrid...From How to Train Your Dragon), and Tory (A Motocross Racer).

I gathered my ipod (My favorite toy EVER!), put on my coat, and we headed out into the rain. We were out for about 1 1/2 hours, until we were too far from home and kids (and maybe mom, too!) had to go to the bathroom. So we called dad, who we'd left at home to pass out candy (to the 20 kids who came while we were gone!), and he came to rescue us and return us to the warm, dry house...with a toilet!

We were all starving, so we ordered chinese! Then we headed to bed. All in all, a great time. Even with the rain. It's fun having kids who are old enough to manage the walking! :D

Pumpkin Carvin'

Here are our carved up pumpkins! Notice everyone kindly looking at the camera...except Tory! He's looking at his pumpkin and making a face like he's afraid of it...I think. Too funny! And Spencer, with the bunny ears for Meg! And I'm not sure what gang Syd has joined...Do you suppose the wig is part of some crazy initiation? I guess it's time to have a chat with that girl!

Good Times...

My hubby is freaking adorable!

Tonight after we put the kids to bed I suggested we watch a movie or something before heading to bed. (I like everything and can watch some of my favorites about once a week...Not so much for Lee. Most movies he's content to watch once!) So he looked through our movies and didn't find anything interesting. No worries, I said. I've got a book...A fifth in the series, actually, so I'll just read here by you while you watch whatever you'd like.

Guess what he's watching.

NASA.

Did you know they had a NASA channel? Yep. Real pictures from space...and from the Space Station. Every five or so minutes, he'll nudge me and say "Look!"...So I look. Guess what he's showing me! Earth. From Space! When I giggle, he just says, "What? It's so cool!"

See? Adorable!

Halloween, Part One!

Today was the Halloween parade at the school. We had to get all dressed up for the beginning of school, and I dropped off my little costumed cuties at the school, parked, and walked in with Michael to watch the parade.

(This is where GOOD mom's would post pictures of their kids walking through the parade...You know, the kind of mom who actually REMEMBERED to take a camera to the school? (Ah, well. I remembered all five kids...Points for that?) I will be sure to take pictures of them tomorrow, and I'll put those on here for all to see!)

Sydney wore my favorite costume from when I was a kid...She was a fat clown! Megan went with Astrid (she's the heroine from How To Train Your Dragon!), Tory was a motocross racer, Spencer was IronMan, and Michael was a Dragon (from How To Train Your Dragon).

There was this really cute boy, maybe 2-2 1/2 years old dressed as a pirate. I mean, curly Capt. Hook type dark wig, big 3-corner hat, ruffle at the neck, velvety pants with matching coat...His parents had even drawn on the little curly-cue mustache, and arched eyebrows! (See? Bad mom...I'm not so sad I didn't take pictures of MY kids...I'm sad I missed a picture of THAT kid...!)

Then after dinner we "carved" out some time to carve pumpkins. It's one of my favorite Halloween traditions. I help take the guts out of all the pumpkins, then I encourage all of my kids to draw the face they'd like on their pumpkin. Then one at a time, Lee takes each design and pumpkin and tries his best to create their design on the pumpkin! Some efforts, total success...Others, not so much. (Especially if the 6-year-old doesn't want only two teeth, but the others accidentally come out...And then he's SUPER mad at dad!) It's really fun to see the creativity of both parties involved...the kids AND the dad!

Here's to more Halloween fun tomorrow!

Skate-O-Rama!

Tonight was Butterfield Canyon Elementary School's Free Skate Night at Classic Skating! (Free is my favorite price!)

With $2 meal deals, how could we pass it up? So we packed up our skates and scooters and headed over. (Yet another example of how great Lee is! One: Hates skating. Two: After a long day at work, wanted to go home and relax. Three: Hadn't had lunch, and the $2 "snack" deal left him wanting real food! But he was a trouper! He watched the kids skate and helped to shuttle food like a champ.)

Megan, Tory, and Sydney all enjoyed rollerblading. Spencer wanted to try skates, but changed his mind when he realized how tough it is! Michael was content to ride his scooter most of the time. (Although, we did take Spencer's pair of skates and split them up...One shoe/one skate for each of the little boys. That worked pretty well, for a while.)

