tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27341299411372733782024-03-13T03:09:10.909-06:00A Garden of Friends is Always in BloomKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-72884867218988101902011-02-01T09:12:00.003-07:002011-02-01T09:50:52.044-07:00A Fresh Start...First of all, I have left my camera at my mom's and have no pictures to post. I know, boring! <br /><br />This past few weeks have been hard for me. I have decided that I detest the month of January. It doesn't help that several of our friends from our neighborhood are currently on a cruise and this week it is bitter cold! Tomorrow the low is zero degrees!! I have just been in a funk of all sorts. I was sick with a cold for the last 2 weeks and haven't been consistently exercising so I am sure that has added to it. It is SO hard to get up at 5:45 am and run in the cold. Oh, I can hardly wait for spring and then my favorite..SUMMER!! <br /><br />But back to January..<br /><br />It seems my whole household is in a funk. Kids are fighting more than normal. The house seems to be a mess. Mom is grumpy. Dad is grumpy. Mom feels sad she is not on vacation right now. Dad is frustrated with mom for being sad. You get the picture, right? We had a "Family Meeting" last night. The kids love those! (not!) I even had a written out agenda. It looked something like this:<br /> 1. Housework- Assign areas to keep clean <br /> 2. Fighting- Cell phones/XBOX<br /> 3. Weekly Schedule- Dad leaving town <br /> 4. Plan Family Vacation<br /><br />I admit, when I start getting overwhelmed and grumpy with the house, I still resort to immature tactics. They usually involve a little bit of cupboard door slamming, tossing things into people's rooms with a little more <span style="font-style:italic;">effort</span> than usual and a few mumblings under my breath. Something was reaffirmed to me last night. My family responds much better when I just talk to them about the problem. Our family meeting was a success. Each of the kids agreed to be responsible for a certain area of the house on a daily basis. It seems there are 4 areas of my house that are constantly attracting clutter. They each willingly agreed to take a weekly turn on their area. We came up with serious consequences for the fighting that goes on between the two oldest boys. Cell phone taken away for Zach. XBOX taken away for Noah. (Get them where it hurts the most) and we ended on a positive note by discussing ideas for a family vacation. <br /><br />Here were our ideas:<br /> <br /> 1. California for a week w/Disneyland included<br /> 2. Missouri for a week staying w/relatives and going to Nauvoo (this was actually Alan's idea)<br /> 3. Florida for a week going to Disney World/Beach<br /> 4. Jackson Hole Weekend and short Disney Land weekend (2 separate vacations)<br /><br />We agreed that Missouri would be the cheapest and still a lot of fun but would allow us to maybe do another short vacation to Jackson Hole or somewhere within driving range. So far, that's in the forefront. <br /><br />My purpose of this post is to remind myself that I sometimes need to treat my family like a small company and I am the President. (Don't tell Alan this!) It's so helpful to just sit down and talk through issues and get everyone back on the same page again. However, I have learned if I do this too often it's not as effective. <br /><br />We all needed something to look forward to. I woke up today much more ready to brave the cold weather and am even okay with the fact that Alan is going on a "guy trip" this weekend. I guess if we didn't have "January's" in our lives we wouldn't appreciate the "July's" as much. <br /><br />P.S. Sorry to any of you out there who have a January Birthday!<br />P.S.S. I also just realized it's Feb 1st today!!!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-53857518330562317882011-01-24T20:40:00.004-07:002011-01-24T21:23:50.157-07:00Obsessed with Pink....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDBxL_DixadWzvjcvqsiW-yCiTrkiV2HQ23cDGfKSGC3OlLHXj9Uhl6BMU1hB5UnJbND_JJAnJ7XmyEHj7AiyaNawT8d0tV61OQQMriAgY2g3uugkj3EfmRKmBbwn0lPpT3cn96IAwaen/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDBxL_DixadWzvjcvqsiW-yCiTrkiV2HQ23cDGfKSGC3OlLHXj9Uhl6BMU1hB5UnJbND_JJAnJ7XmyEHj7AiyaNawT8d0tV61OQQMriAgY2g3uugkj3EfmRKmBbwn0lPpT3cn96IAwaen/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565974210375409314" /></a><br /><br />For the past several months, Abby has been insisting she wear pink to school. I have made it a rule that I get to choose her clothes for school and she can choose the other days of the week (other than Sunday, of course!) I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to dressing and doing her hair. She <span style="font-style:italic;">is</span> my only girl you know! <br /><br />For the past several months, she has <span style="font-style:italic;">also </span>had quite an obsession with "The Chippettes". She wants to be Brittney~the lead singer, in every way. She wants her hair in a bun so she looks like Brittney. She wants to wear short skirts with tights every day so she can look like Brittney. She even wanted to be Brittney for Halloween, assuring me we could glue brown cottonballs all over her body. I haven't minded the obsession because along with it came a lot of singing and dancing around the house, which I love! She even came up with a club at school where they played "The Chippettes". I just thought it was cute. <br /><br />I have played right into it, allowing her to wear pink as much as possible. There were days she literally looked like a bottle of Pepto Bismo~dressed from head to toe in pink. From bows, to furry vest to pink tights. Again, I just thought it was cute. <br /><br />Well, today she again informed me as I was getting her dressed that she needed to wear pink. I had already picked out a purple outfit and wasn't going to budge. She finally confessed, "If I don't wear pink~then I DON"T GET TO BE BRITTNEY!!!" I was confused and asked her what she was talking about. She continued to tell me that whoever was wearing the MOST pink to school got to be Brittney when they played the Chippettes at recess. I about died as I realized that for months I have been feeding right into this by dressing her in pink~ to be cute, thinking how girly she was, etc. I can pretty much guarantee that MY DAUGHTER has been able to be Brittney on most school days. I quickly thought to myself "Oh those other girls are going to secretly hate her!" This ended up being a great little "life lesson" for her. The first of MANY to come I am sure. We talked in great lengths about being a good friend and giving everyone a chance to be Brittney. I told her nobody will want to be her friend if she always has to have things her way, etc. She seemed like she was getting it until at the end of our conversation she said "That's okay...I don't want to play "The Chippettes" today anyway...I want to play "Bolt" (from the movie)" I said, "Well, who gets to be Bolt?" She said, "Oh, I always get to be Bolt!!" <br /><br />Oh man! Am I in trouble or what?Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-91985429386533249222010-12-19T20:22:00.003-07:002010-12-19T20:44:11.418-07:00"Stick to the basics, mom!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnWWtsM0zPeZIsUBwRp4r_lA9H5Iv3SkYNDUaWga7rvfE-_cMz7qEvTqAMHlu9vsZw_tXtLJa4apJjIgUFnal_slrskHb2rHqP4FZzyQwt4zZLQ707MIhzfdRgzZBoqRga7N61Rsi21th/s1600/000_0119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnWWtsM0zPeZIsUBwRp4r_lA9H5Iv3SkYNDUaWga7rvfE-_cMz7qEvTqAMHlu9vsZw_tXtLJa4apJjIgUFnal_slrskHb2rHqP4FZzyQwt4zZLQ707MIhzfdRgzZBoqRga7N61Rsi21th/s320/000_0119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552599927598825602" /></a>.