Punk and Punkin'

Snow Days, Ice Days and Lost Power

2012-01-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Last week was exciting and scary and fun and nerve wracking. We had weather that shut schools down for 5 days, canceled all activities happening for an entire week and even canceled part of church. The snow came and dumped and dumped and made for some pretty excited kids. We spent the first three day playing and shoveling.

Then the freezing rain hit and iced everything over. Trees were weighed down by the weight of it all and breaking left and right. I had to go out with my camera and take a walk just to see what our world looked like covered in ice. It was pretty amazing...and a tiny bit scary so I shot what I could and then got myself back inside before a tree fall on me.

This is our walking path down below our house. This picture doesn't capture it's amazingness at all. It was like every tree was bowing to the earth. If you touched the branches they would break. Each individual tiny part was covered in a thick layer of ice...but most held strong and survived.

Power lines went down for days and days and everybody suddenly started to go into survival mode. When our power went out I got kindof excited. I like change and suddely I had as much time as I wanted to play with the kids. I couldn't do laundry or work on the computer so we colored by the fire and built a fort.

We only lost power for 5 hours (to be honest, I was sorta bummed) but many others lost it for several days. I am so glad we had a warm house for others to come to. It made for some fun evenings with the Cooks (the friends we could walk to) and the Teeples who came to stay with us after their home froze them out. It's these changes in our normal routine days that make us grateful. After and during it all I became very aware of a few things I am so grateful for:

Every one's safety. I don't even know of anybody who was hurt through it all and after being out in it and watching all of the trees coming down like crazy I am kind of surprised everybody is okay.
Our gas stove and fireplace. Even when the power was out we could cuddle up by it and still have warm food.
Concerned neighbors and friends. Thank you to those who felt the need to come and check on us. I was very touched by those gestures.
Mark's phone and it's ability to get the Internet. Communication with the outside world was nice after being cooped up for a week.
Snow days. Payton had prayed and wished every day for the last month to have snow. When it began to fall he was sick with a stomach bug and so sad to miss it but so happy to see his little prayer answered and it sticking. He knew the next day he could use his new sled to go sledding. My kids were so happy to just be playing in it. I had fun running them up and down the hills and building our snow alien with them.
Mark's job and his ability to work from home when we can't even leave our own steep driveway.
Lost power. I am actually grateful that the Teeples lost their power. It made for some fun days at the end of the madness.
My camera and some good boots that allowed me to grab a few shots with out slipping and falling.
And lastly for now...the rain. As fun as snow is, we don't do well with it here. When the rain began to fall and helped melt the snow and ice I became aware of how much I missed it. It makes this place so beautiful and in the rain i can still get out...and that's all I wanted by the end of this excitement.

His Sunbeam

2012-01-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Day my only-in-my-own-head-baby-girl suddenly became a primary aged kid. I don't know how it all happened so fast but she's in it full swing now and I think she's enjoying it. I love it when she comes home from church and tells me all of the new things she learned that day from her teahcer, Grandpa Huerta, who she adores. I love that she's trying to be obedient because she knows why. It's sad to see her grow up and be all big now but I'm proud of her and her willingness to try to do what is right.

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for Him each day.

In every way try to please Him - at home, at school, at play.

I'll be a sunbeam for Him.

New Years Eve 2011

2012-01-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

2011 is now over and to celebrate the old and ring in he new we had a fun game night/new year's eve party. We dropped all the kids off at the Cook's house with a couple babysitters, gave them some noisemakers and supplies for hats and left. There were lots of kids there and fireworks from the neighbors so they had a blast...and we had a blast without them. That day I spent some time hanging decorations...using up leftover stuff from all of the other parties we had that year (I think I may do this every year. It was fun seeing it all so mismatch and brought back memories from the fun we had had). My favorite was all the streamers hanging in our entryway.

We spent some time making silly hats for our husbands and ourselves while the guys got their gaming on. Everyone brought food and we just had fun hanging out.

When it finally turned midnight we passed out the noisemakers, sparkling cider and watched the neighbors go crazy with the fireworks. When we went to go pick up the kids around 1 all of them were up and running around except one. Those sweet sitters were great! Thank you!

We have such fun awesome friends and we are so glad you came to make this new year's eve a memorable one.

Here's to a seriously great 2012!!!

Handmade Sweaters from Gammie

2012-01-22T15:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas on a Sunday

2012-01-22T15:31:00.000-08:00

This little girl and boy don't look excited to you do they?

I wonder why?

What other morning does a parent make their child sing to them on the stairs before they can go see what they have been waiting to see for a whole year! Come to think of it...I bet we could have had them do anything in that moment. I'll have to figure out something new for the next moment on the stairs.

It was the fastest carol I have ever heard. We finally agreed to let them go.

Sadie received her "princess stuff" she had asked Santa for.

She was in heaven.

Payton had a Star Wars Christmas. He was also thrilled. This was the big ship he left unwrapped on the couch and under the tree he discovered more and more things for his desired Star Wars Room.

Santa set Sadie up with 6 pairs of shoes. This girl is on the track to becoming extremely expensive. as soon as she realises the difference between plastic and fabric we am in big trouble.

Grandma sent some fun winter gloves and hats for our bug and dinosaur plus fun coloring things and toys that were just right for each of them. We have more video of these. I must have gotten involved in the unwrapping process and forgotten about the camera for a while.

After all of the morning magic was said and done.we enjoyed a peaceful and quiet Sunday sacrament meeting where I got to play my violin and a fun dinner at the Cook's house. I love it when this special day ends up on a special Sunday. It felt different and good this year. Like we had celebrated it the right way...thinking of our Savior and being with family.

Our Magical Christmas Eve

2012-01-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

We were home this year. Home for Christmas and for anything afterwards. Our Christmas Eve was full of antsy little squirts with too much energy and plenty to do so they waited...and waited...until finally we got to go over to the Price family's home for their traditional soup and activities.

They did a cute flannel board story nativity...

And then we all listened to the kids do some Christmas songs with Kevin playing his guitar.

and Sadie on the shakers.

Then we spent some time decorating cookies for Santa and for our own mouths.

Everyone opened their new jammies and we watched on the TV to see where Santa was.

Thank you Prices for letting us spend Christmas Eve with you. You guys, like others around here, are our family away from home. We feel blessed to know you and to have seen a glimpse of magic in your home.

Snowflake Lane

2012-01-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

A few days before Christmas we took our little family to Bellevue to meet up with some friends to go see the famous snowflake lane show. We met up for pizza first and then after a quick trip into the Disney store with all of the kids we braved the crowds (serious-can't-even-move-or-you-will-kiss-or-step-on-somebody-you-don't-know-crowd) to see this drummer play and see some bubbles falling from the sky(snow). We missed all of the dancers and the oh-so-good lollipops but the kids had fun and it gave us the idea to never again come back on a weekend, especially the one before Christmas. We may have to try again next year, maybe on the first Tuesday or something. It was fun to be with friends but super crazy! Here is the one and only picture we got:

Fitness Challenge 2012

2012-01-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

Alright! It's 2012 and I am so anxious and excited to get a new fitness challenge started for this year. My Christmas was, well...amazing but way too much for my body so I am more then ready to get going again. Before you scroll down to look at the rules and decide if you are up for this I wanted to explain why I am doing what I am doing. I wanted to include everyone (out of shape, pregnant, old, young, fit, lazy (Mark) jk, tired, you get the idea.) There won't be points for weight loss but their will be points for making healthy choices. READ EVERYTHING before you decide. There are a few different things from last year. As soon as you do send me a reply or leave me a comment saying your in (even if you already have) I'll send you a link to our private blog so that you can be ready to start on the 9th. Now the stuff you have been waiting for:

Here are the RULES:
1. You must commit for 3 months - January 9th - April 8th

2. All participants must provide a prize and post on our to-be-private blog a picture of it and an explaination if needed. We have done this before and it has worked out great (for the most part). Each of you will provide one prize. It can be anything you chose. In the past we have had electric toothbrushes, quilting frames, loaves of bread, movie tickets, gift cards, handmade items, cash, private lessons...whatever you can afford (or you can base it on the effort you are going to put into this). At the end of this little competition everyone will get a prize. The one with the most points will get to pick first and then on down the line until everyone has picked. It's fun because you get to see what's being offered and you know what you're going to need to do to get it.