Another fun event: Some champion skate team was there that night, and did an impromptu show! Lots of skate dancing. Very cool.

Watch for the post where Tory breaks a leg because he was trying to copy...It hasn't happened yet, but it seems inevitable.

Haunted Forest!

My brave 9-year-old ventured into the Haunted Forest this week! He was invited to a birthday party, and after cake and ice cream they were going to head to the Haunted Forest. I was reluctant...but he REALLY wanted to go. I talked about what would happen...that unlike a scary movie or TV show, these people are trying to actually chase you...and once you start, you have to finish...No "go backs"!

He was adamant...He wasn't going to be scared.

He came home (at 11:45 at night!!) and the first thing he said to dad was, "Mom was right." :D

Then in the morning, when I asked him how it was, all he could talk about was how cool it was. He'd do it again!

Good...'Cause Lee hates those things...Now I can have someone to go with ME...In a few years. (I still think he might be just a little too young!)

Hooray for primary programs!!

I really do love the primary program. You know, when all the small children in the ward flock to the front of the chapel to sing for the entire program? Love. It. I look forward to it all year...and even did before I had kids! This year is somewhat monumental...This is the last year all my kids will participate in the program...Next year Sydney will be too old! (Her 12th birthday is in just over a week...something I'm kind of freaking out about!) Megan and Sydney are singing "He Sent His Son" all by themselves. They've been practicing really hard. I can't wait to hear it! And I will be sitting there with no children all through Sacrament meeting...Fabulous! :D

A delightful bonus? The email I got from the primary president. Today, for an hour and a half I needed to drop my kids by the church so they could practice! Hee-hee! Can you say "Alone time"? Never happens.

I almost started to miss them...

.

Cut Footloose...!

Yesterday afternoon I (finally!) got to go see Cody's latest show! He was cast as Wren in Footloose out in Draper, and I've been really excited to see it. It's been open for a couple of weeks now, and with my work schedule the only time I could go was the matinee half way through the run. It was great! Although, admittedly odd, since it's tough to think of my little brother as the male lead. (You know, I remember him running across the stage in a teeny band costume in Music Man a lifetime ago...it's quite a different kind of performance!) But he carried that show so well. Willard was also fun to watch...Not AT ALL like the Willard in the movie, but entertaining all the same.

Cody, well done! I was very proud of you...you were most excellent!

(Plus, at the Draper Historic Theater, you can apparently get movie theater popcorn...I'm just sayin'!"

Long time no post!

It's been a while...I haven't really had time for much. I've had a pretty full couple of weeks...fun, and fulfilling, but CRAZY!

Anna, my sister in law, invited me to make and sell some things at the fall boutique she was planning at her house. At first, I was thinking, seriously? The only craft I excel at starts with a "K"! But I thought, okay. That could be fun. Last year around Halloween my sister Heather and I made some wooden spoons she found in a magazine. We painted/decorated them to look like frankensteins and mummies. They turned out better than I had expected! So I decided to make and sell those, along with adding a pumpkin spoon.

During the same time frame, came the fire. And also, the Saturday after this boutique was a surprise birthday party for my mom. I was so very crazy busy I didn't even sit down the whole week. In fact, I had read "Hunger Games", and was about 500th in line for the 2nd book of the series and then Sydney told me she could borrow it and bring it home from her in class library. So she did...and I told her she wasn't allowed to give it to me until after Grandma's party! (Anyone who knows me knows how I get when I'm into a good book...Can you say "Ignore the world?")

Whew! All I can say it that I guess I'm glad it's over...and I've spent the last two days relaxing! (Mixed with laundry...I can't afford to let laundry for 7 ever pile up!) The boutique went well...I made a few sales. And it was fun! I'd even do it again!

As for mom's party, it was a riot! She was so surprised...and genuinely delighted, I think. We tried to put a lot of "Mom" into the party...We found an inflatable jukebox (because she's always wanted one, and a real one costs too much!), we used her fancy "pink lady" bowl (If you don't know, I can't really explain it.), we dug up old posters from when she was over the Activities Committee and hung them all over the church, and we set up a candy bar, but pulled all the orange candies out of the bowls (when we were kids we had to sacrifice the orange candy to mom, since they were her favorites.)

