Thursday, June 30, 2011

Belated Father's Day Gift



Josh must have found this when he was cleaning up his school room. Sorta funny about Josh - he seems to be very forgetful. (I can say that cause I am too).  This is his Father's Day Gift. He had it all done for Father's Day, but he forgot to bring it home.

I imagine because he had it done in time, he put it out of his mind and in turn forgot again to bring it home the next week. He just brought it home today. He gave it to Jeffrey still along with the card he'd made.

I thought it was really sweet of him. He worked hard on it. The card read:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY (he had written a little "LATE" next to Happy)

I made you a bowl. I hope you like it. 
It is kind of sharp on some of the edges, sorry. 
You are very talinted. (at least more talented than me.) I ♡ you

♡ YOU DAD,


from: Josh  ♡♡
                    <
                 \____/

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

It's Almost Here



Josh brought home his tote tray today. To clean. You know what that means. School is almost over!!

I actually like getting their tote trays home and cleaning them all up. It's a fun thought to think that school is almost over. It's always crazy to see how dirty they are too. It's been well used.

For Josh it signifies an end and a beginning. This is Josh's last year in elementary school.  Next year he'll be in middle school. It makes me sorta sad. I could see Josh is feeling that way too, but he isn't saying it out loud. I could just see it in his face. I think though that he's very excited too and those feelings are coming all at the same time. It's nice to have something to look forward to. Looking forward to something good is always great.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Takin' Out the Trash

Today was our day for dumpsters. We had a pile of trash that I had been setting on the side of our house since last fall. It was all bagged up ready to be takin' out to the trash bins. Usually these dumpsters come in the spring and it's not too bad. This year they didn't come around until the summer. So my pile of bags on the side of my house had almost disintegrated. I had to re-bag some of them just to hall them off.

It's almost funny to me, but the feeling of having the garbage gone is FABULOUS!! I loved clearing it out. I guess that stuff had been looming in the back of my head and now having it gone was great. Funny.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Comin' Home

This is the site I see when I come home every day from work. To the left is a Wisteria vine that is supposed to be Blooming!!  I think it's going to have to go, the naughty thing. I wonder why it hasn't ever bloomed for me. I don't know if it's chinese or japanese but it must be the one that doesn't bloom here!!

To the right is a burning bush shrub. Well that's what it's supposed to do. It must not like being in this corner. It always grows beautifully through the summer, but then the leaves are supposed to turn a brilliant red color and last through the fall. Mine, well my bush looses all it's leaves. Usually because of aphids I think.

Regardless, I should stop complaining because I love this site. I love coming home. I love that it's full of  boys. I'm glad I can call it my own. I know when I walk in I'm somewhere that I'll be loved.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Straight vs. Crazy

Today was a big Sunday for me. I was asked to speak in church today. Oh boy! that is not my favorite thing in the whole wide world - but I already said yes. When I said yes, I did not realize that it would be for this Sunday. This Sunday was my day to teach in Relief Society too. It was a little crazy to prepare for a talk and the lesson too. It was a little overwhelming to keep that much information in my head at once. I'd say that hasn't happened since I was in school.

Today I needed a little confidence boost! So, I prayed. I wore something comfortable. I straightened my hair.

Straightening my hair is quite a process but we don't have church until 1:00p. I had some time to kill. I needed to keep my mind off of getting nervous. So straight hair it was.

Here's a before and after :) hahaha



Which one do you like better?  Straight or Crazy?  (: LOL  :)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Handsome Brothers

Today these brothers got along really well. I love it when that happens. I like to see them being kind to each other, not competing or fighting - just getting along really well. Zac has been gone most of the week at Youth Conference and believe it or not we all missed him. We hardly see him now a days, but we really did miss him lots.

I decided it was time to do a little shopping. Zac wanted to stay home having just been gone for 4 days and Josh did not want to go at all!! He needs shorts though. All the "hand me downs" don't quite fit him yet, they're just too big. I told him he had to go. He was not too thrilled until he got to try out lots of samples at Sam's Club - that was the ticket.

