Our day trip to Utah!!

When we lived in Utah, going to see the Cougarettes perform was something that me, my sis-in-law Alisha and my mom-in-law looked forward to each year. After we moved, Alisha would call me and say, 'One of these days, I'm going to fly you up so you can go see the Cougarettes with us.'

She called Thursday night and on Saturday morning, Paige and I were on a plane to Utah!

One thing about the Cougarettes, they never disappoint! They are all so talented and it was awesome!

We started out the morning by having brunch with my other sis-in-law Rebecca at Kneaders. I forgot how good the food is there...

Us on the plane.


I got to stop by and see Amanda and her family. It was so much fun seeing them and visiting for a little bit. This is Paige with Cole and Jaden

me and Amanda...we've been friends for 22 years. I couldn't have survived junior high without her :)

The mountains in Provo...I miss the mountains. However, I don't miss the cold weather.

Paige, me Alisha and Grandma

I was feeling nostalgic as we were driving through Provo. These are the Glenwood apartments on University Ave. This is where I lived and where Aaron and I met. They didn't look this nice when we lived there...

The NuSkin building where I used to work. It was great place to work and I met so many awesome people there. Good times!

Paige

Thanks again to Alisha for a really fun Saturday in Utah!

And to my former roommate Em a.k.a. "The Coug"...I wish I could have brought you with me! :)

puzzles

Isn't it fun to see your kids find a passion for something? With Braden, it was Legos. Collecting them, building things and making movies with them. Paige loves her crafts and baking (especially cake decorating). With Heston, it's all about puzzles. He loves them! I'm always on the lookout for new ones so that he's challenged. Can't go wrong with Star Wars!

Grapefruit

It's that time again...time to break out the juicer!

Amanda told me that she can't keep grapefruit in her house because her kids and hubby love them...the Gunderson's need to come for a visit!

If anyone stops by, please remind me to send you home with grapefruit :)

3rd grade field trip

Last month, I was one of the chaperones for the 3rd grade field trip. We went downtown to the Mines and Minerals museum and then to Bolin Memorial park for lunch. Paige got to be with her 3 best buddies, they were good little girls and drama-free! Hooray :)

Paige and Elaine being silly on the bus ride back to school...cuticles...Hee!hee!

after school craft class

This month, I'm teaching a craft class at the school. This week, we made little Valentine card people. Pipe cleaners, some playing cards and googly eyes...


The kids had fun making them. The 2 boys in our class were sick this week :(

got bacon? Vote Braden!

Since 4th grade, Braden set a goal to run for Student Council President in 6th grade. The slogan he came up with was:

got bacon? Vote Braden!

So with the help of the Cricut, (I'm telling you, that thing has come in handy many times) some felt and the glue gun, he made this poster. (with a little help from Mom and Gaga.)

The posters were hung in the multipurpose room and each candidate gave a speech.

The speeches were on Friday afternoon and Braden is the new President!

Congratulations!

I cannot for the life of me find the software to download the video from my camcorder to my computer. I'm working on it and I will post it when I figure it out...it's driving me crazy! ;)

the B street posse

We live in an older neighborhood and haven't met very many families with young kids. In the last year or so, kids are starting to show up. I don't know why, but they all congregate in front of our house. It's been fun for our kids to have some friends they can play with that are close.

Don't you just love watching your kids interact with other kids? It's hilarious :)

Valentine wreath

I saw this wreath on a blog called The Idea Room and fell in love with it! (What is it with me and wreaths?) It's a pretty easy and inexpensive project and one that Paige and I could do together.

You need: straight pins, 1 1/2 yards felt, 3 inch circle template (i used a mug) and a styrofoam heart. (I had a hard time finding this, eventually found one at Hobby Lobby for $3)

trace your circles on the felt and cut them out. I didn't count but you need quite a few circles, you want it nice and full (I cut them out while catching up on my recorded shows)

Next, you fold the circle in half and then fold it again. Place a pin at the point and then into the heart.
Just continue the process on the top, inside and outside of the heart...
Next, pin a loop of ribbon on the back and you're done! (I'm going to change the ribbon, I'm not feeling the pink one I have on there. )
If you decide to make one, I'd love to see pictures!
A pink one would be cute too :)

Paige's new haircut

I just love Paige's new haircut! Thanks Ricci!

Words of wisdom to live by

My friend Tara sent me this email and I just have to post it for you. (Thanks Tara!) This was written by Regina Brett of Cleveland, Ohio.

So true and inspiring, enjoy!

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

one more day...

The kids have 1 more day of Christmas vacation. I've put them to work helping me with chores and putting Christmas stuff away. (of course as I'm yelling and having to repeat myself over and over and over...)
I love my children...I love my children dearly...but I am so ready for school to start again :)

Merry Christmas!

Insta-Snow

Mom found this stuff called "Insta-Snow" and sent some to the kids. You mix it with a little water and you have instant snow, smelling of artificial goodness :)

The kids had fun with it, Thanks Mom!

Christmas is only 3 days away! I'm trying to get over a cold, trying to keep the house from being destroyed and trying to keep my sanity intact...I'm failing miserably :)

At least the kids are having fun...

"On the count of 3, throw your snow in the air! Are you ready?One...Two...Three!"

