Rainey Times

Happy Holiday Wishes

2009-12-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

It feels great to have the Christmas card done so early in the month! I have lots of new posts for you to come this week. Hope to see you back to take a look!

Making PIE memories

2009-11-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

Last night Jessica and I spent 2 hours ceating yummy pies. I have posted both recipes for you and some pictures. The crust was easy with this wonderful trick we learned; roll dough out inbetween two sheets of plastic wrap. Remove top wrap and flip into your pie pan and take other wrap off. Simple as can be! Hope you can enjoy a homemade pie maybe for this Thanksgiving!

A new read

2009-10-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

The book group I am in is reading this book called "The Undaunted" by Gerald Lund.

The journey was impossible. But they had no other choice. At the call of their prophet, they left well-established farms and businesses to strike out yet again into the untamed wilderness. A small band of men, women, and children formed the 1879 pioneer company. Their mission: stand as a buffer between lawlessness and civilization. Their road: only what they created themselves, blasting out a perilous trail over slick rock and through desolate cliffs. Their hearts: UNDAUNTED.

In The Undaunted, readers first go to the coal mines of Yorkshire, then across the ocean and the plains to the territory of Utah, where, even in 1879, there is pioneering to be done. A little- known and perhaps even less- appreciated chapter in the Church s history comes to life in this gripping story of a stalwart group of Saints called to create a settlement to serve as a buffer between the established communities of Utah and the lawless frontier of the Four Corners area. Their challenge will be enormous but the biggest part of it just may be getting there in the first place. Skillfully interweaving historical figures and events with fictional characters, Gerald Lund takes us through the Hole in the Rock and over miles of uncharted country that even today is impassable without all- terrain vehicles. His account of the adventure, romance, and sacrifices of these undaunted pioneers will resonate with readers who love a good story as well as those who want to better understand the incomparable legacy and unconquerable faith of those valiant Saints. Taken from Amazon review

I can't wait to get started. I think I will go start right now!

Jacob is seven

2009-08-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Jacobs 7th birthday started two days earlier at Pirate Island Pizza with his buddies! Everyone had a blast!

I went to his class today and Jacob gave everyone in his classroom a donut

To end the birthday celebrating we went to " Texas Roadhouse" to ride the saddle. Our waiter was so nice he took Jacob around the resturant for a real ride!
As you can see from my pictures I had no camera with me this whole time! Thank heavens for the Iphone!

Dads Gone for a week...time to PARTY!

2009-07-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, how does the saying go..."When the cat is away, the mice will play". Well, our cat is away for a full week (Joe) and I have decided to let the kids play, play, play. Who cares about house work, laundry and a balanced meal. Not us! We are leaving the housework for later, eating as much junk as we can, satying up late and just right out celebrating the last few days of our summer break. Before we know it Joe will be home and things will go back to normal, school starts her on August 13. But for now, here is a few things we've been up to...

Went to see G-Force and spent more money on the snacks then the movie!

Kids slept in the guest house, but did not make it to sleep until way past midnight

Swimming

Driving range to hit severl bucket of balls

friends over for late night

AND.... today is only Tuesday! 4 more days to go, lots more fun things to do. I think I might just have icecream for dinner...hope your enjoying your summer!

Pay it forward...Winners

2009-06-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Not the best pics.Taken from my Iphone, all our cameras are dead!

It has been a few months from the "Pay it Forward" post I did, and I had 2 people play (posting the idea on their blog or facebook account to keep the game going as in the rules). Thank you Tracy and Natalie. I had fun trying to think of what to make and decided on bookmarks (as you all know I love to read). Hope you will love them and love the books you read over the summer. Thanks again for playing!

Swim Meet

2009-06-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

Jessica had a fun trial run of what a swim meet will be like for her swim team. Everyone that had not been on the swim team before was invited to race in 3 races. She did the : relay free style, individual back stroke, and the 50 meter free style. It was amazing to see what a great swimmer she is!

Weekend at our cabin

2009-05-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

School ended for us on Friday so we headed up to our cabin for some fun in the mountains. A few of our highlights were:

firecrackers, four wheeling, river watching, flowers on grandpa Reeds grave, roasting marshmallows, seeing friends from our old ward in Syracuse, Utah, at the church house in Freedom, Wy. (that was crazy!) and last but not least, roasting doughnuts in the fire-pit. Joey's idea and we must say it was a big hit!

So we are now going full swing into our summer activities. Pool time, golfing, tennis, and late nights to name a few. I'm tired all ready!

A lost tooth!

2009-05-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Jacob was so excited to have his first loose tooth! On sunday he told me it was loose and a short four days later it was out! The tooth fairy is reported to be very busy and missed our house last night...hopefully she will come/remember tonight! (I can't believe I forgot!)

A Quick update

2009-05-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

I've been slaking on the blog! I have no real excuse of why, but here is a quick update.

While outside staining our pool deck the kids discovered two owls hanging around our sports court. They are about 4-6 weeks old and very interesting to watch. The whole head turning around thing was a little creepy. Jacob loved the yellow eyes and the clicking sounds they keep making (he now thinks he can talk owl). Animal control came and rescued them off our cliff and into safety.

My laptop has decided to give me keyboarding fits. If I am not careful I send off some crazy emails with lots of missing letters. I thought I could fix this myself by cleaning the keyboard, but I ended up breaking the zero key completely and now need to take it in to get repaired.

Jessica played in her first "Skills" golf game Saturday. She took second place! Way to go sis!

(Joey got second in his bracket also, but did not want to take a picture with a second place trophy...he was upset with his performance to say the least!)

Mother's Day was great. Breakfast in bed, home-made cards and books, church and a new cell phone. We went over to Joe's mom and meet my parents over there for pie. I have to admit that it is so nice to have a mother-in-law and my mom right here in town. The two of them get a long great and makes it easy to celebrate every holiday together.

To all the moms out there...enjoy motherhood, enjoy your children, enjoy your divine calling. It only takes one mother to care, listen and love one child to create generations of faithful followers!

I Highly Recommend...

2009-04-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU COMPLETELY LOST YOUR HEART TO A BOOK? Well, look no further. Diana Gabaldon has created the ultimate escape in The Outlander. Don't let the 850 pages dissuade you. You wont want to put it down.

I must admit, the synopsis on the back of this massive book threw me off. I didn't think I would be much interested in a romance novel based on time travel -- it just seemed way too implausible. I said the same thing about "Twilight" and I loved that series too! However, at the persistence of several friends, I gave this novel a try. I am certainly grateful that I did. I am on book 5, "The Fiery Cross".