3. Sundays are free days (nothing expected and no pints given on our day of rest). I'm giving a mandatory free day this time so that you won't have to stress over drinking your water or getting in a walk if you don't find that to be restful. Sundays will be the only free day so no tradesies unless you have a birthday. Birthdays are free days as well. If there is a birthday for an immediate member of your family that live sin your home then you get a free day for those as well. I don't have any so this won't benefit me at all. I just want you to feel some flexibility in all of this.

4. Daily Points will be rewarded for the following things:

* 64 oz. of Water consumed- MAX of 1 point (flavored waters do not count)

* Every 20 minutes of Exercise - 1 point, Max of 3 points (1 hour)

* Achieved Your Personal Diet Plan – MAX of 1 point. This is your choice. You can be as strict as I am going to be (26 daily weight watchers points) or you can do what you need to do to maintain weight. In fact I don't even care if you are trying to gain weight and bulk up. Just set it each week, and stick to it so that you can get this point each day.

5. Weekly Points go as follows:

* No eating out - 5 points You are allowed one free eat out meal a week and you still get your points. You can even save them up and use them for a trip if you are planning to be out of town.
NEW * Collective 2 Week Focus Goal Met - 5 points as long as the designated collective 2 week focus goal goal is done all 7 days of the week. These are even done on Sundays unless otherwise noted. A collective 2 week focus goal is an extra challenge and meant to be trickier and to push you a little harder. Here is what I have planned for our 3 Months.

1/9 - 1/22 No Sweets

1/23 - 2/5 No Eating after 7 PM (unless you are pregnant: your challenge is to only have fruits and veggies after 7 as snacks)

2/6- 2/19 Extra 20 min. Exercise (daily max 1hr. 20 min). This one is not required on Sundays.

2/20 - 3/4 3 daily servings of veggies

3/5 - 3/18 Flossed Teeth Everyday

3/19 - 4/8 (3 Week Final Challenge) Combination of All Focus Goals

* No Sweets

* No Eating After 7

* Extra 20 Minutes of Exercise

* 3 Servings of Veggies

* Flossed Teeth

That's it! Feel free to pass this info along to anybody you might think is interested...I don't have to know them. I just need their email address. Let me know by Sunday the 8th (you have one week to decide) if you are in. I'll send you the link to our blog and get you set up! I promise it will be worth it! Here we go!

A Sneak Peak at the Extent of My Homemade Christmas

2011-12-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

I had so many plans for this year. Some are still a maybe for me to plow through in the next two days but most, if not all, are going to have to wait for another year or at least after Christmas day. Today however I did manage to pull together two fun library bags for my little readers. Shhh...but these are still a secret until Sunday.

I found the tutorial here and loved the idea of this cute little pocket on the side to hold a their very own library card. This is also a surprise....and a first for both of them. I also made the bag bigger so that we wouldn't have a problem fitting the larger picture books that Sadie loves into it. All in all a fun pretty easy project. I even learned how to do french seams with this one and I have to say I love how they look.

For Christmas morning I have put a few new books and coloring items in there to hold them over until the library is open again after the holidays. I'm thrilled with how they turned out and excited to see if they like them. Maybe in a few days I'll make one for myself.

Anybody else making last minute gifts or am I the only crazy one?

We Love Santa

2011-12-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to the msueaum of flight to see who else? The REAL Santa! He came in on a little airplane and spent the afternoon making hundreds of little dreams come true. My kids were so excited and I think Sadie fell completly in love with this darling man.

I couldn't help overhearing that Payton wouldlike Star Wars legos for Christmas and Sadie woudl love Princess stuff. He also told him, after he asked, that her favorite princess is Belle. I would have to agree. It'll be fun to see what he brings them Christmas morning.

A Very Special Legacy

2011-12-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Oh to have a girl, who would someday love what I love and maybe see and feel things the way that I do when I play my violin. My hope began a long time ago... so when I placed my own little violin in her tiny hand, I got to see a little bit of my gammie, my mother, my aunt, my cousins, my sister and myself enter her little world. I'm anxious for her to learn how music can teach us to feel deeper and for her to literally hear the spirit. I love having a special legacy to pass on. Whether she loves it or not is up to her but I know my job...and what a neat job it is!

Huntington Beach Getaway

2011-12-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

October 27th - 30th

The week before Halloween Mark left for Huntington Beach on a business trip...so I followed him there for a really warm, sunny, kid free weekend. Grandma came to be with the kids and I spent several days being by myself and being with my Mark. It was so needed and so nice. I only took a few pictures the last day because most of the time I was riding one of these cute blue bikes and relaxing so much that I forgot I had even brought my camera. We ate at amazing places and I did tons of window shopping. I hung out by the pool and read and when I felt adventurous I walked across the street to the sandy beach.

I did get to see my friend Jordan and her sweet girls while I was there but again...no pictures. maybe she has a few she can send me??? We had lunch and walked the pier and took some time just to do some much needed catching up. Thanks Jordan for making the drive so we could hang out!

We found a cute place that had a Ferris Wheel and a carnival type feel to it.

On one of our walks we found this anchored boat that had these bad boys on it. makes you wonder what happens on these boats when you're away.

Then mark found a place that fries things so he got himself a corn dog and a fried Twinky.

A big thank you to Grandma for coming and staying with our buttons! They had a better time then we did...and they still talk about how much fun they had. Plus we needed this. Nothing like leaving the drippy gray weather here and going somewhere sunny and perfect! I'm ready to go back!

Halloween Fun 2011

2011-12-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

Sadie won the Biggest Costume Ribbon at the Miller party this year. I thought that was pretty fitting. It was big! Very cute but very big!

The glued cut out face parts to pumpkins as a craft among many other cute things.

Thanks Millers! This is always so much fun!

We did the pumpkin carving thing way to early this year...because by Halloween ( okay a week and a half before Halloween) they were gross and moldy and not even recognizable. Plus they were smelly. we enjoyed them for a few days though and they turned out pretty cute!

The night we did this Sadie felt it it was appropriate to wear last years Halloween costume, so that is what she did. This girl has a dress code for everything!

On Halloween night they got all decked out...and Batman escorted Audrey Hepburn to every house in our neighborhood.

Then we did what we always do and had the entire world over to our place for homemade donuts and hot yummy drinks. I think I made 150 plus donuts this year and we went through them all. We had so much fun that I forgot to take any pictures...here are a few from the after party and from Mark.

I try to add just a few decoration each year. This was the year of paper so I did some paper bunting and some circley things that hang? I have no idea what to call those. it's a pinterest thing.

One of my cute YW showed up dressed so similar to me so we grabbed a picture together. If only I still looked as cute and young as her.