<br />So, lately I have been trying really hard to broaden our dinner menu. I cannot stand to cook the same old meals week after week. I have been pouring over recipe books and browsing internet sites in hopes of finding some new "slam dunk" meals. I have decided I must be a pretty bad judge of recipes based on sight only. I must not have the ability to read a recipe and determine whether the ingredients will combine to make a delicious meal. Every new recipe I have tried lately has barely been edible. I consider myself a pretty good cook but I am starting to get a little insecure in the kitchen. I have been excited for days to make this delicious Sunday meal. Christmas Cranberry Pork Roast with a side of Swiss Potatoes and Carrots. Doesn't that sound delish? Basically a pork roast cooked in a crockpot with cranberry sauce, orange juice, honey and some seasonings. Potatoes and carrots cooked with swiss cheese and cream and some seasonings. Well, both dishes came out with much disappointment. Very bland. Not so good. Connor said, "Mom, I think from now on you just need to stick to the basics!" The rest of the kids quickly agreed. I need some new basics because quite frankly, I am sick of my basics. They have been my basics for almost 20 years now. Should it really be this much trial and error to come across some new recipes? From now on I am not trying a new recipe until I have it on good authority that someone has tried it and loved it. So start sending your "slam dunks" my way!<br /><br />P.S. My new dishes are cute though, aren't they?Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-48179442665283641332010-11-21T21:49:00.004-07:002010-11-21T22:33:35.318-07:00TOFW and Entering a New Decade...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />Wow! This past weekend was fabulous! Well, it actually started on Thursday. I went to a yummy lunch with friends and neighbors to celebrate my birthday. After lunch, I crammed in one last bike ride before the "big storm" and cold weather was upon us. I have to say, it was one of my best bike rides ever despite the fact my belly was full from a big lunch. It was that kind of "eery" weather where its unusually warm and very overcast with some pretty big wind gusts at times. I really pushed myself and just sailed along Wasatch Blvd feeling so happy. I kept thinking to myself, " I am going to be 40 tomorrow and I am riding my bike feeling like a young kid!" It was a very liberating experience. <div>
<br /></div><div>Friday morning was spent getting ready to leave for our 2nd annual Time Out for Women (TOFW) retreat. It was extra special this year since it fell on my exact birthday. My mom, my sister Amy and my two sisters-in-law all met up for dinner before the Friday night session began. We then attended a wonderful and very spiritual evening. There were two great speakers and an amazing entertainer. After, we went to eat AGAIN! Nachos and dessert at Chili's. Yes, we love to eat! We checked into our hotel, had a sleep deprived night and got up early for another full day at TOFW. Again, the speakers were amazing and the music was so uplifting. I left feeling completely "filled up" spiritually, emotionally and yes even physically with all the eating out we did. I learned more about our dear prophet, President Monson. He is a very loving person who really cherishes his relationships with others and is a great example of "bearing one another's burdens". I learned to compliment my children more on their Christ-like qualities. I learned that Heavenly Father gives us children we have because He knows we are the best parents for them. People who are given difficult children are thought much of by our Heavenly Father because He knows we are capable of parenting them. I learned that it is great to have "high hopes". Life is good and we have every right to expect good things out of it. </div><div>Overall, I came out feeling like I want to be a better person in my 40's than I was in my 30's. I'm not saying I was a bad person before but I know that life is a refining process and over time we need to continue to get the kinks out and just strive to be better. </div><div>
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<br /></div><div>I came home Saturday to a clean house. That was amazing! We had made plans to go to dinner to celebrate my birthday with some close friends of ours and then Alan had organized a little "dessert open house" with mostly people from our ward. He really went to a lot of effort to get amazing desserts. It was a really fun night and it was so sweet of him to organize it. I am just feeling so grateful for so many things right now. A wonderful family with great parents and loving brothers and sisters. A super husband who continually tries to be better and puts up with a lot of my weaknesses. Children who love me and who are each so unique with amazing qualities. Wonderful friends and neighbors who really care and make time for one another. </div><div>Yes, life is good!</div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-20168673954714282162010-11-06T15:56:00.003-06:002010-11-06T16:09:59.822-06:00Oh, I love this birthday girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mms3GiyRvrr8m1LaYfJ1GYiToT87ivZV62bOGzQ4jzjF_rGgy4Fnlt0D1bV3WmAnUNqdKekRdGyXVkPIfcrNh9U4tU32erCehWixyMI0CrqmurZkFPBoK4Vw_kd6Pb5UpryKKvYwGS8a/s1600/000_0054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mms3GiyRvrr8m1LaYfJ1GYiToT87ivZV62bOGzQ4jzjF_rGgy4Fnlt0D1bV3WmAnUNqdKekRdGyXVkPIfcrNh9U4tU32erCehWixyMI0CrqmurZkFPBoK4Vw_kd6Pb5UpryKKvYwGS8a/s320/000_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536559918176395778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tkoda5muDVQGEWkAMXrkM5BDvGycS2lplXhwfPAWqJ6K5qZXiC88G8IErmhqro4SyUTaMKb2FTTyfjF9P3N-W_kCbcHsNQ3b_vexjG7vDahvPHOTLlttpgFMPCJnvJx_d0-5EdHv4V0f/s1600/000_0055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tkoda5muDVQGEWkAMXrkM5BDvGycS2lplXhwfPAWqJ6K5qZXiC88G8IErmhqro4SyUTaMKb2FTTyfjF9P3N-W_kCbcHsNQ3b_vexjG7vDahvPHOTLlttpgFMPCJnvJx_d0-5EdHv4V0f/s320/000_0055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536559908875108178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPkd_Gx9xljKqWioIXsL-mpAGYj3DGnbMp1hEqlGWVKAnyH1uJkkeoELueLeMMe0LLvXYd822ExRN2Qn_8b0OBGOqZt0q0B0ZuWq5JGFGV5bWr4PFJ33GqYF-gkgZwP1On94PP6rY4NsN/s1600/000_0067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPkd_Gx9xljKqWioIXsL-mpAGYj3DGnbMp1hEqlGWVKAnyH1uJkkeoELueLeMMe0LLvXYd822ExRN2Qn_8b0OBGOqZt0q0B0ZuWq5JGFGV5bWr4PFJ33GqYF-gkgZwP1On94PP6rY4NsN/s320/000_0067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536559906816949794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpnEDev1q4tQC77Ix_pMIuUlr1rutATpaAesmwjVUpxRtjhZEs-a2MjOKiG61iVT-B1N8fqXhMnh5eKn-NTSL6T-76FQLy23EWAIaNP3aePSMF40CJf57EMxYqDJsjszZc9UwPcUElnZT/s1600/000_0068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpnEDev1q4tQC77Ix_pMIuUlr1rutATpaAesmwjVUpxRtjhZEs-a2MjOKiG61iVT-B1N8fqXhMnh5eKn-NTSL6T-76FQLy23EWAIaNP3aePSMF40CJf57EMxYqDJsjszZc9UwPcUElnZT/s320/000_0068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536559900420997026" /></a>Thursday and Friday were fun days spent celebrating Abby's 5th Birthday! She was SO excited for the big day to arrive. Wednesday night she started crying saying she just couldn't wait until her birthday. It was just taking too long to come! She is only slightly dramatic! I took her to McDonald's for lunch on her birthday with a few friends from preschool. Then I helped in her class, which was fun to watch her being "celebrated" by the teachers. That night we went to Training Table as a family. Friday she had her first real birthday party. She invited 5 friends from the neighborhood and school. We dressed them all up in cowgirl hats and pink bandanas and headed down to my dad's house to ride horses. The weather could not have been more perfect. It was a beautiful, warm fall day. My dad was great and gave each girl ride after ride. They LOVED it! I have decided I am not going to let myself be sad about her growing up. If I do, I will miss out on the moments. She is such an amazing little girl. Smart, outgoing, loving and did I mention dramatic? I think she takes the cake on that one! She loves to sing and dance and play with her Little Ponies. I can definitely say I am blessed to have this girl in my life.