This is not merely a romance novel. It involves a romance, to be sure, but this romance is not one you'd find again. This is an original romance, which so completely describes love and what it will cost you, that I found myself better understanding love. It is also filled with adventure, religion, and human conscience. A historical novel rarely has the ability to make me understand things about my own presence, and yet, Outlander simply did. I was unable to put this book down, as captivated as I was by the compelling writing.

The character development is beyond any I have lately read. Dianna Gabaldon has a true gift for understanding human emotion and translating it for the rest of us to understand. Each book is great in itself, but I highly recommend you start with "Outlander" the first book and work your way through them all. I know the second book: "Dragonfly in Amber", is well over 1000 pages, don't let that stop you. I will tell you this, I cried for the people and what they went through. You can really get a feeling of what times were like before our modern conveniences. The love between Clair and Jamie is amazing. What they accomplish is even more amazing!

Hope you take the time to read at least book one.

F.Y.I. Adult situations...

A Quick Get-A-Way

2009-04-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

San Fransisco skyline

Joe and I have never been to San Fransisco, so we decided it would be fun to run a way for the weekend and check it out without kids! The weather was a little cool but the sun was out. We did all the typical touristy stuff...

rode the trolly tour to see the city, walked the pier, ate clam chowder out of a bread bowl, checked out the Saturday's Farmers Marker, and shopped, shopped, shopped! Our feet are tired but we are happy we got to go. It was a fun get a way!

The fog was neat and coverd the bridge most of the day

Easter Pictures

2009-04-14T16:22:00.001-07:00

Not that they are much to look at, but the tradition goes on...Easter Pictures! Joey thinks he can get out of them now but I made him take them anyways. Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Welcome to the family

2009-04-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

Please welcome A.J. Bennett to the world. He was born on April 1, 2009 and shares that day with his big brother Brandon. We all had a wonderful time visiting him in Seattle and look forward to seeing him grow.

Taking a Trip

2009-04-09T19:18:00.001-07:00

Seattle Space Needle 2007

We are heading off to Seattle to see my baby brothers newest addition to his family. A new baby boy! We are only going over night, but we will get there in 3.5 hours! I just love my pilot husband...I hate the flying part though!

Pay it forward...

2009-03-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Once again I have a fun challenge, this one coming from my creative friend Natalie! Read on to see how to play this fun challenge game and receive a gift created just for you from me!

"In order to experience some of the awesomeness of creativity...the first 5 people to respond to this post will receive something made by me! .... This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully.

1) I make no guarantee that you will like what I make ; )
2) What I create will be just for you, with love ♥♥♥
3) It will be done this year (2009)
4) I will not give you any clue what it's going to be, but it will be something tangible not a cyber gift.
5) I reserve the right to do something completely strange.
6) No two gifts will be alike, and they may not be of equal value.
7) In return, all you need to do is post this text into a blog/note of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 people to respond to your post. I will not send your gift if you do not pay it forward (exp: in your blog, on Facebook, on Cafemom, send out a bulk e-mail)
8) Send me your mailing address if you don't live in the same town as me.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own note to pay it forward.

I can't wait to see who the first 5 people are going to be. Natalie I am looking forward to my creative gift form you!

I've been tagged!

2009-03-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

Okay so I've been tagged to pull my fourth folder and my fourth picture from it to blog about. Here it is....

Christmas gingerbread cookies 2008 taken by Jessica

Cookies for Santa. We, along with most everyone else in the world, make cookies for Santa. I bet you can guess which ones Jacob decorated. All though Joey has outgrown this stage, I found this cute picture of him helping clean out the leftover batter. He use to love baking for every holiday!

Joey age 2.5 where did all the time go?

So, now it is your turn. I tag anyone who looks at my blog!

My best savings so far!

2009-03-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

I went to Smiths grocery store and purchased 90...yes 90..."PowerZeros"

(the Power-Aid sports drink that has zero calories) for a huge price of ....get ready for this...are you sitting down? Okay I'll stop the suspense... $11.25! I know...crazy deal! They are usually on sale for .99 but normal price is 1.49 so I feel like I've won the lottery! That made each drink 12 and a half cents each. A savings of $80 bucks!!!! Any one need a drink? I think I can spare one or two...LOL! I feel like I deserve to go out and get me a new pair of shoes with all the money I saved.

HUMMMMMM......not a bad idea.

Cookies and Coupons

2009-03-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

This month for my cooking group we had a guest speaker come and teach us all the ins and outs of using coupons! Of course we had to have food, its cooking group, so we munched on yummy homemade cookies. Here is my yummy treat for you enjoy.

After listening to her teach us all the ways to save, I left excited to get started. I also wanted to share the web-sight she gave us so you guys can all start saving too! Hope everyone takes a look! Let me know if you want more info and I can send it your way.

www.pinchingyourpennies.com

Scrap-booking Retreat!

2009-03-02T11:40:00.001-08:00

I went away for another four days to my cabin in the mountains to scrap-book, eat yummy food, watch chick-flicks and laugh until my tummy hurt. I know it seems like I just went, but we were all ready to head back up there. I love being-able to run away like that and spend all my days and nights creating beautiful pages of all our family memories. Here are a few of my favorite layouts I finished. Italics written is the journaling.

Not to far in the distant future there will come a day when the boys mean more to you then "Crazy hair Day" and these fun memories will become a thing of the past.

I've never seen a person get lost so much in a sport like you do with golf. You don't care if there is only 20 minutes to hit a bucket of balls or I leave you for the day to hit 18 holes. You ask to go to the driving range daily and will even enjoy spending time in a golf simulator. Watching you play for the school team was a great moment for us. It is fun to see you enjoy something so fully! I never dreamed I would be a mom of a golf addict.

You came home in december one day and told us you were having trouble reading the wipe off board at school. Of course that gave us a red flag to go and get your eyes checked. I took you to "Lens Crafters" for your eye exam and a pair of new glasses. It was fun to see all the different styles on your sweet face. I love the pair you decided on. I think you look adorable and smart with them.

You and airplanes have been a pair un-separated by time. We can find them almost any where. The church bag, my purse, several in the car, all throughout the house, there is a plane for you to have. You absoloutly love them. You can name all of them, tell us how fast they go and how many passangers can fly in them. Your fascination over airplanes makes your daddy so happy because his love for flight is almost as large as yours. I love the way you line them up in your room or catalog them on the ottomen in the family room. Enjoy your love of winged machines Jacob, maybe some day you will be a great pilot just like your daddy!