Lots of friends came, and the crowd was small enough that it gave her a chance to visit with them, yet there were enough people that it felt well attended. I'm glad we made the effort...it was worth every bit!

I was at work last night and had this exchange with a customer:

Him: "Is that gray in your hair natural, or do you dye it?"

Me: "Nope. It's all natural...and has been going gray since high school."

Him: "Cause the rest of you doesn't look that old."

Whew. Just my HAIR looks old.

:D

Missed it by that much! :D

By now most of you know that we learned some valuable lessons about fire safety this week. (You know, like not to start them in a forest...or on a mountain...or near a house...)

The fire had been burning throughout the day on Sunday, and both Lee and I had smelled the smoke and commented on the fire. We both left (me to work, him and the kids to go to his folks for dinner) the house at about 3:30.

I got a call from Lee at about 8:00. He sounded sort of panicky, and tells me I've got to leave work right now, that I'm being evacuated. My first thought is that I'm not sure I can leave...I'm the "closer" at my store, who's going to do the end of day stuff with the money if I leave? So I tell Lee that...and he takes this deep breath, and now without the panic, says "Just see what you can do and call me back, okay?"

Now I'm nervous! I went and talked to my boss, and she without hesitating told me to go. So I did. As I pull up to my house and get out of the car, my kids are crying and scared. Poor things! Anna and her hubby Ryan had come over with their truck to help us get stuff out. Lee had all the pets loaded. He had grabbed artwork off the walls and photo albums/discs. Lee's mom, with Chad and Kendra pulled up to help, too, and we were going through the house to make sure we had everything when Anna grabbed Lee's arm and showed him that not only was the mountain above us on fire, but the hill right behind us as well. That was it...we were out of there. We loaded up and left. We went to Lee's parents house, where they generously let us stay...even though with Kendra's family is already living there and Dad is recovering from back surgery they probably would have preferred us NOT be there...But they didn't hesitate to let us come. AND cute Kendra and Chad, at 11:30 at night, ran to the store to buy clothes for my kids for the next day, since we had dashed off in such a hurry we didn't grab much. (She even picked up a shirt for me...Which was great since everything I had grabbed smelled like smoke!).

To say we slept at Lee's parents house would be an exaggeration...But the kids slept and we watched the news. Then the news ended, and we tried to sleep. I don't know about Lee, but I got a couple of hours in.

Long story short...(Too late!)...Our house is fine. We all smell like we've been at girls camp for a week, but other than that, we're good. I'm getting the house cleaned this week, they're sending my laundry out, and I get my carpets cleaned. All in all, I think we came out ahead...

But here's an interesting story I haven't shared with many:

I've left work and I'm driving toward Herriman. The smoke is getting thicker, my tummy is getting more nervous, and I can see the orange glowing...right where I'm headed. I have the radio tuned to the Sounds of Sunday. Slowly I approach my street, the smoke is so thick. An instrumental version of "Come, Come Ye Saints" is playing on the radio. Just before I turn onto my street, the music plays "All is well, all is well". This incredible sense of peace comes over me. I didn't know what would happen to my house, all I knew was that I would be okay. My family would be okay. That All would be well.

Any takers?

So I'm supposed to teach the RS lesson in my ward on Sunday...Anyone want to do it for me?

:D

Playdate...

Or is it daycare? Sometimes I'm not sure...

Last week Spencer's friend came over to play. The mom called me, and she asked me if it would be all right if he came over here to play. Of course, I said no problem...I really don't mind.

But she called again today. Same thing. And then she proceeds to tell me all of the things she's trying to get done today, so it'll be great if he can play over here.

Seriously, I don't care...I prefer my kids to play at MY house anyway...Just call me overprotective or something! But it seems to me if I'm using the play date as a babysitter, I'm going to try to hide it a little bit...Maybe...

:D

Spencer is having a blast, and his friend is a good kid...so I guess I can't REALLY complain...!

Help!

