Eat More Avocados

Pack.

2010-09-22T08:30:00.001-07:00

If you had a wildfire raging down a mountain, directly toward your house, and you had one hour to pack your car, what would you take with you?

Sunday night my family found out that answer to that question. Sunday afternoon (in between football games) I heard news that a wildfire had broken out at Camp Williams on the other side of the mountain we live on and it was out of control. I heard the neighborhood on the other side of the mountain had been evacuated. I went out on my deck and saw this:

The kids and I watched the helicopters dunk giant buckets (I'm told they're giant. It looked a little humorous to me that these tiny little buckets were going ot put out a wildfire) into the neighborhood reservoir and struggle over the mountain with the strong winds.

By sunset, the neighbors had all congregated outside and heard the fire was expected to crest the mountain by nightfall. That rumor proved accurate:

At this point, I had already instructed the kids to get their cameras and take photos of all the "expensive" things in the house for insurance and tracked down everyone's birth certificates, passports, and social security cards. But when this fire started barreling its way down the mountain at us and we all realized there was a good chance we would be leaving a house that would not be standing when we returned, I told my kids to pack a backpack with clothes and pajamas for two days and anything else that was special to them that they wanted to bring. It was at this point that I was able to convince Jake to stop watching football and painting his Warhammer figurines and start packing our two SUVs.

We left under mandatory evacuation about an hour later with two cars and a truck and made it safely to Jake's mom's house, only a mile down the mountain and watched the mountain burn all night. We were prepared to be evacuated from her house as well.

Amazingly, the strong winds and high temperatures that had fueled the fire out of control all night stopped only 10-15 feet from burning our neighbor's homes. The wind changed direction and a cold front dropped the temperate 20 degrees in half an hour. By morning, the fire had spared hundreds of homes and only taken three.

The fire did little more in our area than burn through a neighbor's fence.

No doubt we are all blessed. We are blessed with loving neighbors who all made sure we were accounted for and had a place to go and who followed up with each other all through the night and the next two days we were still evacuated from our homes.

We are blessed with a city and municipalities and a community who were prepared and dedicated enough to stop the fire from mass destruction, keep us updated, and offer shelter, food, supplies, and support to everyone displaced.

We are blessed with a loving God who listened to our prayers and the prayers of those who love us and spared our homes.

After three days away from our homes, we are more thankful than ever for them. We have a rainstorm coming in today and we continue to pray our homes stay safe from lightening, mudslides, and flooding.

While the images in my head of the fire spilling over the mountain towards us are pretty frightening, we were blessed with the calm of knowing we had our family with us and we left peacefully knowing that was all we needed.

We were lucky. We had time to fill our cars with the material possessions most important to us. And in the midst of the danger, what filled our cars as we drove away allowed me to smile, and even laugh.

So, the hypothetical question of, "If you were stranded on an island and could have only three things, what would you choose?" became a reality for us, posed as, "If you have a wildfire raging down a mountain toward your home, and you had only an hour to fill your car, what would you choose?"

Do you want to know what we chose? It's eerily revealing and the only reason I am willing to share is because we honestly would have left the house and everything in it in a heartbeat. But, because we did have time, here are the things we chose (besides our two days of clothing and hygiene items and lots and lots of allergy medicine):

Me:

Family Documents

Cash

Camera (not pictured here for obvious reasons)

Running shoes (both sentimental and practical when, you know, running from a fire)

iPhone and charger

Laptop (contains all my photos and my 80% finished novel)

Notes for my Novel

Patriachal blessing

Scriptures

Wedding Album

Basket of library books (There's like $500 in books in there I don't want to owe the library)

Bag of eBay items whose auctions ended that very night. (No need to risk my eBay reputation over my house burning down).

I also brought water, gatorade, a bag of string cheese and and a few boxes of Chocolate Chex Mix Bars. Double Box Tops--Boo-yah! Plus those things are delicious. I mean, for the kids. Yeah, for the kids. Not me.

Ok. On to Jake. What did he bring?

Warhammer figurines. Boxes and boxes of Warhammer figurines. He filled the entire second SUV with Warhammer figurines. And paints to paint them. OK FINE, he went back last minute and also got the PS3, Wii, and XBOX 360 and the games for them. And a suit for work the next day. And he threw the kids' bikes and scooters in the back of his truck. But pretty much . . . just these:

He also went inside and ate an orange and made himself some nachos before the police started yelling on their bullhorn we absolutely all had to leave. Bizarre.

The kids were the cutest though. They came upstairs wearing two backpacks each and had two grocery bags full of stuff in each hand, along with their pillows and blankets. Inside those bags?

Taylor:

Several Webkinz and other stuffed animals

Silly Bands

Nintendo DS and case

Camera

Lego Minifigures

Seashell and Starfish

Koosh Ball Animal Collection

Chapstick

Headband

Scriptures (I'm going to say because she wanted to have with her the word of God, not because she
just got a super cute zebra-striped cover and tote for them this week.:) )

Sweater Boots

Running Shoes

Zhu Zhu Pets

Stress Ball

Glasses Case

Chase:

Several Webkinz and other stuffed animals

Silly Bands

Bottle of Water

Beer Bottle doh! er, pirate party invitation holder

6 pumpkin notebooks

Lego minifigures

Bean Bags

Chapstick

Foam Play Gun

Nintendo DS

Headphones

Penguin container from Nana

Stickly Notes

3 Balls (including the Sky Ball, which is pretty darn cool, I admit)

Picture he painted in art class

Ceramic snake he made in art class

Puppet from Sunday School

Misc. prize toys

Magic Tree House book

Things I thought about packing after that I didn't: Our guitars, my press pass

And finally, necessities we bought at the store yesterday: Newspaper with the cover photo of the fire, razors, toothbrushes for the kids, a puzzle, Diet Coke, and chocolate.

Teach my kids how to be cool.

2009-07-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Teach my kids how to be cool.

I have been putting off telling about out latest family vacation, but something happened today that inspired me to post.

Let me start from the beginning and end with the cute story.

So a couple of things seemed to magically fall in place:

1. Jake got a $200 ticket on the Utah/Nevada border for not changing lanes when passing a cop pulled over on the side of the road. (YEAH). He had to appear in court to contest it before July 15. Not so magical, I know. Keep reading for magical part.

2. My friend Amy bought a house in St. George (an hour from the Utah/Nevada border) and wanted to invite our family down for a weekend with them.

3. New Kids on the Block was playing at the Palms in Las Vegas July 11. (Vegas is just over an hour from St. George).

It was obvious fate was encouraging our families to vacation in St George that weekend, have Jake contest the ticket while down there, and Amy and I road trip the hour or so to Vegas from there for the concert.

The only thing holding us back--it seemed--was the $150 tickets to see NKOTB. A little steep. Even for my crush, Jordan Knight. The obvious solution? Hold an online bake sale. I am not kidding.

Here are some of our awesome goods:

We earned exactly enough in our bake sale to pay for the tickets. Meant to be right?

No.

Nevada only hears traffic cases on Wednesday mornings at 7 am. We would have to go down on a Tuesday and stay the night, which would mean an entire week off work for Jake. Not going to happen. Intentional by Nevada State, I am sure. And Criminal.

Then a whole series of horrible events transpired which started with kids puking in the car on the way down and ended in Amy and I leaving the concert during the opening act to make it back to St. George to be with her 2-year old in the hospital. Yeah.

We're still recovering a little bit. But if nothing else, we did get a few cute pics from the weekend:

Indoor swimming in the neighborhood since Amy had to stay at the house with her still-puking child.

Ice cream at Blue Bunny!

Zions National Park- Going to find us a lizard!

The appropriately-named hike, "Weeping Falls". Our friend's daughter, posing for the photo in front, was feeling sick again.

Sand Hollow! I loved the bright red sand.

Super-pretty scenery!

AND this is as close as we got to the New Kids. This was the opening act. We made it about 2 minutes into it before had to rush to the hospital.

Don't worry, her son was released the next day and fully recovered. Amy gave me these from the boutique as a consolation:

Now for my super cute story!

Taylor hung a birthday party invitation on the fridge today. She used the magnet of Jordan Knight. She pointed it out to me and said, "You know why I picked him?" I said, "Why?" She said, "Because he's honk."I said "He's what?" She said, "What is the word you use when a boy is handsome?" I said, "Hot?"She said, "Yeah, he's hot."