Hayden has been wearing this bright red hat with an american flag across the brim. I don't even remember where he got it, but lets just say it's not my favorite. He wears it a lot though and it's too big for him. It's time to get him a hat that would fit and "blend in" better :)

Zac, got new sun glasses just before he went to Youth Conference. (I know not a great idea to send him with something brand new to camp - right?!) Right. . . . .He came home without them. When I asked what had happened. Someone took the glasses from him - joking around - but broke them. Cheap glasses!!  So when Josh, Hayden and I were out shopping we found some just like his "old" ones and bought them. They were on sale too!!  Bonus!!




Love it when these brothers get along and love each other. It was a great day :)

Friday, June 24, 2011

B-day Hammock

Today we celebrated Berneen's B-day with her and we took her a hammock.  She was so excited!!  It was fun to see her so happy. Jeff put a lot of hard work into this hammock and it was fun to see him give it away to someone else and give them a little happiness.


I think she really likes it :)

After this we went out to Italian Village for some pizza benders. Yum-O!!  Then we came back to her house and hung out for a little bit longer.  It was a fun filled evening.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A-Walk-About

I saw this challenge the other day to take pictures of the things you see as you walk-about the place you live. I often go walking around Daybreak and I love it. I love the charm of the neighborhoods and the beautiful landscaping all around the lake. There are amazing walk ways and bridges.

So, tonight, I had my camera in tow and stopped along the way to take pictures of the things I love. I took so many - it took us at least an extra 30 minutes to complete our walk. I think it was worth it. It brought me quite a bit of happiness. Sadly, the verdict is still out with those that went with me. hahaha

This is my favorite picture. I love this bridge! Beautiful :)



You'll have to walk around the lake the next time you go for a walk - it's beautiful there :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Chick Flick

Zachary left for Youth Conference today. Can you believe that? Youth Conference. I had a blast at Youth Conference - I hope he does too. So when I got home today I was feeling a little nervous for him and wondering how he was doing. Wishing I could have taken a picture at the Stake Center when he left. Hoping he was going to be warm enough, etc., etc, etc.  I knew just what I had to do. Watch a chick flick. That would help me get my mind off every worry and concern.



So that's just what I did. It was a show called My Girlfriend's Boyfriend.  It was a cute show. As I was watching it I realized it must have been filmed here. Isn't that crazy! Right here in little Utah. Then I realized it was the guys from those Missionary films.  It was cute, romantic, cheesy and silly. Perfect Chick Flick. It worked too. For the time I was watching anyway. Now I still have about an hour before I go to sleep. I can do it. . . . . I can do it. . . . . . I can do it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Scouts Rock at Relay Races!!


Tonight's den meeting was full of fun! We did relay races today. They had a blast. These boys are so loud and crazy and this activity was perfect for that kind of energy. They were a little leery at first they said that relay races are hard. But once they got started I think they really had fun.

We did an obstacle course relay race, kangaroo jump, glove and sucker race and a caterpillar race.  This picture is just that. They had to grab the ankles of the boy in front of them and hold on tight as they crawled across the grass. It was fun to watch, they had to make it past the chair without breaking apart.

The first try didn't work so good. I told them that maybe on this second try they should call out to each other, right, left, right, left and then move your right hand and right foot and then of course the left hand and left foot. It worked like a charm!

I hope they got it - I comment to them how cool it was that when they worked together they accomplished their goal. Working together is great and makes a task a lot easier.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Pinterest ~ Fun :)

Lynda, introduced me to Pinterest and now I'm hooked!!  I'm having a hard time staying away from it. I'm finding it a little addicting. I find that I'm often thinking to myself, 'oooooo I should go pin that.' It's become something really fun for me.

You have to be invited to the Pinterest Community, I guess you'd call it, so if you think it looks fun and you'd like to play along, I will figure out how to invite you.

What is Pinterest? (you might be asking :)

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

So if you find you wanna join, just let me know. I'll figure out how to invite you :)

Here's my boards to give you an idea of what Pinterest is all about and what it looks like.

