Grinning from ear to ear

Trace and Amber are in town for the holiday and after the billion feet of snow we received yesterday they decided to take Abby out sledding. She is so deprived and has never been. In my defense snow is over rated, cold, and obnoxious- I don't even own a pair of SNOW boot (I have many other better qualified varieties) to even have tried taking her. So my wonderful brother, and let's face the facts, even MORE wonderful Amber took her and she had the most wonderful time!
She was even brave enough to do a solo run right off the jump, way to go girl!!!Thanks you guys for making my Utah born and breed daughter not be the laughing stock of her friends for never doing a very fun Utah activity!!!

Full of it

Full of Christmas Cheer that is!!! Yesterday I decided that I love Christmas, well, I have always known that I love Christmas, but yesterday reaffirmed that to me. My day started off with a very fun, motivating, exhausting spin class with my sister Shamae in which the instructor had all upbeat renditions of Christmas classics!! It was really fun, mostly because our final song was "All I want for Christmas is you" by Mariah Carey- this just so happens to be Paul's favorite one of all time, the first one we listen to each year while we decorate the tree.
Next I drove home to find that my dear brother Brandon had successfully made the drive in his truck to take our blue couches off our hands (to be used in their new house when construction is completed) so that I could start operation "Give Paul the present he wants". Then while the girls ran wild- well danced and spinned and ran races- in the new empty room (really, why do we furnish our spaces, clearly empty ones are much more fun!) I finished up on my handmade Christmas presents. Yes these would be the items that have kept me from completing anything else this week, the reason why my kitchen is the most beautiful mess of felt, ribbon, thread and glue, the reason why it can now be found around the entire house, and yes, the reason why I have been in crafting heaven!
Next I got the knock on the door, the delivery boys were here to install Paul's (and mine really!) Christmas gift just a little early (who am I to put it off when I can have it now!!)Isn't she lovely!! Now I just have to paint the accent wall and get some new accessories- this would be the MY Christmas part that will take effect AFTER the holiday. Hopefully I can find some really great prices on home decor!
After that I settled in to wrap all the presents. This is very fun for me, especially because I LOVE my paper and ribbons this year! And yes- I AM COMPLETELY DONE AND READY FOR CHRISTMAS!! This is probably the first year in my life that I can say that and it feels really good!! This could be the true reason that I am full of cheer, because now I can sit back and enjoy it!
After dinner we all settled in on our new couch- a spot for everyone mind you- and watch the Top 20 songs of Christmas countdown while again the girls danced and twirled around the room.
Yes- I love Christmas and yesterday was a good day!!
(Today, not so much because I got a ticket for speeding last week(while out hurrying much to quickly to get all the before mentioned presents) and had to attend traffic school this morning making me miss the Ward Christmas breakfast and seeing my darlings sitting on Santa's lap for the FIRST TIME EVER without being too scared- blast those policemen and their doing their jobness!)

Ushering in the season

Today the two PM Kindergarten classes at Abby's school put on their Christmas Devotional program. She and her cousin Asher did an excellent job with their speaking parts, memorized verses, and sang their little hearts out.Abby also was one of the angels that performed a song, some played the bells, others drums, but she loved that her instrument was the tambourine!I am totally mad that I became distracted right before Abby went to the mic to say her lines she had been practicing for weeks. By the time I got the camera turned back on (in the wrong mode and un-zoomed) she had blasted through it and all I captured was this:her walking away! Oh well there will be many more school performances to come!! Not to mention that none of the pictures were great because we were too far back for my little camera, it did try it's best though!!

I have to say that it was so cute to see those darling children talk about the birth of Christ and what this holiday is all about. My favorite line given was by a sweet little girl with the cutest lisp you ever heard "What gift could I give, small as I am? I can give him my heart".
The program ended with choir and audience participation of Joy to the World- I truly do love this time of year and celebrating the birth of Christ. Sometimes it is easy to get distracted from what this holiday is, I have decided today to not let myself get too crazy and make sure that I enjoy it, and take the time to teach my children and help them understand the true meaning! Thanks PM Kindergarten at American Heritage School for a wonderful afternoon!

Cousins, Cousins, and more Cousins Hooray!!

We are back from our very fun Thanksgiving vacation. It was so wonderful to see all of my family again, to talk, reminisce and just have a good time together. Thanksgiving in Idaho is always a huge event, the family has grown so large over the years but I think it makes it all the more fun. I must take a moment now and thank Denae for her hospitality and letting us stay at her house!

