'It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who people think you are.......'

Saw this quote and loved it.

Woe!

I just got on my google reader and I have 142 unread posts to read. I either have too many blogs that I read (which is true but there are so many good ones) or I have got to get better at checking this thing. It is really going to take me hours to get through all these. Sorry to my friends I will try to read but my comments may be sparse, but seriously that doesn't mean I love you any less :) PROMISE!

Some of us were just talking about this the other day, you know who you are. I'm afraid I will be falling into the blog time take over that we are supposed to avoid because I really want to see what everyone has been up to. I vow now to wait til the kids are asleep though how's that for making myself feel better (pretty lame... but I'm doin' it).

Sorry, just had to share cause I was shocked (eye's bulged a bit).

(2 posts in one day woe! Pretty sure that's not gonna happen again)

So Thankful Still

This apparently isn't my season to blog. The stress and joys of the holidays have taken over my ability to sit and scribe my daily life so true to form (late) I will now post about Thanksgiving :)

It was so much fun to have my sister Raquel and her family as well as Jon's parents come stay with us. My sis Robynn and her fam (who live here) joined the excitement as well. We had such a great time despite the rain that never usually falls here until you want to entertain. We enjoyed food, food, and more food. Even homemade goodies that I am intimidated by were made by my fabulous sister - I'm talkin' good eats! I'm pretty sure the new roll around my middle section has Thanksgiving written all over it. Yep, I just looked, it does.

Here let me reminisce. We enjoyed the temple lights....word to the wise though DO NOT attempt to go on opening night....one word...CROWDED! Nary a space for a stroller so Jon got that duty (by the way thanks Robynn for letting us steal it).

Other good times included:

the Turkey/Mud Bowl. Those are my boys in blue.

We had the kids make these yummy turkeys. Aren't they so cute?!

Did I happen to mention the delicious food!

(Salivating again over the sight).

And the mouth watering desserts.

(this is torture gotta go get me some chocolate).

Ok back with Whoppers in hand I'm good now.

Here are a few smiles of stuffed and content from those I adore.

And here we have the guilt of eating so much the day before we decide to walk it off the next morning. I promise I am walking too who do you think took the picture :) (I will be honest though it wasn't my idea)

Then we did some fishing,

and Kade even caught one. It was a big spiky Sunfish, we'd never seen that kind before. I have to admit it was more fun to see the guys jump and squirm when they were trying to take the hook out though. Hehehe!

We enjoyed movies and shopping and playing games too. Even had a few rock concerts performed courtesy of those brave enough to jam out on Rock Band.

Love these kids!!!!

So that was some of our Thanksgiving fun and festivities (I left out the barfing because that wasn't part of the fun).

I am so glad we had family to spend this time with. I know everyone thinks this but seriously my family is the best! I have so much to be thankful for and wonderful memories like these remind me of that.

Card Club

I am going to try and post some of the projects that have kept me busy over the last few weeks (culprits of why I haven't been posting).

One culprit was my "card club" card. Normally this is fun because I really do enjoy making cards to give but for some reason the theme I got this time was a difficult one.

Neutral baby!

At first I thought "oh this shouldn't be too hard". But for some reason I like to make things more difficult then they really need to be. I could have gone with the typical yellow/green colors that are often common when you don't know what gender you're having(I know this personally because Chase was a surprise and he had lots of yellow and green to wear). I figured there would be other cards that color and I of course like to be different. So I decided I was going to try to balance blue and red together and make the perfect baby neutral card. Unfortunately this took me a few attempts.

Card attempt one (top card): too girlie

Card attempt 2 (bottom card): too boyish but getting closer.

I loved how both cards turned out but they just weren't saying neutral to me so I said forget the blue/red thing. By this time I was tired of making cards anyway because seriously all these decisions were really taking it out of me so I decided instead to use every color I could.

So attempt number 3: luckily this attempt worked for me and my critics (Jon and the kids).

So I duplicated and here they all are finished and ready to go.

Of course I had to give a little love to the inside and the envelope too...just cause I can't stop myself when enough is enough.

So did I made the right choice???? Cause there were many cute cards exchanged and yes there was even a super cute yellow/green one.