YES!

Then Chase came over and said, "Do you want to know which one I think is hot?"I said, "No."He picked Jordan too.

What can I say, they have great taste.

Find Love.

2009-07-02T10:34:00.001-07:00

Find Love.

Ten years of finding and re-finding love again... and again. A Major, major feat. :)

Ten years ago today:

How can I not love this face?

Breathe in Spring.

2009-05-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

Breathe in Spring.

Can I tell you how much I love spring? Park lunches, golf lessons, afternoons weeding in the sun or reading on the balcony, and evening runs? Ah, I love it all. Despite the occasional snow day in-between. And the seasonal allergies from breathing in a little too much spring.

Here is our spring break in photos:

Kite flying in the circle!

Hannah Montana and Optimus Prime take flight.

Jake's kite-flying skills were far superior to mine. When I was helping all the kites did was take flight enough to whip around and hit us in the face.

Easter!

Egg decorating

Getting Ready for the Easter Bunny

The kids let me know it was neccesary they write him a letter.

And leave him treats.

Their attention to detail paid off-the Easter Bunny left them a plethora of Webkinz.

And then in the spirit of Easter, I then made them pretend they love each other.

To end the break, the kids had their cousins over while their parents went to Hawaii (enter jealous, contemptuous growl here).

We battled the big kids at Classic Skate. My back was sore from picking spilled kids up off the ground. Taylor falls, er, a lot. She was sooo excited to be there, as you can see.

They were treated to an at-home beauty salon and about a million other different craft projects.

Snacked every 30 minutes. I think there is some sort of law that the more kids you have in a house, the more often they get hungry.

And when Mom couldn't take it inside anymore while it rained and snowed outside, we went to multiple playlands and bounce gyms.

Happy Spring everyone!

Stay Young.

2009-03-31T16:40:00.001-07:00

Stay Young.

I haven't posted yet this month and am headed out of town to turn 30 in style (more about that later), so here are a couple photos from the last month. Did you see last week's "How I Met Your Mother"? I so felt like Barney after raving it up all night here at the MC Hammer/Vanilla Ice Concert/80s Dance Party. But I hope I keep doing these things anyway no matter how old I get.

Get Outside.

2009-02-21T14:21:00.000-08:00

Get Outside.

I haven't been updating my blog lately and my mom blames my facebook addiction. She may be right. But the reason I give is I feel like all I have done the first two months of this year is what you see in my previous post--look outside at the cold cold snow and wish it was warm again.

Of course that's not completely true. We've done a few fun things despite the bitter cold. I have a hard time believing it, but here is some picture proof (and excuse the raw photos. One thing that was definitely not fun was losing all my favorite programs on my computer to a facebook virus):

Dinosaur Museum=Fun. (Minus the tantrums, of course)

Goofing off at home=Fun.

Making Valentines for class friends=Fun

Chase setting the microwave on fire by cooking his magic potion for 30 minutes in a plastic cup=Fun.

Oh wait, no. That wasn't fun at all.

Living Planet Aquarium=Fun.

(Scary stingrays= still fun.)

Watching Taylor's uncanny ability to communicate with fish=fun.

Finally taking our yearly family snapshot=er, well, kinda fun.

Going to the Children's Theater=Fun.

We also took our fun neighbors to the Draper Temple Open House and then flew down to Gila Valley for the temple groundbreaking there and those, fine, were fun.

Still, not as fun as summer. Isn't it time yet? Darn you groundhog, coming out on the only sunny day of the season!

Appreciate Utah Winter.

2009-01-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Appreciate Utah Winter.

I don't like cold. And I miss the south often. But mornings I look out my window and see this are something to appreciate too:

(Granted I took this picture from inside my window because there was no way I was walking out in that if I didn't have to)

Keep Traditions.

2009-01-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Keep Traditions.

My family was in town for Christmas this year and I absolutely loved it. We started a lot of new traditions and re-started some old ones. Here are some of them:

Christmas Books.

We don't put our gifts under the tree until Christmas Eve so it looks a little bare all season. This year we started putting all of our Christmas books under the tree and every night the kids could each pick one for me to read to them. Chase's favorite book was a "Search and Find" (like I-Spy) book my mom gave him last year. After picking it two nights in a row and delaying bedtime almost an hour each time, I had to tell him it wasn't really a book, but more of a toy and he needed to pick another one. After he'd run his con on me, he turned to any fresh face he could find:

Chase and Great-Grandpa with the Search and Find book

Chase and Pops with the Search and Find book

Chase and Uncle Andrew and Taylor with the Search and Find book

Chase and Uncle Todd with the Search and Find book

Before most of the family arrived on Christmas Eve, we put on the Christmas music and turned the living room into a dance floor. I like this as a tradition:

Taylor and Pops

Taylor and Great Grandpa

Taylor and Chase were the main entertainment pretty much the entire night. They starred as Mary and Joseph and also signed "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Chase had learned this at his Preschool program and taught it to Taylor. He was a total ham. I have no idea where he gets that. Here is a picture of him at his preschool program:

A tradition we re-started this year is a sugar-cookie making contest on Christmas Eve. As a kid, I remember some wild sugar cookie concoctions. This year was a little more tame but I was impressed with the creativity all the same:

Andrew and Todd

When I told my brothers to pose with their cookies, they simultaneously did this. I also have a picture of the end-product of Andrew's cookie but it is inappropriate for the web.

My Dad skipped out during the sugar-cookie making but returned later to throw together the token 3-D cookie pictured here. It's no 2-foot cookie tower, but respectable nontheless. When he was gone was also when a surprise visitor showed up at our door---Santa! I have some super-cute video of this but I can't find the cord to hook the camcorder up to the computer. Santa was also nice enough to accompany me to my neighbors' houses that night to deliver some Christmas goodies.

Another new tradition I am fond of is the making of the Gingerbread House. While Jake and I went to his work party, my mom made these with the kids. She even provided gingerbread house-making outfits:

Nana and the Kids

(Taylor still does not like having her picture taken)

The kids were allowed to eat it the day after Christmas. (Matcing PJs also compliments of Nana)

Some traditions from the holiday I don't want to keep:

*Jake puking his guts out all Christmas Eve and not leaving his bed.

*Jake pulling his back out on Christmas and not leaving his bed.

*So much snow Christmas morning we couldn't make it to the family photo, which was the kids' present to our parents.

*Taking impromptu family photos when I just got out of the shower:

(Out of like ten photos this is the only one where one of my brothers isn't intentionally sabotaging the photo by grotesquely rubbing his belly or chest hair)

Merry Christmas to all! (Late and also because I didn't get any Christmas cards sent this year).

Finish Basement.

2008-11-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

Finish Basement.

Jake and I are staying home and finally completing the two-year basement finishing project this Thanksgiving weekend. More than double the house--what are we going to do with all that space?

I went out a lot this past month and I've been thinking about it and maybe it's because once the house is finished, we may just never leave the house again.

Here are some of the new rooms:

Game Geek Room

A room completely dedicated to multiple computers and gaming systems.

Here Jake is at the exact moment he reached the esteemed Level 80 on World of Warcraft last week. I may never see my husband again once this room is complete.

Jake was out of town on business all week last week (which makes his Level 80 only nine days after the expansion release all the more impressive) and got back just in time for me to go see Twilight with some of my girlfriends. Not only did he make it home on time, he brought me back a Twilight t-shirt to wear to the show. How cute is that?

Saturday I was back at the theater with Jake and the kids to see Bolt. Super-funny, by the way. I highly recommend it for all ages. I had to soak it up though because beginning next month, I introduce:

The Theater Room

For $1 at Redbox the family and all our friends can see the latest DVD release in the comfort of our own home. Why ever go to the theater again?

After Bolt on Saturday and tucking the kids snugly in bed, I took off with my friend Sue to see Coldplay in concert:

(I was sans camera and this horrible phone picture only proves we were there.)

I stole this pic from a friend who was also there. It felt more like this. The whole thing was so surreal.

The best part? Thanks to an awesome well-connected neighbor, the tickets were free! Jake was torn between my begging him to be my date and reaching Level 80 before the weekend was over. You can see from the top photo which he chose. So he will be glad when we complete:

The Home Automation Room

This room's only purpose is to house all the equipment for Jake's dream: Every song, movie, light, alarm, sprinkler and thermostat in the house at his control with the touch of a screen. Who needs to go to a concert when you can pump their music through your house with the touch of a finger?