It seemed too early in the school year for you to be bringing a book home to read on your own. I was thrilled to see your enthusiasm as you read each word to me and looked at the pictures. Your growing up so fast and with each ne w milestone you accomplish makes me so proud to be your mommy.

TBM Preflight with Jessica and Jacob

2009-02-04T21:45:00.000-08:00

Jessica playing "Reporter" just before Joe takes her and Jacob up sight seeing in our TBM last weekend. She has a lot of fun interviewing Jacob. Listen to what he knows about the airplane.

Where have we been???

2009-02-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Where have I been?

Basketball games!

Cleaning my house

PTA

Parent Teacher meetings

HBA Dinners

swimming

tennis lessons

Piano lessons

Library

Park

Feeding the ducks

rec centers

Cooking Group meetings

Luncheons with old friends up North!

Church functions

Reading

working on our food storage

Helping with a "Safety Fair" again

More basketball

and lots lots more that makes my head spin!

@#$#**(&^%@^&#*@^)$%#^&!!!!

That's all I have to say! Life! Keeps on going! Without it I would be very bored!

Snow In the Desert

2009-01-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

As you probably heard on the news, we got snow! It was a few weeks ago while I was in the Bahamas with my family. My neighbor was kind enough to take some pictures of my house. Can you believe they cancelled school for this tiny bit of snow????

Christmas Card

2008-12-05T09:33:00.001-08:00

We hope the Magic of this time will fill your home! May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at christmas and always!

Tradition

2008-12-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Every year we take the kids out to get a new ornament to place on our family Christmas tree. We have been to many different stores over the 15 years we have been married to purchase all of them. It is fun to see and remember the meaning behind each special trinket. Here are the new ones for this year.

Thankful for...

2008-11-30T13:53:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Mine was delicious. The turkey was perfect along with all the other foods prepared! At least that was what everyone told me. I even tried some new recipes that will be at our table every year now. Joe's nephew was missed as he left for his mission but I still had five teenage boys to feed. I still can't count how many rolls I made that day. A tradition started when I learned how to make them from my "cooking group" days in Syracuse, Utah.
So, I was on a friends post and saw she posted the things she is "Thankful For" and I thought that was a great idea. My list is forever long, so here is my top five in no particular order...

Turkey Fling Game

2008-11-19T10:46:00.001-08:00

Okay everyone here is a little "Turkey" fun for you & your family! Post your scores on my comment space...Can you beat me?
I scored: 11312!

I did it!

2008-11-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

Okay as everyone knows by now, Joe is a huge airplane freak! I say freak in a nice way. He love, love, loves to fly. The one thing he asks is that I muster up enough courage to go with him. Of course, I can do that in our big plane when I am tagging along to go visit some friends or family. Our new plane in UK coming home

But when he asks me to go sight seeing in the little plane I tend to have panic attacks and talk myself out of going up.

I just can't seem to find the courage. I like to be up high over all the obstacles on the ground! The higher the better, that is why we have the big plane. The little plane does not go as high or climb as fast. A problem in my book!

Well, I did it tonight! I took my first flight in our little four passenger "Columbia" aircraft.

I climbed in and got myself settled as well as I could with my stomach in my throat! I was soooo nervous! Not because I thought I would die or that Joe had no idea what he was doing, but because of the unknown. I didn't know if I would enjoy myself like Joe does.

Well, I was surprised. The plane was so smooth and steady. It was better then I thought it would be. I was able to go up TWICE, we did a "TOUCH AND GO". (Come in for a landing and touch the wheels on the runway and take of again.) That sucked and I don't want to that again.

All in all, I did it! I swallowed my fear and flew in a four passenger death trap and survived.

Please note, this is no way stating that I will fly in a little plane all the time nor does it mean that I will ever do this again!

Happy halloween

2008-10-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

We celebrated this holiday with a trunk 'r treat at our ward building the night before,

then a fun parade at the elementary school

Classroom parties and then door to door candy searching! We even stumbled upon Santa and his wife handing out ice-cream!

The kids were thrilled with the day of festivities and I am happy to be home resting my feet!

My Scrapbook Retreat

2008-10-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

My retreat to scrapbook at my cabin has come and gone. The three day trip went by so fast that I was surprised at how much we all got done.

We always have so much fun watching girly movies, listening to IPODS and sharing funny stories with each other.

One of the highlights this trip was a fun photo shoot. The area where my cabin is has a ton of great places to take wonderful pictures. Thanks to my friend Natalie for using her photography skills and taking all our pictures!

Oliva Jane came up also and she was the hit of the group! Just love her red hair!!!

There was this way cool old Garage and I love the way our photos turned out!

We are on our way to our EAGLE!

2008-10-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

Joey and I went to our first "Board of Review" to get his Eagle project approved tonight. Both of us were nervous. Everyone had told us how hard it is to get an approval the first go around. But, he did it and they loved his project...

Our stake is hosting a "Safety Fair" on Oct 25 and his project fit right in! Now the fun begins!

Halloween is Going to suck this year!

2008-10-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Just had to share this one with everyone!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

2008-09-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

My daughter is officially in the double digits! The big one zero! She celebrated with a great birthday party on friday with a bunch of her friends. We decided the party theme was "Alice In Wonderland" and I made these fun invites to go along with it. The written is hard to read, but it did say all sorts of fun stuff with following the theme.

Everyone had a blast and Jessica was thrilled with the party. Here a few pics!

2 New recipes for the fall season

2008-09-11T20:08:00.001-07:00

Here are two new recipes for the fall both with pumpkin. My cooking Group is meeting next week and I just finished creating these cards for it. Hope you get a chance to try them.

Twenty Five Hundred pages later...

2008-09-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it seems nuts, but I finished four books in four and a half days! Just about twenty-five hundred pages! The "twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer is now on my top ten best books to read! I devoured them. I was a little worried that the topic of vampires would make me feel a little weird, but the love story was written so well that I found myself staying up until 3 am finishing the first book! I ran out the next morning and purchased the other three, knowing that I would go from one book to the next until I was finished with them all. I just had to see what happened next. I give all the books rave reviews. A must read! If you get a chance, like your husband goes out of town for five days, pick up this series and enjoy it. I know you wont be disappointed! Now I have to get back to the living and out of my fantasy. You should see my house...YIKES!

Hope this puts a smile on your face!