I'm working on a little project. I need some help coming up with some cute little sayings for teachers (teacher appreciation day type stuff) to go with these animals! Since you guys are all the clever-est people I know, I'm asking for your help!

Penguin, Elephant, Lion, Giraffe, Alligator (or Crocodile...), Frog, Turtle, Monkey, Pig, Cow, Horse

I've put down a couple that I've thought of...any ideas would be appreciated!

We'll never forget what a fun teacher you've been! (Elephant)
We've loved having you for a teacher this year...and we're not Lyin'! (Lion)
Thanks for being such a great teacher to our little monkey! (Monkey)

Yeah...I clearly need some help!

Gone to the dogs...

I never mentioned this...But we had puppied again. Yes, three little Yorkie puppies...All girls this time. I've said that it's the only way to do dogs. You get to have the cute little puppies and hold them, play with them, (they are starting to walk...that's a fun time!) and then by the time your kids are tired of the "new" dog, they go home to loving happy families. It's a great system.

In other news, it's time to sell my house.

I was watching TV with Lee last night (Master Chef was on...it's his favorite!) while the kids played outside. Spencer came running inside, "Mom! Dad! We found a Tarantula!" We were skeptical, but headed out anyway...and sure enough...*shudder"...nestled in our cucumber plant was a tarantula. My hero chopped it in half with a shovel...and then we looked at it close up. It had fangs and everything.

Oh. My. Gosh. Ew.

Enjoying the tunes!

So I spent some time this weekend loading my new ipod. I haven't ever had one of these music players...I've still been old school...Load CD, push play. Listen to songs in order. Change CD, start again.

This is like magic. I'm ironing, hands free, and the songs just shuffle along. How delightful!

Except the ironing.

:D

You missed it!

If you didn't make it out to Herriman to see the kids little production, well you should have. HOURS worth of laughter! Sydney, just a little chorus gal, in the background...but you couldn't take your eyes off her! She just sparkles on stage! So fun to see! Megan sang a duet...and I forget until I hear her again how pretty her voice is. Plus, that girl has such a SMILE!! Tory had a couple of lines, and he remembered them every time, right on time. He didn't really even want to audition. Watching him, I just giggled, thinking how I'm not even sure he thinks its fun, but he'll do it anyway. AND he had to swing dance with a girl!! Ew. Now, no offence to my 3 older children, who really were all GREAT!, but then there is Spencer. (Giggle!) At 6, he's one of the youngest kids in the show. But he nailed his choreography every time. His timing was perfect. He had a partner for one dance, and he just would grab this fella by the hand and just sort of...MAKE him do the step. So funny. I guess I was surprised...I expected him to be nervous in front of a large audience. But nope...Just brave as can be!

Anyway, I won't subject you to any more of this. But I was entertained. Endlessly. Seriously.

The blind leading the blind...

Our family is leaving for Saint George in the morning. We were at the dinner table tonight, and Michael was talking about our trip. He said he was excited for the morning, because we were going to leave for "Same George". We all giggled a little. But then Spencer leans over in that super-slow, exaggerated tone and says, "Michael, its "S-A-N-K George!"

Hee-hee. Kids are funny! :D

I'm Bragging...!

Howdy! I had to take a break for a couple of weeks...My internet had been disconnected. It was so sad...

But it's back, and now I feel better.

So a while back you all heard me mention the Herriman play that my kids are in. I'm providing details, in case anyone wants to come watch my fantastic children!! :D

"We Build this City on Rock and Roll...The Story of the Unbeatables"

August 26, 27, and 28 at 7:30
W&M Butterfield Park (6212 West 14200 South) at the Rosecrest Pavilion.
$3 ages 12 and up; $1 11 and under

A clever little show, packed with fun songs from the 80's...ought to be pretty fun. So come, if you wanna.

Happy Anniversary!

I have now officially been married for 13 years! Can you believe it? I can't! It's true what they say...time flies when you're having fun.

My cute hubby bought me an ipod touch...Cool! To top it off, he also had it engraved. The back reads:

"You still itouch my heart."

Hee-Hee...How cute is that?!