Which may be a good thing because after amazing performances by New Kids on the Block and Coldplay, the concert addict in me has resurfaced and it could get really expensive, really fast. Secondhand Serenade at Saltair this weekend? Gary Allen in Wendover next month? Two more loves of mine--I want to see them all!

On paper my life has seemed like the life of a single gal but in reality, 90% of my day is spent with my super-cute kids or helping out at their school.

This month Taylor worked on an art project for more than 20 hours and entered it the school "Reflections" arts contest this year again. We were a little nervous she would be upset if she didn't win after winning last year at both the school level and the next level and then having her work displayed at a local museum. She didn't win this year, but was thankfully content to have the distinction of "Honorable Mention". Here she is with her super cute art piece:

Think of all the great creations she will make for next year with the completion of the:

Arts and Crafts Room

One of the bests parts about finishing the basement though I think is the kids can finally walk out a door right into our backyard to play. This should give Chase a chance to work on his soccer skills. Not that his skills this year weren't top-notch:

As seen in the middle, Chase mastered the skill of not using his hands. (I also love the little girl on the left-hand side)

This was Chase's signature move. He would lift his shirt and distract the other team with his blinding white belly. Brilliant and very effective. He used it a LOT.

But we all know sports aren't just about mastering skills and signature moves. They're also about learning the value of teamwork. Here Chase is, displaying his grasp of the concept, enthusiastically raising his hand in response to the coach asking, "Who wants to sit out of the game first?"

Here is the team photo after the last game of the season. Chase posed again with his signature move. (You can also see another teammate unsuccessfully trying to mimic the "belly flash".)

While obviously highly skilled, there were times when Chase ran around in circles outside the ball huddle. It was almost like he had two left feet. I have to take responsibility here though as this might have something to do with me accidentally bringing to the game one of his shoes... and one of Taylor's:

Chase--literally--had two left feet.

All in all though, you can see we took the season very seriously:

Meet a New Kid.

2008-11-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Meet a New Kid.

I love these guys.

Don't know who this is? Maybe you know them better like this:

or this:

That's right. NKOTB 4EVA!

Seriously. The Block 2008: Best concert EVER. Not even as a joke. I truly, truly, LOVE these guys.

And Jordan, my love. I hope you noticed me in my vintage 1989 t-shirt, denim skirt, hot pink leggings, and big hair. Even though they confiscated our signs:

And security kept us from storming the stage. But I hope you still saw the five of us in all of our dedicatory dayglo glory rockin' out and singing along to every word for three hours straight.

You:

Me:

I'll be loving you forever,
Michelle

Celebrate Fall.

2008-11-01T19:24:00.001-07:00

Celebrate Fall.

I love fall. And it goes by much, much too fast. October, I love you! It's now November which, though technically is still fall, is the month where I compromise that it can snow and though I will be mad, I won't yell at it.

Here's how we spent my most favorite month of the year:

The "World Famous" David Archuleta corn maze at Cornbellys. The kids love this place. Like last year, I forgot my camera. Actually, in true Michelle form, when we arrived I realized I forgot my camera AND my wallet, so we had to drive all the way back home for them. While I did remember my wallet, I forgot the camera again the second time out the door (I admittedly have brain damage) so all we got was a cell phone pic:

I bought this cell phone off craigslist when my old phone was stolen (and probably sold right back to me). When I went to send the pic to Jake off my phone, I found some leftover goodies in the photos section from the camera's previous owner:

We also made it down to Hee Haw Farms where the kids did basically the same things as they did at Cornbellys with the addition of petting farm animals and picking their own pumpkins:

And, the best part about October (besides the 5-pound candy weight gain), tons and tons of baking and crafts. These spiders were my favorite. The kids made forts one day and to my surprise, even wanted to keep their "pet spiders" in their forts:

To end the month, we also had our annual costume party with a small group of awesome neighbor friends. Jake and I were Shaggy and Velma. (Though Jake had trouble remembering the correct names and often referred to us as "Scabby and Wilma"):

Fun. But the real stars of Halloween:

Daphne and Scooby Dooby Doo! Love these guys. It wouldn't be Halloween with out them (and their easy-to-steal candy loot).

Plant.

2008-10-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Plant.

Our yard has been devoid of plantlife since we moved in, now over two years ago. With Lowe's clearancing shrubs after the first snowstorm for 62 cents, I couldn't resist bringing home a truckload.

Here's a picture of my friend Cami, helping me plant the very first plant in our yard.

This was, I realized, the first time I planted anything with the intent to keep it alive. (My only other planting attempts were science projects with the kids--projects I put our on the deck to get some sun and forgot about until the following day and all that remained after the nightly wind storm was a few scattered empty science project cups. Oops.)

I loved it! It was very Zen.

Then the boys got involved in the "planting" . . .

I just wanted to plant a couple shrubs, that's all!

I should note here that Cami is the one who actually maneuvered this heavy machinery for the majority of the day. She's awesome. As are my all neighbors who helped me pull of what turned out to be a complete yard rennovation.

My yard has plants! Now let's hope we can go a couple of weeks before it's all covered in snow.

Act more normal--for the kids.

2008-10-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Act more normal--for the kids.

Yup, snow this weekend. One of the eight months of the year I ask myself again and again WHY I live here. I do not like cold!

The kids love it though so I took a few pictures of them enjoying this weekend's snow storm. Looking through the photos, more interesting to me than how depressingly snowy it is for my favorite season, is what a nut Chase is turning out to be. Sadly, there is no mistaking he gets this quality from me.

Check him out in this series of photos:

Hmm. Looking again it seems I may need to feed them more often too.

See the SYTYCD Live Tour.

2008-10-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

See the SYTYCD Live Tour.

My friend Sue and I went to see our favorite SYTYCD dancers live on tour last month. I loved the show, which was no surprise, but I was surprised that my favorite part, I think, was Sue's sudden, very loud, enthusiastic and apparentally uncontrollable outburst to break the silence in the arena after her favorite dancer, Will, came on stage:
"Will I love you!!!!! Your body is so hooooooooooot!"
A classic moment.

Heal.

2008-10-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

Heal.

You know what's not a good idea when you haven't slept in a week because you have a sinus infection and can't breathe?

About 1/4 mile into the race, I knew the best answer to that question: run a marathon.

One near-asthma attack, one panic attack, a sneezing fit, and one second degree hip flexor strain later I had made it to mile 7.

It was all I could do to limp home the last little 19 miles. Dehydrated, no less, from crying the whole way.

I'm going to go ahead and put this out there so it doesn't surface as blackmail as some crucial date later in my life. This is me, stumbling toward the finish line, six and a half hours later. If I look like I'm about to give someone the finger, or throw up, or lifelessly collapse, it's because I nearly was:

Catch up on life.

2008-10-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

Catch up on life.

Both because I've been both super-busy and super-sick as I endure the longest and worse allergy season of my life, I haven't blogged for a month and I'm going to catch up over the next few days.

This will come as a surprise to no one, but I have a little bit of a problem saying "no". Not because I'm afraid to, but because a million different things genuinely sound fun to me. And when I say "yes", I sincerely believe I will have the time and energy to do it all. And usually, I do. Every once in a while, though, my list gets a little too long and my stress level gets a little too high for any kind of peacable feeling in our home.

Chase started preschool this year and it has been a reality check that my time with these two little kids at home is quickly slipping away. My goal this year has been to scale back on on my million activities and focus for a while on being a mom and housewife and enjoying feeling fulfilled in just that. I love being a stay at home mom and wife have no doubt I can feel fulfilled being only that. So I don't know why it has been so hard to let go of other things.

One huge step in minimizing the clutter in my life was quitting my job at the paper. Although it didn't really take that much time away from home and I enjoyed the tangible accomplishment of seeing my writing in print, the stress of deadlines (and trying to sound professional while interviewing the mayor, locked in my closet with my four-year old banging on the door and screaming my name, then realizing I didn't bring my laptop or notebook for that matter into the closet with me and thus taking notes on a shoebox with a crayon...) had its affect on my life and as a result the lives of the rest of my family. It's been five days since my last story was submitted to my editor and I already feel lighter and more at ease with my kids.

