Christmas Joys

At first I thought I might end up being a Scrooge between these two posts. And then I realized that even on a very "lite" level, joys were easier to come up with.

1. Wrapping presents. I love making the ends look pretty, the wrapping paper match up and the more ribbons and curls the better. When we go to CA, I help my mother-in-law wrap hers because she has quite a few, and if I didn't know better, I would think she waits to wrap them all until a few days before Christmas. I vaguely recall my father-in-law 'mumbling' about opening the stupid ribbons the first year I helped out.
2. Christmas tree lights. I love to put up lots of lights IN my house and then turn off all the regular lights and just sit on the couch.
3. Christmas music and singing around the piano with my mom and aunt. We sound particularly 'prima donna' ish when we sing The Forgotten Carols. Mom, have you got Shannon one of her own books of that yet?
4. Putting up the nativities and making them look just right, even though I only have a handful. Conner loves to help arrange the pieces too.
5. Christmas smells. I got a new Cinnamon candle this year that I really like.
6. White Christmas movie - enough said. Conner is a ditto.
7. Homemade fudge.
8. Dropping off Christmas goodies...I know, I know. I am slightly hypocritical. Its ok for me to pawn off my junk, but not everyone else.
9. New this year...Gingerbread houses with Lauralee.
10. Driving around to see lights.
11. Acting out the nativity. The most fun is when small children dress up. We always fought over who got to be the Angel. My dad was the donkey, complete with dress socks on his ears.
12. Finding a steal on something you thought you would have to pay more for.
13. Reading the newletters and Christmas cards. I love "newsy" info, not such a fan of travel itineraries. Always read through all my moms. She keeps them in a basket.
14. Hanging up the Christmas cards. It is fun to see all the friends we have made.
15. Watching Conner and Steve open gifts. This is so fun for me. Actually, I love to watch anyone open the gifts I have given them. I get all nervous and I want to tell them all my thought process. For some reason, all that thought makes the silly present seem a lot more valuable and I guess I just get anxious for them to understand.
16. Family get togethers.

Christmas Woes

The rule is that my next post is Christmas joys and it has to be longer and more meaningful than Christmas woes.
1. Packed parking lots, long return lines, even longer check-out lines.
2. For me, a not very good surprise artist, trying to surprise the main act himself and make it something that he goes, wow..., tricky...
3. Wondering if you got gifts for everyone that you should have.
4. Wanting to have gotten "more" (in no way a $ amt or # amt) for someone and still not sure how to do that.
5. The dreaded drop offs. I think we will miss most of these this year. Hopefully someone will pick up the plates from our front step. And the only ones that have come have been quite pleasant. I just don't usually like what is dropped off and half the time it is from someone I missed on my own list. No drop offs for me this year. We did a teaching Conner service banana bread FHE in November instead.
6. Nasty tape cutter cuts from the nastiest scotch wanna-be tape ever that I still have in bulk amounts from 3 years ago. take that back...good tape, terrible METAL cutter.
7. Running out of the real scotch tape that I bought to replace said wanna-bes.
8. Wondering if I have missed some one on my Christmas card list (almost a given every year)
9. Wanting to indulge our "only" child and wanting to help him understand what Christmas really is

New Nativity

I grew up with my mom collecting Nativity scenes. She has some from various countries and then lots of different ones that I am sure were made in the USA via China. Glass, plastic, wood, ceramic, paper, framed, fabric, even flowerpots. In her old house, she had plenty of display space all over the house. And they were literally all over the house. In the house they are in now, there is not as much display space, so she gave me one and I think I got one as a gift. And then Conner got one of the little people ones that he can play with, I think she might have been tired of worrying he might break some of the more fragile ones. She searched the net, stores, everywhere, for two years before she finally found a little people one. Then I think she bought 3 or so.

Well, today we were in Target taking Conner toy shopping and I came across a Playmobile one. Great toys especially if your kids like people or action figures and like putting things together. So I showed Steve and we bought it. At first, I thought, my mom would really appreciate this. But then when we got it home, and I remembered how much Conner liked Playmobiles. So we opened it up to look at it. The end result being that both he and I were so caught up in putting all the figures together that we kept it. It is darling and was a lot of fun...plus Conner can play with it.

New blog world

So I love finding people I know who have blogs. Usually, I manage to find tons of people that Steve knows much better than me and their blogs. If they are male, then it is typically their wife's blog, aka his high school friends, New Horizons, etc. etc.

But today, I was really excited because I found friends of mine. This does not mean they weren't friends of Steve, just that for once they aren't my friends just because I met and married Steve.

It was exciting. I have decided that I need to break my side bar links down. Because it is getting pretty long!

Yay for blogs and helping slackers keep in touch!

Snow

Well, Christmas can come. We are getting snow and Conner ran outside and yelled, "mom, it can be Christmas. It is snowing. We have a chimney mom?" He's anxious that Santa have a chimney. I told him no, but it was ok because we would be at Nana and Papa's and they have a chimney. Then he said, "but mom, they don't have snow." I told him Christmas could come anyway, even without snow. He said, "no, we better go to Bomma's. They have a chimney AND snow."

So there you have it. Sorry to disappoint. I figure its not that he doesn't want to go to Nana and Papa's. It just that since June he has been asking when Christmas will come and I have been telling him that it would come in the winter. And that winter was when the snow came. So apparently Christmas doesn't exist in his mind without snow!

In Honor of Thanksgiving

I am grateful for family and that they have been given to me.

I am grateful for my husband.

I am grateful for my children.

I am grateful for my parents and for Steve's parents for raising us and supporting us in our own new family.

I am grateful for the temple that allows us to be together.

These are the things I am most grateful for today!

IN honor of THanksgiving - Day 6 and 7

Well, I remembered when I was already in bed last night. But to ease my disappointment, I had at least thought of things I was thankful for....but of course I can't remember them all now.

I am grateful for bowling. I used to hate bowling and that was a passionate hate (just ask Nikki, Mel or Steve). But our family (extended) has spent some time doing it lately at family gatherings and I have come to be thankful for it. It gives us a chance to interact and watching Conner learn and grow from each time we have played has been so fun!

I am grateful for the timings of Steve's lastest closings. For those that don't know, he is self-employed as a real estate agent and so we have quite the income fluxuation. The last couple have been perfect timing for our family in many ways and I would be ungrateful if I didn't acknowledge that the Lord has a way of guiding our lives and also a way of really letting us know when He is.

I am also grateful for a clean toilet. Now don't get me wrong, it's not as if my toilets are usually dirty or anything. But I don't particularly get along with the toilet smell and cleaner smell together, especially lately. So Steve cleaned them both yesterday with perfect timing! Yeah for Steve!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone tomorrow. I am hoping to spend some time in reflection so that maybe this last gratitude attitude post can be a little more thoughtful and reflective!