Thanksgiving morning started out with the traditional Football game, no snow this year but it was 30 degrees! I wasn't able to take any photos (mainly because I was too wimpy to go out in the cold and made the excuse that food needed to be prepared) but it was as rough as always with my brother Trace getting a bloody nose and my uncle breaking his finger- it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without casualties!!

Next my gracious Aunt Bonnie hosted the group at her house, the meal being served outside in a tent and my girls thought it was the best thing ever!

The meal was followed by a smorgasbord of Pies, of which Abby helped herself to no less than 6 pieces before she was discovered!!

Of course the very best part of the holiday for me is watching all the cousins playing together and truly enjoying each other. (I do think that Uncle Kelly is the new favorite for being the bouncer on the tramp)

Reminds me of days gone by when my cousins and I were little and we truly loved each others company- many many great memories come to mind as soon as I step foot in my Aunt Bonnie's home- it has changed over the years but the heart is the same.

Friday we attended my cousin Denae's wedding at the new Rexburg temple and I was so happy to be there. It was a beautiful ceremony and I loved seeing the joy on her face!! Congratulations again!!

Our holiday was only made better by capping it off with a day spent at my In-laws on Saturday. Audrey and her family were in town and you know my girls were beside themselves with joy at seeing their cousin sisters!!!(I don't know why I didn't take any pic's!) More good food, talk, and fun and we are now home, HOME! Vacations are good, and fun and exciting and anticipated, but being home from one is a wonderful feeling!

Thanks to everyone for your time, company,and friendship- family is the best!!

UPDATE: Randy and Megan now have a blog go and check them out at the right!!

Swift Deer says : Eat and be happy!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Abby was aptly named Swift Deer at her Indian Pow Wow on Friday- don't you love the paper bag jacket- I so remember making mine in Elementary School and thinking it was the greatest thing ever!

We are off on our way to Idaho to spend the holiday with my extended family. It should be a great time of family, food and fun! We will share all the wonderful details when we return!!

Wisdom beyond her years

How did she know that TWO years ago was the right time to come? How could she know that she needed to join our family right then, no obstacle was getting in her way- she had things to do, people to meet, great things to accomplish, HAPPINESS to bring. How did she know that I would be so happy TODAY to have another fun, energetic, loving, sweet, adorable little girl laughing with me and singing "Twinkle Twinkle" together and tucking in baby dolls all day long? That I would need to have her here right NOW to enjoy my favorite stage of childhood again. How did SHE know that WE knew that three girls were most definitely better than two! How did she know that if she weren't here NOW then Liv would be so lonely while Abby was at school. How did she KNOW that Paul would be needing little cubby two year old arms to give him tight hugs last night. She KNEW that two years later she would be the piece that made us all feel COMPLETE. Two years old- and WISER than I think I could ever be- she saw the BIG picture and I am grateful more and more each day for that. Thank you for WANTING and rushing to be part of our family- for knowing that we couldn't WAIT to be with YOU- sometimes we all just need a little push in the right direction when we can't see past our own noses. I know NOW that it was the PERFECT time and this is the RIGHT place to be!HAPPY BIRTHDAY Evangeline- You are a JOY and we all love you to pieces!!

Whipped into shape

In the past Paul and I have done the Power 90 workout program. It is a 90 day schedule that rotates you through cardio and strength training. At the time I wasn't even weighing or measuring myself but I dropped several pant sizes and was felling very good(this was before we had any children). Paul had amazing results dropping nearly 30 pounds! So the new and updated and advanced version came out a while ago called Power90X . After thinking about it for a while Paul went ahead and got it with the stipulation that I would be his workout buddy and he wanted to work out at night. I am more than happy to do that(despite the fact that I am a morning workout type of person)- not that he needs to lose any weight but because I want him to be healthy, make his heart stronger and lower his cholesterol with the heart history in his family. However, I LOVE my swimming and Spinning too much (I have let the running slide for this) so three days a week I am doing double workouts. I am very intrigued as to weather this will help me break through my slump. I am at my goal weight and holding steady but have not been able to budge it. Will I be able to tone up more since it involves a lot of strength training that I haven't done in the past? I know that this is good for all women to build our bone mass and lower our risk of osteoporosis. Naturally, I will probably experience both of those benefits but I predict a jump in my weight by a few pounds as I build more muscle. I will keep you posted!
So last week we launched into the program and I was soooo sore I thought I was going to die!!! I found that working out twice a day was hard but by throwing in the night workout is making me eat less at dinner and it has halted my nighttime snackies completely, so that is great! Yes Paul has already lost 3 pounds(IN ONE WEEK) and as of today I am down 1- curse those men and their natural testosterone pumping fat burning metabolisms!!!!
I will say though that I am over the soreness and really enjoying the workouts- they are VERY intense and I can't wait until day 90 when I am a toned up hottie!!!!