Anyway...good fun, good food and this holiday is still on my top list of best parts of the year. We love Halloween!

October 8, 2011

2011-12-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

We love this little farm. We come here every year because it is so good for kids and so much fun for our family. The weather was gorgeous and the kids were so happy.

The kids immediatly took off running for the corn box slides. This is their favorite part of pumpkin patch day.

The only down side would be the corn we find down our pants, in our boots, in our pockets, car and for the next week all over the house and in the dryer.

Sadie loves the animals too. She would spend all day there petting them and talking to them if she could. Her favorites this year were the pig and bunny. Made me want to get her a bunny!

Payton loves the big slide into the hay bail maze. Him and Katelan got pretty creative with going down the slide.

Daddy got Payton and shot apples with a slingshot towards a target. ~~Made me want to get Payton a slingshot..~~ NOT!

We also spent some time doing all of the fun little games they have set up for these kids.

Then we did what we came to do and picked out our favorite pumpkins.

Until next year...

Audrey Hepburn

2011-12-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

Turning 30 Part 2

2011-09-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

After going out to breakfast with my cute husband and my excited-to-see-their-daddy- kids we bought some snacks for the team and went to watch Payton play soccer. Mark took the kids "shopping" while I went on my own little shopping trip ALONE! I was sure they were going to beat me home but after I had shopped for a few hours and cleaned the whole main floor of our house they finally walked in. I was eager to open what they had spent all this time looking for but when I asked I wastold I would need to wait.

Around 4:00 we left for dinner in Bellevue (while I guess some decorating and food preparations were going on at my house). I had no idea about any of the things that were going on at my house. The plan, as far as I knew was to eat at my favorite place, John Howie Steaks (read this post), meet a few friends at the Relief Society Broadcast (which happens to be my favorite meeting ever) and then go out with them for dessert or go bowling..something fun and simple. I was excited and everything seemed to go as planned until it was time for me to run inside and change into some jeans to go bowling. Little did I know that there would be many many of my dearest friends and Mark hiding under my dining room table waiting for me to come inside.

My reaction: I was seriously startled and very very surprised! So surprised that I jumped - hence the blurry picture, and screamed mid sentence.

My place was DECKED OUT and I guess this whole party was my cute husband's idea. He planned it and arranged for things to happen and then all of them went to work. The decorations were so cute!

there were pictures of me everywhere and hung from the cutest paper garlands.

White (favorite color) Pom Poms where everywhere.

mark thought it would be fun to do fondue and Cortney printed up this picture giant sized for me to frame and put in the playroom. I love that picture and loved the idea.

We had Italian Creme Sodas...

and more fondue.

Everything was so good and so pretty.

We just all hung out and had a good time.

Apparently Tami called ahead to see what color the cups would be so that she would match. How thoughtful of her. :)

Then there were cupcakes with 30 candles for me to blow out. That was hard...but worth the 30 wishes! Oh and look at my cute hat! Cortney is so clever!

This morning I woke up tired but so so so happy. I feel so blessed and so humbled to have so many people who I care about and who I look up to. My thoughtful husband will be mine for forever. That makes gives me butterflies. I have friends who I will get to grow old with and who have been like sisters to me. 30 is going to be AMAZING. Why wouldn't it be? I have everything I could ever want. Up until this point has been so great and I have a feeling this next year and the kabillion after it are going to be equally great!!! Thank you thank you thank you to all who helped and to all who made my birthday so special and so memorable. I think next year I'll turn 30 again and then again...and then again.

Turning 30 Part 1

2011-09-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

It's a relief to know that 30 year old girls are not a whole lot different then 16 year old girls.

You wanna know how I know this?

Exhibit A: I found this at midnight before I went to bed Friday night/ morning. It was the classic plain old school toilet paper and a cute sidewalk chalked (Annelise babe! You need to not have such cute obvious handwriting) Happy 30th Birthday greeting! Needless to say I went to bed feeling very loved and thankfully not in the mood to clean it up. Good thing because I guess around 1:30 (after Mark had returned home from his trip to Pittsburgh) I received more sneaky quests and found this the next morning.

Exhibit B: Way more toilet paper, balloons, signs, and random comments written on paper plates. They, however, where even more obvious about who they were and why they had attacked. In my backyard I found this sign:

Yay! An exclusive cool club only for people who are 30 and up! I am so ready for this. Who turns 30 next?

Yup! This is a list of nice characteristics (including OLD on the end there). How sweet are they?

I swear that's suppose to be for when you turn 40.

Included in this mess, I mean birthday fun was a sign at the top of my circle that read "HONK! Jenni is 30!" I just wish one of my neighbors would have caught them on camera digging a whole with a shovel and carrying duct tape. Cool but totally busted!!! It was quite the effort made by these club members. Again I felt loved and so relieved to know that I could still act like my normal 16 year old self even if I am old.

Thanks ladies (young and old). I will never forget the way my 30th birthday started out. But just in case I am now to old to know what I will and will not remember I have proof and pictures. The day get's better...

Garage Sale = Lemonade Stand

2011-09-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

Friday Cortney's Neighborhood was having a garage sale so I asked if we could come and do one together. I most just needed a deadline to have my house completely cleaned out and organized. The cleaned out part happened but the organized is still under construction. Anyway...we had fun and the girls had fun ~~selling~~, I mean drinking lemonade. They were pretty cute. Thanks Cortney for letting me dump my junk in your yard. It proved to be a very productive week for me.

First day of Preschool

2011-09-13T22:29:00.001-07:00

Sadie's first day of Preschool was yesterday and oh how cute she was.

She was so excited to have her picture taken just like Payton got to on his first day of school a few weeks ago. She wanted to pose just like he did and everything.

I told Miss Ashlee how excited she was to go but the moment we walked in she got all shy and concerned about me leaving her...that is until cute Miss Ashlee took her by the hand and helped her write her name for the very first time. Sadie was beaming and ready for the rest to begin.

This was a happy and sad day for me. She was so happy and so ready to begin learning in a school like enviroment and I would have some mommy time to myself for a few hours but she's my baby and I missed her the entire time. These milestones are suppose to make you smile and cry right? I just wish they didn't all come so fast. Good luck Girl! You are going to be great!

I HAVE A FIRST GRADER!!!

2011-09-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

That's right! Payton is now at school all day and as sad as i am to not have him at home he is so happy at school.

His teacher is Ms. Parker-Jones and when we met her and his classmates I was a little bit nervous. He didn't know anybody really so I told him to make new friends and and he said, "no problem mom."

Luckily that first day he found Kyle right away (an older kid from church) and took off for the playground. he didn't even stop to put his backpack in the right line.

So far he is doing great! He already has tons of new friends and comes out smiling every day! I'm one happy and proud mom.

She Wants So Badly to be Just Like Him...Some Days

2011-09-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

Sadie makes me laugh. This girl puts on a hundred outfits a day (dirties them all of course) and is about as girly as they come but ever once in a while she will surprise us. Like the day she came down stairs dressed just like her brother (snow hat, under shirt, pj shorts, dress socks and his soccer cleats). She even sat right down in his seat for dinner and made us call her Payton.

The girl is still in there...

Until she wants to fist bump you! Love you kiddo!

A Super Six Year Old's Super Hero Training Camp

2011-09-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sadie has her party skirt on again so you know what that means? It's party time again only this time it's Paytors turn! Our summers are so fun and luckily I love this kind of stuff so here is what we did for Super Paytor!