Now the challenge will be resisting the urge to say "yes" to something else (or three something-elses) to fill its place.

Chase's first day of preschool (we're a month in and he LOVES it, and I love that he loves it):

Spray house for bugs.

2008-09-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

Spray house for bugs.

As Taylor and I were completing a quick run around the block a couple of days ago, she was taken aback when suddenly I grabbed her, swung her behind me and took on a frozen, protective stance.

This is what I saw:

Ok well, not EXACTLY what I saw but pretty close.

No lie, a full-sized, full-on TARANTULA-- just walking down the sidewalk in the neighborhood.

I gasped. Taylor screamed.

Still frozen in a combination of fear and disbelief, my mind immediately identified it, but then dismissed the idea because I could not bring myelf to believe tarantulas wander our yards. I was too scared to try to kill it myself, so, with Taylor flying off my arm behind me, I ran to the neighbor's house whose yard it was in and rang the doorbell. No answer. Ran across the street. No answer. I don't know what I was looking for but probably one of the macho dads to come out and kill it so I didn't have to.

Letting it roam the neighborhood did not seem to be an option. I conceeded I would have to take matters into my own hands and ran back to the site of the initial spotting only to find two ladies with strollers stopped and watching the spectacle with a face of disbelief identical to mine. Then the brave one nonchalantly walked over, picked up a big rock, and dropped it on the specimen. Dead.

The three of us talked about it and convinced ourselves it was some child's escaped pet.

Later that night when my other neighbor informed me her husband had found one dead in her yard the day before, the comforting thought of an escaped pet vanished. Two escaped pets? Unlikely. Tarantula invasion? Now much, much more likely.

Yikes! My kids are now instructed to keep the garage and front door closed and inspect all shoes before putting them on.

Jake has been instructed to spray the yard. I can't help but think though it's not going to have any affect on a tarantula. If you have ever seen one in real-life, they are less spider and more some strange form of monster-mammal that would be better stopped by some sort of fencing than any spray.

The next day I went back and took a picture of the thing, now shriveled and dead and thus much less scary looking but try to imagine it crawling down the sidewalk toward you, about the size of your hand:

On the bright side, looks like no decorations neccessary this Halloween to spook the neighbor kids.

Pull weeds.

2008-08-31T19:41:00.000-07:00

Pull weeds.

It made a very big pile.

Now what do I do with it?

Anyone filming a Western next month? I will have plenty of tumbleweed for the set.

Fill in my running resume.

2008-08-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Fill in my running resume.

I've completed dozens of 5Ks and one marathon in my lifetime but never any distances in-between so I thought this year it was finally time to change that.

Now let's stop right here and so that I don't give the wrong impression that I am a super-good runner who really has a resume, let's point out here I'm saying "completed" and not "competed in" because I am embarassingly-slow long-distance runner, am not competition to anyone, and have plans to apply for no actual running job. Just so that's clear. Don't make me any offers.

So before I was a Mom, I used to be motivated to run races by a bunch of petty things like t-shirts and medals and ambition and pride but I no longer collect any of that, so I'm pretty sure the motivation now is just the weekend getaways that running races more than two hours from home require. Luckily, some of my friends are also willing to run a 1/2 marathon as payment for a night away too so that's what we did.

So here is the run down of our slumber party, er, I mean half marathon!

Four of us cruised in high-class style up to Logan in Amy's natural gas Civic. Here we are filling up at the specialty gas station. Well, Amy is trying to fill up while I mock and take pictures. (This could have been a separate post because Jake is thinking of buying one of these status symbols too):

How does this work again? Hmm. Hmm? Hmm. Hmm!

It's working!

Oh wait, it's not, I have to pay first.

How do you pay?

Ok, NOW it's working! No, it really is! This is not another premature thumbs up! No, really, look, it's filled up $3!

Ericka was very scared while she watched in the car.

Sure it took us 20 minutes to figure out how the pump worked but what's a little pride when you can drive 8 hours on $6 of gas?

We then met up with more friends for the all-important carbo-load dinner. This is another major selling point to the whole race charade.

We then took over the basement of Amy's super-cute grandparents. I was a little surprised that a slumber party can turn you instantly into a bunch of 13-year old giggling girls but that it did. I think it was also a coping mechanism for awkwardly sharing a full-sized bed with your 30-year old neighbor. So is taking a picture of it:

We then woke up super-early the next morning and met up with two other bras from our "6 Bras and 6 Supporters" team and rode the bus for like 4 hours from the finish line to the starting line. OK maybe it was like 20 minutes but it felt like 4 hours when you know you're going to run it back. 13 miles is a long way!

Riding the bus:

Here are the four bras at the start. This run is soooo pretty! And mostly downhill. So awesome:

And here we are at the end!

My friend Liz ran it too and I saw her and her cute baby Hank at the finish line to cheer her on! OK well she finished it way before me so technically they weren't at the finish line any more they were like on their way out to their car but same thing.

There is a full marathon on the same course that runs down the same canyon and through the cutest little mountain towns next month. It's going to be fall foilage! So many of my favorite things--so tempting! Any takers?

Finish the Twilight Series.

2008-08-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Finish the Twilight Series.

Me and my friends went down to der Wal-Mart last week . . .

And waited at midnight with hundreds of other crazies for the fourth and (hopefully) final book in the Twilight series. We did not wear our prom dresses with the overly-obsessive high school girls. That's not to say I wouldn't have if I hadn't planned more carefully...

800 pages in 2 days. Darn you Stephenie Meyer and your literary cocaine!

Get into a routine.

2008-08-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Get into a routine.

The last 6 years have been glorious.

Sadly, those days are now over. That's right, people, I have to set my alarm clock again.

I stretched it out as long as I could by putting Taylor in afternoon kindergarten last year but first grade started last month and I'm afraid for the next 14 years--there's no going back.

We said goodbye to our days of luxurious lazy mornings with a "Mermaid and Pirate Treasure Party" to celebrate the kids' birthdays on our last weekend of freedom. I wish I had thought to take pictures of the kids sifting through a sand-filled plastic pool for buried treasure but here is a photo of some of Chase's booty.

I did get this photo of the pirates after the party:

After a treasure map hunt, a seaweed wrap relay, dress-up, presents and cake, the summer was officially over. And it was sitll July. Cruel, this year-round school, isn't it?

Also ending after 6 years is Taylor's tolerance of my obsessive picture-taking. She refused to pose for a first day of first grade photo so I had to be tricky and tell her I was taking Chase's picture. Then I placed Chase right in front of her so I could get her in the background. Sneaky, Sneaky!

Making it even harder to get out of bed in the morning, I hurt my back helping move a playset into our yard that we bought from the neighbors. The monster took ten people to relocate. Here is a picture of Jake's family moving the little piece:

Here is a picture of the whole thing. I couldn't even get it all in the picture but it is very big. And very, very heavy.

Because of a lingering guilt over the kids' stolen summer, I let them have a taste of those carefree months tonight. Literally. The ice cream man came into the circle and I couldn't say no.

This is Chase's before picture:

Aaaaaaand the after picture:

Taylor was still opposed to photographs so this was the best I could get from her (lucky for me the ice cream had an uncanny resemblence) :

But ice cream can do a lot of things for one's spirit and it wasn't long before she was smiling for the camera along with all the other neighbor kids:

Goodbye sweet summer and sleepy mornings. It was a good ride my friends.

Visit Tennessee.

2008-07-18T17:07:00.001-07:00

Visit Tennessee.

After four years away from the homeland since my last visit, I was due for a trip back. So, last week I took the kids out to visit the grandparents for ten days in Tennessee. Jake stayed home. He was amazingly still alive when I returned, only slightly skinnier (if you can imagine) from almost two weeks of not eating.

After so much time away and so many new roots being planted here in Utah, I wondered if it would feel the same as it used to when I returned to the south--that feeling of returning "home". And even though so much has changed since I lived there--my parents live in a new house, the school district tore down my high school and rebuilt a new fancy one in its place, there's new subdivisions and shopping centers everywhere you turn--it was an unmistakable of feeling returning to and rediscovering--well, a part of me.