I love these little stinkers :)

love this quote

Traditions offer opportunities to create memories, share love, and build strong bonds between family members. They will not only help your family life be more peaceful and rewarding, they will also give your children memories they can draw on no matter where they go or who they grow up to be.

-Linda and Richard Eyre

December 16th and 17th

I've been taking a lot of pictures lately for this album, it's been a really good thing. Some of the pictures have not been very good (the shadows on some of these are horrible) but it's really all about capturing these moments. Whether the light is good or bad :)

I love the little art projects the kids have been bringing home!

I mentioned a couple of years ago about our Christmas book tradition. It's something the kids really love. This year, they are going to fill in a Christmas memory book. That should be fun.

And the ornaments Ricci and Wes sent to me...I just love them!

Had to throw in a page of purple! (Paige's favorite color)

I can't believe Christmas is a week away...I'm so excited. The real challenge this week is keeping my kids entertained all week...

December Daily 12th-15th

These are the updated pages for my December Daily album.
December 12-15th

Next to Baptism, this is my favorite Primary song. The message is so simple and beautiful.

This project has been so fun! I can't wait until next week, I have some fun Christmas activities planned for the kids :)

life lessons

When I was a 21 year old student going to UVSC and causing some serious trouble in Provo (ha! ha! You don't move to Provo if you're looking for trouble), I did my fair share of just stupid things. I over slept and missed classes one too many times, dated my fair share of psychotic boys and was ranked 13th out of 13 employees in sales at Footlocker in the University Mall where I worked.

Cindy, my wise roommate and friend, reminded me everytime I screwed up, "Kris, you're still a good person." We would laugh about it but to this day, that has really stuck with me. We need to remind each other (and ourselves especially!) that even though we can act like idiots sometimes and we don't live up to the expectations we place on ourselves that we can say,

"You're still a good person!"

and just get on with life.

more December Daily

2 weeks until Christmas!! So excited!

December Daily...making it work

When I started this album, I had the best intentions of doing a page or two a day. Then the reality of life slapped me around and the next thing I know, I'm 3 days behind. So I made a 2 page layout (the blank one is for journaling) for 3 days. Works for me!

I'm still behind 2 days but I've got the pictures and journaling ready, I just need to do it. That would be a good Sunday project for me :)
I also went back to the 6x8 size. This size will be less expensive when I go to print them out. (Costco has a 12x18 size for $2.99. 4- 6x8's per sheet)

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

I don't care for pumpkin pie but I have to admit I LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I've tried a couple of recipes and this one is a winner! (Karin- I used my Penzey's spices and vanilla in these and thought of you! :) Penzey's spices...I need to dedicate a whole post to one of my favorite places on earth!!

Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. chocolate chips (I use the semi-sweet, milk chocolate would be good too)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix with pumpkin mixture. Add chocolate chips. Bake @ 350 for 13-15 minutes on well greased cookie sheet.

December Daily update

I'm still in the process of the December daily album. Wow...I forget how crazy the month of December can get. Not just with the shopping but all the concerts, practices, projects, games and parties that are going on this month. I'm just trying to keep this whole project simple so I can keep up with it.

See the dead, white grass in these soccer pictures? That's the closest thing we get to snow around here :)

December Daily day 1

It's the 1st day of December! I'm so excited for Christmas! I mentioned in a previous post that I'm going to do a December Daily album this year. The task seems daunting but I think it's going to be a lot of fun. The templates I made are the only way I'm going to get this accomplished.
This envelope is going to be for little keepsakes. I plan on binding it into the book.

This is front and back cover of the album. The paper is Making Memories that I've had for years and the Santa is K&Company. I glued 2 pieces of chipboard together so that it's more sturdy and then covered it with paper. I wanted to keep it simple...I think I'll ink or paint the edges in a cream or brown and then bind it all at the end. I'll probably save all the pages I create and just print them all at once at the end. I don't know...we'll see how it all works out...

Today's page. Just used those templates, makes things so much easier. I think I mentioned this before but the pages and book are 6.5 x 8. I made it a little wider for the binding.

If you decide to do this, I would LOVE to see and hear about it! :)

plan B Thanksgiving

We had to cancel our trip to Utah for Thanksgiving at the last minute due to a snowstorm. Gotta love that Utah winter weather ;) We were really sad we couldn't spend the holidays with our family. My parents were just here so we did get to spend time with them.

It was a very relaxing Thanksgiving day, it was really nice.

I bought the kids some crafts and this Christmas Bingo set from Micheals for something to do

the kids loved the Root Beer and the apple pie I made (I made my first pie from scratch this year! I love apple pie...Pioneer Woman's pie crust recipe is delicious however it is not in any way, shape or form good for you. It's Thanksgiving though!)
drumstick #1
drumstick #2...I've laughed so much over this picture! It's disturbing and funny at the same time...
Aaron trying to fix his beloved hot tub.

My name is_________________

{picture taken November 8th}

First laugh, first word, walking for the first time, and one of my all-time favorites...learning to use the potty! ;)

Another one of those milestones that I just love is when my kids learn to spell and write their name. A couple of weeks ago, I was doing something (it was most likely either laundry or dishes) and Hes came up to me holding this paper and said, "Look Mom! It's my name!"

I grabbed my camera and took this quick picture...that smile says it all. :)