Next card group theme: Mother's Day...maybe I better start now...I might end up making six cards next time just to get the one I love (don't underestimate me, sadly, it's really quite possible :)

Not Too Late

OK, before I jet off to Youth Conference this weekend I have to get something posted because I promised I would start posting and here it is Friday already.

I just hope it's not too late to post Halloween pics....well at this point if it is too bad so sad I'm doing it anyway.

A Happy Family Torturing Pumpkins :0

mmmm......yummy! :)

Queen diva

Adorable Dorothy

Don't even ask me what Chase is he just threw stuff on for our Trunk or Treat. On Halloween night he was part of a Haunted House and I didn't get his picture because I was too busy wetting myself when I was walking through it (just think scary mask of death).

Jon actually won a prize at our Trunk or Treat with this costume. Too bad you can't see the tin foil grill in his mouth. It was quite hilarious!

I went as the witch that got hit by Dorothy's house with the striped socks. I was going for a theme people (ok...truthfully it's the easiest thing to wear).

And this is one of the candy bowls that I can't keep my hands out of. Unfortunately this is just McKenna's bowl. Kiana's was bigger and I still have left overs that didn't get handed out. Yeah it's bad news bulge at my house.

As much as I enjoy Halloween I'm glad to move on. Deciding on costumes gives me an ulcer.....or is that the candy????

I Promise

What in the world? Where have I been? Is it true that the last post I did was in the middle of October. Oh now that is really pathetic.

I make a promise right now that I am going to do better....but only after Young Women In Excellence on Tuesday.

Between our ward campout, my Mia Maid retreat, album pages, our trunk or treat face painting booth, Fall Festival, Halloween costumes, Halloween, card group cards, Stake leadership meeting, ward visits, canning class, and YWIE preparations I haven't had two seconds to give some blog love. So I am making a promise right now to do better just give me a few more days.

(I know I have some sympathetic readers who have been in YW before so I know you know what I'm talkin' bout - a calling of such joy but incredibly busy-making :)

Who AM I?

Well, according to the quiz I just took...




Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!



It fits me - I think I am quite matronly :)



Boy, I am having such mixed emotions about this Twilight world I find myself living in. I just finished the partial rough draft of Midnight Sun (Edwards version) on the Internet...posted legally by Stephenie I should add. I am so sad because it was so fabulous like all her other books but unfinished of course because of cruel people in the world. But unfinished leaves you hanging - like waiting for the next book to come out but not knowing if that will ever happen. I can't even bear the thought.

I am trying to think of ways to beg and plead my case of finishing the book to Stephenie personally. Maybe I could find out what area she lives in (were both from AZ it shouldn't be to difficult) and accidentally, on purpose, run into her at the store (not like mow her down with my cart or anything) and start begging there. Or become her best friend on Facebook and give subtle hints( a thousand isn't too many???). Maybe I could go through her cousin who just happened to be in our old ward (family influence has got to help a little bit right?). Anyway, just some thoughts if you have another great suggestion let me know. I am willing to try anything at this point to appease my love for this vampire world that I find myself drawn too. I know I'm not alone here maybe a group effort even. I can't dwell on it - it really makes me loco.



I guess I will just have to wait for the movie to satisfy this crazy obsession I have. I can do that ....what it's only


Not that I'm counting :D

Fall Break Fun!

My kids have been on a 2 week fall break and I have been worried about what we should do during this time. Many around here went on trips to Disneyland of course which is great fun and all but let me be honest here that is just too pricey for my blood. I think I found the solution though.

Who needs Disneyland and those high prices when I can entertain the whole family for hours with less than 5 bucks in my pocket I say. Not to mention that this adventure is like 2 miles from my house (that's what I'm talkin' bout).

A gold mine arrived for my family the day they opened the Basha Pool. I could tell you all about it but let me show you instead.
Looks pretty fun right? Well, there's so much more.

Check this out: the Whirlpool (I still think they should call it the toilet bowl)

(Don't mind Kiana drowning right there. hehe)

The Slides: My kids like the blue one best but they came out to fast to get the picture. So here's Chase appeasing his Mom for the shot.

