Back to Blogging!!

I have missed you all! I took a little blogging break so I could enjoy the summer with the kids. And, every other extra spare second was filled with preschool! But, now that school has started I feel like I can breathe again and come back to blogging. Here is a little catch up on what we did over our blogging break.



1. Addy turned ONE! I can hardly believe it. She is such a sweet baby. Now that she is one and mobile...she is into everything! We love her so much and can't imagine life without her.



2. Camping. Truth be told, camping is not one of my favorite things, but it is much more fun when filled with great friends . We enjoyed our yearly camping trip with our high school friends and are so glad we are still so close. Love you guys! We also headed up to Payson Lakes with some of our friends from our Trowbridge Home. After all my camping complaining, the Stanworth's forced me to sleep in their trailer.=) Flushing toilets and soap and water put a smile on my face.


3. Park City with my family at a condo at the Lodge at the Mountain Village. A yearly highlight...even if we didn't have enough beds this year! We had a great time...and LOVED the Alpine Coaster.


4. School starting! The kids are growing up so fast, I can hardly believe it! Wow. The kids and Mom were way excited for school to start and they are loving it and doing great!


5. Finishing a room in our basement...so glad it is done! We hired almost everything out, but Richard and I did the painting ourselves. It was, quite the bonding experience. =) So thankful for a wonderful husband who supports me in all I do. Love ya.

So, I am back...and I can't wait to catch up on you too.

Channeling My Inner Domestic Diva

Richard has been hinting that he would love me to make homemade bread for him for the past 11 years. I have just pretended not to hear him, because to be totally honest, there are a lot more things I want to do with two hours of my life than make homemade bread! But, I finally gave in when my sister's neighbor gave me a sourdough starter. I felt so domestic. I was a little proud of my hard work when Kaela told me our house smelled like Great Harvest. Amanda's homemade raspberry jam made it taste even better (hugs Amanda!). It still was A LOT of work and not something I am planning on doing on a regular basis (I had to put that out there so Richard didn't get his hopes up). I think it will be a little sooner than another eleven years, every now and again for a treat. Here's to learning something new!

Family Photos

Here are a few of our family photos my super talented friend Allison took. Sam and Karissa did not want to cooperate...family photos with six people is CRAZY. I love the ones of my kids, especially on the bridge and water. Can't decide on a favorite...

A little cheesy, but it's true...

To be honest I have felt a little ripped off that both my sisters and Mom have worked full time while I have been at home for the past 10 years. My Mom and sibs are my best friends (can't leave out my favorite brother, whom I talk to at least every other day). I have been a little jealous of all of you who get to hang out and make huge batches of cookies to freeze with your loved ones on a regular basis.

So, whenever one of them gets the day off we usually spend it together. I got to spend the whole day on Friday with my little sister Ashley. We hit the gym, decided to visit our Mom (who was taking a class at the U) for lunch, hit the Gateway so the kids could run around, visited Richard at work and ended the evening with a family dinner (missed you Casey, but looking forward to SYTYCD this week). Anyway, glad to have days like this...they are FUN (especially in the summer when there are no schedules ruling us!).


And, I have to say I have some wonderful friends whom I get to hang out with on a regular basis, don't think I could function without my weekly lunch date with Candace, and other random events that come up each week. Just feeling a little grateful for all the moments I get to spend with my loved ones here and there. Just so you know the above picture of my fam was from our SF trip together last year when I was 7 months pregnant, no I am not pregnant now, just last year. =)

Things that make me smile...

Kaela is a member of an All Girls Book Club with eight friends from school. Each month the girls take a turn picking a book from the Newberry Medal or Honor list and hosting Book Club at their home. It was our turn to host this month! The girls read "Rules" by Cynthia Lord. Kaela and I totally enjoyed it, even though it was a little of a challenge to find (if you are interested, wait a couple of weeks until it comes out in paperback). The book is about a girl with an autistic brother whom she makes rules up for to help him understand how life works.

