All Hallow's Eve 2011

It finally arrived - HALLOWEEN!!

We had quite a spread of food this year for dinner - soups, chilis, rolls, jello, breads, juice, and of course...Candy!! Thanks to all who brought such yummy food to share.

After much deliberation between Batman and Buzz Lightyear, Batman finally won out (thanks to a little fatherly influence)...Luke was transformed:

Lucy was excited to be a mouse (unfortunately her tail fell off before the evening started). I was SO excited to try a new look this year. As my previous post showed, I was prepared to be a flapper!!

What a great night! The weather was wonderful (no coats)!! The neighbors were happy to see all the kids dressed up. And we were all cleaned up and in the house with jammies on by 8:30! Score!

A few straggling trick-or-treaters stopped by, but by 9:00 the candy was gone, the lights were off and our evening was pleasant :)

It was great!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!

Halloween...here I come!!

Sooo. Nearly every year, I dress up as the same thing: a Witch/Vampire/Generally Scary Character. This year, I decided to change it up a little. I've been reading a lot of books related to the 1920's, so I chose to be a Flapper!! How fun! I searched all over for a costume. Found many options (all $40+ and rather skanky), but none that appealed to me. So.....I hit D.I. - found a dress for $4. I also found shoes ($4) and a handbag ($1.50).

Then, I headed to Hobby Lobby for fringe and sequins. The awesome lady at the fabric counter helped me upload a 40% off coupon from the H. L. website and saved me $10 on my fringe and sequins. My feathers were on sale, too - 50% off !! Woot! Woot

After a couple days of pondering (and great input from my sis), I got started. Rather than sew all the glitter on, I decided to take the simple route - Hot Glue baby!! Here's the first round:

After a couple more rounds, here's what I ended up with:

Finally, I got it all done (for less than $40, and just how I wanted). Now I just need a couple LONG strands of beads (pearls if I can find them)....I'm open to friends willing to lend :)

See you in a few weeks!

p.s. No wig this year...the hair's the real deal.

Camping Trip 2011

CAMPING TRIP 2011

Somehow August passed and we couldn't fit a trip to the Uintahs in, sooooo....we did it in September instead.

Day 1

We camped at

out of Mountain View, WY.

Upon arrival, we realized we'd nearly blown a tire on the truck...Uncle Doyle got that taken care of before bedtime that night.

We also lost the clutch on the truck on the drive in....you'll have to wait to see how that ended :)

We unloaded our gear:

and proceeded to set up camp.

In the end, we had the wall tent with a stove and kitchen, the camp trailer,

and we added a shower the next day (heavenly...aaahhhh) - sorry no pics.

After set up, we saddled up and headed up the mountain for a quick ride before dinner.

We rode to east to look into the Red Castles (Smiths Fork Drainage). I've been there a couple times, so it was cool to see it from a different perspective. However, it was super-windy and COLD, so I didn't snap any photos.

It was a great ride. We ended the day with Spaghetti Dinner!!

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Day 2 included a pancake breakfast, complete with sausage and eggs. We saddled up (popped a couple Advil) and headed up the main trail into East Fork Blacks Fork. We were looking for a few unnamed lakes on the west side of the canyon. Not long after entering the Wilderness, we came upon these two moose (one is behind and hard to see). We watched each other for a few minutes, and then decided to be on our merry way.

We rode up and down, around, up some more and finally found a rather large puddle, that actually had a few fish in it.

It was about 2:00, so we stopped, had lunch, fished a few minutes, and decided we'd better start back or we might be eating dinner in the dark. A few minutes before this photo was taken, the mule my dad is on had been grazing a little while the rest of us were loading up. One second Wally was upright and chewing away, the next he was on his side, a little dazed, wondering what had happened. The only thing we can figure is the breast strap had cut off his air while his head was down eating and he blacked out. Fortunately, no one was on him at the time.

This wooden bridge crosses a swampy area and is about 200 feet long (I don't really know, but it was looong!). If you're animal didn't get across, you had to turn back.

We made it - no problem.