In honor of Thanksgiving - Day 5

Today I am grateful for FHE. I usually teach my primary class every other week. And then teach the same lesson at FHE the next night. Well, this time we hadn't made it through the lesson on Sunday so I wasn't quite sure what exactly worked best. It was neat because we were able to direct this particular lesson specifically for something that Conner needed to learn about and also something that he understood. Hopefully it will be something that sticks.

I am also thankful for a patient, creative husband who helped Conner take all the big foam letters and build a house (box) and then they played the Three little pigs. Only there was only one little pig and a big bad wolf.

I am also grateful for the beautiful weather today. Who ever heard of 66 degree weather the week of Thanksgiving? Not here, not me. It was gorgeous! And I felt good enough that we were able to spend time outside. What a blessing!

IN Honor of Thanksgiving - Day 4

Today I am grateful for our Stake Relief Society fireside. It was called a Night with the Stake Presidency and their wives. I am grateful for a good visiting teacher who gave me this challenge. She also happens to be the stake president's wife, so she even mentioned me and this challenge tonight in her talk. I saw that as a little tender mercy because I had forgotten about my goal to be grateful and take time to think about those things. It was little a sweet little reminder.

I am also grateful for the things we are or can be taught each day by the Spirit. I was taught truths tonight and reminded of others. What a blessing it is to have moments like these that help foster a desire to have them more frequently.

Lastly, I think I need to say something about Steve tonight because truly I am grateful for him and need a way to express this. I am grateful he was supportive of me going and made it possible and was so willing in every other thing...

Oh and he makes fantastic guacamole!

In honor of Thanksgiving - Day 3

Today I am grateful for a volleyball team that are all good sports. That they like to have fun and that they don't mind sharing the playing time. We had a lot of fun at our co-ed tourney today. After losing in the 1st game by 1 pt, we had to fight our way back through the losers bracket. Everyone was great and we had a lot of fun.

I am also grateful that Conner was healthy today. In fact, his fever was gone all last night and all today. (Sadly, it is coming back) But that was definitely a good coincidence (blessing?).

I am grateful that I was able to put my printer back together and that the power came back on when I was done. The trick is, I now have a new error, from a piece put back in wrong, but I am grateful I know what piece it is. (I truly need to post pics for you all to get the full effect)

Mostly I am grateful today for a supportive husband who got up early to take stuff to the first ball game so a tired momma could sleep and a sick boy could get his rest.

In Honor of Thanksgiving - Day Two

I am getting to my gratitude attitude thoughts a little early today. Mostly be my sweet boy is running a fever and his wonderful daddy took him up to nap. So I had a couple of minutes....I think after this I might try taking apart my printer again...check back for a lovely post on that!

First, I am grateful for the following modern day miracles:


I posted about health last time because I am truly grateful for ours. But unfortunately, Conner started running a fever last night and has been miserable today. I am so grateful for Tylenol and Motrin to help him out. It is a sad thing to not be able to do more for our children especially to save them from hurt. I wonder if our Heavenly Father thinks this too sometimes...hmmm.

Second, I am grateful for small miracles in that Conner didn't have to throw up. I know I could not handle that right now and it has been an awesome blessing today. But since that is not a super highlight...I think I will do one more today.

I am grateful for friends who bring me lunch. These friends were going around with Steve to look at houses and decided to go out to lunch afterward. They had Steve call and ask me if I would like anything and then they brought it to me to go! It was also impeccable timing. Thanks you guys!

In Honor of Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving, and to get myself out of a bit of a slump. I decided I needed to post some gratitude, in helping me towards my "gratitude attitude". Also, if truth is told, my sweet visiting teacher this week (ok so it was last week and I am just getting to it) challenged me to think of two things that were blessing or miracles in my life that happened that day or that I recognized and to do this for a week and to be grateful in my prayers and thoughts and see if it didn't help me be a little happier.

Today's gratitude attitude thoughts.

I am grateful for my calling(s). But tonight I am especially grateful for my stake sports director calling. Tonight was our last night of stake v-ball play. I am relieved that is it done (except Sat co-ed tourney). But I am so grateful for the opportunity it has provided me to be active...more particularly active in an activity that I love. That most weeks Steve and I were able to spend some time together. And that in some cases, especially lately, it has made me get out of my house at the end of a long, hard day. IT has made me feel good physically, when those moments are recently hard to come by. I have made new friends and gotten closer to others. I have learned to appreciate those who are there when they say they are going to be there and then to thank them for that. And it has made me really appreciate my husband's fantastic height (thanks a million sweetie for all your net help). I mean, I always thought his height was a very attractive feature but now I am grateful for its functionality beyond reaching things off the top shelf. :)

I am grateful that the lives of my little family have been blessed with health. That aside from our sweet Bella, the worst we get is a cold or flu bug every now and then. It talking with friends, that is quite a miracle and I am so grateful for it.

Taking a cue from Denae and her thought provoking questions at the seeming end of every blog.

What are you thankful for?

Old friends, new again

Well, I read a friend's blog that she had 300 posts and I thought that was pretty either amazing for her or sad for me with my count at about 40...But that is 40 more journal entries than I have for the last year. Anyways, so I was thinking of what to blog about and I thought of something that makes me happy.

Steve and I have now lived in this place longer than I have lived anywhere in my life. And since we have lived in areas of town that are quite transient, most of our Married friends have moved. So imagine how excited I was to hear that some married friends were moving back.

Well, I am excited. We may or may not live close. We may or may not spend a lot of time together. But in the end, I don't care because for once it means a friend is moving here instead of moving away and that is always something to rejoice about!

Married friends

So my parents came up for Conner's primary program and for some reason my mom had put the roast on warm, instead of high in the crock pot so of course it wasn't done when we got home from church. I have to remind her that our family is quite grateful for any cooking done at our house lately. Although Conner is quite fond of Wendy's chicken nuggets and honey mustard. ....Anyway, we got discussing some things and we were talking about friends and families that my parents have kept in touch with through 27 years of marriage and at least that many or more moves. And we came up, through our discussion, approximately three kinds of friends. Although I had never heard my mom talk about it, I have had similar discussions with my husband and other friends.

1. Single friends - these are the people you or your husband knew when you were single. They may or may not still be single. But just because they graduate from single status, they don't always graduate to the next group of friends. Some you still keep in touch with and may even get together with, either by yourself or if they are still single, invite over for an occassional family dinner. But if they are married, and you get together with them and their spouse, they are no longer single friends but have made the jump to married friends.

2. Married friends - These are the friends that both you and your husband like. Sometimes you knew them single and they have graduated....but more likely you have met them since you were married. Typically this happens when the wife likes the wife and the husband likes the husband. You have similar interests, situations, etc. Sadly, there may be many of the above mentioned single friends whose new spouses disqualify them from being included in this group. You know the drill. The wife can't stand the other wife, or the husband thinks the other husband is dull or not quite enough in tune to SportsCenter. I think everyone can follow this logic and can think of at least one occassion where they have been forced to bear an unpleasant social situation where you are "testing" out of the likelihood of making a new "couple" married friend.