2008-09-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids
each for six weeks. Each kid will play two sports and either take
music or dance classes. There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean,
correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry,
and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each
week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives,
and send cards out on time--no emailing.
Each man must take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist
appointment and a haircut appointment. He also must make one unscheduled
and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.
He must make cookies or cupcakes for a social function with only an
hour's notice.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house,
planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep
and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with
jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails
polished and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe
abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood
swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at
least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the
morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair
by 7:00 am. *
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be
required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday,
height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the
child's
weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor; each child's
favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite
drink,
favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man
wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over
again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be
called Mom!

Out to Dinner

2008-08-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

With my ward making delicious Brazilian drinks, I was looking forward to a

meal at one of my favorite restaurants in salt lake on our last visit up north,

"Rodizio Grill: The Brazilian Steak House". I love it so much that I skip lunch knowing I am going to eat there! The food is so yummy and I love the way it is served to you right at your table from rotisserie sticks. Even my children enjoy this place, plus they get to taste a lot of different things that I don't cook. It is fun for all.

Yummy New Recipes

2008-08-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

Our ward has been having a "Cooking Group" that meets once a month to exchange recipes. I have been enjoying going to this fun activity. This month was "foods on the grill".

Here is my delicious hamburgers and a yummy drink our host shared with us. Hope you get a chance to try them both out. If you must choose just one, go for the drink....OMG it is amazing!

Jacob's Birthday Bash

2008-08-26T12:53:00.001-07:00

My little guy turned SIX sunday! He will always be my baby!

Here are a few pictures of his Birthday Bash

and family party.

Jacob's Birthday Invitation

2008-08-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I have posted a lot this week, but I wanted to add Jacob's birthday invitation. I just love it! The best part, I had this digi stuff already and it made a fun card. Plus, I sent it over to Costco and it was less then a buck to print all six of his cards! I love love love this Digital stuff!

Sugar Run

2008-08-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

Late last night, 10:00 p.m. I think, Joey and I ran out to get us a snow cone! One of his friends works at the snow cone shack next to Harmons and he was working until 10:30 last night.

Who wants a sugar rush that late at night?

His friend was so nice he upgraded us to 32 oz slushes with Joey getting pure syrup added to his!

The highlight of the run was one of the workers didn't know me and thought I was Joey's sister! YES! I know it was dark and late, but I will take it for all its worth. Nothing better then someone seeing you young and I loved it!

A very busy August

2008-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have had no time to even post anything we have been up to this month. I feel like I've been running around like crazy getting from one thing to the next. The great thing, I have had a small pocket camera with me and do have some fun pictures to post.

Let's see first things first. My kids are back in school. Jacob is repeating Kindergarden due to his birthday being Aug. 24. He is very excited to be going again. We were thrilled to find out his best friend Chandler was in his class this year.

Jessica our little fashion Diva was having a hard time figuring out what to wear the first day. Entering the fourth grade was a big deal and she wanted to look her best. It was fun seeing her find her perfect look to go with her perfect bag. No Backpack this year. A stylish bag is the way the tween scene goes!

Joey really could of cared less about going back to school. As a ninth grader you would of thought different, but not Joey. Although he was happy to find out the first day of school that he did make the golf team! Talk about the longest two weeks of our lives. We changed vacations, cancelled basketball camp, drove back and forth 3 times a day. Got blisters from the clubs. Just wore himself right out! The worst part, the weather. It was awful with high winds and lighting. They cancelled the tryouts twice! The poor kid thought he was not going to make it, but he did. It been a busy few weeks, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

35 truths about me at 35

2008-08-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

I just had a birthday this month and turned 35! So I created this layout called,

"35 truths about me at 35". I saw it done on at: wwwsweetshoppedesins.com and thought what a great idea. So here is my 35 truths:

I have an obsession with cute aprons

I collect cookbooks

I love dark chocolate

I love to take baths instead of showers

I like to craft with my children

I am a messy person

I like to sing in the car

I am afraid of moths

Favorite color is purple

I love to take cruises

I've been on TV and radio

I've moved 13 times in 15 years of marriage

I lost my wedding ring twice

I love to play cards

I have hair issues

I am 5'2"

I love to blog

I am 100% digital scrap-booker

My husband runs our finances

I have never rode a roller-coster

I am a mother of 3 children

I was married in the temple

Cooking relaxes me

I TIVO everything

I have allergies

I don't wear makeup that often

I love it when people remember my birthday

I've flown our airplane

I've been reading the same book for 5 months now

I wish I could play the piano

I miss carried once

So there you have it, 35 Truths about me at 35!

Still scrapbooking

2008-07-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

I have been able to relax and do a little bit of digital scrap booking here

in the mountains. This is a drop and load templet I think I will get a lot

of use out of!

Home away from Home

2008-07-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

I was prompted to post a picture of our cabin for all to see. I thought that was a great idea.

So here it is our home away from home!

A Big fear

2008-07-24T09:51:00.001-07:00

Okay, I know most of you will laugh at my fear, but I have to say It has been

a fear of mine for as long as I can remember. I can not sleep if I know one is in

the room and I will run from them too. For some reason I think the little creature

is going to attack me or fly towards me and ....YUCK! I just get the creepy jebies!

So when I went out on our deck this morning and saw this large moth dead

I had to post it. This has to be the largest moth I have ever seen and can not

even imagine what I would of done if I knew it was alive! I made Jessica go out and take the picture!

Just so everyone understands how much I fear these creatures, I would rather

Fly into a thunderstorm then have one in my home or close by me! Silly fears!

Now, it is your turn to post a fear you have! Can't wait to see them.

At our cabin

2008-07-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

We left the heat of St. George behind us and headed up to our cabin in wyoming.

My brother James from Boise came over with his family for a two day visit.

We stayed busy fishing, four wheeling and even flying!

My family went back to Boise Saturday morning and we got ready for a fun

evening at the park.
As most of you know, the place we built our cabin is where my husband,

Joe, grew up. Ever year for as long as we have been married, 15 years, the

little town of Freedom has a reunion and fireworks show the week around

pioneer days. The kids look forward to the annual "candy drop" from an airplane.

They don't get a ton of candy, but it is fun chasing down the airplane

and plus this year they provided hats for safety.

At least one child gets hit hard with falling candy and gets hurt.

Jacob was so worried about his hat falling off when he ran after the candy

that he had only 3 pieces by the time it was over. Thanks to a sweet big sister

who was nice enough to share a handful of her candy with him. She even went

as far as to toss a few pieces on the ground and let Jacob hurry to pick them up.

Joey and I have the worst allergies up here, so we ended up going back to the

cabin early. Everyone was happy by the end of the evening.