There has to be tons of bunting at a Warner party...which my mom came all the way from Utah to help me with. so this time I did paper and made sure it all fit the theme.

Mark and I made these fun super hero suckers as a party favor. I love Pinterest!

Then there were the capes. The week previous I did some non stop sewing. 43 capes were my final count and man did they cute on all of those kids. Every kid should have thier own cape. I made that happen for at least 43 of them.

We set up the food...

and the cake before the heros arrived for their training session.

When they got to the camp (our house) we put on their cape, had them pick a super name and sent them to the backyard to fuel up.

after they got their wrestling in...

a group picture taken...

and their wiggles out...

It was time for their training courses to begin!!!

First they had to meet their opponents.

Professor Pottsticker and Dr. Horrible!!!! BOOOOOOO!

Sadie did not think that her Potts and her Daddy should be bad guys. It made her very upset.

There was a super strength challenge.

An "Up Up and Away" test.

Bad Guy Blast

Stomp Out Crime

A Speed and Agility Exercise Program

As soon as they completed their courses it was time for a celebration.

Birthday cake and Wishes were the Hero of Honors choice.

And of course their were presents! Lots and lots of presents!

He was one one happy super six year old!!!

The Best Week Ever

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

When Matt and Audrey come to town you better be prepared to laugh a lot, play hard, eat too much and have a seriously good time. They spent an entire week with us and by the end we were begging them to move in. We had so much fun that I think we forgot to take pictures. Good thing Audrey took a few so that we could remember some of our fun.

I know we played A LOT of Monopoly Deal and we ate way toooo much. I'm pretty sure they want to move here now.

One of our adventures took just the 4 of us to Poulsbo to go kayaking. The sky was blue and the sun was shining. There were even brand new baby seals on the docks we kayaked past.

There was also a trip down town to see Pikes Place. Matt had never been so we gave him the grand tour.

Mark even bought me (or Sadie) some pretty flowers. I forgot to remember what kind they were...little lacy pink ones? They were so cute.

The kids didn't want to let them go...it was a hard goodbye for all of us.

Until next time I guess. I doubt it will be very long before we see them again.

I"M SAILING!!!

2011-09-12T23:03:00.000-07:00

* First can you name that movie?

This is my super-cool-I-have-a-sail-boat-uncle-Tim. When Audrey and Matt came to visit he took us out sailing and I was in love with his boat. I am that way with any boat but sailing is by far my favorite. After that I only hoped out loud to Mark that one day we would have one. It was so beautiful out there and so relaxing...even with the kids.

After sailing for a while we docked the boat and went into Ivar's to meet his cute girlfriend. We had a really nice dinner and such a good time Tim. Thank you for that. I will remember that for a long time.

Surprise Man Bash!!!

2011-09-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you take 17 different kinds of brewed root beer (FYI: one of Mark's many passions is trying different root beers and critiquing them)...

6 boxes of his favorite board game...

food and more food to grill...

cupcakes...

a Party Keg of his very favorite ~~food~~ drink...

Tons of man snacks and a girl in a party dress (wait! She doesn't stick around)

Just long enough to say surprise...

AND a room full of guys?

ONE HAPPY 30 YEAR old!!!

Oh and a lot of empty bottles with Virgil's still as his clear winner.

Mark Turns 30 Part 1

2011-09-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

While Mark was at work we went to work. There were 30 presents for Mark (all sort of lame) but cute and they needed to be wrapped and numbered. I wrapped

Payton numbered then all.

Then we hid them all and strung some yarn between each one so that when he got home he would need to start at the garage door and work himself through the maze to find all of his gifts. The final one being a Kindle (which I was happy to get him because I have been wanting one for a while. What? he does that to me all the time. Anyway...

Audrey and Matt showed up from Utah ( they were going to be staying for a week to visit) and offered to watch our kids so I could take him to the best steak place ever!

John Howie Steak

We had the most amazing time and I have never been in such a nice place. Thanks to Groupon, who made it a little bit more affordable, we ate like 30 year old royalty. At least he did. I am still 29. Queen like of course...but still 29. Ha! Ha!

For starters we had the Tempura Fried Kurobuta Bacon that you dipped in this maple sauce. not my favorite but it was his birthday after all and he is a man so Bacon was what we ate...with our hands from a very fancy cup.

Mark had the Rib Eye Steak and loved it dipped in their three fancy pants salts. Black, pink and white. they were all really good.
I had the best Roasted Jidori Chicken ever and ate every last little bite. I would have licked it but this place was full of people who would have kicked me out for doing it.

Our sides were Roasted Garlic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and Yakima Valley Asparagus. Both very good.

And then there was the dessert!

It was this Salted Caramel and Chocolate Ganache Tart, which was a shortbread crust, semi-sweet chocolate, caramel, fleur de sel, and a vanilla salted caramel ice cream. OH MY GOODNESS!!! This was a TWIX lovers dream come true. We were both so full from dinner but wanted to order another one of these. It was that good. Luckily somebody else turns thirty soon so we are making another trip there this month maybe just for 4 orders of this. I wish I had a picture of this. It was equally beautiful.

Pretty great day right? Little did he know, in fact he was clueless, that there would be more...

Father's Day?

2011-09-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

So I found this random picture on my computer as I was going through things and for the life of me could not figure out why I had a picture of a plate of food and why that person had two different bottles of root beer. After some detective work and putting two and two together (mark + favorite two root beers = special occasion) I figured it out. This was Father's Day and I had forgotten to post anything about it so here is all I have...plus a few from a book we made him for his gift that day.

Apparently I made him his favorite Dang Good Chicken, sticky rice and fresh green beans with a little bit of bacon (cuz it's Father's day). I do not remmber that. Thank goodness for pictures...because that is vital information. :)

The kids and I spent the week before working on this book. Inside are pages of questions answered by them with some of my favorite photos.

Sadie knows her daddy loves her because he takes her to the dentist and he lets her play with markers. I loved those answers.

Anybody notice something about mark's eyes being blue like a chickens? Didn't know they were until Sadie said something. Must be why I think he is so handsome.

That and he is as strong as an ~~anteater~~ I mean elephant (smile).

They are so cute and they sure do love their dad.

I Love Summer Days

2011-09-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

When it actually gets warm enough to find your kids hanging out in the hammock with a self - served popsicle. I love how he takes care of her.

I Find Myself Picking Weeds Here and Putting Them in a Vase

2011-09-12T13:48:00.000-07:00

I love where I live!

Light

2011-09-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

Because I an super involved in our church's Young Women program now I thought it might be nice to start documenting some of the things I end up doing for my sweet young women and for the leaders who serve with me. Maybe somebody else out there might be able to use these ideas.

These were gifts given to our Young Women Board at a luncheon we had before cute Darcy (our former Young Women President) was released and I was put in. I found the lanterns at IKEA, added a candle and made a tag with a scripture on it. Just to Jennify it a little bit more I tied on some of my favorite fabric scraps and shared a message about light.

I loved how they turned out. It now sits on a shelf in my home to remind me to always look for and walk in the light of the Lord...especially as I serve in this calling with the youth.

Our Thing

2011-09-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

One day when I was making bread I put a dot of flour on Sadie's nose. She laughed and then put one on mine.

Now. Fast forward to the next day I made bread...

I approached her form the back and asked her what she was doing. I believed she was eating the flour off the counter. I asked her if that was what she was doing and as I came around to face her I found this...

her cute reply was "no Mom...I'm just putting flour on my nose." I laughed and let her put some on mine. We giggled.