However, this next group gets more complicated and I hadn't quite thought of it until my mom articulated it and then I went, "oh we do that."

3. Group three - Married friends you can stand their children - (Sorry couldn't think of a shorter name - am up for suggestions in the comments) - Ever met a couple that didn't quite make the cut for married friends? In fact, they might have been acquaintances that you didn't spend much time with and then all of a sudden you have children similar in age or activities and you begin hanging out. It all starts with a playdate and then it just kind of works out from there. On the flip side, your old married friends may not make the cut if you can't stand their kids or what they allow their kids to do. Granted, they still get to be married friends, but the whole family deal is few and far between.

Anyways, that is my two bits. But in all reality, we don't spend a lot of time with friends. Mostly just family because we are too busy for much else. But it works for us. What works for you?

Halloween, Halloween, lots of fun on Halloween

Here is my little spidey man...unfortuntely, I didn't dress up and Steve did some version of a character from Christmas Vacation complete with shorts, my blue bathrob and some clunky snow boots. I had the misfortune of taking a pic of him but totally cutting off his head, so you will have to use your imagination.

WE did trick or treating on Main and then a trunk or treat with our old branch and ward. It was fun, but I miss the days of going around a neighborhood. The last two years we have driven to my mom's for that exact reason. Her neighborhood is quiet, safe, low traffic and homes are relatively close together. This year I wasn't quite up to the drive! So we had to settle for a trunk or treat! Sad I know!

My favorite line was when someone asked him if he was Batman and he said, exasperated, "No, I am spiderman." The guy teased him by saying, "no there is no such thing as Spiderman." Conner said, "Oh yeah?" And then he pointed his wrist at him and proceeded to wrap him up, securely I am sure, in pretend spiderweb!

Some great first hand advice..

...for those of you that are looking for more ways to be prepared, check out this blog post.

What is especially great about it, is that most of these were expense free. And fairly simple! Things to think about.

Anyway, check it out and thanks Nikki for the good advice!

Mothers Who Know

So I heard mention of some critical comments about Sis Beck's talk at conference. There was even a Salt Lake Tribune article about the flurry it stirred up. Personally, I was quite moved by the reaffirmation of all that I am trying to do, keeping in mind the meaning of the word "try". I know that much of what she said was not conventional in this world today, even necessarily in the lives of women in the church. I hope that I can be 'valiant' in being a mother who knows. And in supporting other current or future mothers in their efforts. I hope that I will be able to withstand making judgements of those who may not agree.
Wish me luck and I would love to hear your thoughts!

You're so vain....

Conner and I were getting ready to head out to a friend's this morning and I sent him to the bathroom to 'look' at the chocolate mess on his face. A few minutes later he is still not back but I can hear the water running. So I say, "Conner, you ready to go?" and he says yeah, and he comes wandering out from the bathroom and says,

"Mom, I was just combing my hair. I didn't want it to look so crazy." In the tone of voice, how dare you try to send me out in public like this!



Notice in the picture that the front (only) is combed nice and flat on his forehead, there is water on his shirt and I believe the traces of chocolate are still there!

Go figure!

Favorite tag items

I had a really hard time with all of these except favorite touch because I immediately knew what I would say for that and then when I got right around to it, I realized that was kind of a random touch and maybe I had other "people" related touches that were better. So unfortunately, each of these come in multiples:

Favorite smell: Country Apple (Bath & Body works, too bad it is mostly retired) reminds me of Mel and BPA and high school and everything easy, fun and comfortable, Coconut Lime Verbena and Liz Sport (I don't think they make that anymore) and anything baking

Favorite sight: Watching Conner talk or sing to himself, especially if he is taking himself very seriously. Or his face as he yells, "Hide" everytime hear hears the garage door open (hiding from Steve)

Favorite taste- Really tough, but I love oreos and milk, and I survived in college on chips and salsa (pace picante mild is the only way to go) even when Steve would try to cook me dinner, oh and Cafe Sabor Pollo Durango and black beans and sour cream on chips (thanks a lot for that one Nikki) and something Jamie hates Doritos with tuna fish

Favorite sound- Singing with Steve and Conner at family night or with my family around the piano at Christmas. Actually, since I am not a big music person and I don't hardly ever turn on anything in the car, I could probably almost say silence, unless I am at home by myself doing anything but sleeping....and the sound of shoes and bouncing balls in a gym

Favorite touch- Clean, never been slept on, freshly made sheets, cold preferably and pulled so tight that if I made my bed that way every day I would have fantastic forearms. oh and in a more normal, less obsessive compulsive way I love holding hands with either one of my boys, Steve or Conner

I won't bother tagging anyone because I am fairly certain that those who would do this kind of stuff probably already have and those that don't, probably won't.

Full heart

I just heard of a friend who is going through some struggles in her quest to be a mother. It breaks my heart to hear of the struggles good, willing women go through to bring Gods' children into the world. But no one is alone.

One of the most poignant and lasting lessons that came from our experience with Bella was that so many in this world have heartache and loss. And no one can know or judge whether that loss is great or small in the lives of the people involved. Very often our most keen and personal losses can have great affect on all those who love us as well. As children of God, we are to be a support to one another and to lift each other up. Never be afraid to tell someone you are thinking of them and that you are sorry. Even though sometimes that can feel awkward and you wish you had more to say.

How can we do anything but hope for the faith to live our lives according to the plans and TIMING the Lord has for us? And yet we always have reason to have joy.

(Alma 26: 35-36)" Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my JOY is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. 36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my JOY and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, ... yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, WHO HAS BEEN MINDFUL OF US, wanderers in a strange land. "

So much to blogggggg

Well, this is one of those blog posts that unless you really want to know the details of family trips, you probably just scan through the pics and leave the rest alone...

I don't even know where to begin. I guess I can just start at the first and see where I get.

DENVER
We had occassion to go to Denver because Steve's kind of distant (ok maybe only like 2nd cousin) but whose family is really-tight-with-them cousin (did that make any sense at all?) got married. We went with his brother and sister. You can see the extra details here (at Kristen & Dave's blog). I think I just have a few things to tell that will suffice.

Number 1: I am inexpressibly grateful that Bomma (see Terms you should know here) was able to take Conner for those 3 quick days. Because we drove (8 hrs) there Thurs, went to a nice family party in Denver that night, played wedding day all Friday (you know, the usual, ceremony, pics, family lunch with reception at night), managed to squeeze in a little (and I mean little) sight-seeing between the lunch and reception, and then got up and drove home Saturday.

I have to brag on Steve & I a bit (mostly Steve). They didn't have a professional photog so we took them around and got some shots. Some good ones too that I think they were grateful to have, even if we did have to beg them to go take them! I am particularly proud of Steve for capturing this one.
I feel justified in saying I KNOW that Conner would have hardly been happy with the arrangement especially since the very next day it was off (driving 14 hrs) to Nana & Papas.