Just as we were about to leave Wilderness Area (yes, there was a sign posted), we came across another moose:

The north slope of the Uintahs has the highest concentration of moose in the state (according to a ranger we ran into on a previous trip to the north slope)...I can believe that!

We ended day 2 with roast beef, cheesy potatoes, and carrots...yumm!

Oh! And a HOT SHOWER!!

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Day 3

We decided to try again in locating the lakes. We rode up the trail, up the mountain - no trail, down the mountain - no trail, across a few meadows and STILL couldn't find the lakes. I was really starting to worry about Dad's map-reading skills.

We did, however, hear an elk bugling. Then, it came looking for a fight. When the bull realized we weren't much of a threat to his cows, he high-tailed it out of there. He was big, beautiful, and .... fast! I didn't get the camera out in time to snap a photo :(

We rode and rode some more, before getting back to camp

My cousin, Megan, and her family were waiting at camp when we got back...it was SO good to see them! They stayed through the end of the trip. We all enjoyed chicken and rice for dinner and an apple-raspberry cobbler for dessert! Mmmmm.

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Day 4

After two days of searching for lakes, we decided to look elsewhere. After french toast, eggs, and bottled peaches, we headed back up the trail to the Red Castles (from Day 1). We were going to Bald Lake and a couple other small lakes in the area. When we reached the ridge, we realized that Bald Lake was further away than we thought, so we opted for the smaller, closer lakes. We headed off the mountain (no trail) to the lake we could see. Along the way, we crossed a biiiig meadow that looked a little marshy and wet. Megan and Todd didn't want to risk losing a shoe, so they started arooouuund the marsh. Uncle Doyle followed them. Dad and I, feeling invincible on our mules, headed down the middle. ugh. The further we went, the worse it got. We stopped once to re-assess. Dad suggested heading to the right and out of the marsh. I, being SOOOO smart, thought we could get through - there were lots of little bushes (meaning there was solid ground). Oh heavens, I should've listened to my dad. He followed my right out into the mud. Soon, we were stuck. We were too far from any side to get there in a hurry, and it was too deep to get turned around. We kept going as best we could. But soon, I realized my feet were getting wet - while I was on my mule - he was up to his belly in mud/water. I was riding Frank. He floundered some and struggled before nearly tipping over. I rolled off (into the wet) and he tried to get up. With a few rests between, dad and I were finally able to lead our mules out of the marsh. Phew! I was shaking, soaking wet down the back, and nearly peed my pants!

We decided to let our mules (and our selves) recover for a minute before making our way to the lake. I can honestly say I haven't felt that sort of panic while riding in a long, LONG time (since I was a teenager??). I was glad to get moving soon after. We finally found the lake we'd been aiming for. Upon arrival, we realized it was more of a large pond. Oh well. After lunch, we headed back down through the trees to find the trail. Megan's daughter, Annie, fell asleep along the trail...that's usually a good sign that it's a good trail :)

Before we reached camp, we heard another Elk bugling, but never did get a clear shot for a photo...darn it, cuz he was close!

We enjoyed turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, carrots, and cobbler and I had a shower before turning in for the night.

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Day 5

We decided not to ride before packing up, as we had a family party to be to at 4:00 that afternoon. So, after french toast, eggs, cereal and whatever else we had leftover that needed to be eaten for breakfast, we started packing up.

The shower came down. The kitchen got packed up. The camp trailer got cleaned up (mostly my stuff). The tent came down. The horse trailer got loaded up.

The clutch. ugh.

Fortunately, Todd is a great guy, and hooked on the the horse trailer to hook on to the camp trailer then pulled it out so dad could back on to the trailers more easily...as his clutch didn't work. Hooray for low gears (4WD) and lots of practice.

We all got hooked up, and headed out. Todd and Annie decided to ride down the rode just for giggles. Megan picked them up before too long. They changed a flat and were on their way behind us.

The final "phew" came when we got home. We unhooked the camp trailer to unload. Unhooked the horse trailer to unload, and realized the safety clip had never been attached to the truck. The hitch was on, but not secured. I truly think our guardian angels were working overtime this trip :) Thank Heaven for the prayers of our families at home. I know they kept of safe :)

We made it home in time for the birthday party (Mom, Me, and Todd!!) It was a great trip!!!