Little did I know that this would become "our thing." I'm sure that she will one day ask me why we do that when flour is out and I will just have to say because...it is our thing. That's all.

Mountains and Strings 2011

2011-09-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

This year at music camp I got to go by myself. Mark's sweet parents took the kids while I got to go be a kid for a week. I ended up cooking and coaching a few quartets, teaching fiddling, playing in the orchestra and taking pictures. I was doing just about whatever I could to help out. I love this camp and the people behind it and has always been the highlight of my summer. I just thought I would post a bunch of pictures just so you could get the flavor of what this year was like. It was one of my favorites so far! The students were top notch players and really great kids. The staff makes me laugh and I love them all so much!

We spent part of our first full day at Badger Creek where the kids did all kinds of fun and scary rope courses.

It was fun to have one of my own private students there with me. Laura came and had a blast. I was so glad she got to be a part of something so great!

That's me!

There are always inspiring outdoor concerts put on by our guest faculty.

and a fun night of skits and s'mores.

I got to help teach the fiddling this year. That was fun!

I also bossed some kids around and made them clean up our cooking messes.

There are always cute kids there...

and Jack!

I say it every year...this place makes music and it makes magic. It would take the world ending to keep me away! Thank you again Richard and Karalyn for providing such a neat opportunity to grow and to fall in love with music again.

Symphony Reunion

2011-09-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

Between the family reunion and music camp I was able to participate in a BYU-Idaho Symphony Reunion. It was so fun going back and being in my favorite buildings and getting to see some the people who influenced my life so much. We played for a few hours...just for fun and I got to sit by my sweet friend Cami. There was no pressure and the music was some of the best written. We also got to have lunch with the faculty which is where I found my previous private teacher and dear friend Ted Ashton. We sat and ate and talked and remembered. Following our lunch I wandered around campus all by myself (which was heavenly) and then I returned for one more short rehearsal and a concert. A concert with an entire extended stage of musicians. The sound was amazing but the feeling was what I love to go back for.

I miss it there so much. I believe that is where I grew up the most. Where I discovered my passion for music and for life. Some days I wish I could go back and do it all over again. I had so many positive experiences there and I owe the teachers and the students there a lot. That was a memorable experience and I hope they do it again.

* I feel bad that none of the other pictures turned out...I wanted to send some to my friends. I guess my camera is harder for others to use. Next time I'll take more.

Collier Family Reunion 2011

2011-09-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend of Sadie's birthday our family made the trip to Utah to be with our family and to go camping. We started it all off with lunch a Wingers...

They serve popcorn so our little bug was in heaven. Plus some of her favorite people were there to help celebrate.

When we made it up to the campsite I snuck her and one of her cupcakes away for a special birthday song.

She felt pretty special...because nobody else could have one until after dinner.

We set up camp and got reacquainted with our new nephew AJ. He is such a doll.

That night we sung Happy Birthday to her and had cupcakes. It was so cute watching her love that attention. I can't believe my baby girl is 3.

The next morning was full of fun and trying to find cell phone reception. I caught the guys like this and had to snap a picture. Everyone sat around and ate, hung out and found little things to do to just be together.

Yes...I am this scary in the morning but I made up for it with breakfast...

I made everybody these cinnamon roll pancakes and they turned out amazing!

Mark also made the bacon...of course.

Apparently they are sooooo good they make people fall in love all over again...or their lips taste so good they can't help but kiss each other.

We went hiking...or walking I would say.

We had a pretty good time and only got rained out once. I wish it would have lasted longer. Thanks mom and dad for making that happen.

4th of July 2011

2011-07-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

For the 4th of July this year we spent it with some of our firends. In the morning we had a 4th of July Pancake Breakfast at our house (sorry no pictures) with our friends from renton and then that evening we got together with the Tylers and Crabtrees for a BBQ and neighborhood fireworks. Best ones I have ever seen. Katie's neighbor goes all out an I meant two hours of ALL out!

My favorite was watching Blake and Rylie withtheir cute headphones on to block out the scary sounds. They were so funny!

Miss T and her cute festive outfit.

So funny!

Sadie must have been so excited. She's about to wet her pants!!!

That was such a fun day and such an awesome reminder of what we get to have living in this country.

My Sweet Little Pixie Pirate Turns 3

2011-07-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

Sadie is unique. She loves girly things and sword fighting with her brother. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday party she asked for a pixie party with pirates (so the boys wouldn't have to wear wings) and she insisted on being both. That's my girl. So that is what we did!

I made her a cake, to represent her.

As each little friend showed up they were dressed up and dusted with pixie dust. Even the big girls got in on this.

The pirates were given swords and eye patches...

Some even wanted their faces painted.

Laura, one of Sadie's favorite babysitters, came dressed up like Misty and Sadie was in heaven!

They flitted around and did pixie type things...

While pirates did sword fighting.

After guests had arrived we dug into the food. Each with a special name to go along with the theme.

We also had pixie sticks, fairy fruit punch, bottle of rum (root beer), pirate bootie, pixie hats, pirate rope, cannon balls and stuffed mushrooms. Making all the food and coming up with the names was my favorite part...besides decorating and getting everybody decked out...oh and coming up with fun things to do and doing it at the perfect little secluded spot on the lake...I just love throwing parties. Maybe one day I'll do it for a living (if things ever slow down.

There was a treasure hunt ...designed by Mark.

The crew could not wait to use their pixie dust and treasure maps to find what lay hidden.

Captain Mark led the way...

through the woods...

passing the geese

Until they came across their buried treasure.

While they munched on gold (Rolos) and fish Misty the Pixie read them Peter Pan.

Next came cake and wishes for the birthday girl.

I hope her wish came true.

Each little pirate and pixie were given a pirate ship cupcake and a little packet of pixie dust (sprinkles) to make their ship fly.

Most of them flew right into their mouths.

We had the best time and needed to end it all with presents.

I think this may have been my Sadie's favorite part. Her reactions were so cute and so funny with every gift. I could have watched her all day.

When she received 5 dollars from my grandma she had show everyone how rich she had just become.

and of course my little bug had to change right there on the spot when she got this cute skirt from the Ortons.

The party was a success thanks to all who helped and came. Jason took the most amazing pictures and again I feel so blessed to have him and his sweet family as our friends. I mean seriously...who gets pictures like this everywhere they go. Thank you a million times! It's the perfect way to document such a fun day!

I don't think I have ever seen her so happy. Sadie says thanks a bunch and would hug you all for coming. And those who missed it...you may just want to make the trip next time because we really missed you. We had a blast!

Just seeing this on my little girl's face was so worth it.

I would do anything for my little pixie pirate. I can't believe she is 3. I love you bug! More then all the treasure and pixie dust in the world. Happy Birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa Come to Visit

2011-06-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

When Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us we did just about everything you could possibly do in a week. We had so much fun that I frgot to take pictures most of the time but here are a few from our adventures to the Strawberry Festival in Bellvue, the Issaquah Farmer's Market and the Flight Museum. The kids loved having them here and they can't wait for them to come back.

Come back soon. There is still plenty more to see.

Kindergarten School Program

2011-06-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

A few days before school got out the kindergarten classes put on the cutest little program. It was all about Oceans of Fun.

Payton got to do a cute little rap about sharks with his buddy Gavin. I wish our camera would have recorded it.

Here is what what he said (rap style):

Got no bones only cartilage

But some will have bodies as big as a fridge.

We only swim forward.

We never back up.

And when there's plankton, we're there to snack up.