LAYOVER AT HOME
Thanks to Nana, who was up moving Jo into school, Conner had a birthday party (kind of). She made cupcakes and dinner for when we got home. He got all his presents from mom and dad wrapped in brown-paper sacks (I know, I know) and his aunts and uncles from around the area were there. But lucky for us Bomma had given him his favorite spiderman costume when he stayed with her which he promptly put on to open the rest of his presents.

We slept like logs or at least tried to (Conner ended up in his big bed with me and steve ended up on the bunks because Nana & Papa were in our room)....poor steve, what an amazing man he is!

Well, I think I will save the updating of the next leg of our trip for another post. Don't want to bore anyone too quickly

Not Keira Knightley....

I thought this was fun, but maybe that is because I am a loyal Austen fan! Oh yeah, and I have always very easily put myself as Elizabeth Bennett. She is, after all, my favorite heroine and gets the best guy in all the books too...well, except for Emma Woodhouse.

Take the Quiz here!

Conner-isms

So today we were driving and we told Conner he needed to fall asleep and take a nap. So after a little bit of discussion he tips his head to the side and closes his eyes. However, I knew he was having a bit of trouble falling asleep because he was fidgety but he was trying mightily, squeezing his eyes shut.

Finally, I hear these two big sneezes and then I knew he was still awake so I tried not to acknowledge anything.

A small amount of silence followed by this comment:

"Mom, I had bless-yous."

I turned around and there he his bright eyed and bushy tailed. I promptly said bless you whereupon he tipped his head to the side and closed his eyes.

But alas, we were home before the sleep kicked in...

My to DIe for find!

So I was running errands today and had to drop some stuff off at D.I. Since I had never been in the new Logan D.I. I decided what they heck, let's go in and look around.

I went back to the collectibles area and came across this really simple but quite pretty China. It is cream Lenox china with slight swirl and platinum edging. It was $30 for 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 cups and saucers, and then only 2 soup/fruit bowls. Mint condition. No chips, no scratches, looks like it spent the last 40 years in some old lady's china hutch, never getting used! Quite the steal I thought, even though I would have no use for it seeing as you actually have to HAND WASH china, particularly really old china. But I bought it anyway.

Steve suggested I go google/ebay it and see if I could find 2 more soup/fruit bowls or any other pieces. Well, that part was easy. I found some dinner plates for relatively inexpensive ($15 each plus shipping) but even that sounds steep when you consider I only paid $30 for the rest of it. I even found a whole other place setting for around $45 but still no bowls. Finally I found one and it was $50 plus shipping for a little bitty bowl 5" by 1.5". And all the serving stuff to match ran into the hundreds of dollars each...So I guess I won't be completing my steal of a deal china set anytime soon.

All in all, I feel like I made a very decent investment today! Now to find a place for the box to collect dust.

To be or not to be...

...embarassed that is. I probably should be slightly embarassed to admit that I absolutely loved "High School Musical" especially considering I am not a skinny jeaned, out to conquer the world and yet still innocent giggling "tween" girl....but alas, I am not, embarassed that is. But rather than "Stick to the status quo"...I am going to admit that I really did love it, cheese and all. In fact, I loved it so much that I have the CD of the music and I never get CDs. Worse of all is that I have taught my soon to be 4 year old to love it too! His favorite part is the basketball song 'Get your Head in the Game.'

Despite my lack of embarassment, I still think it necessary to say that I love the movie for its upbeat and clean music and simple happily ever after plot ...and not because I have any obsessive crushes on Zac Efron or Corbin Bleu (don't worry, I actually had to google to find their real names).

That said, if you haven't seen it, realize that "We're all in this together" and you should try it...and if anyone has seen the sequel, well, keep your spoilers to yourself, because I missed it!

HELP!

Ok, I know among my blog readers there are some who digi-scrap. I need a big favor (or at least it feels big to me)...I am working on a keepsake book gift (you know like heritage makers, picture books, etc.) and I am quickly running out of time.

I was hoping that there might be some of you willing to share layouts that you have already done with me, in the hope of expediting this process. I don't care about colors or themes or anything like that. I was looking for milestone layouts in particular. Birthdays, holidays, seasons, anniversaries, family days, reunions, etc. But would accept any that you are willing to share. I typically work in Photoshop CS but would love any that you have. Oh and I am working on 8x8 size but I think I could probably re-size them if they are bigger or smaller than that


If you are willing and don't mind my copying your layouts, send them to me at
mlehanson(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks a million!

Only a mother!

I was going through some of our old digi pics and I came across a whole bunch of Conner upclose. These are probably about 2 years old but I thought they were darling and decided to put them together! I am sure only a mother could really love this many versions of the same face!

Updating needs..

>..this post is mostly for me. I have so many things I want to blog about and haven't that I decided I needed to blog them in a list so whenever I have a few minutes I could.

4TH OF July -meeting Uncle Sam
24th of July - waving at Pres hinckley and playing in blow up toys
Wakeboarding Firsts (sorry to all you wakeboarding fans but I am really a skier)
All the pics on our camera
New car possibilities
Renter woes
Rodeo
ok, I am stuck and I know there is more than that!

Maybe this is why I miss the radio....

...so those of you familiar with Nikkala/Karisa's family, may have already seen/heard this. But those of you who haven't, check it out. Well worth the run down memory lane. I am not big in knowing, let alone recognizing most songs out there but I think I recognized all but one in this medley.

What an entertaining commentary on the merits of today's pop tunes!
Check it at www.chrishartwell.com or YouTube

Procrastination...

So I was tagged a while ago (or so it may seem in blog world) to list 7 random things. I have been putting it off because I wasn't entirely sure I could think of 7 random things that people either would want to know or didn't already know about me. For that matter it is highly likely that I had already blogged about anything of real value to you, the reader, but here goes, who knows, this might end up being a work in progress....

1. I went to 10 schools before I was in 9th grade and I turned out ok (correct me if I am wrong)...so don't be afraid to move your kids. They adjust.

2. I like to read instruction manuals. I read any instructions for anything and everything, even if I have already figured it out without them. I read them anyways. And I read them all the way through. Sometimes more than once. Steve prefers to just go ahead and do it himself, so when he gets stuck, I ended up saying the cliche "well, if you would just read the instructions..."

3. Up until a month ago, I have been in Young Women for 5 years and yet never been to girls' camp as a leader, a story for another time. In fact, Steve will make it to girls' camp before me (as a high counselor). I have been Beehive advisor clear to Stake YW presidency. I am now in Primary...I consider any prior learning in YW completely useless in dealing with 4 and 5 year old little boys/girls in my CTR 5 class (except maybe to rely on the Spirit).

4. I am blind as a bat....almost literally, meaning that my other senses including sound and touch are better than my eyes when without my glasses (I have to pay extra to have them thinned enough to put into wire frames) or contacts. Lasic (sp?)... hear I come.