Until next year....

HAPPY TRAILS

Empty...

I guess I just need to empty my brain for one minute. Set the timer. Ready. Set. Go.

I'm tired of not being able to see in the morning.

I'm tired of foggy contacts.

I'm tired.

I hate seeing people I love in pain.

I'm sick of people who have to follow-through.

I am SO excited for my up-coming vacation (of sorts).

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my family for all their help and love and support, even when I complain.

I am SOOOOO ticked I have to wait until NO.VEM.BER for the new season of "Bones"...grrrrr.

I am looking forward to the next Twilight movie. Yes I'll be at a midnight showing.

I love having internet on my phone.

I HATE when the internet on my phone is so slow, it's useless.

I feel REALLY shallow sometimes...okay a lot of times.

I have the best friends in the world!!

I LOVE my husband - he puts up with a lot of craziness from me.

I am wary of my 2-year-olds' ability to climb in AND out of her crib.

I am excited to read with my 4-year-old...he's starting to understand that words have meaning!

I miss Kindergarten :(

I get to sub in Kindergarten in a couple weeks!!

I get to sub in a couple weeks!

I miss my friends from the old days and their silliness...oh wait, I still have those friends :)

I really liked the blue hair...it's gone now - but the silver tone that remains is cool, too.

I love purple - Integrity, Royalty, grapes, plums, Toenails (he he he)!

I'd like to cruise Norway.

I want to be on Wheel of Fortune!

I really like the quiet in my house right now...it's a good kind of quiet.

Phew.

I don't know how long that took...but it felt good.

Thanks for listening :)

Saturday is a special day....

If any of you read my blog post yesterday, you'll be happy to know that today started out much better: except for the dry cereal that ended up all over my bedroom floor. However, that prompted me to vacuum the entire house, change bedsheets and clean the toy room; so I guess, not so bad after all!

Now that my washer is fixed, I can get all the laundry done in a very short time: What did I ever do without my clothesline? Best way to get the laundry done quickly!!

p.s. As I write this I realize just how the simple things in life are what keep me going (clotheslines, kids playing nicely while I clean, not worrying about a bra until AFTER lunch, he he).

What a Day...

So I started this morning on the wrong foot...6:30 AM, wide awake, but too stubborn to get up and get going. Would rather lay in bed by Rich until kids come in and demand breakfast. Needless to say...it spiraled: Went for a run, wasn't able to complete it running, but walked the last two runs (blech); got home, the towels in the wash didn't finish and the washer was stuck mid-cycle. Rich broke away from cleaning the kitchen to take care of the washer. I finished cleaning the bathrooms (again, blech), only to realize I needed to finish in the kitchen, as the washer needed a part only available in Provo (really? What the crap?!). Well, kitchen got finished, washer is fixed, and I'm SO tired...whatever.

Thanks, Alissa, for letting Luke play at your house for 2 hours (!), that made the tasks today much more bearable.

I should've gone bowling...

Now, off to the temple - hopefully I won't fall asleep. I guess, someone will wake me up if I do :)

Need a laugh?!

Alright. A few days ago we were hanging out at home and the kids were just running around. Lucy came up to me and said "bum" a few times. That usually means she needs a bum change, but I had changed her after her nap (in the last 20 mins or so)...so I just brushed it off and kept doing whatever lame thing I was doing at the time. A few minutes later, I see Lucy standing on the kitchen rug...peeing. Yes, peeing. I started to get upset, then realized how funny this truly was. After containing my laughter, I checked Lucy...no diaper. I guess she had taken her diaper off (that's when she came and told me, "bum") and continued to run around commando.

I'm just glad she peed on the rug (washable) and not the hard floor (puddles, ew).

I found this hilarious and thought you might enjoy a giggle, too!

Helllooooo!