We made the leap

My little Eva can no longer be considered a baby! After several months of Paul telling me she was ready, and me not wanting to believe him, Eva was moved into a toddler big girl bed!! She will be two years old next week so I guess she is ready, especially when her favorite thing to do is climb into Abby's bed, get all snuggled into the blankets and say "night, night, mom".

Yes, we took the crib apart and put it in storage. Wait a minute...WE TOOK THE CRIB DOWN!!!!! For the first time in nearly six years we don't have a crib in our house!! I am just a little bit freaking out right now, but I will get over it right? It is OK to say goodbye to the old and familiar and embrace the new and untested right? We only had the first night of a melt down as she cried for her "baby bed". It was more then sad, but the smile on her face the next day as she told everyone about her "big bed" made me very happy!WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY!!? How could she be this old already...

More information than one should ever divulge!

Over the last couple of months I have been tagged several times. I had very good intentions of doing them, because I LOVE them, but alas, things have gotten away from me. So now I can't remember all of them so here are a couple of recent ones
Enjoy!!!!!

FIVE THINGS:

5 things I was doing 10 year ago:
- Starting in on my third year of College at Weber State in Dental Hygiene
- Went to Wendover with roommates to do my very first round of LEGAL gambling
- Dating a Loser (LONG story for another time!)
- Writing a missionary
- Thought I had life all figured out- SO wrong!!

5 Things on my to do list in no special order:
- Triathlon
- Go to Italy with Paul
- Get all my holiday shopping done before Christmas Eve this year
- Do the laundry
- Watch my family grow up happy

5 favorite snacks:
- CHEESECAKE
- Frosty floats from Wendy's (Paul lets me have one on days he knows I NEED one!)
- Gummy candy's
- Triscut Crackers with Sharp cheddar cheese slices
- Popcorn

5 Jobs I've had:
- Lawn mowing (family business)
- Secretary for the training department at the Developmental Center (Dad's work)
- Shopko, Heath and Beauty Dept. (Logan), Receiving (Ogden)
- Dental Assistant- Family Practice, Endodontist, Cosmetic Dentistry
- Wife and Mom

5 Things I would do with a million dollars:
- Pay off the mortgage
- Travel to some other countries
- Buy my husband the car of his dreams (he deserves it after taking care of everyone else!)
- Set up college funds for my kids
- Buy every pair of shoes that I see and love!

5 Things that made me laugh this week:
- Abby- when she made her alien out of construction paper and proceeded to tell me he live on the planet Neptune.
- Liv- when I picked her up from preschool today and she had put her "good job" sticker on her forehead- and then couldn't tell me a single thing they had done because "I forgot".
- Eva- Every time I turn around I find her standing in front of the fridge staring at her trick or treat bucket that is on top!
- Paul- watching him watch 30Rock last night- the answers for both conversations was great!
- Good friends at a birthday dinner out on Monday night.

SIX RANDOM THINGS:
1.I hate emptying the dishwasher so much that I let the dishes pile in the sink until I can't find the faucet before I do it!!
2.I used to be a makeup queen. I know, many of you didn't know me before I had children, now I only wear it when I am going somewhere, which is sparse!! Paul likes to joke with me by saying "Are you wearing makeup- you look so beautiful today" when he know that I am not!
3. I have had my toenails painted every day since my sophomore year of high school. We went backpacking up in the high Uintas and I decided to wear a new pair of hiking boots (never do this!). I developed huge blisters under the toenails of my big toes. They didn't fall off but grew out only being attached half way down. It looks really weird, so I ALWAYS have them painted.
4.I can't scrapbook out of chronological order. I have tried to do events, like birthdays, holidays, just so that I don't forget the feelings, but I just can't. Something about not having them in order in my mind- I know weird!
5.When I drive- I BLAST the music and sing along. I know that many of you do this, but do all three of your girls yell "LOUDER MOM" and sing along with Hannah Montana microphones in hand!!! My mother worries for the safety of their ears- I think it is fun!!
6.I love to get magazines in the mail. Right now I get: Creating Keepsakes, Allure, Glamour, Self, Parenting, Golf Magazine (for Paul really), Digital Scrapbooking Mag. (through Email). It all started back when I was 12 and started ordering YM (Young and Modern Magazine). I was such a sucker for the fashion and makeup tips, interviews with movie stars, "I can't believe this totally happened" letters. It then evolved into a Cosmo subscription that took me through college- so many good times reading and laughing with my roommates. In fact, most road trips I pick one up for Paul and I to read together while we are driving- we just have a good laugh!!