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-31900332058590120462010-10-31T21:14:00.004-06:002010-10-31T21:36:29.062-06:00Halloween Extravaganza...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm3LmSynF_8ZsbVtofElKOG7xwdcChwvXd8ZbDabBRY5xcgSnasPK5SHKh61PDz-QkVrmsLgS95XupgIy_dIMdtoKg6kchjHCpHKFxmvygAbYjFvFQGTS0zEYFKaXAJ6EPAXUHNsgh6uQ/s1600/000_0015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm3LmSynF_8ZsbVtofElKOG7xwdcChwvXd8ZbDabBRY5xcgSnasPK5SHKh61PDz-QkVrmsLgS95XupgIy_dIMdtoKg6kchjHCpHKFxmvygAbYjFvFQGTS0zEYFKaXAJ6EPAXUHNsgh6uQ/s320/000_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534414899340359362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdlVvWOYULIaHq2ebUayTOh692RdlAq7tJXvpVMTBfjLo1l2PQxC90ZGDxftF1PAYEG9futyG1JO3tE3TRGm1T4sbhWZJ1UqYAuLNLucBdHOgZOonr4O0us_KhbnafF6u_rFgfmsDz4QN/s1600/000_0024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdlVvWOYULIaHq2ebUayTOh692RdlAq7tJXvpVMTBfjLo1l2PQxC90ZGDxftF1PAYEG9futyG1JO3tE3TRGm1T4sbhWZJ1UqYAuLNLucBdHOgZOonr4O0us_KhbnafF6u_rFgfmsDz4QN/s320/000_0024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534414895794026610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCJf54xZd_7_QyJd-t3GEy55Hm8cmXzN43jDbMpNvTsWLHJjCwyJmgPgsh_c5J5D1eWLjQCKGrdW9veRyQF248FKMTO6TNtVrTfa_Kjz8IZP_KzDTZHOWb-A-ab-AJOsvUrax8GSshiJT/s1600/000_0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCJf54xZd_7_QyJd-t3GEy55Hm8cmXzN43jDbMpNvTsWLHJjCwyJmgPgsh_c5J5D1eWLjQCKGrdW9veRyQF248FKMTO6TNtVrTfa_Kjz8IZP_KzDTZHOWb-A-ab-AJOsvUrax8GSshiJT/s320/000_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534414888530824194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoSl_ivRgTFyhmyOezm_Ee63iAOA49wf3GmXFl_YjdFv_i_0mYNeN77oTJ9CPfDie-tJNcTfdUEKS2st37dUfa70qHql_IE-VfDuY_Tn6l1e4j_NiDxDOS1p1dVi9Mph9Y1rTlIhxXVI4/s1600/000_0035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoSl_ivRgTFyhmyOezm_Ee63iAOA49wf3GmXFl_YjdFv_i_0mYNeN77oTJ9CPfDie-tJNcTfdUEKS2st37dUfa70qHql_IE-VfDuY_Tn6l1e4j_NiDxDOS1p1dVi9Mph9Y1rTlIhxXVI4/s320/000_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534414882176836594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaau-lJTCfW4O0MvsKyXEVJCS-F5BFFPew1Hp2WBkWbfU1Rwdhsum4DpOgEoRnEPeSrz54AWaeqDnjK1tFW6dDBhFoSvlRTKh2QLopVAwgzpZfK36pL48dLz_yKtr3z9wXuVQ26f7hc_R/s1600/000_0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaau-lJTCfW4O0MvsKyXEVJCS-F5BFFPew1Hp2WBkWbfU1Rwdhsum4DpOgEoRnEPeSrz54AWaeqDnjK1tFW6dDBhFoSvlRTKh2QLopVAwgzpZfK36pL48dLz_yKtr3z9wXuVQ26f7hc_R/s320/000_0037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534414874903778130" /></a>Well, this past week has been fun! I love Halloween. I love the fall weather. I love the decorations. I love going to the school parades to see all the cute costumes. I love trick-or-treating in my neighborhood and yes...I love picking through my kids' loot when they come home. I personally have my own "stash" in my night-stand drawer. The biggest stress for me this Halloween was coming up with costumes for Alan and myself. We were invited to a "Murder Mystery Dinner" and Alan was assigned to be a pirate and I was the character "Jean Golddust", the town gold dealer. I cannot believe I was once the lead in the school play. My "Ado Annie" days are definitely over as I have become much more reserved in my old age. It was amazing to see how many people really got into their parts. I was more about the good food and company than trying to solve the murder. I found our costumes from a lady in our neighborhood who has a "costume cellar" full of anything you can imagine. Once I found something to wear, the rest was quite fun. I summoned Amy and Taylor to come and do my hair and make-up. I don't think I have ever had my hair and make-up done so it was a lot of fun and of course, Abby was right there with me, loving every minute of it. A few days prior, I went dressed as a nerd to the Primary Halloween Party hosted by the Young Men and Young Women. Abby was very distraught over the fact that I looked so ugly. She did not like it at all. Deciding on a costume for Abby this year was fairly easy. She only changed her mind once and wanted to be "Brittany" from the Chipettes. She was sure I could just glue brown cottonballs all over her and she would look exactly like her. I quickly talked her back into her Minnie Mouse costume, which she looked adorable in. Connor, thought he looked really cool in his costume as a "burglar" and I have decided..that's all that matters. Personally, I wouldn't have really known what he was but...he was intent on dressing the way HE wanted to so..I put my control-freak tendencies aside. Halloween night was a little bit of a bomb with the rain and all but the kids still had fun. We ended up zipping around on our friends' golf-cart, visiting all the neighborhood attractions. The weekend came to an end with an unexpected delivery of homemade donuts from our friends just minutes ago and my 6am run can't come soon enough as I am feeling a little large right now.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-29653003673404971752010-10-04T13:38:00.003-06:002010-10-04T14:12:26.206-06:00I love General Conference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS9DfKc_ycqVB1cW4qmIC9S6gW0D5Qx3g-5P5-5bvLRjM0wbbihEWRurMXkgnXo5jdTGcyb8O7LIrn0QppyMo-G2rMp3yzvZZvvn3uSkv2IIDhX3LRae-qZjY9Y_Tggv-Bp2_1UfR9XfG/s1600/tabernacle_choir.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS9DfKc_ycqVB1cW4qmIC9S6gW0D5Qx3g-5P5-5bvLRjM0wbbihEWRurMXkgnXo5jdTGcyb8O7LIrn0QppyMo-G2rMp3yzvZZvvn3uSkv2IIDhX3LRae-qZjY9Y_Tggv-Bp2_1UfR9XfG/s320/tabernacle_choir.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524277878685955426" /></a>I look forward to Conference weekend every Spring and every Fall. For so many reasons. Since we have been on the 9a.m. church schedule this year, I have especially enjoyed being able to sleep in and just lounge around all weekend. Saturday worked out perfect because Connor had a football game from 1-2pm. Other than that, we were home the whole day and I was able to watch all of Saturday session and do a TON of ironing. I always look forward to my Saturday night tradition. Get the boys out the door for priesthood session and then I get together with some close friends for pizza at my house. We have been doing this for years. It started out in my little house on Stratford Drive when we all only had a few kids. We currently have 20 kids between the 5 moms. Only 3 of those kids go to priesthood session so yes, that means 17 kids are at my house and it's awesome! I love these gals so much! We have shared so much over the years and I hope it's a tradition we can keep for a long time. I am so proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I am always touched when I hear of the new temples being built and how much impact the missionaries are having throughout the world. I love hearing the children sing primary songs in different languages. It's easy to live in my little "bubble" in Salt Lake City and take for granted all that the church offers me here. We are so lucky! I felt like some of my Sunday was spent wondering if my kids were even listening. I spent so much time saying "shh!!" and "quit arguing"..but later at dinner I asked the kids what they learned from conference and Connor piped right up and said "I learned that rules are here to protect us." I looked at Alan and he looked back at me in amazement. Connor continued..."like when that man told the story of the cow that was fenced in but he kept trying to get his head through fence to eat the wheat...and then he ate too much wheat and his stomach blew up..the fence was really just there to help the cow." Well...I guess my efforts to keep him in front of the TV paid off. I loved the talks directed to raising our youth. One stood out to me especially when he said "sometimes we just don't have a good feeling about letting our kids do things and we just need to tell them we love them too much to ignore the feeling." He also quoted someone saying "Parenting is not a popularity contest". Such good reminders to us raising teenagers! It's easy at conference time to listen to the talks and start to come down on ourselves for not doing the things we have been counseled to do. I don't want to fall into that trap. I am simply going to take it as an encouragement to do better...and that I plan to do!