Alright, I just can't leave this alone. I like having a place to empty my brain (aside from my husband's ear, as I tend to repeat things and drive him crazy). So...I'm back :)

I don't have much to share, other than, I am being very diligent in keeping my book blog updated, so if you are a reader, or would like to be, check it out: alwaysliterary.blotspot.com

Also, we went bowling as a family recently aaaand...I didn't lose to my children (who used the ramp and bumpers)!! Yay me!

I officially have one calling at church: Organist. I get to continue practicing and playing the organ - hopefully doing it a little better each week.

I started running again (ugh). Thanks to cheap arch supports, my feet are happy...although my legs could use a little TLC (aka: massage).

Rich is shrinking out of his clothes (yay for him, grr because it's not fair how easily it's happened). He runs daily and quit soda :)

My kids are sillier and funnier than ever...Seriously, I think they're part monkey - climbing and hanging on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g!!!! Oh well...good times.

I might be officially addicted to WordFeud...no, Words with Friends...well, maybe both :/

I guess that's all...more to come.

ho hum....

I've become rather bored with my blog.  If you're wondering why I haven't posted anything in a while, it's not that we haven't had any fun things happen; I just don't make time to write about them.  So, I'm going to continue my break from blogging for a while.  I'll let you know when I'm ready to begin again.

Seriously Smart Kid

During our caselot shopping trip this week, Lucy managed to lose a shoe. I checked the aisles - twice and couldn't find it. I found comfort in the fact that I'd only paid $.10 for the pair at a garage sale over the weekend. Rich and I were bummed, but after checking at Customer Service tried to get over it. We loaded the car (literally, the back end was pretty low) and the kids. As we buckled up, I said to Luke - half joking - "Luke, do you remember where Lucy lost her shoe?" He quickly replied, "by the big 10". I looked at Rich and told him it was worth a shot. Luke and I raced back into the store to check on aisle 10.....no shoe. We went all the way to the back - eyes on the floor - no shoe. As I turned to go back down aisle 9, Luke said, "Wait Mom. Look." He was pointing to a display of stacked boxes with a shoe on top! YAY!! I was so excited! I told him he was a great detective! We went out and got back into the car, shoe in hand. Hooray for a good-lookin' kid with a great memory!! Lucy was happy to have her shoe back, too.

Later that day...Lucy was walking in the neighbor's yard and walked over a flooded sprinkler box...her shoe came off in the water...ugh. Mark fished it out (thanks, Mark) for us, but it was soaked and dirty so she ran around the rest of the afternoon without tights and shoes.

Hmmmm...Maybe they're too big?

Being Prepared...trying to be, anyway.

We've made General Conference Weekend our official "go-through-the-72-hr -kits-and-see-what-needs-rotating" weekend. I like it because I don't have to work around other things that come up. We always plan to be around to listen to/watch Conference. Also, we don't plan family outings or dates, etc so it works well for us!

(These are not mine, but we have similar packs)

Now, I went through each item in the fall, so this time, I decided to check the clothes and call it good. Lucy was set. Luke got new clothes and I yanked out the pull-ups (YAY!!). Mine were fine and Rich, too.

I get great peace of mind from knowing if we must use our 72-hr packs, we'll have what we need to get by...food, clothing, water.

I tried our Mr. Buddy Heater (seriously - best Christmas Present Ever, next to the Tent!), it works great! Super easy to use, too (I suggest every mom has one - they can teach their hubbies how to use them)!

I wanted to set up the tent, but got out-voted (not sure how that works, cuz there's only two of us voting...)

If only being prepared was the sort of thing that could be done once and forgotten...this updating thing is really hard for me. I guess I'll just keep trying...:)

Zoo..........!!

We made our first trip to the zoo today! Perfect weather. Kids were great and had a blast. Lots of people, but not crazy-busy. Great Day! Lucy nearly went crazy when she saw this weird little animal in the rainforest building (?). I think the name was Cavy?