The Bucket Dump: The kids/+Jon loved this because you get gallons of water dumped on you and if your not careful you could loose your drawers :)

There is flying.....oh I mean diving boards.

Finally coaxed Kiana to flip off it - she was so proud of herself.

And my Favorite part the Lazy River: Yes, this one is big enough for tubes even.

The pool is a bit chilly but if you get too cold they even have hot water sprayers to warm you up a bit. See the family enjoying the warmth.

I tell you what fun for the whole family! They are even going to start heating the pool so we can swim into Nov. how awesome is that!

Who needs expensive vacations when we got our little slice of action and adventure right here (at least that is what I am trying to convince the kids and luckily for me so far they agree).

See you at the pool!

Double Digits

It seems like we have been celebrating a lot here lately and this past week we did it again.

Our Miss Kiana turned 10!
My little mini me (so people say).

I can't believe how old she is getting and acting. Although she has always been such a great mini mom to her little sister that sometimes I wonder if she doesn't do a better job at it than me so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

Her big day was much fun with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Yum!

Although there is no kids menu so the portions were huge and we had way too much food.

Then the fun of opening presents.

Note to self (this girl doesn't need any more clothes stop buying them :)

As well as the birthday cake....oh I mean shake (apparently she takes too much after her daddy)

Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream with crushed Oreos. Double Yum!
(she said she wanted to save cake for her official party...this bday may never end)


I do have to admit there are some things to love about her getting older I guess. When I buy something for her like shoes or jewelry I can take some personal interest in the purchase (but of course that will be my little secret). She does her own hair most of the time now and she is getting to be quite the helper in the kitchen. Yeah!


I love Kiana so much and I hope this year will be special for her. We'll have to really live it up cause you only go double digits once.

Happy Birthday Ki Shaye!!!!!

SICK OF BEING SICK

I would write more but I gotta go blow my nose AGAIN!!!!!!!

Sorry about that visual :)

National Stay at Home Week

Is this a new holiday that they are trying to implement? Well, if so I think it is working...on me at least.

If those who haven't been watching TV this week don't understand what this means. Let me enlighten you. This is the official week of new season premiers for all shows out there worth watching (OK that last part is my opinion - sorry if I've offended) Although Biggest Loser did jump the gun and start last week - whatever.

If any of you wonder why this is so compelling to me you must go back to one of my beginning posts and see why (here).

I like my shows and so with much anticipation yesterday it began - DWTS I am a little bit struggling with the fact that I have YW tonight during the 2nd night of it but not to worry I have a plan. I don't know if anyone besides me saw this last night but the part with Cloris Leachman and the judges was so funny that I was open mouth loud laughing. Kiana kept looking at me like I was crazy.

If not for the dancing, which I love, then watch it for this - Maksim is back!

This week is also the much anticipated return of The Office. Can't wait for that.

AND Can't imagine who doesn't need a good laugh every week.

And my most guilty pleasure...Grey's Anatomy. Now I have to say this is not one that I should confess to watching because it really is getting naughtier every season and from the last episode of last season I can only imagine this one could be the naughtiest ever .....but ......

..... Patrick Dempsey bestill my heart. I just can't help myself.

Plus Jon is OK with my fascination so for some reason in my head that justifies it ......maybe????

Now these aren't the only good shows on this week, don't get me wrong, there is Heroes and Biggest Loser and something else that I can't put my finger on just yet - but these are just the ones that I am obsessed with :)

So back to my point I find this stay at home week concept kind of to my liking. I'm pretty sure I would vote for it if they had a 1-888 number and an elimination the next day.

Not that I have any time for all these shows either but what's life without a little challenge.

P.S. Curious about the new 90210 - Is it any good? Will it give me flashbacks of my 20's again? Do Dylan and Kelly get back together? (I know Dylan isn't even on there but one can hope). All important questions people.

Self Sacrificing Service by Sharing My 3 Good Luck Charms

Any of you following the DBacks season know they aren't having their best season ever. I have felt bad for them these past few years - from winning it all to ....well let's just say.....not winning much....it has been a struggle. So I decided what the heck I'll send in my good luck charms. (I know I'm pretty generous like that ...you should have seen how I had to force them out the door) .