Cutest Best Friends Ever!

In Memory Of

2011-06-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

My sweet Grandpa Collier passed away this past winter and after the yucky weather had passed and the sun came out again we held a memorial service for him in his backyard. Close friends and family gathered to talk about his life and to enjoy being together. We put together a book of our favorite memories of him. Each of us had a page to pay tribute to him and to the things we learned from him.

Our little family quartet played some prelude.

My dad and his siblings got up and said a few words.

After the service we all got to just be together. We got to see cousins we have not seen in years.

The brothers were brothers again.

I got to be with my cute new nephew AJ and spend time with my Emily.

Grandpa loved it when family was around. We loved being in his home ad with his cute wife. We love you Grandma and will miss Grandpa until we meet him again.

A Trip to Bainbridge

2011-06-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

Memorial day weekend we made our way to a small island for a mini vacation. We love Bainbridge Island and this trip proved to be a great addition to our memories there.

We ate breakfast at our favorite little bakery...

We tried on billions of hats...

We HAD to visit the fabric store there...Mark made us all do this.

But I will have to admit that I did enjoy all of the ribbons there.

We played at the park while daddy sampled some new rootbeer.

Then we jumped on a ferry and made our way back home...

We had such a good time just being together and enjoying the fun we have around us.

They Do Love Me!

2011-05-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

My mother's day was so so so sooooo wonderful.

I was given everything I didn't need and time to do whatever I wanted. I was spoiled big time!

I woke up to Mark and the kids making me sourdough pancakes (my favorite) with real maple syrup, vanilla bean whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

By my place setting I had sweet love notes...

and way to much chocolate.

Mark also ordered me this! It's my new machine and so far I love it.

He also cleaned the house, made the best steak dinner and let me catch up on this blog (21 posts). I love my family. I love the women who teach me every day how to become a good mother and I truely believe I have the best job in the world.

Mother's Tea

2011-05-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

I was invited, along with the other mothers, to join my cute kindergartner for a mother's tea. In honor of mother's day I was sung to, given a grand tour of the classroom, presented with the sweetest gifts and fed the most decedent cake and lemonade. I love being a mom. My kids make it easy to love it.

Love you Payton. You make me feel like a rock star of a mom.

Two New Family Members

2011-05-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Meet Penquin...

He is Sadie's hamster. He is a dwarf hamster who looks like a penguin apparently. That is why she named him that. I think he's cute. He doesn't bite me. That is why I hold him.

Meet Milly...

She is Payton's Teddy Bear hamster. Her name rhymes with silly so that is why he named her that. She is not a turtle but he loves her more then a turtle. That is why we bought her instead. She bit me once so we are not friends.

Maybe one day.

Easter Morn

2011-05-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

The rain boots were filled...

with treats and bath toys...

and eggs were colored

by our darling girl and boy.

We hid them in our yard...

in the flower pots too...

made them give a kiss...

They had an egg hunt to do.

After their baskets were filled to the top...

We left for church....

Looking cute and ready to hop!

Ya.! I know...that was my dumb attempt at rhyming. It just seemed to need it. Don't make fun!

Tulip Festival a la Weed

2011-04-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

This pretty much sums up our Easter weekend...just kidding. This was just my favorite shot.

This year we spent our time at the Tulip Festival with the Weed family. They had never been so it was fun to show it off a little bit. The fields are amazing and the pictures always turn out really fun.

This is Anna Weed. She is 4 and the cutest thing. I teach her violin and she teaches me important lessons about life.

The Easter bunny is also a member of their family but for some reason they call her Miss T (Tessa). She knew how to draw a crowd...and a camera.

Viva is their other daughter and she is also a crack up! They all come from very funny parents. VERY FUNNY PARENTS!!!

He is ours! We like him too though.

She is pretty cute too.

They all cooperated for a picture...but they were smart and brought candy to bribe them with.

Ours, I think, already had their candy and were out of control.

But we still love them.

Peek-a-Boo!!!

Ta Da!!! That's all folks!

Entry Way Love

2011-04-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

I finally got my entry way pictures up and I love having something there...FINALLY. I have been collecting frames and shelves and knobs for years now and I finally got around to it. I still have a few frames to fill but I'm happy with how it turned out. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be either...it just took some time and a patient husband. I like how the knobs and stars add interest. I think it makes it less boring. It'll be fun to keep changing out the pictures for holidays and as they grow up.

I love how spring seems to make me want to do all sorts of fun things. I wish this would have happened a year ago but whatever! I guess I just need spring to last a lot longer. Anyway...it's up and I'm moving on to the next thing.

7 Years and My Hair is Down for Good!

2011-04-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Got it cut off...it felt like a lot. So much in fact that I can't pull it up anymore. I like it though. I may keep it like this for a long time.

Pizza Party

2011-04-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Spring Soccer ended and I think just about everyone wanted to trow a party. This was a wet season and most of the games (I htink all but 1) were pretty miserable. They did have a pretty great team with two amazing coaches though so it was still worth it. For their final see ya they had a pizza party with all that comes with it.

He sat with his buddies and drank as much rootbeer as he wanted.

Which you can see had no effect on him at all.

There was cake...there's gotta be cake...

and a certificate for making through and being such a good sport about it all.

Spring Soccer 2011...he still wants to keep playing. We hope we can get these guys again.

It's Always Fun at Gammie's House

2011-04-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

My kids don't see their cousins much. I think it should be a lot more often. they love them. They love them all. One day while were visiting my mom all of the cousins came to play. No grownups except my mom and I and some cookie dough. We had so much fun and the kids were happy as pie.

Cuties

Sadie was so into this. I'm going to have to make more of these at home.

See! She was so proud.

Cherry Blossoms

2011-04-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

On conference Sunday we had a plan. We didn't realise that the rest of the world would have the same plan and that their plan would ruin ours.

This is the University of Washington campus and for only a few weeks out of the year the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the place is amazing! I had thought that the planets had aligned just perfectly because my dad, and his camera, were in town at just the right time. I got the kids all dressed up and as we drove there I had visions of the pictures I wanted taken of my kids - the beautiful blossoming trees and the bright green moss.

When we go there we could hardly find parking. Every person that came out of a car had a camera and probably a cute child dressed up for the same reason we did. I was so upset. There were people having picnics (it was freezing), some were climbing the trees. Others were just there to see it. I guess this isn't a big secret. Everyone knew that we wanted to take pictures and they had come to spoil it.

I'm just kidding. We made the most of it though and because my dad is my dad he worked some of his magic

I am thrilled with what we did get. In fact I love these pictures and I shouldn't act so selfish.

After leaving the sea of people my dad and I made a plan to return at 5 am the next morning...when we were sure that the people would be gone.

I didn't have the heart to wake up my kids that early so you'll have to imagine them in the picture below. Wouldn't it have been perfect?

I love this shot just as it is though. It was worth it to spend some time with my dad, especially as he does what he loves. I can't wait to see what he does with the rest of the pictures. Thanks for being so great!

He Always Brings His Camera

2011-04-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while my parents come to visit and when they do they always bring their cameras. This time Payton had a soccer game and it was wet out AGAIN. I love what he captured.

Watch how the smile never leaves his face...

Not even if it's full of food. I love this about him. He doesn't score much or even care who's winning. He just runs and smiles and runs some more.

Victory Tunnel and that's a soccer game here in the North West.