Fun with moms Mac camera!

2008-07-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

I made the mistake of showing the kids how my camera can take fun pictures of you!

I came home from dinner date with Joe and found 83 new pictures on my mac!

Here are a few of my favorites. ENJOY! I hope they make you smile like they did me.

4rth of July

2008-07-09T16:34:00.001-07:00

We celebrated the holiday at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland! (Joe would beg to differ)

Here are a few of our favorite rides!

The Invisible Mother

2008-07-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

The Invisable Mother...

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack
of response, the way one of the kids will walk into
the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to
the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on
the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on
the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even
standing on my head in the corner, because no one can
see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can
you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a
human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'
I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the
Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around
5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held
books and the eyes that studied history and the mind
that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had
disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner,
celebrating the return of a friend from England.
Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and
she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.
I was sitting there, looking around at the others all
put together so well. It was hard not to compare and
feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic,
when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped
package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a
book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't
exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the
greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the
book. And I would discover what would become for me,
four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern
my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals
- we have no record of their names. These builders
gave their whole lives for a work they would never see
finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no
credit. The passion of their building was fueled by
their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who
came to visit the cathedral while it was being built,
and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside
of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are
you spending so much time carving that bird into a
beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will
ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God
sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into
place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to
me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you
make every day, even when no one around you does. No
act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on,
no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice
and smile over. You are building a great cathedral,
but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction.
But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It
is the cure for the disease of my own
self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong,
stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a
great builder. As one of the people who show up at a
job that they will never see finished, to work on
something that their name will never be on. The writer
of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals
could ever be built in our lifetime because there are
so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to
tell the friend he's bringing home from college for
Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and
bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey
for three hours and presses all the linens for the
table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a
monument to myself. I just want him to want to come
home. And then, if there is anything more to say to
his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We
cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day,
it is very possible that the world will marvel, not
only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has
been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible
women.

Sweet 'n Sour Chicken Wings

2008-06-25T09:58:00.001-07:00

This is my children's favorite chicken. I use the sauce on lots of kinds of

chicken besides wings. Hope you try it. Very tasty!

Another Busy Week!

2008-06-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

I keep asking myself why I have my children in so many activities and then I

remember they drive

me crazy sitting at home bored! So here is another week of running around

with my head cut off!

Joey has another Basketball camp this week at Dixie College.

Jessica is taking a fun Mini Cooking class just for kids plus her weekly two day

tennis

lessons. Thank heavens Jacob just gets to hang out with his friends, mainly

Chandler!

Friends passing thru the night

2008-06-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Steed family was on their way to California and stopped for the night at our home.

It was a lot of fun having the kids play in the pool and staying up late chatting.

Another remodel begins!

2008-06-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

We have started another remodel in our home! Joey and Joe have been working hard the last few days tearing apart Joe's office and the kids homework center. Plus we had a lot of cracked tile, the one major problem from building on cement. So we decided to tear that out too.

There is cracked tile throughout the house, so we have lots of places where the kids can stub toes! It's noisy and dusty here, so we are spending the day away!

My brothers first baby

2008-06-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Introducing Paul Silas Doucette. The newest member of our extended family. We had a great time visiting and the kids would not put him down. They all fought over whose turn it was to hold baby Paul Silas next. He is so sweet and cute. Can't wait to see him again in July! My brother, James lives in Boise, Idaho, so it is not an everyday event we get to see them

In Memory of Chelsi Dawn Peterson

2008-06-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

Last year over the course of our summer break, we were able to have private swim lessons at our home for Jacob. Our swim teacher was named Chelsi. She was so much fun and made learning how to swim even more fun!

Before she was able to return home from her BYU spring schooling, she was tragically killed in a car accident. She was 20 years old. Joe and I went to her viewing tonight and I was amazed at the amount of concerned family and friends that were here to support this family in there time of need. I can only guess at to how many people were there and I would have to say it was close to a thousand! We waited for over three hours just to be able to see the family.

This truly was an a mazing child. Christ like in every way. Everyone she knew was her best friend and she made sure everyone was happy. Always thinking of others. She was on the BYU track team and training for the track olympics.

I know that this time will be a hard road to travel for her family and our prayers go out to them. In honor of Chelsi here are a few of some fun swim pictures we have of her.

Hug your children tonight and may you all be so blessed to have a child like Chelsi!

Our summer friends

2008-06-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

We have had a visitor every summer to our backyard, lounging on our chairs and stucco walls. Today he had a friend with him. Not the best of pictures, I didn't want to go outside and scare him away...LOL

In honor of Joey

2008-06-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

My big guy is heading off to Basketball camp at S.U.U tonight! Cedar city is only an hour away, but it seems so far to me today. He will be gone 'till thursday, so in honor of him here is my latest basketball layouts. Sorry for those who have seen them.

Cooking Group Reviews

2008-05-28T20:34:00.001-07:00

Okay, tonight was the big taste test of the healthy mac 'n cheese. It was very simple to make and my kids ate it without complaining too much. The biggest complaint was ...too cheesy! Strange to come from a child, but it did. All the adults ate it fine and nobody could tell there was veggies in it. I used the butternut squash for color, and it worked great! They all want to try it. Let me know if you try it on your kids, I'd love to see if they like it.

Cooking Group

2008-05-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

Our ward has started a "cooking group" that meets monthly to share recipes. This months theme is " Healthy Quick Foods", so I found a neat recipe for healthy mac 'n cheese! I will let ya know how it goes. Enjoy!

Which Princess are you?

2008-05-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

I am Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

A fun weekend get away

2008-05-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

I can not believe how beautiful Coeur 'D Alene is. A completely different wonder of nature then St. George's desert.

Our weather was warm during the day and perfect at night for walks along the pier. I was happy to be relaxing in such a peaceful place. While the guys went golfing on Saturday, we headed up to a small town called "Sandpoint", a 50 minute drive. The town was having a fun 50's celebration with fixed up classic cars. The shopping was fun with all the small boutiques, but the highlight of the drive was our yummy shrimp salad with mango citrus dressing at a fun restaurant called "Spuds". DELICIOUS!

We had a great time, and can't wait to go back with the kids some day.

A weekend Away

2008-05-16T06:25:00.001-07:00

Joe and I won a trip to Coeur 'D Alene Resort and Spa in Idaho last September. We are going today to spend the weekend there. It looks so relaxing and peaceful. Can't wait to go! Hopefully I will have some great pictures to share with you when I get back. Have a great weekend!