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-57461860308943520492010-08-23T21:56:00.003-06:002010-08-23T22:11:50.758-06:00School's in Session...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc4huV4qZEueCMo2PAJTRFYJzzTsEkQJQBoh_3J84_7psxgd-fhzJEsSQOdsgPcOksHwW2bb82tzRLpEY3ISub80Y2JcjYVHGAjnoPmdMCr5kfILz2t2xWCCXqUYEV-pZX63S_iKyeLS6/s1600/100_2623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc4huV4qZEueCMo2PAJTRFYJzzTsEkQJQBoh_3J84_7psxgd-fhzJEsSQOdsgPcOksHwW2bb82tzRLpEY3ISub80Y2JcjYVHGAjnoPmdMCr5kfILz2t2xWCCXqUYEV-pZX63S_iKyeLS6/s320/100_2623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508820860840311042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RK2xdAdqRvRj2rHs-JOeXqrbjGgQKvvcB5V_6Kzie12WBtcpSF8Uxy-FMvxKU16KRV4ssxrPDR8KTHu7bnbWKV11BCo1YW33gZWFkVZ5_3QcdO1XDBX-zqXsAiRuOcuspihzouk4xj45/s1600/100_2622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RK2xdAdqRvRj2rHs-JOeXqrbjGgQKvvcB5V_6Kzie12WBtcpSF8Uxy-FMvxKU16KRV4ssxrPDR8KTHu7bnbWKV11BCo1YW33gZWFkVZ5_3QcdO1XDBX-zqXsAiRuOcuspihzouk4xj45/s320/100_2622.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508820846411498962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-RDzUXdIF4B3ThbCsQht8tMpwNGhxSOvpCXtFF3AiPfzKrOCaDS7znd2cfvngimlBonq2PtqQMese0XOeE2yVy1NBA1DhkEbzPyrkZaXoYWEa7GQ-qff8OJtbDmWFbf53SaezR6w5kIf/s1600/100_2621.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-RDzUXdIF4B3ThbCsQht8tMpwNGhxSOvpCXtFF3AiPfzKrOCaDS7znd2cfvngimlBonq2PtqQMese0XOeE2yVy1NBA1DhkEbzPyrkZaXoYWEa7GQ-qff8OJtbDmWFbf53SaezR6w5kIf/s320/100_2621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508820835310775890" /></a>I know I say this every year but I can't believe how fast the summer goes. The kids started school today. I was quite proud of myself..only a few tears shed as I drove Zach to his first day of High School. I didn't even get choked up as I waited outside Connor's school and watched him line up with his new class. I am usually a mess. I don't know what happened today. Maybe I am more ready for them to go back than I thought. I started the morning off early..a 6am power walk with a few girls from the neighborhood. It was DARK outside. UGH! The ONLY thing I hate about the season changing. Getting up in the dark to exercise is grueling. Each of the kids were happy about their first day. That was a relief! They all had friends in their classes and aside from the $186 worth of checks I had to write out for "school fees", it was a good day for all.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-4384354405110679822010-07-22T08:21:00.002-06:002010-07-22T08:32:47.167-06:00I'm BackWell, thanks to my niece Mariah, I now have a new look to my blog. I have been encouraged by my family to start blogging again. With Tara and her family moving out of the country, it will be a good way for us to communicate. Last night I had 6 stinky 7 year olds over to celebrate Connor's Birthday. It was so fun to watch them run around playing "Ghost in the Graveyard", lighting marshmallows on fire, throwing pop rocks in the firepit and watching them all fart with their armpits. Talk about an easy party. <br />This morning I went for a great bike ride w/my friend. I am so lucky to live in a place where I can be so close to the mountains within about 15 minutes on my bike. It's easy for me to take for granted how beautiful Utah is. I look out my kitchen window all day every day and rarely notice the amazing mountain view I have. I guess this is true with life. We get so busy in our own lives that rarely do we take time to notice the beautiful blessings right in front of us. I guess this is my thought for today...take time to notice the view...whatever that may be.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-6592919718825764562009-01-16T16:33:00.003-07:002009-01-16T16:35:44.241-07:00I give up!!!!Okay, I am not going to change my template again!! The last few times I have tried..this is what happens. The sides are one template and the middle is another. I could NOT figure it out and had to get some technical support from a blog designer. She fixed it but I am not sure what she did. I was nervous to change it but did anyway and this is what happened! HELP! Maybe I should just quite blogging altogether!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-45342449131572571852009-01-08T14:55:00.004-07:002009-01-08T15:14:34.336-07:00How on Earth can I do Both?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DbXprGsEQkJGDuI0O7CmGpSd2o11ys8f6AeeLBhkjW-PCFDybmtjEGwHb3GsAjeGUu9tR_9iRgtdiG6Rw9D5axM6rkT3AHwRMhODbxvnrmWM5Qnvi_csz50_Iw-W2Hvk5PTgintssLOA/s1600-h/facebook.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289044881990862290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 54px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DbXprGsEQkJGDuI0O7CmGpSd2o11ys8f6AeeLBhkjW-PCFDybmtjEGwHb3GsAjeGUu9tR_9iRgtdiG6Rw9D5axM6rkT3AHwRMhODbxvnrmWM5Qnvi_csz50_Iw-W2Hvk5PTgintssLOA/s320/facebook.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So, I know everyone is going through withdrawals to read my blog again. What is my problem? Well my problem is this blasted thing called facebook! I have finally started using it after setting up an account almost a year ago. And you know what? I like it! This is a problem because I have become a time-waster as of late and it's mainly due to the computer. If I calculated the hours a week I spend at the computer..facebooking, blogging, searching recipes, emails, primary stuff, etc...I am sure I would have my entire house cleaned with a Q-tip. Well, okay that is a slight exaggeration. I guess I know that answer to my question. It is found in the scriptures under Balance, Temperance, Moderation and oh yes...Self Mastery! Maybe this should be a New Year's resolution. I'll think about it after I blog and facebook!</div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-70572080928885704112008-11-24T07:56:00.002-07:002008-11-24T07:59:28.407-07:00What's up with this???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprFLZ9bLqRCJyOnkx_-QCxZdbQhl0CbBV_s57W6CJ-xc5hyphenhyphen5Ns3Rsyge4OBo8JezxZMGA4ra-DzT2cDwiFLoQGlrALcKHQraIz14yuIctEnPa9g7P-mqP8EoDWbajkHdHeuDWFpbMLUXw/s1600-h/100_1465.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272238484658361682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprFLZ9bLqRCJyOnkx_-QCxZdbQhl0CbBV_s57W6CJ-xc5hyphenhyphen5Ns3Rsyge4OBo8JezxZMGA4ra-DzT2cDwiFLoQGlrALcKHQraIz14yuIctEnPa9g7P-mqP8EoDWbajkHdHeuDWFpbMLUXw/s320/100_1465.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>All I can say is it's a good thing I went to check on her before I hit the hay the other night!</div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-28080523039364232752008-11-04T21:52:00.014-07:002008-11-05T10:12:21.679-07:00Where Does the Time Go?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3almXiuvE7b9mOXMR6Wsq4PGVlWI6Uv-YHJhWczssmSpXROSKra3RI_wxwjFIofl6XiDHWN5T4KHplXo7oMYMnHztlh8ud1rkr7BpSrcd-LRjl8GEGGaKaLffBOcZuIF7hzYIvJTc49bg/s1600-h/100_1445.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265221129008376738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3almXiuvE7b9mOXMR6Wsq4PGVlWI6Uv-YHJhWczssmSpXROSKra3RI_wxwjFIofl6XiDHWN5T4KHplXo7oMYMnHztlh8ud1rkr7BpSrcd-LRjl8GEGGaKaLffBOcZuIF7hzYIvJTc49bg/s320/100_1445.jpg" border="0" /></a> My attempt at a "pink" cake<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzOSPAPREsCBQpNLPkBPtQjXLWU-AFYU6l-WiBkqTRp5DfGlQDlFr3K-uo_PxfjiMK-NoRguIMLZwOWsrwtgMOOH3uBUbh_3EFGSpzFxN7jCifxvM3VuBf6S6k761esnFj2Sm06zNeeRm/s1600-h/100_1447.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265221126327781042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzOSPAPREsCBQpNLPkBPtQjXLWU-AFYU6l-WiBkqTRp5DfGlQDlFr3K-uo_PxfjiMK-NoRguIMLZwOWsrwtgMOOH3uBUbh_3EFGSpzFxN7jCifxvM3VuBf6S6k761esnFj2Sm06zNeeRm/s320/100_1447.