Spring Organization

2011-03-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

My pantry, before this was a mess. It started out being, what I thought, was a good idea. You see I sew a lot and I do it downstairs in my dining room. There is a large table in there and I can get several things going and started in there without having to put it all away. The previous problem I had was that all my stuff (fabric, tools, cutting whatevers) were all upstairs. Even though I was getting a pretty good workout running up and down them for everything I got tired of it and had the brilliant idea to put it all in my kitchen pantry. half would be for food and the other for fabric. Ya, I'm sure some of you are shaking your head and saying...what? Wouldn't that just end up becoming a big mess. Well to make a dumb story shorter it was and so I took it all out and threw it into my dining room. My pantry got a small makeover and the food is now happy to be living with other food and kitchen cleaning supplies. Not fabric.

Better right?

Well now there was a mess in the dining room. A BIG mess. pretty but BIG!

So I took my cute hubby to Ikea and begged for something to put it all in and in return I promised him I would leave or dining room a dining room and turn one of the bedrooms into my sewing room/office. Pretty fair trade huh?

Now I have it all in one place and I love it! In fact everything I own that is sewing has it's own place in this fun organizational system. I do more in her and I am upstairs with the kids.

I have places for my girliness and my pink things.

I use a large basket on the desk for projects in progress...this one is Sadie's quilt STILL.

And pretty places for piles of fabric with ideas for future projects.

I'm really excited about this one.

and am anxious to get my new machine so I can finish up this one.

Somebody told me I would get smarter and smarter. I never believed them...until now. It helps being married to a pretty smart husband.

St. Patty's Day

2011-03-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

Payton wrote a note to the leprechaun the night before St. Patrick's day hoping he would leave him some gold. He even drew a rainbow so that the little guy would know just right where to put it. Guess it worked.. Who knew gold was filled with yummy chocolate and chewy caramel filling. Yum!!!

Because Payton was so nice to the leprechaun he left our house nice and clean. he even helped mommy make some rainbow jello...

and shepherd's pie for dinner.

There were even blarney blessings in the biscuits. Although later we would find out that Mark's would not come true mine told me that my husband would be more then happy to do the dishes and that actually sorta happened. Best blessing ever. Ya! Mr. Leprechaun and I are tight!

A Leprechaun Trap?

2011-03-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Payton was given the assignment at school to make a leprechaun trap and then bring it to school to see if he could catch the sneaky devil. When we sat down to do just that my sweet boy walked me through his entire idea. After filling me in on his plan to put in a couch and a bowl of lucky charms and a table and chairs I asked him why he was making his trap into a home? What's your plan for catching him? Is he going to fall in and then the door will shut? Will he eat poisoned cereal (because we did use glue). Will he look at the picture of himself on the wall and be so hypnotized by the beauty he'll do whatever you ask him to do? After what I thought was me trying to help him figure this out he says, "No mom! He'll just love his new home so much he won't ever want to leave." The I was proud.

Lesson learned: You are more likely to catch a leprechaun when you are kind then if you try to poison or hypnotize him.

When You Give a Gril a Pineapple Core...

2011-02-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

First she'll want to eat the whole thing.

And then she'll just put on a show.

Highlights From Our Valentine's Day

2011-02-25T09:40:00.000-08:00

I always do some sort of breakfast...made with extra love of course and a valentine by the plate. This year I made their favorite muffins and put the extra love right on top.

I was showered with some of my favorite things from my three most very favorite people. Yes! I love Gushers. Those are from my Valentine. I also love TJ Maxx, Dove dark chocolate and apparently lindt chocolate too.

They woke up early because Daddy leaves early and we got to see thier cute sleepy heads love that they got chocolate milk for breakfast.

Payton came home from school to a fun surprise...

Cute little miss Sophie had heart attacked his room.

There was a banner and everything.

After he read her super cute card he spent the afternoon making her a "You Are My Sunshine" necklace card so that he could sing it to her when they met up for frozen yogurt that night.

I love Valentine's Day! call me cheesy or corny or whatever but I think it's sweet to spend one day thinking a little bit more about the people you love.

Love You Banner

2011-02-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

When I pulled out my decorations for Valentine's Day I noticed I didn't have much at all. A few candles and some past valentines so I sat down with a borrowed cricut (thanks Amanda) and had fun playing with it.

I basically just started to make double sided valentines and got so into it that I made enough for a banner in my dining room. I love how it turned out and I can't wait to make another one for the other archway.

Anyway...some asked for some close up pictures so here they are:

You should make one too. And one day, if I ever get tired of it, I can take it down and use them as Valentine's for the ones I seem to like the most. Beautiful and practical. I told Mark there is a "real" reason for all that I do, at least that's what we'll keep telling him right?

Plans for tomorrow

2011-02-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

This week our topic over at Praiseworthy is "TUESDAY". Curious? What would you write about if you were given the topic of Tuesday?

Watch Out Comic World

2011-02-18T20:58:00.000-08:00

If any of you know my little Sadie then these pictures of the night she dressed herself to fight Darth Vader won't surprise you. She is ALL this and I love it about her. Batman meets Fairy Princess...any super hero name suggestions for this one?

Don't let the pink and glitter fool you...

She'll even pretend to be your side kick...

* check out those leather leggings...she's got it all!

until one minute she sneaks up on you and kills you with her kisses. Ba Ha Ha!!! Take that Darth!

Don't you think this would make an awesome movie? Maybe that should be my next project.

A Cute Love Story

2011-02-07T23:40:00.000-08:00

Go read about my how my Grandparents fell in love and then stayed there.

Very First Cello Recital

2011-02-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 23 Payton played in his first real cello recital. His teacher, Miss Kim, had him play first. He played Twinkles Variation A and B and he did amazing! He wasn't nervous and he did his best. We were all really proud of him. He even had a few of his friends there to support him. Thanks Teeples and Ortons for coming. It meant a lot to him I'm sure.

Snow Show

2011-02-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Rizzo's Kindergarten class put on a fantastic snow show for us parental units. They sang songs and did art projects for us. They read us stories and gave us too many treats. It was fun watching him love his class, his teacher and his friends. It made me want to go back to kindergarten and do it all over again. We are lucky to have Payton in this school with this special teacher. Thank you Mrs. Rizzo.

Kaylee's Quilt

2011-02-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

My sweet niece Kaylee was blessed on January 2nd and for her I made this quilt. The colors made me think of her and her cute mom. The big white soft flowers on the front were put on there so that she could feel them and play with them as she cuddled into it. The bright yellow back just made me happy and the whole process was fun to do for her. I hope she knows I love her.

New Year"s Eve 2010

2011-02-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

For New Year's Eve this year we spent a fun evening hanging out with the Warner side of the family. Jason and Mel were sweet to let us all play and dance and have fun one last time before 2011. Being with family is so neat when you live far away. We have some pretty great memories from this night...most I won't go into for fear of embarrassing Mark too much.

Payton and Zoey have always gotten along so well. I love the big brother role he takes on when he is around her.

We all took turns loving this new little angel.

A favorite picture of mine from this night. Cousins are the best!

Grandma read the girls some bedtime stories...

and when every kid was asleep...

we played a funny game called Quelf. It's a must get must play with all people kind of game. Maybe next year we'll get to play again. Bring on 2011!!!

What We Don't Get Enough of at Home

2011-02-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

They were thrilled when the snow fell so hard at Gammie's house that they could hardly see. In fact it was dark out and they still HAD to go out and play in the stuff.

She was even smiling after getting hit in the face with a giant snow ball. Don't you just want to kiss those cute pink cheeks?