Something like that...I'll find a pic. Anyway, if she could've jumped through the glass into their space, she would have! It was awesome!! Luke liked everything, but he was SO excited to see a giraffe and a zebra. It didn't dawn on me until the very end when I said it was time to go. Luke said, "But mom, I need to see the zebra first." uh-oh. I had to tell him that this zoo doesn't have a zebra, the zebras died. What a sad face. He was okay, though. He LOVED the giraffe! As soon as Rich loads the pics off the camera, I'll add them to this post. Tonight was good, too...a little grilling, some friends, and the kids ending the evening in tears. What more could one ask for?!! Really, it was fun! The kids were just worn out, but had a great day!!

Adventures. In. Food.

So I've been getting Bountiful Baskets since the beginning of the year. We are NOT big veggie eaters, but are trying to branch out a little. So, I thought I'd start to chronicle some of our adventures in food... You saw the squash soup - failure, but glad we tried. This week one of our veggies was romaine lettuce. I wish I'd taken a picture, but here's what we had for dinner: Homemade spaghetti, homemade garlic bread, and caesar salad with homemade dressing (thank heavens for Johnny's!!). It was a great success! I even learned how to make buttermilk... Tomorrow? Homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, and fresh fruit (apples, bananas, oranges)...mmm.... can't wait !!

Let the Grilling.....BEGIN!!

I'd like to think I'm that super-fun mom who makes green breakfast, green lunch, and a green dinner on St. Patrick's Day. However, when it comes right down to it - I'm not. We DID enjoy green pancakes - somehow those silly leprechauns got into the pancake batter and turned it green while I was doing something else! Dinner could have been a traditional Irish meal of Corned Beef and Hash...or Cabbage Stew...but it wasn't.

We kicked off the grilling season with cheeseburgers, potato salad (which was tainted green by those darn leprechauns), fruit salad and potato chips!! It was great!

Bring on the warm weather and let the grilling begin!!!

Toot - Toot!

Here I share the words of my friends, Nat:
Not to toot my own horn...

I finished her sentence with a little toot toot!!

After a great evening at the salon, I give you:
The OLD me...............................................

and the NEW me!!

THANKS NAT! I love the new do!

Dinner Experiment 1

First, let's introduce (or remind of) the steps of the scienitific method:

observation

question

hypothesis

prediction

experiment

predicted result

So, I decided to give new food a try: Vegetables.

In my most recent Bountiful Basket, I received a head of lettuce, spinach, carrots, squash, yams, jerusalem artichokes (Ya, I had to look them up), among other things. So, rather than give them to someone who would LOVE them, I decided to try to cook them and eat them.

Here's Dinner via the Scientific Method:

Observation: I have vegetables that need to be eaten.

Question: If I cook vegetables, will my family eat them?

Hypothesis: Vegetables taste good when they are cooked (or prepared to be eaten)

Prediction: If this hypothesis is correct,

Experiment: And I cook the vegetables,

Predicted Result: My family will eat them (and possible like them)

Actual Result: Vegetables were cooked into a soup (I followed a recipe) and breadsticks were prepared, we all tasted the soup, and we ALL decided to....

Hit the drive thru!

Conclusion A: Don't buy anymore vegetables.

Conclusion B: Just try ONE new veggie at a time.

side note - the soup did NOT go to waste. For FHE we dropped it by a few people in the ward we knew would appreciate the veggies it contained.

We will try again....another day.

Happy Birthday!!

So Luke turned 4 last week! We have been building up to this as a motivation to finish potty training. We got to have the family over for a little cake and ice cream on Tuesday!

On Wednesday, we ventured to Cabela's for a little party with friends. We got to feed the trout, eat pizza, see the big fish and animals, eat cupcakes, open presents and go home with a bag of goodies. It was so fun to see Luke and his friends interacting and playing and getting so big!

Thanks to the grown ups who helping wrangle, herd, clean up and transport our little party-goers!

Luke thanks his friends and family for the great gifts and fun!

btw - being 4 has changed everything...I think we're on our way to beign potty-trained!!

A little away

I got to be back in school for the day. I subbed in a Kindergarten class (that I am getting to know more and more). They are good kids.

It was SO nice to use my brain in a way that I don't get to do often anymore. I came home happy and ready to play with my kids and eat dinner together. It was a good away.