5. I would rather cook than do dishes any day. I don't measure (except with choco chip cookies-which I am anal about measurement). I don't worry about how many dishes I am dirtying when I cook which is probably why I don't like to clean up after cooking....thank heaven's for Steve.

6. I read and read and read and read. I read somewhere that most people read approx 10-15 pages/hour of average adult-level reading (not medical journals or textbooks obviously). Based on my experience with my lastest book, I read approximately (and I was shocked to realize that this wasn't an exaggeration) 100+ pages an hour. In fact, I have been known to finish an average novel in about 2 hours. Unfortunately for me, I have a hard time stopping the reading...must be slightly OCD. I have been trying this summer to change from novels to more informative reading figuring my time would be better well spent, plus I find it easy to quit reading BEFORE I finish the book.

7. I had an amniocentesis when pregnant with Bella. My two-bits: if you know you would never go for an elective abortion, you have no risk factors and you don't NEED to know what's going on. Don't bother. In fact, stay away! Otherwise, be prepared for the actual procedure to be relatively painless and the afterpains barely worth the peace of mind.

I am going to go with Nikki's cop-out here, since most of you that I know have possibly been tagged already....if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!

I really don't have time for this, seeing as it is 11:15 and I am exhausted but I couldn't resist.

For all of you who are raising little girls any where around the 3 1/2 range and wouldn't mind an arranged marriage for your little one, we are currently accepting applications for Conner. Of course they will have to be exceptional :) and ready to go to the temple. Tonight while reading scriptures, there was a verse that used the word wife. Conner wanted to know what a wife was and so we spent some time talking about mommy being a wife and how some day he would marry some sweet girl and then she would be his wife. I didn't think anything of it, because we spend more scripture time explaining words than we do actually reading verses (try explaining "concerning" or "abominable" to a 3 year old). Afterwords we were having prayers and during his prayer he said, "Thank thee I can have a wife" so my darling 3 year old is already praying for his future wife. I hope I can remember to tell her that someday because I think that is the most tender thing I have heard.

Happy 4th....

We watched fireworks tonight. We have plans to watch some tomorrow and Wednesday and maybe even Thursday. I guess that is what happens when the 4th falls in the middle of the week.

However, for FHE tonight we talked with Conner about why we watch fireworks. About how it is our nations birthday. Then we listened to the story of the "Star-spangled banner" I have heard pieces of it before but not all connected together. Let me know if you want me to email it to you. (it is mp3). It was really, um, I am at a loss for words...maybe it's because I grew up a military brat or maybe I am just more sensitive in my "old" age...but in any case I was really thinking tonight of how grateful I am to be an American and how proud and protective I am of our heritage and of what those who have gone before stood for. Thank a veteran. Thank a public servant. Thank the Lord for the bounteous beauties of the land in which we live and the freedoms we enjoy.

Yummy recipes

These are for all of you Cafe Rio/Costa Vida pork/chicken salad lovers....plus a few extras. If you have never had one of these salads before, make either the pork or chicken and the rice and dressing. Serve with romaine lettuce, tortilla chip strips, queso blanco or feta, and black beans (I used canned beans and heat on caste iron with fresh garlic and onion) Or you can make them into burritos fairly easily.

My mom is the type that if she has something in a restaurant that she loves she goes home and figures out how to make it. So here goes some samples. What I love is that most of these are crock pot or stovetop so you don't have to heat up your house in the summer

CAFE RIO/COSTA VIDA
SWEET PORK
1 c. favorite salsa (I like pace the best)
1 c. brown sugar
3-4 lbs pork roast (bone in or out)
Put all in crock pot, cook and then shred (usually all day...if it looks dry just add equal amounts more of salsa/brown sugar. I have a more involved recipe using Adobo sauce and Coke, but this is just as good I think - make a comment if you want me to email you the more involved one

CAFE RIO CHICKEN
I am not a huge lover of the chicken so I can't really attest if this is a true likeness or not, but it is really good
1 sm bottle zesty italian dressing (I use Kraft)
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic-minced
4-5 lbs of chicken breast
Cooke all together in crock pot for approx 4 hrs, shred then cook another hour

GREEN LIME RANCH
3 fresh medium (golf ball size) tomatillos cut into quarters
juice of 1 lime
1 c fresh cilantro - i usually just use half the bunch in the dressing and half in the rice
5 stalks of green onion with ends
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 to 3/4 t salt
1/2 c buttermilk
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c sour cream
1 pkg dry ranch buttermilk dressing mix or 3 T of the bulk
1/4 t crushed cayenne pepper
1 jalepeno chopped
Put all ingredients in the blender and blend well. If you like it a little more mild, use less cayenne pepper and less of the jalepeno seeds. I usually only use 5-6 seeds & a tiny piece of the core. My mom uses the whole pepper seeds and all.

GREEN RICE
Juice of 1 lime
4 t chicken bullion
2-3 minced garlic cloves
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 can green chilies
2/4 t salt
1 medium onion, chopped
Chop above coarsely and then fry in 1 T butter or oil
Add 1 1/2 c rice and fry
Add 3 c water, bring to rapid boil, turn down as low as possible, cover and simmer.
According to my friends in our Spanish branch, the trick to separated mexican style rice is to not stir and to cook as low as possible. If you want stickier rice, stir occasionally and cook faster.

RECIPE COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO ABOVE: GREAT FOR SUNDAY DINNER
MUSHROOM STEAK
2-3 lbs of boneless pork meat or beef steak(i like sirloin for this)
1-2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1-2 T Worcestershire sauce
2-3 minced garlic cloves
Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook until tender. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice and all your Sunday dinner fixins

GREAT "COMMUNITY" DESSERT
PIZZOOKIE
Cookie dough of any kind, choco chip, toffee bits, white choco chip, oatmeal raisin, etc.
ice cream

Spread cookie dough over a large caste iron pan. Cook in oven until not quite done. Remove and immediately top with vanilla ice cream. Dribble caramel and fudge sauce over ice cream. Serve with lots of spoons.

HOMEMADE FUDGE
Coming soon....can't find the recipe right now...totally beats Mrs. Richardsons any day!

Ok Jamie tagged me....

