Pretty Random

This post really has no theme. I have taken pictures here and there of random things going on and I thought I would post them. :-)

My first attempt at making Strawberry Jam turned out great! I ended up with 20 jars and I think I'm ready to make more. You would think it would last a while but we are looking for any excuse to eat it! :-)

With the hot weather, out comes the water! We bought a pool last year but haven't set it up yet. The slip 'n slide seems to be the quick and easy way to go. You will notice a little crack going on with my daughter. We are having issues with what size to buy this little girl. Thank goodness for safety pins. Hopefully this photo will not be a repeat! :-)

Jess has now decided that he NEEDS a jeep. He went jeeping with some guys from work and loved it!

I FINALLY, at Mason's second to last game, took a picture of him playing baseball! I don't claim to be a great mother, but I am TRYING to keep on top of things. Is it bad that I am thankful this season is over?? I do love it when it starts but after 3 1/2 months, 3 days a week, and this HOT weather, I'm done.

My sister Rachel is expecting twins any day now. On Saturday, we had her baby shower. I don't know how it worked out, but all of my sisters were there. My sister Debbie flew in from Arizona and my sister Diane came down from Cedar City. I am so glad that we were able to get this picture! Oh yeah, Diane is also pregnant in this picture. She might not be happy with me if I didn't let you know that! :-)

Top Row/left to right- Brenda-19, my mom, Debbie- 39, Mary-25

Bottom Row/ left to right- ME-27, Sarah-17, Rachel-23, Diane-21

A New Love

On Saturday, Jess and I were able to attend a civil marriage in the temple. Most of you probably didn't know they were even able to do these there. You would think the feeling might not be the same as a sealing but I have to say, I have never been to a wedding in which I have felt the spirit more strongly.

I don't know if you remember, but last August, Jess lost his Aunt Val in a plane crash. There were ten people in all that lost their lives that day. They were a small medical staff that were flying to little towns to offer care. Also on the plane was a Dr. Ellsworth and his son that were close friends with Jess' Aunt Val and Uncle Mark. They were so close that Mark hurt as much for Lynann, the doctors wife, as he did for himself. As they mourned together, they were able to find an enormous amount of comfort in each other.

This past weekend, Mark and Lynann were married in a civil ceremony at the Las Vegas Temple. Between the joy of them finding happiness again, the memories of those lost, and the peace brought on by ALL the loved ones in the room, the day was very memorable for all of us. It was so nice to see Mark smile again and to know that he is finally receiving some light in this dark tunnel he has been in. Because of their unique situation, they are both still able to mourn the one they lost, keeping them close to their hearts, while they pick up and move forward with the new found love they have. The whole thing was beautiful and we are so happy for both of them. We can't wait to get to know Lynann and her family better. :-)

Lynann & Mark - May 23, 2009

Crazy Busy

Awww, a moment to blog! So nice! This last week and half has been crazy busy!! This next week, starting today, is looking to be just as busy, so I am going to take the few minutes that I have and try to catch up a little bit.

Last Friday, the 8Th, my sister Diane and her husband left town. Why did this make things a little more crazy?? I got to keep my 21 month old niece Daisy for 8 days! It was so great getting to know her better since she lives in Cedar. I have to say, she really didn't make it too much harder on me because she just sort of went with the flow of our busy week. AND the girl sleeps and eats like a champ!! What more could you ask for from a 1 year old? I feel bad though because this is the only picture we took of her while she was here and it was taken on the night she left. In my defense, I tried to pull the camera out when the kids were doing the Slip N Slide but for some reason it wouldn't work. Okay, so that was the 8Th!


Now all of the rest of this is on top of the usual school/work/work-out schedules and our new addition, Daisy...

9Th- Soccer game/treats, baseball game, company picnic
10Th- Mother's Day, family barbecue
11Th- Watch Phoenix, baseball practice
12Th- Shop for Choir shirt, piano lessons, soccer practice, batting practice
13Th- Choir Rehearsal
14Th- Watch Cambree, baseball game, Softball games, Choir Rehearsal
15Th- Preschool Graduation, birthday party, doctor appointment, wedding, choir rehearsal, a second niece, Sharla, comes to stay.
16Th- Soccer game, baseball game, prom, wedding, choir concert, Daisy goes home
17Th- Sharing time

So this is why I am a little behind on my blog reading! But, I can't wait to read up on all of your blogs as soon as I get the chance! :-)

I have to say that my husband knows me better than anyone! We usually don't do gifts for Mother's Day. All I really ever want on Mother's Day is a little less motherly duties. That is enough for me. But Jess surprised me this year. He knew I had really been wanting some riding boots but I would never bring myself to get them. So being the wonderful man that he is, he actually thought of me BEFORE Mother's Day, placed the order, and was even able to hide it from me. Usually he doesn't really get much past me. He did great and I LOVE my new boots!