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

2011-02-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

As part of our Christmas Break the whole family took some time to go to the aquarium together. It's always really fun and exciting to go be in a discovery kind of place with your kids. It's like becoming a kid again and seeing it all for the first time. Sadie was especially amazed at it all. She is our animal lover who would talk to the fish and even sing them songs. I love that about her.

Payton even got brave for a minute and tried to touch the sting rays.

Payton loved watching the jellyfish and doing the sciency parts of the place. He strangly liked shocking himself at this one demonstration to see what it felt like to touch an electric eel. I had to pull him away before he got brain damage.

I hope this stage of life lasts forever. I want them to love learning and to stay curious until they leave this earth.

A Baby Shower for My Sister

2011-01-30T21:07:00.000-08:00

After going to see my Grandma and Grandpa Collier in Bellevue, Idaho we made our way to Sandy to see my side of the family and to give Emily a baby shower. She'll be having a boy soon and I can hardly wait. It's fun to have a sister be pregnant. I get to talk to her a whole lot more and pretty soon I'll get to pass down all of my motherly wisdom (ha ha). I just want to hold another new born. ;)

Emily was glowing...

and hungry so we served orange rolls, salad and fruit.

Gammie was the happy host and like always all of the grand kids gravitate towards her. Plus look how cute Kylie and Ethan are. I gobbled up Ethan's sweet little grinning cheeks over and over and over again while we were there. I miss my nieces and nephews.

Princesses joined in for the celebration...

while Emily enjoyed the loot and imagining her little man in every cute outfit that came out of a cute bag. The word CUTE is not avoidable at a baby shower.

Have I mentioned that I am NOT baby hungry? (wink wink)

A Few of Their Favorite Things

2011-01-30T20:48:00.000-08:00

The kids love it at their Grandparent's house. They spend most of their time around the kitchen table playing games and creating things out of play dough. Both Grandpa and Grandma are so sweet and so great to just sit a play with our little squirts for hours and hours. Payton and sadie never want to go home and they ask me all the time if they can go back.

They miss them every day...that's a good sign I think. If only there was a way to live closer?

Santa Came to Grandma and Grandpa's House This Year

2011-01-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house Christmas Eve in time to have dinner with the family, watch a few movies and put our little sugarplums down for a long winter's nap. When we awoke Christmas morning we were pleased to see that Santa knew we where not in Covington. The kids were thrilled to see their special treasures.

Payton had asked for a light saber for Christmas and man did Santa go way beyond his little dreams. He ended up with two lightsabers that he can hook up to his Wii and play his new Lego Star Wars game while wearing a Darth Vader costume. Not to mention a needed umbrella in his stocking. (Funny story behind that is this: I caught Payton with my phone one day trying to text somebody...trying to text Santa. He told me that he had forgotten to tell Santa he NEEDED an umbrella for school. I mentioned to Payton that Santa might not get texts way up at the north pole and that I would call him and let him know. Guess he got the memo.)

Sadie had asked for several funny things this year (monster, a doll house and a prince). Grandpa helped Santa finish a doll house for Sadie which she loves and plays with every day. I am in the process right now of getting it painted and all dolled up. We love that this functions as a book case too. Thanks Grandpa!

Mark and I got the best present ever! A date box filled with gift cards and plans for our dating life for the next year. Santa must love somebody very much to have planned it all out...worry free and all paid for.

The kids played and played and played

and ate and ate and ate lots of yummy candy.

I think Grandma's house was a real hit this year. We're glad they had us.

Our Pretend Christmas Morning

2011-01-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

Because we were heading out on Christmas Eve Day to go to Idaho to spend Christmas with family we had our own special Christmas evening on the 23rd. We opened all of our family presents so that we would have room in our car for our luggage and "other gifts." It was fun to watch them open all of their dress up clothes and try them on. They also received a lot of games and a special DS from my awesome cousin Ben, handmade gifts from Gammie and silly things from Potts. Grandma and Grandpa sent board games and other fun surprises. They were especially excited to receive their $5.00 from their great grandparents. Payton thought he was the richest kid in the world.

After opening Potts' "monster" she immediately diapered him and turned him into a baby doll. It was so funny!

After opening gifts we did our traditional Christmas Eve go-out-to-breakfast and then went to bed early so that early in the morning we could make our long drive to American Falls Idaho.

Great Wolf Lodge

2011-01-30T10:29:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas, when everything was crazy and busy we took a break with a bunch of friends and spent a night at the Great Wolf Lodge. This was our first time coming here so we stood in awe as soon as we walked through those big doors. There were kids everywhere, running around with magic wands that opened treasure boxes and told them special secrets, stores and restaurants, arcade rooms and crafts rooms, even our hotel room was fun!

We got there a little before the big story time was about to start so the boys through on their swimming stuff and headed to the giant indoor water park (more on that later) while Sadie and I explored the hotel from top to bottom.

After jammies were on and everyone settled down in front of the giant animated tree house we enjoyed the singing animals and scary looking human robotic characters. Then it began to snow....INSIDE!!!

When the awesome snow ended we gave the kids to the guys and us girls took off for the water park to try out some of the rides the kids would not want to go on. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go on them but after some convincing I jumped on and loved it as we screamed our way to the bottom.

Thinking the boys might have put the kids to bed by then we headed back only to find a party going on in the Worton's room. Guess the dad's didn't want to miss out on the fun either.

It took a while to get everybody settled and down for the night but after we did the girls snuck out again just to go hang out and talk in the lobby.

The next morning we hit the water park! Everyone!!! We had so much fun we didn't even take a picture. Emily and Joe even came up from Utah to join us. We were prunie and beat by the afternoon but so excited to come back next year! Come visit us you out of towners and we'll do this with you. It was so worth it and a much needed pre holiday break!

A Heavy Heart and a Grateful Spirit

2011-01-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is my sweet Grandpa Collier. He died from a heart attack on Thursday afternoon. The Monday before his accident we went out to visit him and my cute Grandma. I am so glad I listened to a very purposeful prompting telling me I should make the trip and that we should do it very soon.

We didn't plan on going to Idaho or Utah for Christmas. In fact we were ready to be home and enjoy the Christmas holiday as a family. Our plan was to maybe go the week after, for New Year's Day, and for a family baby blessing. A week or so before the Christmas break I told Mark that I had a feeling we should go surprise his parents for Christmas and then go see my Grandparents, who I hadn't seen in a few years. My thought was that if we are going to make the long car ride why not see everyone and do everything. Plus I really missed my Grandparents. Being so far away from them and from everyone hits me hard around Christmas time. That feeling kept coming until we decided to make it work.

On Monday the 27th, after spending Christmas with the Warner side, we packed up our car and our kids and headed towards Bellevue, Idaho were my grandparents live. We arrived in time for some fun in the snow, a short visit and some yummy lunch made by my grandma. If I had known this was going to be my goodbye to my Grandpa I would have stayed forever. I would have told him how much he has influenced my life and how grateful I am for his calls and his interest in our lives. I would have told him how much I loved him and that he did a great job raising such an amazing dad.

We had a great day with them though. They were so good to us and my kids really adored them and their "super fun house."

They did things we use to do as kids like sliding down the stairs...

forming a one man or two kid band while sporting a super cute punch mustache. We always had one of those at their house.

I loved watching them enjoy their great grandparents. I am so grateful we went and feel very blessed to have been there.

I miss you Grandpa. I cry for you grandma and hope you are not lonely. I wish I could take away some of the pain. He was amazing. I know I'll see him again someday though and that he's happy watching over all of us until that time comes.