We were so excited to find this cake that had ducks...you'll notice them on the cover because one of her rules is, No Toys in the Fish Tank. We also had fun crafting our own book of rules out of composition notebooks. I was genuinely surprised at how much the girls had to say about this book, I'm talking a few minute answers instead of a yes or no. It totally wowed me to see their reaction to this heartwarming and funny story. Sometimes being a Mom just makes you smile!

He's Home

After almost three long weeks of working in Peru...Richard is home! The kids were so excited and so was I! A couple of months ago, I sarcastically commented that I was the only one who knew how to do the dishes in our house. Richard just smiled and said, "and I'm the only one who knows how to do 500 other things." I had to laugh because it is so true! I realized how right he was while he was gone. I count on him for so many things (yard work, bathroom cleaning, fixing of anything broken, garbage taking out - inside and out, sprinkler system running, temperature controller, house vacuumer, plant waterer, etc). Okay, I should have NEVER complained about the dishes. I was not only exhausted with taking care of the kids by myself while he was gone, but also in trying to do all the things he usually does.

Not to worry, I put him to work fast when he came home, fixing the many things that broke while he was gone. He finished fixing Addy's car seat tonight! I realized how lucky I am to have such a helpful husband. So glad you are home. I also realized how awesome my family and friends are, thanks for all you did for me...from mowing the lawn to watching the kids and just keeping me company. Love you guys.

3's Tag

I am a little slow on this blogging thing lately, but here goes the tag from my cute friend Terry.

3 Joys:
1. Alone time. I really savor it these days, not enough of it to go around for me. Nothing like reading the newspaper, shopping, watching TV or taking a bath without anyone crying, fighting or saying "Mom" a million times.

2. Summertime. I don't want to brag, but our backyard is quite the neighborhood hang out. =) It's been so much fun. Loved chatting with Diana, the Shamrell's and all the neighbor kids, since it has been warm. Feeling like that might all change when their yards are finished soon.

3. My family. Love that husband of mine and the kids are pretty cute too.


3 Fears:
1. I know everyone says this, but something happening to Richard. I think raising four kids alone would be so hard.

2. Not being a good enough Mom.

3. That Richard will NEVER get a new car. =)


3 Obsession's

1. My Friday Step Class at the gym. I have been going to this class for the past six years now, and only miss when really pregnant, vacationing, sick, etc. When moving I had to make sure I could still go to my class. A little obsessed with it.

2. Finding a good deal. Yes, a little obsessed with finding a 97 cent shirt.

3. Magazines. Usually get obsessed with reading them the day I get them. I generally realize I won't have time to pick it up again, so I have to get through it in one sitting. This generally annoys family members a lot! =)

3 Goal's (tried and true...)
1. Eat less
2. Move more
3. Read and ponder the gospel more


3 Random Facts about Myself:

1. I graduated from the University of Utah 10 years ago this week! I remember feeling so confident and happy to have finally reached my goal. I never thought this one accomplishment would mean so much to me through out my life. Although I have been in Mom mode for 9 years now, it helps me remember that I really have done something just for me in this life.

2. I love all things Gilmore. I just finished the 7th season of Gilmore Girls and have been totally caught up in it this month. If you have 61 hours (I calculated it out) of free time, I highly recommend this well written, endearing show. The best part is that you can watch the whole series in marathon form (when the kids are tucked in) and get all the seasons from the library. I know this is so last year, but this is life without DVR. I laughed, I cried, stayed up until 1:30 AM and I so want more. Maybe the movie rumor will come true. 61 hours well spent (but I did watch over the space of 2 years, didn't want you to worry about my TV habits too much).

3. I love to have my nails painted. In college I gave myself a manicure every week! That has changed with kids. Painted nails that only last a couple of days just don't seems worth the effort, and I haven't even painted them for over a year. Sigh. But, I am totally looking forward to the days when I can have well manicured hands again. I am telling you, my nails look fabulous painted!! =) I might just go crazy and paint them this week.