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqmqQxs2Mwr9GMqddWcN6beRN9RugpvaKwmdKwrXfFX_EYry9rs0ClTKWerH4vCoEx5SZJ3Kbz5nWWCEaeAQm8XI4ilbVn24Fn4bMe5-wq3dk7JDPn4ZRlx9Acljhl-SuVXknFbuzYI5O/s1600-h/100_1450.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265221122400549554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqmqQxs2Mwr9GMqddWcN6beRN9RugpvaKwmdKwrXfFX_EYry9rs0ClTKWerH4vCoEx5SZJ3Kbz5nWWCEaeAQm8XI4ilbVn24Fn4bMe5-wq3dk7JDPn4ZRlx9Acljhl-SuVXknFbuzYI5O/s320/100_1450.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oXJwUgww_DllKdrz7eq3K7JO_2t7msBOgSLpm4L0AbZuCCJ5V4-F6EUujADJoXmBfhdZBYBut6f6e2g2viF2CjdqZX5DtXWDbbmQQqEgVYN_WKG4an-6NVVunn_SR60MOheEk5v7bhRb/s1600-h/100_1454.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265221113969647746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oXJwUgww_DllKdrz7eq3K7JO_2t7msBOgSLpm4L0AbZuCCJ5V4-F6EUujADJoXmBfhdZBYBut6f6e2g2viF2CjdqZX5DtXWDbbmQQqEgVYN_WKG4an-6NVVunn_SR60MOheEk5v7bhRb/s320/100_1454.jpg" border="0" /></a> She truly is our Princess!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHq4Yq_y-J0UmCWQDLRicOhey7Mt4MrbRPuvKH7Oxe_H_k_rNJTCTAfUCK98aO2DNhQ8fhSQYIUC9RGAOmcatrDC6HlVIHuB7lM-Ova2nC1qBIhVGickq0hyphenhyphenvHRyGLCJkWIJaGJH-gYya/s1600-h/100_1454.jpg"></a><div><div><div><div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLxtI_49XRqcjsSMJD_rdpkW53RrQMWaiPjHrqH7_EbqebDGZUijlwkIQ2ipPciBc-6rc-iAbXKVjy4IBTLYU2zyNi-AcOIMp19_ISqvEJVmlm3TLMF4zkxL3DAmlJGLUdFFPx2ZWLK0p/s1600-h/100_1450.jpg"></a>I know I sound like an old person. But seriously, can you believe how time flies? Abby turned 3 today and I found myself being a little sad all day. Suddenly she has grown into a fire-ball of a girl. Her personality has truly emerged and like my other kids, she doesn't have a laid back bone in her body. I have truly enjoyed her and find great satisfaction in knowing that she prefers her "mama" to anyone else. (Okay, sometimes it's annoying but for the most part I love when she calls me "mama"!) She has learned words like "gorgeous" and "dorable" and "yer da best, mom". <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>She gets excited even a new pair of socks not to mention an entire outfit. She crawls around on her hands and knees pretending she is the kitty and I am the "mama cat". She climbs on my lap and meows and will only come when I call (in a nice voice) "Here kitty kitty...". She recognizes if I have a "mean" look on my face and often tells me. (I guess I look mean and I don't realize it..anyway it's a good way for me to work on my countenance.) She clunks around in dress-up shoes and spends hours in her room playing My Little Ponies. Her only down-side? She doesn't want anything to do with the toilet and she cries like crazy when I do her hair. </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-29951660288650954822008-10-19T21:39:00.000-06:002008-10-20T13:10:34.294-06:00The Hunt, The Shoot, The Kill...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJdjpUTuwe0T93XRqlk4L8no-gU8Qlv674fQ3SLmJ7Hw3LnZdps28kmtz5r0Ux6NQOQ6LGUe1gg5mEJKgWyKfnh_Y6tvo5JGLJ1YFpI0_8sp8YkA7E5JDFy1mDeGvKh3kVYAkSCUEPdVF/s1600-h/alan's+buck.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259076269788100898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJdjpUTuwe0T93XRqlk4L8no-gU8Qlv674fQ3SLmJ7Hw3LnZdps28kmtz5r0Ux6NQOQ6LGUe1gg5mEJKgWyKfnh_Y6tvo5JGLJ1YFpI0_8sp8YkA7E5JDFy1mDeGvKh3kVYAkSCUEPdVF/s320/alan's+buck.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Come on Al..look a little more excited! Seriously, you just shot yerself a Buck!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOkkZ9ohMUXjb3Oau4ltcqACrhJPzRLK5ab_IPYTNrAnP-gDRT-IgUjY3zDaatWk3myiKGR-xoVvLijEYRqWOx5Q2na-O_3PbcXscvwGj9o19FFO0C_AfzkoloUBzxVtAIRH7l5nm5zI3/s1600-h/bull.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259076269524254642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOkkZ9ohMUXjb3Oau4ltcqACrhJPzRLK5ab_IPYTNrAnP-gDRT-IgUjY3zDaatWk3myiKGR-xoVvLijEYRqWOx5Q2na-O_3PbcXscvwGj9o19FFO0C_AfzkoloUBzxVtAIRH7l5nm5zI3/s320/bull.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> There we go..that's more like it! This time it's a Bull. (notice I've got the correct terminology)<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFi_wcOG28TMyVK0kUyhzU6NOxhpGF_D2UUtPWRDnLP9rIMVrNAJYogYjTBGvGNALc-9WtVX7oDInCGCzO_gvCLOr0Mm3O8SA53bHsq9LVNgVTFHYENbrgEv9vMhuS6xU6E864vt8FXXM9/s1600-h/bull2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259076270187047170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFi_wcOG28TMyVK0kUyhzU6NOxhpGF_D2UUtPWRDnLP9rIMVrNAJYogYjTBGvGNALc-9WtVX7oDInCGCzO_gvCLOr0Mm3O8SA53bHsq9LVNgVTFHYENbrgEv9vMhuS6xU6E864vt8FXXM9/s320/bull2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Notice the head he's packing around..</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-YJEAwSHY8DdKDgNjuQw0QfzGIEttvO5CrrGCxQFyKK7aTqYQziUyI-ejy_6V9lPh8Floi2K3vJ_DCYxvIrnzhjOX26JxlkDB_rxkUkz-jmbQFtilAKtpK2VbphIggfGEcR2h281BGEP/s1600-h/bull3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259076280374912386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-YJEAwSHY8DdKDgNjuQw0QfzGIEttvO5CrrGCxQFyKK7aTqYQziUyI-ejy_6V9lPh8Floi2K3vJ_DCYxvIrnzhjOX26JxlkDB_rxkUkz-jmbQFtilAKtpK2VbphIggfGEcR2h281BGEP/s320/bull3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">and yes, I believe that's a leg! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div></div><div>So, while I have been home cleaning the house, doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">yardwork</span>, making trips to Costco and grocery store, taking the boys clothes shopping (complete torture), balancing the checkbook, shopping at D.I. for halloween apparel, PTA meetings, doctor appts, and did I mention cleaning the house? My darling husband has been out doing THIS!!! and you know what? I couldn't be happier. He is so good to let me do what ever I want without complaint. He is never resentful of me having "my time". He works hard going to work every day from 6am to 6pm (pretty much) and although I can't figure out why on earth this would be appealing to anyone..I mean spending nearly a full day cutting up the animal that you just inhumanely shot and killed, into small enough parts that you can pack it off the mountain-with several trips I might add. But thank goodness it is appealing to him because he comes home happier and healthier and with a little more enthusiasm in his step! I love you Big Al and welcome home!</div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-88946364004720413432008-10-14T20:17:00.000-06:002008-10-14T20:22:24.497-06:00Never a dull moment...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcGgVyCDY0DThyqvPp0f6__32cQQLuJxrGuXx8ylUGjFLJ9X-9zFPECzct0DYm66-FFmhbYqm_Dy9jcnYi2_zbDzWZrlFYwj2KO2Wb8dJh8JL5BE-9ZOSh9WSrq_bJVK_KjfDgqDxapOD/s1600-h/100_1415.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257200184255928018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcGgVyCDY0DThyqvPp0f6__32cQQLuJxrGuXx8ylUGjFLJ9X-9zFPECzct0DYm66-FFmhbYqm_Dy9jcnYi2_zbDzWZrlFYwj2KO2Wb8dJh8JL5BE-9ZOSh9WSrq_bJVK_KjfDgqDxapOD/s320/100_1415.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLdFC-1P69dmHiUJ5GPgeT2i0g2xPYHKVZJjtYd6jMhZZeuDq8UH37c7bj-p90nuCG30IFbVP9VhqpjVYPbkRv3plEkTy_9IUEhgHLv5KjFF3Bzaa1qz6db_in6QVtfQ3PaEZnxbdpR4E/s1600-h/100_1417.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257200188590266642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLdFC-1P69dmHiUJ5GPgeT2i0g2xPYHKVZJjtYd6jMhZZeuDq8UH37c7bj-p90nuCG30IFbVP9VhqpjVYPbkRv3plEkTy_9IUEhgHLv5KjFF3Bzaa1qz6db_in6QVtfQ3PaEZnxbdpR4E/s320/100_1417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKr8FAzgdRJKKL_JrYatrGuSGgJNDUjC4v2jYGAzLjRuErORK8rsNa_VWszzYbPm-1TuR-b4SRPqMGwjoN_uNLlrlSt4YsbzrGYprPUMd3E5v-4gjiV74oNyzAlewUATtZBIk_jx0iHBgB/s1600-h/100_1415.jpg"></a><br />Connor should start charging admission at our house!</div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-7664056067335266622008-10-06T21:00:00.001-06:002008-10-06T21:18:02.815-06:00New "Do"...