HUBBY TAG:

1. Where did you meet? In Provo- His roommate was trying to date me!!!

2. How long did you date before you were married? A year and a half- seems like longer with all the brake ups and drama!!! HA HA HA

3. How long have you been married? Almost 8 years

4. What is your favorite feature of his? His broad shoulders- So manly!!!! I also love his dark hair and Blue eyes combination!

5. What is your favorite quality of his? His sense of humor. He makes me laugh so much and we really get each other.

6. Does he have a nickname for you? Not really, my name doesn't lend itself to that very well. Does Hotty count!!!!

7. What is his favorite food? I would say Italian, because he is so particular about it. But you know- he loves Kraft Singles, hot dogs and Doritos too!!! Sometime I like to say that I cook for 4 children!!

8. What is his favorite sport? That is a toss up because he loves sports of all kinds, except Baseball outside of the world series. But his favorite would have to be Bronco Football, then BYU football and then Jazz Basketball followed up by Golf.

9. When and where was your first kiss? At my apartment in Heritage Gardens in Provo after our first official date- I know I am a slut!!!

10. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?I really shouldn't talk about that in an open forum!!!! HA HA. We really just love to get the girls to bed, lay on the couch together and watch our favorite shows while rubbing each others feet.

11. Do you have any children? Three beautiful girls.

12. Does he have a hidden talent? Most of his talents are pretty well seen, but I would say his ability to keep his car completely clean- not a speck of dust or drop of dirt in it!

13. How old is he? 32

14. Who said "I love you" first. ME!!!! And I totally got the "T-h-a-n-k-s, that's nice." Horrifying!!

16. What do you admire the most about him? His unwavering testimony, willingness to always tell the truth, and say exactly what is on his mind without worrying what others think.

17. Do you think he will read this? Yes, he is one of my biggest blog fans, although he NEVER comments!!

And that is everything you ever wanted to know and more!!!!

Another year older...

And hopefully, somewhat, wiser too!!!It was absolutely delightful to have the entire primary sing me happy birthday today while watching Abby grin ear to ear that they were singing to HER mom!!
Thanks for the cake mom- my favorite!!!!

It's Halloween!!

Oh, I LOVE this holiday!! It is just so fun!!! This week has proved to be very busy, and long!! Both Paul and Eva launched themselves into sinus infections, but now that they have been on the antibiotic for several days they are doing much better and we are now ready to celebrate!! So after glancing at every ones blogs it appears that carving pumpkins last night was very late on our part!! But it was fun non the less and here are some pictures:
Liv LOVED digging into the guts and stirring her pot of "guts" in the bowl!
Abby didn't like the "slimys" so much but thought the fun eyes that were going onto the pumpkins were cool!
Eva could hardly wait to get a hold of the "mooshys" and I couldn't take that bowl away from her for the rest of the night!!Everyone thought my idea of using the drill to make a Polk-a-dot pumpkin was fantastic. I had no idea that they would all want to hold the drill and make the holes themselves!! Way to go girls, and by the way- that was WAY to messy, talk about pumpkin splatter EVERYWHERE!!
Today Liv was the first to get all decked out for her preschool party.
Doesn't she look so cute as a princess "with a pointy hat"!
She got to wear "makeups" for the first time, glitter lip gloss and sparkly shadow. We also put glitter stars on her cheeks, if you look closely you can see them, she was overjoyed with this!!Next we got Abby all ready. She was so excited to be Wonder Woman this year. We have been recording the Justice League so that she could see what she does and she thinks she is so cool now!! I think Abby makes the perfect super hero and I am delighted to have something other than a princess in the house!!
She thought it appropriate to pose like she was climbing the tree, I don't know!!Blocking bullets!