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

I was sleeping soundly when all of the sudden my bedroom light turned on and my little family was standing next to my bed wishing me a happy mother's day with a yummy breakfast, flowers and lots of homemade gifts! The best kinda of gifts are the ones they make for me. They always get so excited to see me open them and I hope the realize how special they are to me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO EVERYONE!

Flashback Crushes

2008-05-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

Do you remember who your first teen-age crush was? At www.sweetshoppe.com they are asking you to think back and remember your teenage crushes! When I was asked this question it made me think a little bit about who I really crushed on as a teen-ager. Many names came to my mind but two guys really had me hearing wedding bells! How many of you remember the TV show "Silver spoons"(1982-1987, I was 9 when it started and 14 when it ended)?

Ricky Schroder, blond hair, blue eyed millionaire kid! I liked him so much, I even named one of my Ken dolls Ricky!
It was a hard to say goodbye to Ricky when the show ended, but I had hooked up with a much older, bad boy, kind of guy...21 Jump Street! 1987-1991 was the years of Johnny Depp! He had the best hair ever on a guy.( I can still see my older brother fixing his bangs like Johnny's!) At my young age of 15 this guy was the bomb! I can still remember thinking how cool it would be if there really were under cover cops at school.

So there you have it, two major cute pies I crushed on as a teen-ager. Plus they both are still looking mighty fine today!

A Surprise Award!

2008-05-05T15:03:00.001-07:00

I opened my email today and saw a forward from my husband announcing our company has been recognized for The Best of State Award. The Best of State Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. By recognizing excellence in our community and sharing examples of success and triumph in so many worthy endeavors. Our company Rainey Homes was recognized for outstanding costumer care in home building! Winners in each category receive a Best of State medal. Best of State winners also receive the right to display the Best of State logo and year of award on business correspondence, their website and other promotional materials. How cool is this? I am so proud of my husband for making a business that is good for the community! If you would like to see more about this go to the web page: www.bestofstate.org/awards.

Crab Cake Fritters

2008-05-01T08:38:00.001-07:00

Here is my newest recipe card for a yummy crab appetizer. Easy, quick and tasty!

who are you? Are we sick of all these tags yet?

2008-05-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

Who are You?

Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones
you have not. Answer the 30 questions at the end and send it to your
friends (including me).
This is for your entire life!

( X) Gone on a blind date....too many to mention!

(x) Skipped school

() Watched someone die

(x) Been to Canada

(x) Been to Mexico

(x) Been to Florida

(x) Been on a plane

( ) Jumped out of a plane

( ) Been on a Helicopter

(x) Been lost

(x) Been on the opposite side of the country

( x) Gone to Washington, DC....

(x) Swam in the ocean

(x) Cried yourself to sleep

(x) Played cops and robbers

(x) Recently colored with crayons

(x) Sang Karaoke

( x) Been in an ambulance

(x) Paid for a meal with coins only?  McDonalds all the time!!
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?

(x) Made prank phone calls

(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

(x) Stayed up reading all night because you couldn't put the book down

(x) Danced in the rain

(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus

(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe

(x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about

(x) Blown bubbles

(x) Gone ice-skating

() Gone Skiing

(x) Been skinny dipping outdoors

(x) Gone to the movies

1. Any nicknames? Jenie, Jenn, and a few I wont share with you!!!

2. Mother's name? Mary

3. Favorite drink? Fall time Star bucks has a pumpkin spice drink that I love!!!

4. Tattoo?  No

5. Body Piercings? Ears

6. How much do you love your job? From 1-10 I would say 10 plus!
7. Birthplace?  Fort worth, Kentucky

8. Favorite vacation spot?  Maui

9. Ever been to Africa ? No

10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes! I love them crushed up into icecream!
11. Ever been on TV?  Yes, the local Seattle news!

12. Ever steal any traffic sign?  No

13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes 3 major ones!

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4-door

15. Favorite salad dressing?  blue cheese

16. Favorite pie?  homemade strawberry

17. Favorite number? 3 or 16

18. Favorite movie?  Gone with the wind And, How to lose a guy in 10 days

19. Favorite holiday?  Christmas

20. Favorite dessert? brownies with ice cream and fudge!

21. Favorite day of the week? Friday

22. Favorite brand of body wash?  Grapefruit body cream wash from Bath and Body

23. Favorite toothpaste?  crest

24. Favorite smell? Grapefruit!!!! That is funny we had the same one. Plus I love the smell of fabric softener and laundry being done!

25. What do you do to relax?  watch t.v., take a nap, float in my pool

26. How do you see yourself in 10 years?  Scary thought! joey will be 23 and home from his mission!!!

27. What would you like to do that you've never done before?  take a train ride thru Canada or go to paris

28. Furthest place you will send this message? Washington!

A fun Weekend!

2008-04-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Me with my friend Natalie

A chip board book of our trip to Maui that took me 2 days to create! My poor fingers hurt from all the cutting!

We always have a fun challenge to do while we are up there and this time it was no different. We all created a fun chip board according album in any way we want to. Mine says "Did you know you inspire me to enjoy the sweet moments of life".

I am happy to be home and back in the swing of things. I have to wait another 6 months to go again, but it is worth the wait. Enjoy your week!

Scrap-booking Retreat!

2008-04-22T21:34:00.001-07:00

It has been a tradition for 4 years to go up to my cabin every six months and scrap-book my little heart out. The time has arrived to once again make the journey up to Freedom, Wy. and enjoy my girlfriends company. I look forward to this time to enjoy friendships, laughter, and a ton of girly movies! It is so much fun. I come home sleep deprived from pulling all nighters, but a much better person then when I left. I love seeing my kids look thru all the layouts and mini books I create. It makes it all worth it. So come back and visit my blog next week to see my fun things I did at my cabin with my girlfriends!

Strawberry Plants

2008-04-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

Jessica has a cute little garden next to the kids playground in our backyard. She started off the season with strawberry plants. Six in a container and she purchased six sets. They took up half her garden space, but she is happy.

Now she thinks she wants to plant carrots or potatoes on the other half.

Dinner tag

2008-04-14T13:31:00.001-07:00

I was visiting my girlfriends blog and loved her "Tag Dinner", post your dinner meals from last week. I had to laugh because she served her children cereal! So Becca this is for you, hope you get a good laugh from my dinner meals from last week.

Four out of seven nights we went to dinner out! Twice was the same place! Jacob had " lucky charms" after swim lessons on Tuesday and we feed the basketball team twice with burgers and hot dogs on our grill. I only cooked one meal that whole week and that was Sunday. Grilled chicken, salad and baked potatoes.