Who knows? Maybe it will inspire you to create your own ;)

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Pappa Quick

For Pappa's day today we took dinner to Jeff's dad's. It was nice to celebrate the day together. We always have fun at the Quick's. The boys get to play with Spunky and give her treats. They also seem to always make it out back to check out all the adventures they can come up with.

This time it was raining pretty good while we were there and along with the rain came the cold. It really was cold for June 19 - about 50 degrees. Brrr so the kids stayed inside. It was super fun this year to see Pappa Quick get his present. Jeffrey gave him one of the hammock stands he's been working so hard on, complete with the blue hammock. Have to tell you, the blue hammock was Josh and Hayden's favorite one. They asked me if that's the one that dad was giving to Grandpa. When I said yes, they responded, "but we really, really like the blue one." I convinced them that it'd be okay because when they visit they can still see it :)

Pappa Quick was sure cute about his present.


I think he really liked it :)

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Miniature Golfing Fun

Today we went miniature golfing with the Peterson's. I thought it was going to be slow going with 9 of us in the group, but the kids separated out two by two and it went a lot faster.

We had a lot of fun. I learned three things if we ever venture out again. I needed a back pack. I needed water bottles. I needed to have each group score their own game. Every time my kids got their ball in the whole they would yell at me "Mom!  Mom! I got . . . " and then they would proceed to give me their score. It got quite annoying. It interrupted my game quite a bit. I didn't give proper attention to my swings and therefore, I lost.

Yes, I'm blaming the juggling of club, ball, score card, pencil, camera and stopping to score everyone's points on me losing! Just sayin'!



We did have a blast though and I'm glad we went.

Friday, June 17, 2011

It's Finished! It's Gorgeous!


Today Jeff finished the final touches on the woven hammock he created. It turned out beautiful! When he had it done two days ago, he went to sit in it and his butt fell right through. All the strips separated apart and he just went right through it. He realized he was going to have to sew every other square together to keep it together. So, he went back to the sewing machine and did just that.

What a lot of work! I kept telling him it was a labor of love. He kept saying - it's a pain in the bum :)

But I think it was well worth it! (Of course I didn't sew it together) I love it!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Fabric Shopping

I didn't know fabric shopping was going to be so pretty. While we were looking at rows and rows of fabric I thought it was so pretty and had to take a picture.

Jeff has turned making the hammock stand into another project and that is making hammocks. He has been working so hard and taking such time to make beautiful hammocks. So, I went shopping with him over at Hobby Lobby to look for fabric for a hammock. It was fun to see all the beautiful fabric they have and try to imagine it as a hammock.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Fajitas

For a long time now whenever we have fajitas, Jeff makes them. I would watch him cut the peppers up super thin. He took care to make sure and cut them from the side down to make sure they stay in a curve and look pretty. I also noticed how he didn't let the chicken defrost all the way. He said that allows you to cut it super thin.

Well, tonights menu was fajitas. Jeffrey, however, was busy putting the finishing touches on his woven hammock and couldn't pull himself away to make dinner. So it was my job to make the fajitas. I was nervous, but I had watched the pro in the past many times.

So. . . I did it. I followed his example and I did it :)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Ice Cold Milk and an Oreo Cookie


Hayden stayed home from school today. He has a really bad cough and he didn't have a voice today. He said he was feeling cruddy and so. . . I left him home with Dad. He tried hard to stay calm and rest. When I got home for lunch he'd already eaten. He had a ham and turkey sandwich. He asked me if he could have some oreo's. With the way he asked and the smile that came across his face, I couldn't resist - I said yes. It also spawned me to take this picture. What a happy little moment. Sometimes OREO's just make you smile.


It also made me think about the OREO commercial and this song. I changed some words cause we got the vanilla ones. Hee-hee

OH, OH, OH!
Ice cold milk and an Oreo cookie,
They forever go together,
What a classic combination.