Eva, as always is her own self, not wanting to put on her costume and screaming every time I try!! How can I have a child that doesn't like to dress up for Halloween? I will keep working on her, we will come up with something!

Happy Halloween everyone!! Have a fun time out being your alter ego for the night!!!

That time of year

Yes my children have been enduring the first of I am sure many many bouts with the nasty head colds that will come into our lives. So it is every fall when school starts up combined with the colder temps and going to church, or should I say nursery, each Sunday. Funny that this round started with Paul of all people, he must be hugging and kissing the children too much or something!!! Anyway that is why I don't have much to post this week, I have started to lose my voice yesterday accompanied by a soar throat so I hope that is all I am going to get, I hate having a stuffy nose and cough.
This week we started in on our Halloween countdown calendar that I found here . It starts on the 19th and follows up to the 31st with something fun and crafty for the kids to do each day. So far we have read "The Jack-o-lantern" story and drawn our own on paper. Then we made Halloween paper bag puppets and put on a show. Next came singing Halloween songs that we know, and they knew a lot surprisingly! We walked around the neighborhood and took pictures of the decorations on their digital cameras. This was followed by making Halloween cards for some of our neighbor friends and today we are decorating our Halloween buckets. Sneak peak -because I have to be prepared- tomorrow we will be watching the Muppet Halloween Adventure movie. So that has been fun.
Last night I went to dinner with my high school girl friends. I was so happy to see them again in honor of Tina due to have her first little girl baby in a couple of weeks (she has a little boy but we all know that girls are better!), although the doctors say she will go any day and she was contracting the entire night!! Can't wait to hear that the sweet baby has arrived- good luck with everything Tina I am pulling for fast and easy!!!
Tonight is the Fall Festival at Abby's school, so we are headed over there for all the fun with Cory, Jill and their darling kids. That should be a great time and Abby almost can't wait- the only thing that has helped is the fact that she had her first field trip to the pumpkin patch today!
Tomorrow is another home BYU game which means I am suppose to go over to my mothers to hang out with the girls and cousins, but with the head colds I am not sure if we are going to make it. My sister sent this word art over a little while ago and I had a good laugh:So very true for my sister-in-law Jenn and I!!! But as I was saying before I really don't mind because it give us all an excuse to get together, visit, play, eat good food, and have a great time together!
Exhibit A:Abby and Laurynn are the very best of friends!! As soon as they see each other they run and hug and walk off together hand in hand and proceed to laugh and laugh and laugh- so precious!
Exhibit B:Look at those happy sweet faces having fun together!
Exhibit C:Last time we were together we made these!!! My mother makes the BEST caramel for dipping apples, Fantastic and Fun!!!
So while the season may be long to some, and Brandon's family can only wear blue on Saturday, I really do enjoy the football season, just not cold and flu season!!!

While Grandpa is away...

Grandma and the Grandkids will play!!!
Twice a year, on fall break and spring break, my father goes back home to Shelley ID to help my grandfather get his house/yard/garden ready for winter or summer. This weekend would be no different except that my mother wasn't going to go with him. Instead she decided to fly east and visit my brother Randy and his family that just moved to Iowa and my sister Hillary was going to drive up from Missouri to spend the weekend as well. Now I will not delve into my mood of being upset that I couldn't join her, or my dad for that matter, but will focus on the fact that my mother had ONE night that she was going to have to spend alone before her flight. So what does any loving and devoting grandmother who is afraid of the dark do you ask? Invite her grandchildren over for a sleepover of course!!! While I find her to be completely insane- my girls were SOOOOO excited about the idea that yesterday at 4:00pm they were pulling on my legs and begging me to "Please, Please, go to grandma's for a sleepover"!!! even though nobody would be there until 6:00pm (Naturally Liv was confused when we got there that both grandma's didn't have a "dragonfly room" but we worked it out!!)
I did stay for awhile to help with dinner, get them in there pajamas and wish grandma and my very brave sister-in-law Jenn luck!!
Here are all the girls snuggled into Grandma's bed watching Bednobs and Broomsticks:Here are the boys down stairs watching Indiana Jones:Of course I couldn't leave out the resident superhero's that made the party:It was reported to me that the girls didn't go to sleep until midnight- no word on the exact time that Grandma closed her eyes- I am guessing much earlier explaining the grins on the childrens faces in the morning!!!!