So by the looks of things, I need to stay home more and cook! No wonder my husband says we spend a lot of money on food.

Funny Stuff!

2008-04-11T07:16:00.001-07:00

Isn't it funny to see things from the other side! I hope these put a smile on your face today. Have a fun weekend!

Kids at school

2008-04-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

I have always been a PTA member and tried to contribute to our school when ever they needed help. This year was no different. I was able to be on the school "year book" committee. I took pictures of my two kids classrooms and had to design pages for the book. It was a lot of fun! I took a ton of pictures, but will only bore you with two! LOL

Can you see which child is mine from the two photos?

Just stay

2008-03-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

I would normally pass this along thru my email, but thought it was so good I wanted to post it in my blog. I think the world needs more people like this and I hope I can be one of them.

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. 'Your son is here,' she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the o xygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night. Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. 'Who was that man?' he asked. The nurse was startled, 'He was your father,' she answered. 'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.' 'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?''I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'

The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.

WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

Look what blew in to town

2008-03-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, the wind has been blowing like crazy! Tumbleweeds are out all over the streets. It is as if we are being over taken by them! Someone please, send help! The one in our backyard has taken the playground area as his base camp and wont let the children go outside to play. How he got into our backyard nobody knows. It is frightening!

Fun day at the park

2008-03-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

We spent three hours at a new park yesterday. It was a lot of fun. there was even a water splash zone for the kids. As soon as they turned it on all the kids ran over. My photos are not the best, but we all had a great time!

Waiting up for Dad

2008-02-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Joe has been traveling a lot lately for work. He has been to Florida three times already this year! California twice and countless times up north to our company. This has always been going on in our lives, and the kids love to stay up late to wait for dad to come back home. This photo was taken on one of those occasions just a few weeks ago. Joe's flight was delayed due to weather and the kids fell asleep in the theater waiting up for him. We ended up leaving them there for the night. They loved it!

Tag Your It! AGAIN!

2008-02-21T09:14:00.000-08:00

20 years ago I . . .
1. I was 15 years old and going to high school!
2. Learning how to drive a stick shift
3. waiting to date!

10 years ago I . . .
1. was enjoying my new baby girl, Jessica
2. was sending Joey to preschool
3. Was building up our home Building Company

5 years ago I...
1. Moved into my third home in Syracuse, Utah
2. Celebrating Jacob's first birthday
3. Taking my first scrapbooking retreat with my three girlfriends!

3 years ago I . . .
1. Moved away from Syracuse, Utah to Kaysville, Utah
2. Sent Jessica to kindergarden!
3. Was 11 year old cub-scout leader

1 year ago I . . .
1. Was remodeling my new house in St. George, Utah
2. Was room Reader in Jessica's class
3. Was watching my mother-in-law go thru the temple for the first time
4. Started my exercise regiment

So far this year I . . .
1. Have kept up my exercising, on and off
2. Started digital scrapbooking
3. Am reading the Book Of Mormon in 97 days!

Yesterday I . . .
1. Had 3 hours of alone time! Watched all my TIVO!
2. Should of been doing laundry, but watched my TIVO
3. Found out Joey made the boys 8th Grade basketball team!

Tomorrow. . .
1. My husband fly's to California for work
2. I might take my three kids to go and see a movie
3. T.G.I.F
4. Still reading my scriptures

In the next year I shall...
1. Decorate my home
2. See my Niece perform at Disneyland
3. Fly in our new airplane
4. Finish my scripture challenge
5. Take another scrap-booking retreat with my girlfriends!

For any of you that have read this tag you have now been tagged and must copy and post this to an email or your blog with your own answers. Thanks to my friend Natalie who tagged me and for letting me get to know all of you that much more. Have a fun day!

Jacob's reading

2008-02-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

Jacob came home today so excited to share the new book he checked out from the school library. As we sat down to read it, I always read the books to him, he surprised me and said he could read this book all by himself! Sure enough he did it. Every word. Here he is ready to read it again just before bed tonight. Can't you just see the excitement?

My little Guy

2008-02-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest fun digi scrap-book I did this morning of Jacob.

Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies

2008-02-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

Okay its been awhile for a recipe, not that I forgot or anything, just busy! Here is a great cookie recipe you make with bisquick.

Early Valentine's Celebration

2008-02-09T19:19:00.001-08:00

My girlfriend and I decided to surprise our husbands with an early valentine's day gift, sense my husband was going to be in Florida on the 14!. We took them to Las Vegas to see the broadway hit "The Producers", starring Tony Danza. Not only was the show fantastic, we were able to go back stage and take a quick tour of the actors areas and meet some of the cast, including Tony. I was thrilled to say the least, but held in my excitement so I wouldn't embarrass myself or my friends. I shook his hand and let him go on his way. One of the most exciting moments of my life! Meeting a celebrity is so much fun. I don't even know why! Its not like they are better then any of us. Its a mystery I guess.
We stayed at "Planet Hollywood", right next to " The Paris Resort", where the show was playing. It was a super fun night and a great surprise for our husbands.

Hair Issues

2008-02-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, I went thru a crazy one week stunt with extensions that I hated! They broke off a ton of my own hair and left me with a mess to fix. My poor hair, as you can see in the photos has had a lot of cuts. Because of the breakage I experienced I kept cutting my hair to fix the health of it. I went from long to major short in a two week period. My husband actually asked me if I was suffering with some internal problems and did I need to chat about them! The sad part is, I have been growing it out now for 5 months and as you can see from photo 6 it is growing very slow!

So for all of you having "bad hair days" just refer back to all my pictures here!

I will take any sympathy you can send my way to make me feel better! LOL

Tag Your It!

2008-02-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

How long have you been married? 15 years this march, I must of married real young I think I was 13 or something!
How long did you date? 8 months
How old is he? Joe just turned 36
Who eats more? Of course Joe
Who said "I love you" first? I have no idea! If I was to guess I would say Joe just because he was so eager to get married ..HE just wanted me! LOL
Who is taller? Joe by a long shot!
Who sings better? Joe, when he wants to, but I sing more then he does, so can that count?
Who is smarter? Depends on what we are doing. Joe is smart when it comes to business and money, but I kick it when it comes to knowing game rules, I almost always win at monopoly. I would say I read better then him, but he would test better then me. I guess I just don't want to admit it, but he is smarter!
Who does the laundry? ME!!
Who does the dishes? ME!!!! or my children. Never Joe
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Joe
Who pays the bills? Joe
Who mows the lawn? Our landscaper!
Who cooks dinner? ME! When I am out of town Joe will take the kids out for meals, even if I am gone for three or four days!
Who is more stubborn? ME!! I hate to give in
Who kissed who first? Joe, he was much more interested in me then I was in him at the time!
Who asked who out? Joe asked me out first.
Who proposed? Joe. Downtown at Temple Square, in the evening. He even got down on one knee!
Who has more friends? Of course ME! I am a social butterfly.
Who has more siblings? We are the same on this one, both have a total of five
Who are you tagging? Anyone that reads this!