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N1icWN0VXARS4-mFLJTzGx6HUUfVcOZBcjpHR-PWmb79gUxdQWh1xQ6HnAwrdGdS_r-aZEXhLpza_zQarsjB64YLCmIseXWtuAVTCKgrdA_SqkTKePB1uone8T88ooEKpVEUJ8RznboY/s1600-h/100_1389.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254241716671377122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N1icWN0VXARS4-mFLJTzGx6HUUfVcOZBcjpHR-PWmb79gUxdQWh1xQ6HnAwrdGdS_r-aZEXhLpza_zQarsjB64YLCmIseXWtuAVTCKgrdA_SqkTKePB1uone8T88ooEKpVEUJ8RznboY/s320/100_1389.jpg" border="0" /></a> So Connor goes with Big Al tonight to get a haircut. He gets his done and asks the lady to spike it into a "mohawk" and the lady instead convinces him to let her just spike it "all over". He is thinking he is "IT" when he gets home. We are sitting down to dinner and out of the blue he says..."so Noah, I know you are totally jealous of my haircut!" We all bust up laughing and later I think to myself..."is this a small indication of what's to come? and if so, I am in trouble!" Don't you ever wonder how life could be the least bit entertaining <em>without</em> children?<br /><br />p.s. if you haven't heard this song on my blog..take time to listen! it is the best song out there for moms!!!!!<br /><div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-73080573770938787972008-09-23T14:09:00.000-06:002008-09-23T14:45:00.594-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD_gdag17w7cWCoxukUUTAbhSzo-yMIAR-Pr3K8g6hTDL6CjhQefC-iUVM3vT2h-4t2Rmb9s_ZNCU-BLhXAnSCZ0NRb3o3-OmgX2jHD9aDSIXDkG2KDh2snDXeCLui-pq-_1MxsEMISBY/s1600-h/dentist.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249318835360463826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD_gdag17w7cWCoxukUUTAbhSzo-yMIAR-Pr3K8g6hTDL6CjhQefC-iUVM3vT2h-4t2Rmb9s_ZNCU-BLhXAnSCZ0NRb3o3-OmgX2jHD9aDSIXDkG2KDh2snDXeCLui-pq-_1MxsEMISBY/s320/dentist.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaSOHHAxsnp6O5IKx6Ckk8InlkYp83gB0fkfGs7gvzwp3p5cJC53rHEbxE8bsQau-RkN4riywT691nvs2m6scmxn243byrp4gQvxhqcmSYOjdzUN-Ih2mcQJGt9G_hyphenhyphenKyZApp9zIix8C0/s1600-h/dentist.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="left">I think most of us put off the things that we hate most to do. Well at least I do. This morning I finally made a trip to the dentist. As I sat in the chair, I told the receptionist "Well, I think it's been awhile! About a year I think." she replied, "Actually it's been two." Wow! Does time really go that fast? or do I just really hate going to the dentist? I suppose a little of both. Well as of today..it's one less thing on my "to-do" list. Yesterday, I was going through my planner, where I write a "to-do" list each day and noticed that each day last week, I (for the most part)accomplished the day's task. With the exception of one. Cleaning the "yellow" bathroom. <span style="font-size:85%;">(Yes, since we live in an <em>older</em> home, we have a "blue" bathroom and a "yellow" bathroom. And not a "cute" color of either. In fact, I often hear Connor after he has pooped and needs a wipe hollering "Mom! I'm in the 'blue' bathroom or the 'yellow' one!" ) </span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Anyway, back to my point...The task of cleaning the "yellow" bathroom made its way to the next day and then the next..and so on and so on....Well, at the start of this week, that bathroom had made it's way to Monday's list of tasks as well. <strong>Come on Kristen just bear down and get it done! </strong>Well, I DID IT! It was such a good feeling to get it done. So now I am thinking it would be wise for me to take the thing I hate doing the <strong>most</strong> and do it <strong>first</strong>! This is my new goal for the week.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">I made this decision today, after I took a huge pack of hamburger out of the fridge that had been sitting there for days needing to be separated and put in freezer bags. I hate doing this by the way and therefore, this too had been shoved to next day's list...Well, I DID IT TODAY! <br /></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Here are a few things that I hate to do but am going to try harder to let them only stay on my "to-do" list for only <strong>one</strong> day.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">1. Cleaning my bathrooms</div><br /><div align="left">2. Visiting Teaching (okay so I don't <em>hate </em>it)</div><br /><div align="left">3. Cleaning out my fridge.</div><br /><div align="left">4. Ironing.</div><br /><div align="left">5. Getting my oil changed. </div><br /><div align="left">6. Washing the bedding.</div><br /><div align="left">7. Buying new underwear.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-78819965253426923972008-09-16T08:06:00.001-06:002008-09-16T10:20:14.676-06:00Does anyone know a good plastic surgeon?<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNx_vcX7sRnGPi64RUi4TB327u8nzgUHp2mX_4TxsI4mtgkL_R1SfG9YmgOK2R11pjWaHwNfIpX8ElANH6rIZ_40836e0mmNIJkN261f9UO-9qf6RNedbZMuG3Am8zKJrvpPA-BGh_J0Dk/s1600-h/100_1332-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246654054333607874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNx_vcX7sRnGPi64RUi4TB327u8nzgUHp2mX_4TxsI4mtgkL_R1SfG9YmgOK2R11pjWaHwNfIpX8ElANH6rIZ_40836e0mmNIJkN261f9UO-9qf6RNedbZMuG3Am8zKJrvpPA-BGh_J0Dk/s320/100_1332-2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">The night of...<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ngOviLbVz0JKGBC6RQ-pGGOYLUHes-MsKtBMrAeY0Ga5-mUwNGDPY5A2gSj4tBSkvodZ2Z-jQHoKr_2pkZOC4XwJv5vz1vA9BaT6xl0XAKKhX2ktCOcs5zotPCDkAvN9YIViv1lNDFMJ/s1600-h/100_1344.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246654057403031794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ngOviLbVz0JKGBC6RQ-pGGOYLUHes-MsKtBMrAeY0Ga5-mUwNGDPY5A2gSj4tBSkvodZ2Z-jQHoKr_2pkZOC4XwJv5vz1vA9BaT6xl0XAKKhX2ktCOcs5zotPCDkAvN9YIViv1lNDFMJ/s320/100_1344.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">The morning after</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvIVDzUSH7qRacktcWI-HzmlEkvw1Lxuv4-g6NN6c5nJ0WZ5ongN1pbKQ7FWDAT5nmxp5aJ6yOyQOeWxyAxPivv3OqtiCPjumR7ap2MgRfMCEPz4Ilcg6aYUonFB9WqmlxljOW8AQ2Xj1/s1600-h/100_1332-1.jpg"></a><br />Her first major boo boo yesterday! Zach took her for a ride in the bike trailor, hit the curb, didn't have her buckled in and she skidded across the sidewalk on her face. My poor baby!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-14256524993120072922008-09-12T10:17:00.000-06:002008-09-12T10:35:01.308-06:00Don't You Love it When...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0LWAZB8sfzApswpE1VJbtgr0Z8xq8QcVY_jMYBQkCCvrOs5sWPotXehzB04eAvlLPnqJ_f_g3VhfpPSi5k7Qm9xpwBLekVmh_Lrt71RdplHkPTdDZdcgj27h252q4uthxbd6n-XDeJNQ/s1600-h/100_1325.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245174152293172754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0LWAZB8sfzApswpE1VJbtgr0Z8xq8QcVY_jMYBQkCCvrOs5sWPotXehzB04eAvlLPnqJ_f_g3VhfpPSi5k7Qm9xpwBLekVmh_Lrt71RdplHkPTdDZdcgj27h252q4uthxbd6n-XDeJNQ/s320/100_1325.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrCfvNSDa9RwsSlAAa31oXtezxEKyADtjlzUyJqdIrtHdNeRxoHKoMw_Us4cGiX3Me0jmtt141Raj_d1cg03SXVH_8xXZzFSgq23QL5ltlOuYUKZWDiksHn9Re2Gy5wbrURVmNIYu9cUI/s1600-h/100_1327.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245174152640935474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrCfvNSDa9RwsSlAAa31oXtezxEKyADtjlzUyJqdIrtHdNeRxoHKoMw_Us4cGiX3Me0jmtt141Raj_d1cg03SXVH_8xXZzFSgq23QL5ltlOuYUKZWDiksHn9Re2Gy5wbrURVmNIYu9cUI/s320/100_1327.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDZh6t7lKKEXbdM3wZDw9oeHL-PiTYtd8nHvvDW9QqoI3kRknGX_fvmS201zC5qeVbE0TK2x3mZr3CzObSi5k-t3ah6AApWFu7qhcDa2gJGntrEnNUvSNR72CXc0YTPNdARw2DVuWVDa6/s1600-h/100_1325.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz_ckDij_Pe0qMtw6WLxPTngHh2WMp6Ixbf8uwrzjaz1sdAMAs0pnrylbQTgaFWmj2HzHDOKkp9-8nDJYWaUQ0ZaewyslQiaBe9WCP3DwNyxjf__IXwe6H5n9V2yqbnqF_mfEeyqmiAby/s1600-h/100_1325.jpg"></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Don't you love it when your kids actually put their gender differences aside and <strong>play</strong> together? I have really enjoyed having Connor and Abby all to myself again in the mornings. But I didn't realize how much until I walked in on this..this morning. I can pretty much guarantee that Connor wouldn't resort to dressing up in "girl stuff" but at least Abby doesn't have a problem crossing over the other side once in a while. GO ABBY!!!