...I have been reading about this whole tag thing on everybody's blog and would have felt slightly left out except that I am not so great at giving lists of things about myself especially if limited because I really have a hard time with favorites...So here goes Jamie :)

4 Jobs I've held:
1. Independent Court Reporter (heard some weird stuff in my time)
2. "Safety Girl" at Agrium - I know, title borders on sexual harassment but lucky for them, I didn't mind the tradition, established pre-politically correct days
3. USU Distance Education Facilitator
4. Accountant/Bookkeeper for Chinese broker
5. I am definitely with Jamie: mommy to Conner and Bella definite favorite

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over:
1. Pride & Prejudice (any version, BBC, Hollywood, Bollywood - try it!, LDS)
2. Freaky Friday - I am a closet Lindsay Lohan fan
3. Oceans 11(still waiting for Steve to take me to Oceans 13)
4. Just Like Heaven

Places I Have Lived to many to list but here goes most of them, a few were repeats:
1. Pocatello, Idaho (2x)
2. Alabama (2x)
3. Fort Sill, Oklahoma
4. Dugway, Utah
5. Fairbanks, Alaska,
6. North Pole, Alaska
7. Eagle River, Alaska
8. Soda Springs, Idaho
9. Logan, Utah

T.V. Shows I Enjoy - um, literally not a TV watcher but have been know to check out these occassionally - we are movie watchers
1. The Biggest Loser (1st Season)
2. Dancing with the Stars (1st & 2nd Season)
3. Extreme Makeover Home Edition
4. AFV:American Funniest Home Videos - because Conner laughs so hard he makes me laugh

Places I have Been on Vacation:
1. Mexico
2. 4 provinces in Canada
3. 36 of the 50 states (still waiting for Hawaii(I know, I know) Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, NC, Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Rhode Island)

Favorite Foods
1. Chips/Salsa - roommates will attest that I survived on that in college
2. Cafe Rio Pork Salads - see recent post for recipes
3. Mushroom steak - also posted (easy)
4. Chicken Lime Caesar salad - Cafe Sabor or homemade
5. Pizzookies
6. Pollo Durango also Cafe Sabor...also have recipe
7. Can I go on?

Websites I visit (almost daily)
1. Favorite blogs
2. www.msn.com
3. LDS.org
4. Email accounts (hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc.)


Places I'd Rather Be right now
1. Boating or Swimming
2. My house... only clean
3. BBQ with tons of friends

Now I get to pick 4 other blog buddies to do this!
1. Stacey Kouldelka
2. Natalie Cottle
3. Kristin - been tagged?
4. Denae- been tagged yet?
5. Erin
6. Nikki
Sorry for the extras, but I didn't know if a couple had been tagged already and wasn't quite anxious to check all their archives :)

Now you 5 copy this and tag 5 other people! Have fun!

Coconut

Here is Conner with his Coconut package from Nana...
What is it daddy? Look its nemo and dory...(the paintings that Nana put on it)

Look out anal mom coming through,,,

...ok, so I am paranoid when it comes to mommy stuff. We drove with my parents, Alisa, Jordan and Rachel and Rachel's little girl Rylie in an R.V. from my sister Rachel's house near St. George to North Rim Grand Canyon and then up through the Navajo reservation to the south end of Lake Powell. And I made Conner's car seat be buckled in, with him securely strapped...the WHOLE WAY. Thankfully he was a good sport and didn't really mind. Rylie on the other hand, didn't particularly want anyone but her mommy sitting by her for too long.
I think they would have both rather helped Bompa drive.

Unexpected result of serving a 3 year old ice cream

We are big ice cream eaters at our house. Mostly some version of Dreyer's Vanilla Bean and bananas and hot fudge, maybe a hot cookie or brownie in a bowl. Not too creative but totally tasty. Conner, however, has branched out of vanilla land. This week we had chocolate...his request.. ice cream twice. But that isn't the entertaining part. The entertaining part comes when you serve chocolate ice cream, on a cone to a three year old. We have had the top scoop fall off, roll down his shirt and on to the floor. We have had the dripping, soggy cone mess. The totally covered face and hands and shirt etc. We had all of these things, in fact, I think they are to be expected and are a perfectly normal part of the learning curve for eating an ice cream cone.


Really, we expected that we would have to clean up after him and that we were probably in for a mess...especially since we have a deprived child who had never had ice cream on a cone BY HIMSELF before this week. I know...no comments on that please :) No, the unexpected part came later, after the clean up...after the goo and sticky was gone. It went something like this...

Steve (real concern in his voice): Honey, what happened to Conner's nose.
Me (freakin' out): What do you mean? - followed by me rushing over to inspect what appeared to be dark build up in Conner's nose
Steve: Did he hurt himself or something? Get a bloody nose?
Me: Conner, are you ok? Did you fall down? Did you get an ouchy? What happened?
Conner: No. I'm ok. (Squirming, let me go you crazy kooks and quit interrupting my play)

The culprit...dried chocolate ice cream build up, neatly hidden up inside each nostril. Must have been saving it for later!

I definitely was not expecting that!

For all my digi-scrapper friends...

...ok, so maybe most of you know this already...seeing as you are leaps and bounds ahead of me with this stuff. But in case you didn't I am launching a preemptive referral for a company I looked up today, preemptive because I have yet to actual order one of their products. I was interested in doing some photo books, you know the hard-bound kind. Anyways, all the other places were relatively expensive and you had to use their layouts. This place allows you to create your own layouts (in Photoshop, etc..even powerpoint) and then just upload them exactly as you want them. Voila! Hardbound printed scrapbook. Prices start at $14.99 + .25/pg for 8.5" square or $14.99 + .40/pg for 10" square. The only downfall for you scrappers is that I didn't see an option for the most popular 12" square. But in reality for a hardbound book that doesn't exactly fit as nicely on the shelf. The website is: http://www.viovio.com/wiki/Book+Binding+Specifications

Stay tuned for how the actual product works out. Or let me know if any of you have tried something like this!

Our grand adventure...

....I like to call our family excursions adventures...sometimes they really are and sometimes they aren't. But either way it is just what I like/want them to be. Conner and I just got back from our latest adventure. The one we went on daddy-less. We won't be doing that again anytime soon, for reasons I will have to expound on later. My family was going to Grand Canyon and Lake Powell and wanted everyone (all kids, spouses, grandkids) to come with. Steve wasn't able to make it but encouraged us to go without him. We missed him greatly but also had really good time. I think pics will be coming forthwith!

Is it possible?

I want to know if it is possible to break your toe and never even bruise. I swear that is what I did last Thurs...it still hurts. At first I couldn't put any weight on the pinky toe side of my foot so walking was difficult. Then I could walk a little better, but still with a big gimp. Then Sunday I couldn't wear heels because it made my toe just ache...and then every night since then I have trouble falling asleep. All because of my little bitty toe and a tiny in sheer size, but huge in pain ache....only my Pilates instructor has had any sympathy for me because she said the same thing happened to her once. Other wise, no bruise...no hugs and sloppy kisses from Conner. No bruise....no poor Emily from Steve. No bruise....no reason to still be hurting right? Ha!

Something to think about..

I spend quite a bit of time updating the world on my darling son. But there is someone just as special, maybe more, that I haven't blogged about. Yep, if you haven't guessed...it's Steve.

As we were talking in our Strengthening Marriage class about "Loving Communication" (p.s. look for one in your area...supposedly service missionaries are called just to teach this class-- in our case, Bro/Sis Cottle from the Institute--they're great)....anyways... I was thinking about how much easier and more fulfilling it is to strengthen and build one another, as opposed to trying to fix problems later...you know the cliche, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And that thought led me to think about how loving communication reinforces the love that is behind all the "dutiful" things we do for our spouses....we all know that list...anyways....that is what prompted me in this blog.