Lee, I'm thankful that you asked...and I love you so much! You are fabulous, as a daddy and a hubby! You make me happy...I wouldn't change a thing!

Love you!

Ironic...?

So Monday night I was at work. I'm guessing Prom was roughly 35-40 days ago...because I sold probably 4-5 pregnancy tests to young women who should not have needed them!

But I digress.

One of these young women came through my register with her pregnancy test, and a box of "Life" cereal.

Life cereal, and a test to see it there IS life...I giggled. (But not in front of her...That would have been rude!)

Hey...You don't have to think it's funny. It's my blog.

:D

Final Day of Fun!

Today was the last day at camp. Then tomorrow morning we'd start the long drive home. We spent most of the day just hanging out. There was a playground at the campsite we hadn't visited yet. We headed down there and let the kids play. They had horseshoes and a little mini-golf course that you could play, too. Kendra and Chad played horseshoes. Sort of. :D All my kids played mini golf with Chad and Kendra. I played on the playground with Eva. The had a little train that you could climb in and pretend to drive. Eva kept telling me to "get in" the car in back and she'd take me for a ride in the train.

Then we went swimming again. (My kids could live at the pool!) Kendra and Chad put their girls down while my kids were swimming, then when we came back Syd went and hung out at their trailer with the sleeping girls while all the grown-ups (minus Lee...he was watching my kids so I could go!) went to the adult pool/hot tub. The adult pool was actually warm...quite the contrast to the chilly pool they make the kids swim in!

We had an awesome trip! My kids are already planning their next long camping trip! What great memories. I love that my kids get to spend vacation time with their grandma and grandpa! Thanks for the invite, guys!

White Pine

We had seen signs advertising another ghost town. After enjoying our trip to St. Elmo, we figured it was worth seeing. So we headed. The town has and old mine.

And an old cemetery.

And that's kind of it. Wasn't nearly as "ghosty". There were some old little houses, but it looked like people were still living there...Making it NOT a ghost town. Kendra and Chad wanted to run up to house which boasted a sign claiming to be home to the town newsletter. We wanted to see what kind of news they'd be passing on...

Then it was time for the "big kids" horse back riding. We had a great time! I've ridden horses, but just on the road. The guide took us up into the mountains on little trails, and back down over some loose rock.

Here's Lee's shadow...He was taking the pictures, so it's the only image of him on a horse we have. I'm sure he was actually trying to get a picture of the fantastic scenery, but I just like that it's his shadow.

This was the top. We stopped to have a look out at the breath taking landscape. You could see the lake below, and the mountains across the way.

Here are the kids getting saddled up for the ride...See Syd's face? She's already nervous that she can't steer her horse. :D

My horse was Trigger, Lee was riding Fancy, Sydney rode Myrtle (the same horse as the little boys rode for their "pony" ride!), Meg rode Red Hawk, and Tory was on Flea Bag. The had us lined up: The guide, Syd, Meg, Tory, Me, and Lee. I would watch Tory...every time the path would be wide enough for two horses, he would start nudging that horse. He was trying to pass Megan! He would just get started, and then the road would narrow again, and he'd have to drop back. Then Lee's horse, on the way down the mountain, would decide "Hey, I'm not following them!" and she would just head off on her own. Not far, but just far enough to be NOT following. It was funny.

We had a great time...Megan kept saying that now she wants to be a horse trainer! Talk about expensive hobbies!

Lake City

Here we are in Lake City! We came loaded with a picnic and turned the kids loose on the playground.

Hee-Hee. Nuff said.

(He didn't spend much time on the playground. Tory went up to perfect strangers playing catch and asked if he could join.)

These two were pretty much inseparable for the whole week! If I couldn't find Sydney, I just looked for Eva. I love this picture of them.

You might be thinking "Why hummingbirds?". Well I'll tell you. They were absolutely everywhere! And Lee tried very hard to get some good shots of them and only these turned out. So included them in his honor! :D

Just how many kids can you fit on one of these little merry-go-rounds?

Spencer had been spinning while leaning way back. You can see he remembered the coin box on THIS trip around.

Sometimes as many as SEVEN! (And we probably could have put 1 or 2 more in there...somewhere!)