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-30586371407132099602008-08-31T14:57:00.001-06:002008-09-03T13:18:23.221-06:00One Last Hoorah!!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Includes Fishing, Lizards and Horny Toads...</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lh34-qirHDd_3tEW3EaxXWcbdMw0b-a40obUvR3rz5GdIpKLtRtcvf21P5ybjYGWnxDkSnVVRjLtij8g0tkTdUkonDHVb27rjItXWYbnoUHQIgwWZ66LWBGidppaAB8KM0JRSRMtZ1IE/s1600-h/lagoonsummer032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240790355956017778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Lh34-qirHDd_3tEW3EaxXWcbdMw0b-a40obUvR3rz5GdIpKLtRtcvf21P5ybjYGWnxDkSnVVRjLtij8g0tkTdUkonDHVb27rjItXWYbnoUHQIgwWZ66LWBGidppaAB8KM0JRSRMtZ1IE/s320/lagoonsummer032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82UfrTeEQZIJYApAcAcvhzPekpG8i3sQf9Orpf9laNdB9UckOTWsUQ7Is5zobFjJ1fUcdPwAre3cBHT5nuhasbtglVM3EsQYIf3Gt3iclwoqqWiG5bsbwvf5AQrpMaWyy3ob04tTZa3-e/s1600-h/lagoonsummer038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240790353509265170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82UfrTeEQZIJYApAcAcvhzPekpG8i3sQf9Orpf9laNdB9UckOTWsUQ7Is5zobFjJ1fUcdPwAre3cBHT5nuhasbtglVM3EsQYIf3Gt3iclwoqqWiG5bsbwvf5AQrpMaWyy3ob04tTZa3-e/s320/lagoonsummer038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNZGozjaKBfYisJeBiOpJQj6SuQkPybN9_G86a18kenTRSDMV8q-rqhylnqylQ9i5m-_mCppLJ1alt7_UasiekEFD6BaglRduMRluEApoxdK9Zm1L9Jdpkgq_3sOEXBokvUiQL24xA6Gg/s1600-h/lagoonsummer042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240790360248351682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNZGozjaKBfYisJeBiOpJQj6SuQkPybN9_G86a18kenTRSDMV8q-rqhylnqylQ9i5m-_mCppLJ1alt7_UasiekEFD6BaglRduMRluEApoxdK9Zm1L9Jdpkgq_3sOEXBokvUiQL24xA6Gg/s320/lagoonsummer042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETo120loLODE5x_txfoMeO3gXURpv2ROupBk2cNAFuUoqxykYmCZ0yiMKYhX0d3cUyI9uoipS-KHjYYXC9MwXCaM3xjiOf23MFFfR1RHYhcDYKhvPxp7BIVKzkVp0Tbgh-qowc_XSFbLm/s1600-h/lagoonsummer047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240790365110442066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETo120loLODE5x_txfoMeO3gXURpv2ROupBk2cNAFuUoqxykYmCZ0yiMKYhX0d3cUyI9uoipS-KHjYYXC9MwXCaM3xjiOf23MFFfR1RHYhcDYKhvPxp7BIVKzkVp0Tbgh-qowc_XSFbLm/s320/lagoonsummer047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJF1_Yzz5AbNa1ebIvD6sYiwymAb7QBQ62_Q6Yn3jxG91JyuSKo_eO8-u8bQGYcAAQ_KMiyM1-ddYVTniyFkFNmsfG1oX3WLGDN2woVXaLfWg8WIAe46YOJLAfSM5MdJFbLO8MxcCEnx3/s1600-h/100_1312.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240790365796836450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJF1_Yzz5AbNa1ebIvD6sYiwymAb7QBQ62_Q6Yn3jxG91JyuSKo_eO8-u8bQGYcAAQ_KMiyM1-ddYVTniyFkFNmsfG1oX3WLGDN2woVXaLfWg8WIAe46YOJLAfSM5MdJFbLO8MxcCEnx3/s320/100_1312.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HulQuqCsZfTFkKLPyUm4gTzebeOCySLjqp36SAPVD3HUjCA_FnbQOWNDrSoewU3M9JOvFGbkK2GBAUMpuY38fZnBtN5iApQgEQZtMM6m8m7grYhs8P7LyD2YLrNb7fXLdMKXhVG-c_K9/s1600-h/100_1312.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpa2LM79Eukm1avOFaLHXeDcs4SzLu0i7GZFd5rZFGR35xGkN-rh5O504O3ZrKcKoV2N9pjL_gyzkR7mfh9jW1E8n0BtkvNE9iPK_98J5jS08nGbJ1WLEXSTjxBP3TOGcJsxoZNVpe3ds/s1600-h/100_1311.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240789878366395970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpa2LM79Eukm1avOFaLHXeDcs4SzLu0i7GZFd5rZFGR35xGkN-rh5O504O3ZrKcKoV2N9pjL_gyzkR7mfh9jW1E8n0BtkvNE9iPK_98J5jS08nGbJ1WLEXSTjxBP3TOGcJsxoZNVpe3ds/s320/100_1311.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLGaPkjcE5GWQhYVHW6lqxG102su2Sy1-bsd4azHTR6IaGcFm0GFMOieU1qJFw90X5OaLtGQO2_ExQjf_XxZhtUlbPWBJIkoZiOWmUjKVDWbseZfIEZoHxjj69TDL122DgcO_a7-z1-Tn/s1600-h/100_1307.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240789536565370242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLGaPkjcE5GWQhYVHW6lqxG102su2Sy1-bsd4azHTR6IaGcFm0GFMOieU1qJFw90X5OaLtGQO2_ExQjf_XxZhtUlbPWBJIkoZiOWmUjKVDWbseZfIEZoHxjj69TDL122DgcO_a7-z1-Tn/s320/100_1307.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We spent the last weekend of our summer in Flaming Gorge visiting family. It is the perfect place for "boys" and since my mom decided to take Abby for the weekend, we thought we would take advantage of it by heading out of town. The boys had a great time going to the dinosaur museum, fishing down the Green River and catching lizards at the lake. It's amazing how each year, as school ends, I am so anxious for summer. For the chance to be lazy, unproductive and spend endless days at the pool. Then just like clockwork, about two weeks before the new school year is about to start, I am counting down the days to be back on a routine of getting up early, getting projects done and having peaceful, quiet days again. I am so glad for change of seasons as it always helps me "gear up" with excitement for what's to come. So, here's to a great summer past and an upcoming fall!!!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-20529299344000906642008-08-19T10:35:00.000-06:002008-08-19T10:39:26.173-06:00<div align="center"><strong>Our Summer in a Nutshell</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>or should I say "butt shell"...</strong></div><strong></strong><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl7O-5xpzfEdVYDVawBF-XZEoJM3jeSvVavDGZvRBROxmQKfuSi5Wf83V3Yx1ChhSZ7tBqswv-HrleCKqmrjl8KStRTCMGkBOgSIRbKg4lEoyEpYot3iGW3NGnx4Npg6HaCSF4ro6XLcn/s1600-h/100_1281.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236268670390233154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl7O-5xpzfEdVYDVawBF-XZEoJM3jeSvVavDGZvRBROxmQKfuSi5Wf83V3Yx1ChhSZ7tBqswv-HrleCKqmrjl8KStRTCMGkBOgSIRbKg4lEoyEpYot3iGW3NGnx4Npg6HaCSF4ro6XLcn/s200/100_1281.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Yes, we pretty much spent most of our summer at the pool.<br /></p>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-62181404389546363622008-08-11T22:02:00.000-06:002008-08-11T22:11:38.398-06:00<div align="center"><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Why on earth do I spend money on expensive toys?<br /></strong></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYkqtHFlAIhI2crQ21Y7eFjqc-I-5nUD7q8uJsnyXiO68hxu9k2wf4JfykmkV1n5kdPaRTRhDRnKEY-u48oiIE3VvL6KcGyYRsiI2ppHCfL2sNF_8YfeViPdLtaQVnpEhQDW64YersUBi/s1600-h/100_1292.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233477735408583650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYkqtHFlAIhI2crQ21Y7eFjqc-I-5nUD7q8uJsnyXiO68hxu9k2wf4JfykmkV1n5kdPaRTRhDRnKEY-u48oiIE3VvL6KcGyYRsiI2ppHCfL2sNF_8YfeViPdLtaQVnpEhQDW64YersUBi/s400/100_1292.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-15538494948016625412008-07-28T08:47:00.000-06:002008-12-12T15:52:23.941-07:00The Case of the Missing Scout Shirt...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJbwvd3U9czHOoGynuWds7PeBnU6WWKKlWiwHxmtdZjMrdgdmExSI_H4AA6zrYZaadBUwAMZ40fkMqljBw8MS-8iIRmJDPlfquB_99ud-hpHH9ZcVl_Yl9wXaiUCGvTAENmDP_1KQ6OKC/s1600-h/scout+symbol.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228077006201338290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJbwvd3U9czHOoGynuWds7PeBnU6WWKKlWiwHxmtdZjMrdgdmExSI_H4AA6zrYZaadBUwAMZ40fkMqljBw8MS-8iIRmJDPlfquB_99ud-hpHH9ZcVl_Yl9wXaiUCGvTAENmDP_1KQ6OKC/s200/scout+symbol.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday, we were trying to get Zach packed up and ready for a week long adventure of Scout Camp. Alan had gone to the scout store on Saturday and bought all the badges that he needed to iron on his shirt. (No, I don't know how to sew and yes, we do have to resort to the iron-on badges!) Zach had tried on his scout shirt for us that day and had laid it over the bannister of the stairs. Well, Sunday evening Alan started getting the badges out and asked Zach to go get his shirt. He came back shortly and said he couldn't find it. I suggested a few spots to look and after doing so, he still couldn't find it. Alan now joined in the search. As the minutes wore on, there became much frustration on the part of Zach and Alan. Realizing that it was time for "the mom who always seems to find everything" to step in, I also joined the search. The frustration was mounting by the second as we realized that he had to leave for camp in the morning and <strong>had </strong>to have his shirt. We gathered all the kids and decided to search every room in the house. After doing that, still no shirt. Zach came in to me and said "Mom, I think we should have a prayer." I thought to myself <em>"now why didn't I think of that?"