Ok enough for the serious stuff. It was also hilarious to remember the great quirkiness of The South (yes it needs to be capatilized). Within 24 hours I had seen a sign in the front yard of a small backwoods home advertising the "Paternity Testing" business they conducted there, the back of a minivan decorated with car paint the phrase "Jesus Saves" with a Bible verse quoted beneath it, and a grown man with a t-shirt from his "Rebel Cockfighting" tournament. Awesome. Oh, and let's not forget the Nathan Bedford Forest giant (seriously giant) gold statue monument some guy put up on his property which conveniently is on the only tree-cleared patch on the side of the I-65. Nice.

I was able to meet up with my good friend from high school, Kristin, who has since moved back to Franklin with her husband (no fair). We snuck into an open door of the new high school one evening and reminisced, despite the fact the only remaining part of the original school we attended was one of the gyms and the track and football field. We did find two old track trophies I helped win. It was good to see there was at least SOME evidence I went there. I was surprised I didn't have my own giant gold monument outside the school but, whatever. The two of us then went downtown and had dinner and cruised the square. Only once because it's now against the law.

The rest of the week was spent entertaining the kids and hangin' out in the country with my parents and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was beautiful, relaxing, and --especially out on the patio watching the sunset and listening to the incredible late-night thunderstorms--incredibly cathartic.

Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos I took from the week. And I still need to get the hundreds of photos my Mom took of the week.

Taylor walking the two family bassett hounds up the long driveway. The kids and the dogs were best buds before the end of day one.

Water gun fights in the backyard.

Such pretty scenery!

Craft time at Nana's Day Camp.

Washing the berries after a berry-picking expedition!

A visit to the Nashville Zoo.
The zoo was fun but in the end, Nana's house had just as many new animals to watch than the zoo did!

Entertaining the dogs.

A bird nest at kid-eye level being built on the patio. Each morning there was a new egg inside!

Toads in the garage.

Lizards on the porch.

Catching butterflies in jars.

And bunnies everywhere! (Pops spared us witnessing what the reason for the pellet gun in his office). We didn't even get photos of the wild turkey, deer, horses, cows, or fireflies!

Taylor's 6th birthday was our last day there and we celebrated by dinner at Chuck E Cheese and cake and presents at home. The kids also had a few great nights with Pops while Nana and I went shopping.

We had a great time and the kids keep telling me how much they liked Tennessee. But---the tell-tale sign they really did enjoy themselves? Chase cried all the way from waving good bye at security until we got on the plane because he missed Nana and Pops already.

Run the Wasatch Back.

2008-06-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Our team. Minus one who was running.

Run the Wasatch Back.

This past weekend me and my awesome team of 11 other friends from the 'hood ran this 180.2-mile, 30-hour relay from Logan to Park City. Everyone runs about 6 miles-- three times--in the dead heat of day and deep freeze of night--without sleep. Sounds crazy so you can only imagine how fun it was because 7000 other runners took on this bad boy! And our team already signed on again for next year!

Team Name: 6 Bras and 6 Supporters
Team Slogan: "Holdin' nothing--and everything--back"

Here are some pics of our team running:

7 miles on a dusty dirt road. I have never seen such scenic places as we ran through!

Waiting--worried-- for our runner to cheer him on. He was running 8.5 miles down a knee-jarring hill on a sprained ankle!

Go Amy! Headlamps and reflective vests required for runs through the middle of nowhere in the mountains in the middle of the night. Cougar repellant optional.

I'll post the video when it's done. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Back up Photos.

2008-06-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

Back up Photos.

It has been a super-busy month but in a good way--lots of fun trips around town with the kids and such. Here are some of the 1000+ photos from the month I need to transfer from my camera and then back up along with thousands of others waiting to disappear when my computer crashes.

The Zoo

Chase with his head in the gator's mouth and Taylor's cute feet on the snout.

I love this sequence of events:

(And what you can't see is he is holding a napkin in the other hand).

The kids reading the map of the zoo and showing me the way. I loved it. I loved even more that I conveniently forgot the wagon and they walked the whole way--shockingly with minimal complaint.

Taylor up close and personal with the white alligator.

Oh yeah, this is the second of the two trips to the zoo last month and its intended purpose was to research her animal for a school report: the penguin. Here is a photo of her drawing she did for it, which she cut out and I hung on the fridge. I was super-impressed with her talent. She did it completely by herself:

Field Day

Tug-of--War: Girls vs Boys

Look at that long jump form. She's gonna be a track star!

We found the cutest pair of Nike running shoes at Ross and she broke them in at field day. She loves them so much she asks me every day to go on a run with her. She's faster than me so it's a little embarassing when we pass by neighbors but I love it nonetheless.

And here are a couple more left over on my camera:

Easter excitement.

The story of our Spring 2008:

Hot one day, cold the next.

Which reminds me:

Taylor learned to ride her bike!

Oh and here is a picture of the cute neighbor boy running a lemonade scam, I mean stand, where he tried to charge $1.55 for a half-cup of lemonade. While it was practically snowing. Chase was on cup number 4 and lost half his life savings before I caught on and stopped the charade.

Today was Taylor's last day of Kindergarten and they had the sweetest little end-of-the year program. She's no longer a Kindergartener! I only almost-cried.

That's it! Lots of cold weather and rain getting us through the first week of June. Global warming? I don't buy it.

Revisit Vegas.

2008-05-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

Revisit Vegas (with college roomies)

Just over ten years ago, my roommates and I made an escape from the watch-eye of BYU and on a whim after dinner at the Cannon Center one Friday, decided to high-tail it to Vegas (and then LA) for the weekend. We had a reunion in LA last year and this year it was Vegas, Baby!

The baby part being quite literal. Brooke and Liz just had babies and this was their first trip away from them. Being as they are nursing, they had to pump every three hours of the trip. It certainly put a different feel to this Vegas trip than our last one. At a gas station in St George? Pumping. In the hotel room? Pumping. In the Mandalay Bay parking lot? The Ceasar's Palace parking garage? Oh yeah, pumping baby. Who knew electric pumps had car adapters? I kinda wish I didn't.

Somehow between all the pumping, we managed to lay out at the pool, go to the movies and see Baby Mama (I told you it was the theme to the weekend), see Mamma Mia! (more motherly themes), and shop H&M. And H&M Baby. My old women friends were not up the roller coasters I wanted to ride. boo! I did, however, take a belly dancing class while the old ladies had massages. (Nikki, you'd be proud). OH and we went and ate at Toby Keith's "I Love this Bar and Grill" at Harrah's and watched the Jazz whip on the Lakers.

The next night, while we were wildly cruising the strip (ok, driving to The Cheesecake Factory), Deana Carter's "Strawberry Wine" came on the radio straight from 1997 and we sang along at full-volume. We were feeling pretty nostalgic until when the song was over, the DJ came on and said, "Wow, it BLOWS MY MIND how OLD that song is!". Haaa. Perfect.

Oh yeah and Brooke put $5 in a slot machine and accidentally bet it all on like one pull. It was pretty funny.

Since I'm feeling nostalgic, here are some photos from both Vegas trips.

2008- I drank two full Mason Jars of Diet Pepsi at Toby Keith's restaurant. NO ONE in Vegas had coke products. A major, major flaw of that city. Oh and I loved Toby's awesome top model face in the poster behind us.

I loved it so much I copied it the next night in our photo shoot at Mamma Mia!

Liz wasn't quite tall enough to reach the cut-out. Haaaa.

The three of us posing with a poster? Not sure what we were thinking here. We stood there awkwardly for like ten minutes until we mustered the courage to ask someone to take this perfect photo-op for us. What a bunch of weidos.

OK, now for some throw-back pics.

1998-Luckily, Liz could comfortably reach this cut-out. (And the neon-colored background is from my awesomely-designed Freshman year scrapbook.)

Brooke and I with our collection of casino cups, which for some reason we thought was cool. (This was back when they had casino cups and not all these new-fangled electronic machines). And apparentally we thought wearing overalls and wrapping sweaters around our waist was cool too. Ah, the 90's.

I was one of the few BYU students NOT looking to get married off during my college years. Ironincally, I was the one married just over a year later.

So there you have it. Let's do it all again in ten years, girls.

Make more earth-friendly decisions.

2008-05-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Make more earth-friendly decisions.

The whole "save the earth" campaign has always kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

Well, I guess technically not always. In middle school I thought it was really cool to use recycled paper.