Maddox's Preschool Graduation was so nice. They really go all out for it. The kids learn several different songs and perform them. They walk, get a certificate, and even have a cute little cap and gown. It's adorable!

My niece Sharla actually lives in Arizona, where she moved two years ago. Before that, she lived pretty close to us. Lucky for us, a boy from the high school close by asked her to his prom, so we were able to enjoy her for a few days. It was so fun getting her all dolled up and taking all of her pictures. Jess had a great time playing father for the night. He printed up an "application to date my daughter" and had the boy fill it out. He had great plans of cleaning his gun and knife collection but they were foiled when he learned the boys dad is in our Stake Presidency. He said, "You guys didn't tell me his dad was in the Stake Presidency! I can't be mean!" I have to say, her date was a pretty good sport. He just laughed and filled it out. The application had rules and everything. Here is a sample question.... Do you own a van?_____ A truck with over sized tires?______ A water bed? _____ Do you have an earring, nose ring, or belly ring?_____ Do you have a tattoo?_____
(IF YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, DISCONTINUE APPLICATION AND LEAVE PREMISES KEEPING YOUR HEAD LOW. RUNNING IN A SERPENTINE FASHION IS ADVISED.)

Anyway, it was great fun and she looked beautiful!

One of my very, VERY best friends, Annie, got married this weekend. She looked absolutely beautiful! She married a wonderful guy that really seems to be her perfect match and we are so happy for her. It was a great wedding. One of the funnest I've been to! Oh yeah, you'll notice in these pictures that we FINALLY cut Jess' hair. I have to say, he looks pretty HOT! I can say that 'cause I'm his wife. :-)

So, Annie and Chad were doing their couples dance and right in the middle of it their song scratched and completely messed up. It was awful, I felt my heart drop into my stomach as I worried for Annie. They both stopped and looked at the DJ. He just shrugged his shoulders like he didn't know what happened. THEN....... the evolution of dance music started and the two of them totally performed the entire dance!! It was hilarious! They really got into it. I tried to video tape it the best I could but I was standing behind them. The best part was that no one had a clue they were doing it. Not even their parents. It was great! :-)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Well, I joined the Desert Chorale in February this year. It has been a lot of fun singing again. But this last week really pushed my limits. At first I was very overwhelmed but by the end of the week I was WAY excited! We got to perform Beethoven's Ninth with the Philharmonic on Saturday night. Let me just say that that song was KILLER to learn and I was so afraid that I would be the one to mess up! Thankfully, I didn't! I think it was so stressful because everyone there was just so incredibly talented and knowledgable in music. Very intimidating!! But it was a lot fun to take on something a little more challenging than I am use to and feel like it turned out. Anyway, we have a Memorial concert coming up this Friday. It's FREE and it's at Ham Hall for all those feeling patriotic! I'll post more details closer to.

Okay, so that's a wrap!

Girls Trip 2009

I have to say that I am so incredibly blessed in the friendship area! I know I have written about these girls before but I just LOVE them. I have a group of friends that I have been close to my entire life. We have memories of dressing up, playing pranks, fighting, ditching, toilet papering, funerals, divorce, breakups, weddings, babies.... the list goes on forever! These girls are not just friends to me, they are sisters. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them and there isn't anything I know they wouldn't do for me. At this point in our lives, we have realized that we have a bond that can't be broken. I am truly blessed to have them!!

We had another annual girls trip this last weekend. I think it was our 4Th?? This time we met up in St. George, UT. It was Dawn's turn to plan and she did a great job! We went swimming, played games, ate very well, and stayed up talking until we just couldn't move our lips anymore. I am still feeling the effects of it all today!

We had a total of 9 girls this trip! Jacque, Dawn, Jenny, Katie, Emily, Alexis, Mitra, Rebecca, and me. Also, I can't forget Katie's 6 week old little girl, Manaia. (sp?)