So here they are on Monday giving all their luck away. Can you tell they aren't enjoying it one bit.And as another bribe for their unselfish act - the promise of cotton candy(sometimes service does have a price).

I think after awhile though they might have actually started enjoying themselves - he looks happy right????

Well, if you haven't heard by now my idea worked because the DiamondBacks won that game.

Not only did they win that night but the next game as well. I can't be certain but I'm pretty sure it might have had something to do with this golden plate luck rub on the way out of the ballpark (Going the extra mile - makes a mother so proud).

Wow is all I can say. I feel so much better with this humble service that we have rendered. I only hope we have inspired others out there to do the same ;) hehehe

P.S. If you want to use our wonderful example in your next RS lesson or talk I totally understand. Some things are just too inspiring not to be shared :)

So What Do You Do All Day?

As a stay at home mom have you ever been asked that question? Well, let me dispel any notion of us sitting at home all day eating Bon Bons right now.

I will tell you what we do all day.

We play dress up!!!!!

Ballerina/Fairy style

and Princess style

And if you think that the kids get to have all the fun you haven't been to my house. What mom wouldn't want to be the beautiful Queen!

Oh, there's music and dancing and laughter alright. Even a magical kiss from the nonevil queen who bestows gifts of yummy snack varieties on her Princess/Ballerina/Fairy.

So if you think that we Moms who are lucky enough to be at home with our kids do nothing of importance all day let me remind you that saving the princess from the fire breathing dragon doesn't sound like nothing to me. Infact I am exhausted just thinking about it ...let me sit down (now where did I put those Bon Bon's? :)

Pretty, Pretty Princess

So last week we celebrated our baby's, now turned big girl she says , birthday. I can't believe that she is 4 already.

It was good times to say the least.

She wanted a friends party(only because her brother and sister gave her the idea - naughty kids - I was trying to put that off another year) so of course her being the youngest and most spoiled that is indeed what she got.

McKenna is all into princess stuff and pink and frilly and I am so all about it because as many of you know my other adorable daughter is so not. I actually didn't mind the idea of pink taking over my house with balloons and streamers everywhere. Thanks boys for the decorations (what I learned ...Chase has a lot of hot air and Jon is a great streamer twister - who knew).

McKee's little friends she had over were so cute and they all had such a great time decorating crowns and playing fun games princess style of course. There was dancing and merriment of all kinds. Lots of giggles and squeals of delight not to mention I didn't have to buy her one toy. (I know that sounds so mean but when we were packing to move into this house I was amazed at the boxes of toys that we had and vowed that I wasn't going to buy anymore toys). So having the girls give her all that kind of stuff was fine with me I have a clean conscience (I can't be held responsible during Christmas though I'm really not that mean).

Here they are enjoying their newly decorated crowns and cupcakes.

I tell you the trick to keeping little hands busy is by having them make their own stuff at a party. Aren't they adorable!

Like I said "Good Times" (a tad bit glad it's over though).

Now I'm on to dealing with the fact that my youngest is 4. Boo Hoo!!!!!

True to the Red, White and Blue

Kiana decided she wanted to be a part of the Flag Corp. at her school so she wrote a little ditty about why she wanted to do it and I guess it was such literary genius that she was picked. (Who knows they probably picked everyone who wrote something but that doesn't sound nearly as impressive)

So today was her first day on the job. Here's some proof

Just look at the proud look on her face (or is that the glare of the sun???....hmmm)

Anyway, we are glad that we have instilled a sense of patriotism in our kids. Enough at least for her to want to get up a little earlier and go to school to fly the flag.

Speaking of patriotism you should have seen how proud this family was during the Olympics. If you could have been in our house during some of those events you would understand. The cheering and the jumping and the yelling on some of those close games or races was enough to scare anyone off. GO USA!!!!

AND... speaking of Olympics I miss it already and it is only the day after. What are we supposed to do now? It's like the addict without his next shot. I am in withdrawal mode and I don't like it one bit. I am having the cold shakes just thinking about it. (Ok, so that's a bit dramatic but I will miss it.)

I guess I just have to thank my lucky 50 white stars that winter Olympics is only 2 years away.