But, since then, I have proudly piled my cases of bottled water in my cart at the grocery store, carried everything else home in plastic bags, unabashadly used styrofoam at parties and cared only about the cost of the massive abouts of gas consumed by my massive SUV.

I have to admit that is changing. A bit. The whole earth week guilt-trip still got on my nerves, as does the fact it's now the "trendy" cause, but over the last couple of months I have nonetheless been making some small changes:

Since Chase decided he didn't need diapers (yay!), I haven't needed the plastic grocery bags to seal them in before taking them out to the trash. So, I bought some reusable grocery bags and use them instead at the grocery store. Unless I forget to bring them, which honestly, happens a lot. Then I use paper. Unless I forget to tell the bagger. And unless I'm buying lots of bottled water. Because I guess I would rather look like I don't care about the earth than like a hypocrite.

Which brings us to the issue of bottled water. Love it. A lot. I am a total water snob. And as a result, my kids have become such as well. But, I did make an effort here. I bought a water filter yesterday and I tried really hard to use it. But, after one day, I found I had drank cans of Diet Coke all day instead of metallic-tasting water and woke up this morning dehydrated. I did, however, convince my kids it tastes great and they are no longer drinking bottled water all day. That's something, right? p.s. Dasani, the best tasting water out there, is on sale at Smiths this week for $2.99 for 24. I bought six. And then didn't use my reusable bags.

Sorry, earth. I'm trying.

Get car window fixed.

2008-04-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Get car window fixed.

So, funny story. My car automatic windows have some sort of electrical short. Some do not work at all and some work semi-dependably. If only I knew someone who knew something about electrical who could fix that---but I digress. The driver's side window works but only if you press on the lower left corner at a 45-degree angle. Not ideal, but crucial to have some functionality for drive-thru service. There is nothing more embarassing than having to open your door at a fast food drive-thru. I know this from experience.

OK I promised a funny story and I realize this is not yet funny. Read on.

So today I stopped at delicious sandwich shop for lunch (Kneaders has awesome focaccia bread and their turkey is super-delish). I paid for the sandwich at the first window. All was going well. I had two super-slow cars between me and the pick-up window and it was freezing outside so I rolled my window up to keep in some warmth, leaving about a half-inch space at the top--just enough so the cold air didn't get in but not all the way so I didn't feel like I was closing-out the teller next to me at the window. Weird, now that I think about it but whatever.

So the car ahead of me moves forward and I decide I should roll my window back down. Well, the window wasn't going down, and, as I mentioned before, I did not want to embarass myself by having to open my car door for the sandwich. So, one alternative method that has worked for me in the past is pushing down a little on the window while pushing the down button. That gives it a little jolt and then it usually complies. Well, not this time. (This is where the story, in hindsight, gets funny). I put my hand (specifically my fingers) through the space at the top and pushed the window down while pressing the down button. But instead of doing DOWN, the window went up. On my fingers. Crushing them.

There was a lot of pain here. And then terror because the button was NOT working at ALL and my fingers were already turning blue. Wow, if I thought opening the door for a sandwich was embarassing, having to scream for help from the teller for this would really be humiliation beyond compare. At one point I saw the teller looking at me. It was good to know I could cry to her for help (I had images of her chucking her till through my car window), but I kept a straight face the entire time. I think I even smiled. Her look was a mixed one of puzzlement and horror. After the longest minute of the day for sure, the window did come down. I non-chalantly took my hand inside and drove forward to pick up my sandwich like nothing had happened. Like I meant to do that.
I know you're all wondering, but yes, the sandwich was delicious. Oh, and the damage to my hand? Amazingly minimal and the pain surprisingly short-lived.
I really should give thanks here because this was all no-doubt an answer to my desperate prayer between the probably-inappropriate expletives in my head.
Just another day in my life. Oh, and I looked for a picture to go with the story but I quickly decided against it. Piece of advice? Don't ever google "missing fingers photos". Pretty disturbing stuff.

Cut out long runs during basketball season.

2008-04-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

Cut out long runs during basketball season.

Our church basketball team this year was, um, AWESOME. (Since two of us are in the relief society presidency, we made sure to announce this fact in class every week along with our standard recruiting pitch).

(How could you look at this team and think we didn't know how to play a serious game of basketball?)

We ended up with a roster of over 20 women on our awesome team by the end of the year. Well, we THOUGHT we were awesome until we played our first post-season game at the region level and got killed.

But I choose not to remember that night (where the refs chastized us for not knowing the game of basketball-- PSHAW) so much as all the other Saturday mornings we slaughtered our opponents school-yard style. And we didn't get into that petty trash talk either-- we always kicked their trash with a smile. We were also the (self-proclaimed) nicest team to play. And prettiest. Wait, did I say that? Well, we did have some cute blondes, I don't think anyone would really argue.

The only problem with the season for me was I was also picking up my mileage for a running event I am training for this summer, and between games in the morning and long runs at night, I wound up hobbling around every Sunday morning. I thought my body was falling apart for good, but (knock on wood) since our basketball season prematurely ended (I think the team we played was stacked), I have been having minimal problems the knees, quads, hamstrings, hip flexor, shins, achilles etc etc. (yeah I was a mess). So next year, I will just not train for anything else until basketball season is over. Problem solved.

This is very good news for all that basketball career is no longer in jeopardy. That's right, my church basketball career. The big time. Take that high school basketball coach who politely told me mid-season I should "concentrate on track because you're good at that."

See Blue Man Group.

2008-04-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

See Blue Man Group.

Jake and I have always wanted to see blue man group perform and when I found out they were going to be at the local Fourth of July celebration with none other than Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana), I thought it a great summer holiday outing/birthday present for my 5-year old daughter--not to mention tickets were a third of the cost it is to see BMG in Vegas.

Tickets, it seems, were impossible to get. The 58,000 seats sold out in ten minutes. Three quarters of the people who waited in the wee hours of the day before tickets went on sale for wristbands did not get tickets. But lucky me (seriously when it comes to concerts I am really lucky. I have gone to many a concert in my teenage years on a free ride from a radio contest), on a last-minute whim, I had no problems at all buying four of them online. So it's either four tickets with great seats for our family, or selling them on ebay and using the money to fund a Disneyland vacation. Sweet, sweet deal either way.

Yay for teeny bopper Disney artists if we don't go and yay for blue man group and the biggest July 4th fireworks show in the country if we do!

Celebrate my birthday.

2008-04-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

(Thanks Jen for the card from this site. They all cracked me up.)

Celebrate my birthday.

I entered the final year of my 20's this week and decided to send my youth out in style. I never thought 30 would scare me until over the last month I found a gray hair, injured my hip playing basketball, AND got the comment more than once, "You're only 28??!!" I would lie to myself and say it was my profound wisdom and maturity that prompts this comment, but well, read on...

I began the week with what appeared to be an innocent day of meeting a friend and her kids at the roller skating rink. Yup, those still exist. These new-fangled roller skating rules allow not only skates and roller blades, but scooters, tricycles and big wheels to boot. Taylor went on her scooter and Chase on his big wheel. It was really, really cute. And also looked really, really fun.

Here are some pics of the kids:

Chase is oh-so-cool with his letterman's jacket and big wheel with his friend Easton.

A daring face-first slide for Taylor.

As you can see, this place also had a huge room filled with the most giant bounce houses and inflatable slides I've seen in my life. These also looked really, really fun. The kids should have a birthday party here sometime, I thought. Too bad their birthday is still a few months away.

Then a light bulb went off in my head.

MY birthday was only days away. A few last-minute phone calls and about 15 of us ages 25-35 were out there skating and bouncing the night away. Who needs alcohol to have a good time?

It's unfortunate I don't have photos of the adults-only night out. But you can imagine how awesome we looked on the skate floor and how incredibly athletic we looked racing through the inflatable obstacle course (that I beat Jake on, thank you, thank you). Thanks also to whoever dedicated the couples skate to me and Jake. HOW did you know "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye was our wedding song?

Just kidding it wasn't. But really, props to all who indulged my childish idea. Especially Jake, whose birthday was last week and I tried to convince everyone this party was for him also. And I also appreciate that no one pointed out the fact that I lamely threw myself a birthday party.

29 4-EVA!

Pick Safe Teams in March Madness.