Now, I'm not sure if I am going to get in trouble for this part. I think we said it was okay to post the picture??? Anyway, one of our oldest memories together is how we always used to dress up. We would find whatever was in our house, dress up like idiots, and then go out to see how many people we could get to look at us. Very fun!
So Dawn, being the awesome girl that she is, decided that we should dress up on this trip. Then, someone else decided we should have a theme. Then, someone else decided we should do a music video. You see how we just work together... :-)
I don't think anyone thought we would really go through with it, but at 2:00 am Sunday morning, we got a second wind and decided we couldn't go home without making it happen. Now, we are all in possession of our very own video of Beyonce's Single Ladies!! :-) Yeah, I know. We are so cool! hahaha.... Anyway, here is a picture of our awesome closet costumes! The video, I am sad to say, has to stay under lock and key. :-(

School Projects & Soccer Games

I'm about a week late in this post, BUT better late than never! Mason's school had a little Art Extravaganza last week. He was told he needed to make a building to contribute to their class town. Of course, we waited until the night before it's due to get started. That's just how we do it!

So, we put Jess in charge of helping Mason with this project. I said, "Just find some cardboard and spray paint it." I then leave to take Maddox to soccer practice. By the time I arrive home, Jess and Mason have made themselves a nice big purchase at Lowe's. :-) This probably isn't a surprise to any of you that know Jess well.

Anyway, this is the master piece they came up with. I have to say that I was pretty impressed that Mason was helping AND learning how to use all the tools. I was a little bit scared as a mother, but he seemed to take to it.

The town was so cool! Some of the families really got creative.

The Sonic, McDonalds, and farm were definitely favorites!

I told Jess he is going to have to help Mason build an entire city now to go with his M Hotel. What else are we suppose to do with that building?? And just in case you're wondering, the M stands for Mason! :-)


Oh yeah, I'm probably jumping on the pride wagon here, but I am SO proud!! My friend pointed out a blue dot on Mason's artwork in the hall and told me that the dot meant something. So I found this little paper to tell me. Turns out that he won 1st place! I don't know anything about art but I'm still a proud mama!! :-)

Jess took a little clip of Maddox's first soccer game on Saturday since I wasn't able to be there. I realize that all five year olds cluster in a circle after the ball, but since it's my kid, I find it cute. Don't worry, no offense taken if you don't watch! LOL! :-)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

BEST - TRIP - EVER!!

Okay, before I get on to the BEST - TRIP - EVER, I had to post my pictures from Easter. I know, I am seriously behind.

This is the way our family colors Easter eggs. We started this last year and have decided that this will now be our family tradition. I just can't justify coloring a bunch of hard boiled eggs that will NOT get eaten. Besides, who doesn't love a sugar cookie??

Easter was a little crazy! I had a choir concert that started at 6:30 in the morning. We had to be there by 5:30, which put me waking up at 3:30. I was a little worried that I would miss my kids coming out to their baskets but everyone was still asleep when I arrived home at 8:00. It worked out great because I made them all get ready for church before they could go see what the Easter Bunny left.

Alright, now for the BEST - TRIP - EVER!!! CORAL PINK BABY! I know, several of you out there are probably wondering how camping can rate this highly with me. I have to say that THIS trip truly does!! We have been going every year since I was 3. I now plan pregnancies around this trip. No lie!

There are about 23 campsites that make up a huge circle. My parents rent out the entire place and it is filled up with close friends and family. My kids wake up early and are gone all day. I only see them for meals and when the sun goes down.

Then Jess and I get to ride till we just can't take it anymore. Needless to say, but I am very sore! As an added bonus, we also eat our hearts out! It's safe to say that I gained at least 5 pounds. But boy was it worth it!! :-)

This year we headed up Tuesday night, along with my brother Jason and his family. Everyone else trickled in over the next two days. It really is what we look forward to all year. I think Jess and I are going to start going in the fall without our kids. So all those interested, should definitely go!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Two weeks with NO binky!!! YAY!!

I know, she is over two years, right! But really, it was the hardest thing EVER, trying to take it away from her. She is just too stinking' cute when she asks for it. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. She is just WAY cuter with out it!

Almost every picture we have has a binky in her mouth, hand, or clipped to her shirt. This was her first binky ever!

From then on, it's been her greatest comfort. Sad, right? You would think it would be her parents. :-)