What an amazing, wonderful husband I have...I mean, I really think I got extra lucky (oops...blessed) to have him in my life. He is always doing what ever he can to make our family and marriage better and stronger.

So cheers to my husband (and all the other husbands out there) who make their wives feel like a million bucks, support them in all their well-intentioned, if not slightly neurotic endeavors, and most of all just do the best job they can at loving us.

Loves to you honey!

A thank you...

....so I owe a big thank you to a friend (more like an mutual acquaintance really) whose blog I read for the first time today. She has three little ones under three and so much cheerfulness and happiness that I can feel it through the web...if that is even possible.

I don't know a lot about her but I think she must make a conscious effort to be happy and cheerful...something I desperately need work on. So thanks Kirsten (I don't know if you will ever read this) for being so uplifting to me on a hard day!

Warning: Keep your distance

So I would like to take a straw poll, but first I would like to preface all this by saying, Steve says I should be careful what I tell people or I might end up with nicknames I don't like.

First question...Have you ever been bull's eyed by a bird? You know, like they show in comics. Bird flys over, takes aim and splat right on the head? I mean how many people go their WHOLE lives and never have this experience.

Second question...How many of you actually know someone that this has happened to? Ok, how many of you know two such persons?

Third question...How many of you know some to whom this has happened more than once? How about twice in a very short period of time?

Well, lets just say that the first time this happened to me (not very long ago) I was casually putting Conner in the car, I leaned back out into the open, and WHAM out of nowhere I felt a large splat right on my head, followed by the accompanying splatters over clothes and car, which is what cued me in on what had just hit me, because I didn't know what had happened. I thought, "is it raining or something?"

Thinking that this was hardly blog worthy, I satisfied my surprise and amazement that this event actually does occur by promptly calling my parents and spouse, (actually Conner did and his version of what happened was highly entertaining and caused spontaneous gut laughs from all who heard it). I also thought that I would probably never in casual conversation have reason to compare experiences like this with someone (thinking it a quite rare occurrence) and so promptly forgot about it.

Well, low and behold, it is now approximately 2-3 months later and I am blogging about it because this has happened to me, not once, but TWICE and in a short period of time. How crazy is that? The most recent time was on Memorial day. I was freshly showered and we were wandering around the cemetery when, splat, again the familiar splatters...this time I didn't wonder if it was raining. I never imagined that I would have two such encounters in my whole life. I supposed this will be a great way to introduce myself at large events or family gatherings where they ask questions like, "Tell us something unique about yourself."

Maybe this is why I am having a hard time keeping a morning walking partner! Consider yourself warned!!

Thank heavens for babysitters...

Here is Conner with some of our good friends. They had a great time playing "horsy".

Killer Bunnies

So we are really hooked on this Killer Bunnies game....basically, a short story made really long goes like this.

I drew Andy's (my brother-inlaw) name for Christmas and had absolutely no idea what to get him, then decided that since he and his wife (steve's sister) are game people, that they might like a new game. So Steve went to a specialty toy shop by our house and asked for game recommendations. He came home with Killer Bunnies. I looked at it and went, "No way, I am not giving any one a game that looks like that and is called Killer Bunnies." Steve said the toy store had given it great reviews. So I got online and googled for some game reviews. All came back as good. So I figured what the heck, I have absolutely no idea what else to get him.
So time goes by, Christmas passes and we get this nice card from Andy saying thank you so much for the great game. We love it. Our kids love it...etc. Meanwhile, we hear that Steve's uncle happened to have the game and had showed Steve's other brother (David) and his wife how to play it. They had liked it so much that they went out and got their own. And in the process had recruited steves other Sister and husband to play it with them. By this time, the majority of the family has played a game that we kind of started. But we had still no idea what it was all about.

Easter rolls around and I am wondering what to get for Steve and I think "killer bunnies" how appropriate :) for Easter! Ha ha! That way we won't be so out of the loop with his family and their game playing. Plus, then we would have something to play with some couple friends.

Nope, instead it turns into Conners all time favorite game that he wants to play every day (and we do quite a bit). Keep in mind that this is a game that has two 20 page rule books and says Ages 12 and up on the box. He now has all the cards memorized (all 155 and most are different).

Then we go to Rachel 's (my sister) house for the week with Bomma. And introduce them to Killer bunnies. As soon as we get home, my mom buys killer bunnies and the purple booster deck....which makes Conner all excited.

So today was Steve's birthday and Polly sent Steve the Red and Purple booster decks. Conner sees them and says "Holy Smackeral" This is apparently the best way he can express his joy....some where between Holy Mackeral and Holy Smackers....both phrases he has heard from people around him. I think it was an absolutely perfect birthday gift for the Conner's father.
Happy Birthday, Steve!

New Jeans

Well, almost. Technically they are old jeans. However, they are jeans that have hardly ever been worn because I got them via Amy (sister in law) just as I got pregnant with Bella...so of course they didn't fit after I was done being prego and were slightly big before so they never got worn.

But in order to not dimish how wonderful they are....did I mention that I didn't fit into them until today? I currently have jeans from size 7 to size ....well, big packed nicely away in various rubbermaids according to what size I was when I could last wear them. It is always nice to realize that I am starting to get back into the post-Conner pregnancy stuff, even if it is the biggest of the post-Conner stuff. I have almost given up hope of getting into the pre-Conner stuff because it is about time to be pregnant again (that is not an announcement)

Se este la vida (sp?) :)

More Conner'isms

Setting: Dinner out tonight since mommy didn't want to eat leftover beef stew. These comments came sporadically throughout dinner

Conner: "Mommy, we haven't been to this food place for a long time."

Conner, after spilling fry sauce on his shirt: "Oops, sorry mommy. I was trying to be careful but I spilt."

And finally the best situation of all. Mommy and Conner went back to the soda fountain to refill our drinks.

Conner: "Oops, excuse me mommy. I toot."
Snickering from the guys at the closest table.
Mommy: "Oh, that is ok. Just say excuse me."
Conner: "I said excuse me already, but mommy, don't smell my bum. It stinks."

My soapbox...

...today is a day for soapboxes. I think get up on mine quite frequently. But I believe this is the first time I have done so online.

Also, I think I might need to get a life...actually, I have a really busy life but the trick is that I need to get back to my life, because I spend way too much time (daily I might add), looking at my blog for new comments or at my friend's blogs comments. I used to be a lerker (is that even a word?) but now I have realized how much I look forward to new comments on my blogs and so I guess I just think it is appropriate to comment on other peoples blogs if I am going to take the time to read them. Maybe it gives me a sense that someone besides me cares to read all of my ramblings.