When a dark (white), delicious cookie
Meets and icy cold sensation

Like the one and only
Creamy, crunchy chocolate (vanillaee)

O - R - E - O !

It's true - OREO's and milk are the PERFECT combination Ü

Monday, June 13, 2011

New Hammock

Okay, I know, you've for sure had enough of these posts, but I'm so impressed with Jeffrey. He made a new hammock today. A blue banana hammock and I love it! He did this all TODAY! The other hammock got put to the side. It's turning out to be a pain in the rump! But look forward to a post about it when it's done :)

For now here's the new one. With me and Hayden in it.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Be Good ~ Feel Good!

Okay so obviously I didn't take this picture but it's the best one I could find online.

Because, just as I was seriously about to take a picture of him with my cell phone, they announced for everyone to put away their cell phones. To make sure we didn't record him or snap pictures of him. Seriously!  So, I (sadly) refrained. I was such a good girl.

Tonight he came and spoke to our stake youth for a Pre-Youth Conference Meeting.  I went with Zac and really enjoyed it. He has such a way with words. He is funny and inspiring. I loved the message he gave these youth.

He spoke about the theme they have for youth conference which is "Who Am I?"

He talked about their spirit. The spirit within is the real you. He talked about pedigree charts and how long it would be if we could go all the way back to Adam and Eve.  It would be something like 25 feet. But the pedigree chart of your spirit could fit on a business card. It would read. You are a child of God. God then you.

He talked about having good standards and sticking to them. He retold the story in Alma 47 in the scriptures about Amalickiah and Lehonti, King of the Lamanites. How Amalickiah kept asking for Lehonti to come down from the mount and "just talk with him." (He mentioned here that anytime you see someone's name mentioned in the scriptures, it's because they are going to Be an Example or a Warning.  Lehonti started out as an example and then he became a warning).  On the 4th try Amalickiah came almost all the way up to him. Then asked again and told Lehonti to bring his guards. (Here we're saying "Don't do it, don't go! Don't come down from the mountain!  He's a murderer, he's flattering and deceiving!) 


Bishop Bytheway reemphasizes to the youth, don't come down from your mountain. Keep your standards high. Don't come down even just a little. Don't try it just once. If you ever hear someone saying things like "just do it this one time, just try a little bit, just come down a little." Don't do it!!  Scream these words in your head, "Oh my Amalickiah!" Don't come down from your mountain! Keep your standards high and don't give in, even just a little bit.


You are a son/daughter of God. Realize how amazing that is! You are literally a daughter/son of God.


I was very impressed and motivated to be good and feel good.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Ft. Herriman Days






Yesterday at the car show, little did I know there were all these carnival rides too. It was chilly last night and we weren't dressed for it. The boys were begging to do the rides too. I did my best to talk them out of it by promising to go today.

So. . . after making them pull weeds on the side yard, I took them to the second day of Ft. Herriman Days and let them ride on the rides. The kids had a blast. This picture is really the only ride they actually rode. The rest of the things they did were bouncy.  A Bouncy Jousty/Fighting thingy, the Velcro Bounce Wall (super funny), Waves of Fire (Blow up Slide) and The Ultimate Challenge (Blow up Slide and Bounce Climbing thingy).

They were exhausted tonight. They nearly fell asleep watching a show. Love it!!

Fun day :)

Friday, June 10, 2011

Cool Chromed Cobra



The kids were BORED!!  We needed something fun to do. Zac was at a b-day party and Jeffrey was working on the hammock. So, I took Josh and Hayden and we went to Car Show & Touch-A-Truck at Ft. Herriman Days. I think the boys liked it. We posed for pictures at a LOT of cars. This one was a favorite for all of us.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Project Hammock

For the last week or so, Jeff has been talking about making a hammock. He wants to make a hammock that's weaved together in strips. He searched for fabric and rope and planned it out and talked about it. He ordered the rope online. And today when I came home at lunch time he was sewing it up. So cool and a big pain in the bum - it was not going well.

He's had a struggle sewing the outdoor fabric together but I can now see what he's been describing to me. I think it's turning out neat.