2008-03-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

Pick Safe Teams in March Madness.

My winning percentage in my bracket is 17.1%. That's right, I have correctly picked winning teams 17.1% of the time. And we're still on the easy-to-call games.

Apparentally choosing schools based on proximity to locations you have lived in your life is not the best method for picking winning teams. It seems that choosing teams according to their seed yields better results.

Who knew?

Come on Memphis, win it all and redeem me!

Win Chicken Little

2008-03-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Win Chicken Little.

I hate this game. Well, all video games outside the Wii, GH and DDR really but this one a lot. I am horrible at video games and I get sooo frustrated when I die over and over and my progress is lost and I have to do the same boards again and again. If it were up to me, I would not play them. Ever.

My kids it seems hate to play them too. My husband bought them "Ice Age 2" and "Chicken Little" to play on the Game Cube but we quickly learned both were too hard for them so they had me show them how to play. Somehow they tricked me into taking over playing completely while they watch. It is the first thing they ask for when they wake me up in the morning. The request for me to play now even comes before "Get me something to eat!"

I beat Ice Age 2 fairly quickly but that darn Chicken Little is more advanced (Ages 10 and up, very tricky) and is taking me forEVER. Keep in mind that to show just HOW bad I am at video games, I have been fully utilizing the online cheat sheet. The walkthrough also tells me I am on board 22/24 so freedom from the shackles of this game is in sight.

Note to Jake: Do not buy any more video games for the kids unless YOU are willing to play the entire game for them.

Play in the Sun.

2008-02-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

Play in the Sun.

The sun is out today and the forecast has daytime temps in the high 40s all week so my intent is to get outside with the kids and soak up some rays. Sure, 40s doesn't sound all that warm but it is a welcome sight to what I have been seeing out my window this past month:

Jake shoveling the walks on a Sunday morning. Church was cancelled and I was supposed to teach, sweet!

The neighbors bring out their trusty tractors to help dig everyone out of their garages.

Still waiting for snow piles to melt in our circle.

This is my favorite. While waiting in the car at the bus stop (yes, we have to drive to our bus stop because our roads are "too steep"...retarded) we watched this city employee try to push through waist-deep snow with a snowblower. Ten minutes later, he had moved maybe a couple of inches through the snow wall. Obviously defeated, he turned to the side, fell straight back and laid down on the snow shelf he had created and made a call on his cell phone, to the city explaining his predicament no doubt. Clearly whoever was in charge on the other side of the call could not phathom what I was seeing because before the bus came, he was back at it. When I went to pick Taylor up from the bus that afternoon the disgruntled employee, and his snowblower, were gone and no more progess had been made. (You can see in this photo the snowblower is barely taller than the snow).

Go to Children's Museum.

2008-01-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

Go to Children's Museum.

Within the time frame of one week each month, I am assigned 10-12 news stories and required to have them written and submitted, with pictures to my editor. The interviewing process usually takes six of those days and on the seventh day, I write. A lot.

During that time, every month, I become increasingly stressed, provide my children with increasingly less attention, and grow increasingly guilty about the whole process.

This past week extended into about 10 days and the entire family is ready to unwind from it all. One of my favorite ways to reconnect with my kids is to visit the Children's Museum.

I have found it is a deceivingly difficult place to get photos, which is fine, because I can just focus on having fun with the kids. Who doesn't enjoy building things and playing make-believe?

Write retaliation blog post.

2008-01-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

My husband thinks he is so funny. Let me tell you a little story. It goes a little something like this:

Boys wants gun
Wife says no way
Boys begs for gun
Wife says no way
Boy buys gun anyway
Wife buys safe and locks gun in safe
Boy asks for combination
Wife says no way (who's laughing now?)

Jake insisted my desire to keep lethal weapons away from a home filled with curious children was because I was afraid of guns. To prove I was not, I let him drag me along shooting. When our friends began taking pictures of me shooting I knew I was in trouble and it wouldn't be long before Jake updated his 8-month hiatus blog. I was right. Read his latest masterpeice here.

Take kids sledding.

2008-01-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

Take kids sledding.

Last week for family night we took the kids to a sledding bowl in the neighborhood. The kids of course had a blast. Jake was in charge of pushing them down the hill. He was also in charge of pulling them up the hill. That looked like a lot of work. I put myself in charge of the all-important task of taking pictures of it all.

Clean up Christmas.

2008-01-03T09:44:00.002-08:00

Clean Up Christmas.

Instead of spending the first three days of the new year cleaning up Christmas, I spent them caving into societal pressure and reading the first three books of the Harry Potter series. And starting the fourth. Oh, and uh, taking care of the kids and stuff. Darn that Harry Potter.

Now, I am left with the task of dismantling our Christmas tree before it becomes too embarassing to let people into the house and reveal our "WT" status. I may even take down the Christmas --er, "party lights" we left up all of 2007 off our deck. But only because it turned out half of them didn't work when we turned them on after Thanksgiving. Otherwise I would leave them up because our friends all totally bought into the whole "party light" theory.

I usually count on Jake documenting Christmas with the video camera but this year it only recorded about 5 minutes before the tape ran out. And the first minute is recorded with the lens cap on. I was upset but not as upset as the time he recorded over the first two weeks of the life of our first child with his friend's water-skiing (love you, hun!). But, since a Christmas post is not complete without Christmas morning pictures, here are a few I took:

Mail Christmas Cards.

2007-12-28T22:24:00.000-08:00

Mail Christmas Cards.

I finally, finally got most of these mailed today. If you don't get yours, so you know, this post totally counts.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and beyond!

Wrap presents.

2007-12-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

Wrap presents.

Remember how I ordered all my Christmas gifts online? Well, Amazon, for some reason, finds it necessary to box each item individually in a box ten times the size of the item being shipped. No lie, ten times. So pictured is the mound that arrived on my doorstep this week. Embarassing.

I have so far convinced my kids the boxes are "stuff for church" and they've totally bought it. I'm waiting for a friend of theirs to point out the obvious and foil my cover though so it's time I get these gifts wrapped.

Because there must needs be opposition in all things, I also had to unwrap the gift that arrived in a box for me! Pictured below is the Christmas gift from my parents. Being the dork that I am, I have been SO excited to get it and can't wait to hang it up, YEAH!

Attend awards ceremony.

2007-12-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

Attend awards ceremony.

Cute little Taylor's picture was one of five winning pictures for her school Reflections contest (out of 260 entries in her category grades K-6!).

She was so tiny, when she went up to accept her medal, the vice-principal, who was handing them out, was looking around for her for several minutes before she realized she was standing right in front of her at her feet.

Taylor keeps saying, "I can't believe I won a medal! It's my first one!"

Order School Pictures.

2007-12-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

Order School Pictures.

Hooooooow cute are these?

Before she left for school that day she actually showed me her "poses" she planned on for the photographer. She told me when it came time to take the photo though she was too scared to do any of them.

Here is one of her before-school practice poses:

I think she may have seen me watch a few too many episodes of America's Next Top Model (but how else was I to make it through the 60 episodes TiVo recorded for me??)

Christmas shop for kids.

2007-12-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas shop for kids.

I am completely done shopping for my kids for Christmas and I did it all in less than an hour, sitting on my bed all toasty warm with the swirling blizzard outside my window, while my kids played in the next room with friends. I love the internet. Totally worth the total $20 shipping.

Download "Wicked" Soundtrack.

2007-11-10T10:12:00.001-08:00

Download "Wicked" Soundtrack.

I am incredibly lucky to have been adopted by Jake's sisters and be included in an incredible (expense-paid for all of us! thank you again Jenni!) girls weekend last week.

The three sisters, Jake's mom, myself and another lucky sister-in-law high-tailed it to L.A. last weekend for a three-day getaway. Jake stayed behind with the kids and didn't have one complaint about the ordeal. I know, how lucky am I?

We opened the trip with amazing up-close and personal tickets to "Wicked: The Musical". I was nervous as I sat between the two soundtrack-obsessed sisters and made only one rule: no singing along. They obliged. It was amazing. Seriously amazing. (The performance, not the fact they obliged).