So moral of the story and soapbox item of the day is: if you are going to read mine or anyone elses' blogs, it is appropriate (and I might add helpful) to comment occassionally on what you are reading. I mean we are entertaining you after all right? Nothing long and it is not necessary every time or even on every post. Just sometimes so that we know everyone is out there. Especially in this technology connected world where people hardly send the good mail (see link) http://nikkala.blogspot.com/2007/03/good-mail.html or even hand written thank yous. (not that I do either of those things, that is why this is called a soapbox) Anyway, my ranting time is now up and for those of you who find it hard to tell in the typed word if there is any real ravings going on...know that this was all in good fun!
And have a wonderful time lerking!

Babies, babies everywhere...

Well, the first baby we had visit was Baby Rylie. Conner and I watched her so her mom could go to the temple with Bomma. She was so good. We went on the swings and for a walk. She even took a nap. I think it was her first time on the swings and she had a blast! I had an even better pic on my phone. But I don't really know how to get it off my phone and on to the computer .... so this one will have to do. Conner loved holding her and he said, 'No, I want my momma to hold her' anytime anyone else tried to hold her.

Our next excursion into baby land was at baby animal day. He really liked holding the chicks because the bunnies were a little too skittish for him. And I think he would have sat and pet the calf all day, that is, if it didn't interfere with riding the wagon around....and around....and around ...and around.
A new thing they had this year was the musical "petting zoo". Good thing it was outside or I am afraid it wouldn't have been nearly so fun.

Once there was a snowman

Conner was waiting and waiting, all winter long to build a snowman. And either the snow was terrible. It was too cold. There was no snow. Well, the list of excuses could go on.

It took us all winter. In fact, we thought winter was gone when we got a freak storm after everything else had melted and so mommy finally was convinced to go help her boy build a snowman. Of course, it had to have a carrot nose. It was impressed upon him as a small 8 month or so old that snowmans had to have carrot noses, even if Tina kept stealing them.

This is what I live with....

I have two boys who live at my house. And they obviously have senses of humor...in addition, they tend to think they are funny. But gratefully that means we have lots of laughs at our house. And yes, those are old nylons on their heads!

Conference time

For most of our marriage, steve and I have managed to go to almost one session every conference. This time for some reason, Steve had not been able to scrounge up tickets. So at the Sunday afternoon session we decided to go down and sit on the lawns.

And then see the refurbished tabernacle afterward. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun. So here's a ton of pics for you all to enjoy

.

I have a lot to share today!

I am trying to catch up on all the things I should have posted a long time ago. So for those of you who have been lurking around, waiting for an update....today is your day!

Steve and I were asked to dress as Emma and Joseph for our branch. We got there late and they had just finished watching a video clip of when Relief Society was born and then they announced that there was a surprise. And we walked in to a collective gasp! It was fun. Then Steve sang a song to me as if he was Joseph. I wish we had a better pic but this will have to do!

Nifty, nifty look who's fifty

Ok, so I am approximately a month late in posting birthday party pics and actually some of my favorite ones are saved on my mom's computer. But here goes anyway! My dad had his 50th birthday a little while ago and we all suprised him by having a bunch of friends and extended family get together for dinner. We just Happened to be a little late so almost everyone else was there. He was surprised which was good because Conner and I almost blew it about 2 minutes to the restaurant. It was a lot of fun and we got a great family pic that I am sure some of you will see if you get my parent's Christmas letter!

For those of you who don't want to hear about conner...

skip this post!


I decided that since Conner says such cute things I should be writing them down, but I don't. So this is the next best thing!

Setting: A group FHE with some other couples + kids. Little girl is Conners age and a total girly-girl. Conner being a total boys-boy, of course was teasing said girly-girl and not letting her play with the football.
Daddy: "Conner, let Parker play with the football too."
Conner: "Dad, girls don't play football."
Daddy: "Girls can play football if they want to."
Conner: "But they don't on TV."

Setting: Freshly washed, dried and clothed mommy and Conner are making waffles. Mommy has EXTREMELY busy day coming up and is glad we are already ready for the day. Conner is stirring waffles and manages to spill the batter all over floor, cabinets, countertop and of course fresh and clean mommy and Conner and their equally fresh and clean clothes. Mommy begins crying because this is an overwhelming thing to have to face.
Conner: "Mommy, why are you sad?"
Mommy: "Because being a mommy is hard sometimes."
Conner (with a let's get on with this type face): "Well, come on mom, who is going to clean this up?"

Setting: Watching Sesame Street with friend at friend's house and a beach scene comes on.
Conner: "Hey, my nana has a beach at her house."
Friend's Mom: "Oh that is neat."
Conner: "My nana is my favorite girl."
Friend: "Conner, am I your favorite boy?"
Conner: "Nope."
Friend proceeds to pout for next 10 minutes.

If any of you have heard Conner say funny things and would like to comment on them, I will add them to my blog.

Nikkala threatened...

....to not read my blog anymore because I never post. So today I thought I better post.

I felt really domestic today. I spent all morning at the various grocery stores in town buying all the best sales, etc. Then I spent the afternoon with Nikkala making jam, then bread sticks, then banana bread, then lasagna (sp?) plus all the times I cleaned the kitchen (at least 3 or 4). I even wore my yellow apron.

I probably won't be doing that again for awhile!

Threw a wrench in my day...

So today I had all these big plans to get my laundry done (almost), my floor mopped (check), my bathrooms clean (downstairs gets a half check), get Conner to storytime (check), my grocery shopping done (nope), run errands (had to wait til later), pic up an Emma Smith costume from the Dansante bldg (thanks to steve, check), some more tax stuff done (not even close)
I always plan way too much for way too little time. So about mid way through the day I was driving home and feeling a little overwhelmed at how much I had left to do and how late it was already, when I drove over a pothole 300 yards from our street (that I manage to hit probably 2 out of 3 times even though I try really hard not to), when all of a sudden my car starts making a nasty thumping noise...so I get home and my tire is hissing air. Talk about throwing a wrench in my day...especially when I had just started my errands, but then I looked closer at the tire and there was literally a wrench sticking out of my tire. I should go take a pic. I obviously wasn't going anywhere, because I had never changed a tire before and wasn't going to start now...so Conner and I were homebound until Steve could save us (which wasn't until 4 pm). let's just say that I paid close attention while steve changed it this time and Conner helped so much he could probably show me how next time! It was pretty cute watching his little fingers try to screw the nuts off
After writting this though I realize I got a lot more done than I thought I would because I had no choice but to stay home and get it all done. So maybe my day wasn't as wrenched as I thought it was going to be.....I guess I can just count my blessings :)

It just took a really good pic to get me blogging again

So I must admit. I have been a terrible blogger lately. No updates, no weird lists, no commentary on my little world or life in general.

I really should have entitled this blog...how my son tries and fails to make it all night in his bed. We have had rewards, charts, stickers, Cars cars,you name it and still no luck. Only I think we finally have the clue that is going to crack this case.

His bed is obviously not lumpy enough. Maybe we can try pillows or folded up blankets or something to help him feel more "relaxed".

At any rate, did I mention that the lump he is lounging on is me?