More white stuff!

2008-02-04T09:09:00.001-08:00

What a night! Our friends came over to watch the big game , but our plans got changed thanks to mother nature. I could not believe that the rain turned into snow last night. The snow was falling in big white flakes and all the kids were screaming that it was sticking! Our satellite dish went out during the second song of the half time show and never turned back on. I did hear that my Patriots lost at the last minute, there goes the perfect record! I still love them and know the next season will be just as great, as long as my superstar quarterback stays with us. Oh well. Our food was yummy and we had fun still. THis morning it is a bunch of ice. Jacob thinks all our plants are dead and it is very cold! Crazy weather we are having.

Disney Cruise

2008-02-03T07:34:00.001-08:00

Banana Bread

2008-01-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my girlfriend Natalie, I have a new recipe to share with you. ENJOY!

Snow in the desert

2008-01-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

The rumor was snow, but I was not going to believe it! Around 2:30 today the white stuff was falling and the storm was here. Although Jessica and Jacob didn't get to enjoy it, they were still very excited to see it from the classroom windows at school. By the time I was back at home to snap some pictures the storm had past. The mountain still looks neat!

How cute is this?

2008-01-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

How cute is this? I just fell in love with it when I saw it. I couldn't wait to put her jewelry and hair clips on it. Jessica was so surprised to see it. I love surprises!

Hot fudge Suace

2008-01-22T07:19:00.001-08:00

Makes a lot of sauce to share with friends!

Window Washer for Hire

2008-01-21T20:53:00.001-08:00

Joey is always looking for a way to earn a few bucks, the problem is he wants the job to be easy. At first glance he thought this job was going to a piece of cake, but then quickly found out he was wrong! He did finish the back set of windows, and now needs to work on the rest of the home this week. Anyone need a window washer?

BFF

2008-01-21T20:09:00.001-08:00

Kam and Jess are B.F.F even though they don’t see each other every day or even once a month! When one friend lives at the other end of the state, you just find ways to stay in touch. If it is many phone calls or lots of e-mails, they are always talking and staying connected. The two girls had so much fun spending the weekend together. It dosen’t happen that often, but when it does they love every minute together. Here they are all matching with the cute puppies Jessica bought them at “ Build A Bear”.
B.F.F. and no one can ever change that.

PIZZA BUNS

2008-01-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

THIS HAS TO BE MY FAMILY'S FAVORITE QUICK FIX MEAL. THROW IN A GREEN SALAD AND SOME DIET COKE AND I AM A HAPPY MOM! THIS IS A FRIEND OF MINES RECIPE SHE SHARED WITH ME OVER TWO YEARS AGO AND WE ARE STILL LOVING IT! HOPE YOU DO.

Company Appreciation

2008-01-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Every year Joe and I show our appreciation to our staff by taking them on a trip. This year we took them to Mexico for the weekend on a cruise ship. We all had so much fun staying up late, eating great food and getting to know each other outside the office.

Mini Ham Puffs

2008-01-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

This is the best breakfast for a group. I have made them for lots of company and got great reviews! Enjoy

Recipe Exchange

2008-01-08T17:18:00.000-08:00

I would love to share my love of cooking with you by posting some of my favorite family tested recipes. I don't know if I will do this once a week or once a month. Most likely when ever I think about it. Hope you get a chance to make a few of them. This first one seems long and hard, but it really is easy. Bon Appetite!

Christmas Tag

2007-12-21T12:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags! They are easy to grab and they look nice around the tree.

2. Real tree or artificial? Fake all the way! My allergies would go nuts with a real tree. Plus I hate the mess!

3. When do you put your Christmas tree up? Normaly the day after Thanksgiving, but this year we were repainting the house and didn't do it until December 18!

4. Like egg nog? Sometimes. My dad makes it every year and I drink it.

5. Do you have a nativity scene? I sure do! My mother-in-law gave it to me for my first Married Christmas. I treasure it, and only bring it out Christmas Eve when we read our scriptures.

6. Favorite Christmas gift received as a child? The year I was 12. One of our Young Wemon leaders gave me a huge stuffed bear as a secret santa gift. I still don't know who did it, but I will always remember it!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Office staff. I don't want them to think I am being cheap but I don't want to buy the farm either!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Joe, my husband. He just e-mails me all that he wants and I can just click and buy!

9. Worst Christmas gift? I really can not think of anything!

10. E-mail or snail mail Christmas card? I love them both, but if I had to pickI think I like snail mail better. A nice surprise to open.

11. Favorite Christmas movie? Santa Caluse with Tim Allen. Love all three of them!

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early October, most of the sales start then

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I am pleading the 5th!

14. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Nothing beats choclate in the morning right! I think the best is all the home made treats we get from our friends!

15. Clear or colored tree lights? clear...colored outside on the home

16. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Holy Night

17. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? We do both. just depends on our mood. We have a cabin we like to go to and play in the snow. Plus all my sibblings are out of state, so we go see them sometimes too.

18. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Only if I sing the song!

19. Angel or Star on Tree top? I use to have a star, but this year we have Joe's grandmothers angel on top.

20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? As a child we did them on Christms Eve, but I make my kids wait till Christmas morning.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? All the traffic!

22. Favorite thing about Christmas? Remembering how blessed we are and sharring that with the less fortunite. My kids love helping out another family.

And now, if you are reading this, you are "tagged." Copy this and post it on your own blog...

2007-11-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

Here is my first digital Christmas card. Happy Holidays

Jessica's Surprise

2007-10-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

Jessica was able to take a friend to "Hannah Montana Meet Miley Cyrus"concert. We spent the whole week planning the trip without her knowing. The biggest surprise ever! Tickets sold out quick in Salt Lake City .
Joe was able to pull some strings and get us 4 tickets to fridays show where they filmed the concert for Disney Channel. Because they were filming this for a new DVD we had to see some of the songs a few times. Try being excited 3 times in a row for the same song! Even the singers were getting tired. All though we ended up home at 2:00 AM we had a great time. Look for us next summer we might be in the show!