<strong> </strong></em>We quickly gathered in the living room and said a prayer. I again thought to myself <em>"please make sure we find the shirt so my kids' faith isn't shattered!"</em> We finished the prayer and again continued our search. It wasn't 10 seconds before I heard Alan say "I found it!" He had walked into our bedroom where we had searched several times before and decided to look down between the mattress and the bed frame and THERE WAS THE SCOUT SHIRT! I guarantee you my kids will remember this small example of faith and prayer for years to come! Just thought I would share.</div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-71712524830732825982008-07-22T10:07:00.000-06:002008-12-12T15:52:24.234-07:00"40" is the new "30"?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHrwYb1HUp868q4YeANJIrTsTjFCq5wci_8n3P_-dqR3BMqKiOHc41_u4Q0_Hu3BvIP5Tj9S2QKiJ0K42rBU566Vt3JCDCKDJ9QK-lah8bdoknPNL5ghOftsvBJ5aKcuhWjkIn2XTY2bN/s1600-h/sisters+at+moms2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225878672959304274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHrwYb1HUp868q4YeANJIrTsTjFCq5wci_8n3P_-dqR3BMqKiOHc41_u4Q0_Hu3BvIP5Tj9S2QKiJ0K42rBU566Vt3JCDCKDJ9QK-lah8bdoknPNL5ghOftsvBJ5aKcuhWjkIn2XTY2bN/s200/sisters+at+moms2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOpylKBg8iriVsSHUkr3lT9igcxb13oqpqIcucUW7uRFZaoP8AIQZowqKamEGtAMrrDiwHu84BSD2aVWI5OEqV5LH3rgvhSDxQLIZMm91QdYt4ZVDlB1btcdDJK52oo1safIz9WAGH-jx/s1600-h/grandma+picturegrandma+cover.jpg"></a><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I remember my mom telling me that even though she is 60+ she still feels like she is in her 30's until she looks in the mirror. (Although she looks great for her sixties!) I also remember when I was a teenager thinking 40 was SO middle-aged! I looked at my mom when she was in her 40's thinking (although she was pretty) she looked so "like a mother". It's amazing and scarey how time passes by and yet we don't feel any different. Will we still feel young and the same even when we are in our 70's and 80's? If so, how frustrating will it be to see our bodies much older than our spirits? I am contemplating these things lately as my own sister turned 4o just a few days ago. Being only two years younger, it makes me realize how quickly that day is approaching for me. As my 20 year high school reunion is being celebrated this summer, it brings me back to my high school days and I honestly don't feel much older. I recall being at my 10 year reunion thinking "oh wow! what will all be like at our 20th? That will be the biggy!" Well, here it is and I still don't feel any different. Yes, I have matured (hopefully) and I have aged a little. I have become a bit more "saggy" in areas and have noticed several gray hairs (thank goodness for coloring) but I still feel young. Have we become more "hip" so to speak? Do we dress more youthful than our parents did at our age? Are our haircuts the same as most of the teenagers so therefore doesn't separate the "young" from the "mature"? Are our anti-aging products better? Or maybe I am looking through "rose-colored glasses" and don't look as young as I think I do. All I know is I look at my sister who is now a "middle-aged" mother of five with a son in college and I think she looks pretty darn good!</div></div></div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2734129941137273378.post-56249440336801402222008-07-16T08:57:00.000-06:002008-12-12T15:52:24.830-07:00Happy BELATED Birthday Connor!This is what happens when my sister comes in town for a week..everything gets put on hold..including blogging! So better late than never Connor!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBGZXPiWJKq2If-o4Ek9V9HH91vtr2YpmMMcswkXI4vHWjeHPRn3FS_71xHK2wWVC2Dk5CoUKwwosi_cf5yy0QgOxJIoo_uLMShGXM_0DEKFuIZiYZWt93h0rpm1KhKCKwp_EwIyNrbs1/s1600-h/100_1268.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223627788334534562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBGZXPiWJKq2If-o4Ek9V9HH91vtr2YpmMMcswkXI4vHWjeHPRn3FS_71xHK2wWVC2Dk5CoUKwwosi_cf5yy0QgOxJIoo_uLMShGXM_0DEKFuIZiYZWt93h0rpm1KhKCKwp_EwIyNrbs1/s320/100_1268.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVAMpVuJiNuJFZbDX48LZY2SkuI6G3RfBGo998huGTByiD-HDHvP9QTEo6DBCwxEtF8Tm-QRbXhK5Uhyphenhyphen0Gp2APtMtV07uSMyNuzdnvMzdD-TY82tAWu_XPHW542VoSq2FlMOd0N-Iy2bS/s1600-h/100_1231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223627792873105874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVAMpVuJiNuJFZbDX48LZY2SkuI6G3RfBGo998huGTByiD-HDHvP9QTEo6DBCwxEtF8Tm-QRbXhK5Uhyphenhyphen0Gp2APtMtV07uSMyNuzdnvMzdD-TY82tAWu_XPHW542VoSq2FlMOd0N-Iy2bS/s320/100_1231.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223627804211443490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwA0YFlWCKiDvvRhNpc-rHhHbCPhpsfHeb0j602hKtByflojz0tbyZzTtGXwT0AcRFXJyRFyncwsny-KVscLfJX-v79vHZs__lpwYIephzCyi1vBA1uEroS6DAl-lG71HGPZP8TlePB5s/s320/100_1243.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfeL0djsYE3tlO3wv82JknXNFPuo0_4HBxrqClfHwoXQ3_Dmoh7Lo8PdOPh_UsiO_VgqoKZKX3mJAvMxi3UpvnZMlQEWe_ugfFoAdRu2pp3CLrlGHO1DXNlrCmGxxxzlhlDXJ9kNU6LgF/s1600-h/100_1258.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223627813581212178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfeL0djsYE3tlO3wv82JknXNFPuo0_4HBxrqClfHwoXQ3_Dmoh7Lo8PdOPh_UsiO_VgqoKZKX3mJAvMxi3UpvnZMlQEWe_ugfFoAdRu2pp3CLrlGHO1DXNlrCmGxxxzlhlDXJ9kNU6LgF/s320/100_1258.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Connor was especially lucky this year to celebrate his 5th birthday with not only some of his favorite friends but with his cousins from out of town. We had his party at the swim club and there was hardly a soul there so we basically had the whole pool to ourselves!! Connor is a pretty exciteable kid so you can imagine how excited he was for his party. Although I have to admit, there were several times earlier in the week where I wasn't sure he was GETTING a party due to some behavior issues. Connor sure keeps us on our toes. I have never known anyone who can make me SO frustrated one second and make my heart melt the next! I don't know of too many people who meet Connor and don't immediately love him, including many of our close neighbors. Here are just a few reasons why I love Connor so much...</div><div>1. You often come up out of the blue and say "Yer da best mom!" </div><div>2. Give you any object and you can figure out a way to turn it into a battle scene.</div><div>3. The only things you WON'T eat are pickles and peppers. </div><div>4. You finally don't gag over your poops anymore.</div><div>5. You have the world's biggest smile with the cutest dimple.</div><div>6. You'll get right back on your bike after a wipeout that leaves you bloodied & bruised.</div><div>7. You're not embarrassed to be who you are..anywhere you are...even if it's dressed as a mid-evil knight at Crown Burger or Spiderman at the grocery store. </div><div>8. You show no signs of prejudice when you say you wish you were black "cuz black guys are the coolest!"</div><div>9. You sit and play Noah's Nintendo DS for hours even though you have no idea what you are playing because you so want to be like your big brother. </div><div>10. You just woke up and walked in the room with your hair standing on end, morning breath and a contagious smile on your face that starts my day off right! I love you Connor!</div><div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02542593902666354698noreply@blogger.com8