Tuesday, January 31, 2012

We had a busy week, which was actually good since it's been a little slow around here.  It's my least favorite time of year: cold, gloomy, wet, muddy, blah.  I don't think much of spring either.  At least we get sun, which is very important.

Friday night we took the kids to the movie Hugo.  What a wonderful story, great acting, etc.  But WHY do they have to make family movies so long?  It was over TWO HOURS!!  We had fun anyways,and ate lots of good snacks.

Blueberries! Asparagus!
On Saturday I went to pick up my "Bountiful Basket".  What is that you ask?  It's this great co-op that you go to a website, order a produce basket and pick it up at a selected location (my location is right down the street).  It's all volunteer ran and the produce is mostly organic.  I thought I would give it a try.  What a great bunch of fruit and veggies we got.  I will be doing this at least twice a month.


I got a juicer a couple years ago that I just got out to use.  I know, I know, what a slacker...two years!! Anyway we used some of our fresh produce, and who knew carrot, apple, celery, and orange juice was so good?  I am trying to juice up veggies and fruit more often so we will drink it, it's so full of vitamins!

Saturday we took Taylor and Hannah to the BSU engineering day after Taylor's basketball game.  Besides Hannah puking right when we got there, it was fun.  The kids went a couple years ago and it is so cool all the presentations and exhibits and things the kids can make and learn.
Taylor peddling to make energy

Sunday Mike and I went to a surprise party for a friend.  I LOVE surprise parties.  I think my other profession could be a party planner.  I love it.  Anyway, she had no clue and it was fun. 

Taylor finally started playing his viola at orchestra.  Our school system tried to eliminate 6th grade band for budgeting reasons,  but because the kids wanted it and because the music teachers worked so hard, it finally started.  I can't wait to hear him play a song.  He is my only hope for a musical child :-)  I don't think Hannah could sit long enough to learn to play.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

One of my goals this year is to finish the master bedroom.  We have lived in our house for 6.5 years and the master sits there neglected. When we moved in, Mike painted it a lovely caramel color and that is all we've done.  I bought some new bedding this past weekend, and ordered some curtains.  When we re-did the family room, some of the furniture got moved up to our room, so now it's looking less like an exercise room.  Our room is really big and I have tons of wall and floor space.  So this is the first phase.  When I finish I will have to get pics. I have many walls to cover.

It's a pretty shade of red.

Silly Karsten. All 3 boys (Taylor, Brendan, Spencer) started basketball and played against each other on Saturday


Mike and his mob of dogs.

Monday, January 23, 2012

What a slacker I am.  I have had no motivation.  I call it post-holiday slump and cabin fever mixed together to make me one lazy mama. 

Anyway, here are some really recent pictures...NOT!  It's Christmas, New Years & Hannah's birthday.  Now I can say I'm all caught up.  Lets start with Hannah's 9th birthday!

She picked spaghetti and meatballs for her b-day dinner.

Birthday crown made by birthday girl herself.  That bottle of wine in the picture really adds to the ambience, don't you think?

She looks to be in deep concentration.

Beautiful sunset

What Hannah looks like when opening up an iPod touch on her birthday.  What did we do?

 Now onto Christmas and New Years!

My three brothers on Christmas Day.

Brittany and Arianna opening presents

Just Dance was a big hit!

Geordie and Lizzie on Christmas morning-it was a mad house!

Santa brought this monkey a sock monkey!

My sweet niece Elizabeth

Taylor was so excited to get whatever he was opening...lego star wars i think.

Uncle Sean reading A Night Before Christmas to Hannah, we are really going to miss him!

Hannah and Ginger Christmas Day.  Note the sunshine and lack of snow.  Grrr.

More present opening!
Happy New Year!  Like their hats?

We tried three times with two cameras on timers and this is the BEST we could manage. 

The pink elephant gift exchange. Mike liked his gift because it included CASH!

Rendi is hoping someone trades for the pooping santa.

Sean picked...some lovely lotion and shower gel in a Victoria's secret box and he couldn't get rid of it!

My silly brother and sister and a helpful kid with rabbit ears!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Lots of photos to share.  What a great time we all had.  My whole family was here.  It was noisy, chaotic and so much fun.  We ate LOTS of incredibly fat-laden goodies & meals, played games, even snuck in a Christmas day football game, and just had a chance to catch up.  Mike spoiled me like always.  We set a limit and only do each other's stockings and EVERY year my stocking is full AND presents are under the tree.  Sometimes the dogs manage to go out and do some shopping for me as the gift tag says,  but I know who's behind it.  It was lots of fun to watch all the littles: Ariyanna, Karsten, Lizzie and Kiera (all 2 years old by the way).  They had to get used to one another and then were hugging and kissing on each other by the end of the visit.  Time always go by MUCH too fast!  The kids loved all their presents, even the weird ones requested...Fijit Friend?  Really?  Lalaloopsie doll?  Oy.

Our fun was cut a little short by a nasty little virus my dear brother brought with him.  It was the gift that kept giving until we were all puked out! It literally hit EVERY family member!  Good thing it only lasted two days.

So here are some unorganized photos off my phone.  The rest are on my camera and I just haven't had ONE minute to get them off.  That will be for the next post when I get to it.

Just a sampling of what I made for Christmas goodies.  Peppermint bark, chocolate covered pretzels, roasted almond toffee, christmas cookies...oy-too much!

The kids at the annual winter lights parade in our town

Us at the parade-sooo cold

The kids getting candy

Mom's birthday

Grandma and Karsten blowing out the candles on the cake

One of my favorite activities: Christmas cookies!! Hannah is a pro!

Hannah with Karsten and Kiera-my niece and nephew.  She had fun pushing them on their cars, playing with them AND giving them baths.  She was like a little babysitter and they listened to her!

Guitar Hero

Hannah watching Kiera for me while I cooked

Hannah entertaining Kiera

Football game Christmas Day


Hannah's rockin outfit from Grandma Linda-a fur vest, neon green shirt and super cute skirt

Those cousins love each other!