I'll show you the completed project once it's done, but had to give you a peak. I think he's used the sewing machine more than I have. I need to get going on my own project soon.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Marbles

Last night at scouts den meeting the lesson was to teach the scouts how to play marbles. Okay, so just try finding marbles at the store. I went to Walmart, Dollar Days, Target, Walgreens. . . no marbles. I was freaking out. I have 13 cub scouts and one set of marbles - from home. How were we going to do this. Luckily I thought of craft stores. Sure enough Hobby Lobby has marbles. Six packs to be exact. Last night I had 9 scouts. I ordered the rest online - they should be here before next den meeting when I'll hand the rest out to the boys.

I thought the evening was going to be boring but the kids had a blast and we actually ran out of time. I took my camera with me this time but in all the fun, I forgot to stop and take pictures!!!  Ugggg!!

Anyway . . . .  my boys went with me and Josh and Hayden caught the bug. They have been practicing today and I had to take a picture of their saved pile in the living room. Cute.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Grape Hyacinth? or Weed?

Pretty Flower Above

Today when I got home Jeffrey had raked through our flower beds. Weeds were coming up all over. I was so excited and thankful!  He said I saved the east end for you. This end is still filled with grape hyacinths. Holy cow. . . we should have never planted these flowers. They actually should be put in the weed family. They multiply like little rabbits. Every year. Twice!

 Babies Underneath - Yuuuuuccckkkk!!

So. . . a word to the wiser than me. . . don't plant them. Don't do it - they may look pretty, but they are a noxious weed!! Don't do it!! You'll never be able to get rid of them.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Primping Up the Porsche

Today I cam home to Jeff working on the porsche. He was getting it all cleaned up. So, I stopped and helped him. I vacuumed while Jeff wiped and washed the tires and the interior.


We got the inside all shiny and nice. Now it's almost ready to take out for a ride!! Jeff needs to clean and wax the outside still and then it will be ready to go.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Bomb Diggity Beefalo Burgers


Our day started with Hayden's last soccer game. His coach was cute and gave out little awards at the end of the game to each player and commented about their abilities. Hayden's comment was that he was the most improved player. (How cute :)

Then Josh had the end of the season soccer party at his coach's house. They got to go down a huge water slip-n-slide at the Rosecrest park. So much fun!!  Then he got to go to the real soccer game.

Zac went to see Thor with a couple of friends (Greg & Kaylee). Fun.

So while they were gone, we invited the Peterson's to come with us and took Hayden out to eat at the Bomb Diggity Beefalo Burger restaurant that opened up a few months ago.  I've been wanting to try it ever since it opened. I have had buffalo before and I really liked it. I think it tastes better than hamburger and it's better for you too. So, I was excited to have that option in a restaurant too.  It was good. It was fun too. Maybe one day we'll have to try the Bodacious Bomb Diggity Burger. It's seriously as big as your dinner plate and the pattie on that thing looks like it's at least an inch thick!!  Holy Cow!!


What a fun filled day!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Happy National Donut Day!

Happy National Donut Day!!

We celebrated with Hostess Donuts, Nestlē's Strawberry Nesquik and a movie! :)


What did you do?

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Last Game of the Season

Today was Josh's last game of the season. He did awesome. Even though they didn't win. The team they played seemed older and they had some easy shots. It was cold and it was late in the day.


They worked hard together and played well. Both teams played hard. Josh has really learned a lot and he's getting more aggressive. He even said he wants to keep it up. He wants to play next season. Which reminds me, I need to get online and register him for next season.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Twisty Apple


Tonight Josh asked to use the twisty apple corer thingy. Sometimes it seems like a lot of work to bring it down when I'm really supposed to be cleaning up dinner - so I said no, not tonight (at first). Then the guilt set in. So. . . I got it down. It really only took a few seconds. Maybe a minute to set it up for him and away he went. Coring and peeling his apple. Josh was immediately happy. There was happiness in the whole house. Next up, Hayden. He wanted to make a Twisty Apple too.