(The six of us at Pantages Theatre for Wicked)

To top the night off, we apparentally sat only rows in front of a real-life celebrity as we followed movie and television star Felicity Huffman out of the theater and through the streets of L.A. back to our car. Sarah moved in and got an border-line-invading-personal-space look and creeped the star out enough to make her turn around, away from her, but looking right at us. Sweet! There's nothing like a star-spotting on Hollywood Boulevard to make a Hollywood trip.

The next day we went to Universal Studios and I was able to convince only two of our party to go on the good rides. The other sister-in-law I am sure barely survived a heart attack and Jenni peed her pants (well, she claims one of the dinosaurs just "happened" to spray right between her legs, but I am doubtful as to the legitimacy of the claim). I laughed maniacly the entire time. I do love my amusement park rides. We also got to see "Wisteria Lane" from Desperate Housewives. Unfortunately, they were filming (the reason Huffman was in town?) and we only got to look down it and not drive down it. Still....awesome.

(I got this original photo booth idea from America's Next Top Model. I knew I was learning valuable information from that show)

We finished the trip with a visit to where we think, but are not sure, was the fashion district and came home with some discount goodies for all. Good times, good times.

I finally got around to downloading the soundtrack last night. This also required finally setting up my itunes account, 7 months after purchasing my shuffle. That's two to-do items checked off my list in one night! I will now spend the next 7 months uploading our 500+ cds (and reminiscing about our super time!).

Have a Halloween Party.

2007-10-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

Have a Halloween Party.

When Jake suggested we have over a couple of friends we haven't seen in a while, I took that as an invitation to not only invite them over, but to make it a party...and then also give the night a theme. And I still get to call it his idea. Awesome.

So we had the "Wig Party" last weekend. It was a simple game night with one requirement: all party-goers must wear a wig.

Everyone looked great. In fact, I looked the lamest of all. But I rocked at Guitar Hero so that makes up for it in my book. Here are some photos from the evening:

Trailer park Cody was creepy even to his wife:

Sue's wig is made of feathers. For real.

We decided bangs looked good on Amy and tried to convince her to cut her hair. And perhaps die it purple.

Jake and I were the least convincing of all. But rocked at guitar hero, just remember that.

Carve Pumpkins.

2007-10-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Carve Pumpkins.

The family carved a pumpkin last week for a family activity. Well-- I carved the pumpkin while Jake played computer games and the kids watched me do the carving-- that was, until they eventually got bored, went to their room, sat in front of the TV and called to me, "tell us when you're done."

But they were giddy with excitement again when we took the pumpkin outside and lit it's smiling face in the night for the first time. I love Halloween, but it's so interesting to me that a holiday centered around monsters and demons is so family-friendly. Look at the wild light spewing from the pumpkin's mouth unbeknownst to us while we take a smiling photo--eerie.

Run a 5K.

2007-10-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

Run a 5K.

Running a 5K? Yeah, waaaaay harder than running IN a 5K.

Inexplicably, I have had the desire for a while now to put together and direct my own 5K from scratch. When the responsiblity of the school fundraiser fell in my hands? I couldn't help myself.

It was fun to see the entire event come to fruition but I have decided I can check it off my list for good. Race sponsors, race t-shirts, course approval, registration, timing, prizes, goody bags...absolutely no need to put myself through those four months of all-consuming stress again.

Pull out winter clothing.

2007-09-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

The kids making their first snowman of the year, Sept 29, 2007.

Pull out winter clothing.

September snow. Sigh.

Man up, Autumn! Can't you hold off winter at least a month or so? You fight for what, less than two weeks, and you give in, just like that?

I do love the smell of the furnace the first times it fires up for the season. And the excitement of the kids with their noses pressed against the window asking when they can go outside and make snowballs in the season's first snow. I could, however, have waited another 6 weeks for those moments.

Make Veil for Wedding.

2007-09-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

Make Veil for Wedding.

It only took eight years, but one of my brothers got married last week, making me no longer the black sheep in the family. Yay!

Taylor and Chase were both flower girls, er, children. They were both, of course, adorable.

Chase and Nana

Taylor

My sister-in-law put way too much faith in me to make the flowergirl headbands, baskets, and yup, the veil.

I only accepted because my own veil was made by (family secret now being revealed) my father. If Big Al could pull it off, I figured, so could I.

It went off without a hitch! Unless you count the headband being too big for the other flower girl and her refusing to wear it and the bride's homemade veil flying off in the wind and rain in the middle of the ceremony.

Oops. I tried.

(Photo of the beautiful bride only moments before her veil took flight)

Other then that, it was a beautiful and delightful ceremony. Congrats to my bro and new sister-in-law!

(Joining of families representation with flower bouquets)

Post more items on blog.

2007-09-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Wow! I hadn't checked my mail since Thursday and what a mistake! I opened it today to find, along with--I counted--nine clothing catalogs, no other than the incredible Baker's Edge brownie pan in my last post! Anonymous gifter, reveal yourself!

What a great surprise, thank you!

I also wanted to now blog about this awesome car, that if it was priced $170 instead of $1.7 million, I would totally buy it...

Bake brownies.

2007-09-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Bake brownies.

If this pan was $15 instead of $35 I would buy it in a heartbeat. I am so glad to know I am not the only one who loves the edge pieces of brownies.

I think it would be awesome for lasagna too.

Get hair cut.

2007-08-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Get hair cut.

It seems no matter how many times I get my hair cut, it always grows back...

Break in new running shoes.

2007-08-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

Break in new running shoes.

A new pair of my favorite running shoes arrived yesterday and I can't wait to break them in today. Stepping into brand spankin' new running shoes (especially these super cushy ones) is one of the best feelings in the world.

I will also have to try out the neon orange reflective material at night. They are supposed to increase visibility but they are so orange and so reflective I'm convinced they may provide night vision as well.

Watch HSM2.

2007-08-20T13:22:00.001-07:00

Watch HSM2.

That's "High School Musical 2" for those of you not in the know. It premiered last Friday on the Disney Channel--with record breaking audiences, I might add. Did I record it? Of course I did. Am I the biggest 20-something dork ever? Of course I am.

Can't wait to watch it!

Dress as well as my daughter.

2007-08-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

Dress as well as my daughter.

Off to Kindergarten in her skinny jeans and peasant top... so cute! If only I could dress so trendy. (Not that my cut off sweats and tee shirt I'm currently donning aren't cute. Well...shoot.)

Use Water Filter.

2007-08-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

Use Water Filter.

I was floored when I read this article on how Salt Lake City won a contest for best tasting water. Mostly because not 20 minutes outside the city, my city's tap produces what quite possibly is the foulest tasting water known to man. Maybe it's not that different. Maybe I'm spoiled with bottled water and I can just feel really sorry for the rest of the nation. But even my three-year old son cringes in disgust when I try to trick him with a glass from the tap.

I do, however, feel guilty for filling my recycling bin twice a month solely with water bottles. I think eventually I will give in to a filter on the tap. But it's just so hard to give up the convenience of grabbing a water bottle on the way out the door, or throwing it in my tote on the way to the pool, or putting it beside my bed for when I wake up without worrying about floaties and bugs I can't see floating in it in the middle of the night. If I recycle the plastic bottles, am I really that bad of a person for enjoying them?

Order School Shirts.

2007-08-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Order School Shirts.

Aren't the elementary school t-shirts awesome? (Say yes because I designed them). I know, you can't wait to see the backs. Here they are:

The girls' shirts are cap-sleeved and fitted and the boys are 3/4 sleeve. My favorite though are the hoodies. Available in adult sizes too!

Ban video games in our home.

2007-08-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ban video games in our home.

Well, all except Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution, of course.

I just read about a new service that allows gamers to pay, say $10, to play a video game online against other players and the winner takes home the proceeds from that game. This has to be the worst idea ever. It is also my husband's dream come true, so it's a good thing it is banned in the state where I live. Here is the article about it. My favorite is how they claim it is not like gambling at all.

Have my plants call me.

2007-08-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

Have my plants call me.

I got the biggest kick out of this segment on "Good Morning America."

It is a device that triggers your plant to call you, identify itself, and let you know what it needs. I can't tell you how much I need this. The voices crack me up. My favorite is the Scottish Moss (2:50 into the segment). Check it out here.

Take advantage of summer.

2007-07-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Take advantage of summer.

Schools starts next week. That's right, next week. Then comes fall, which I love, but then...then comes winter. I don't so much like winter.

At all.

As I checked off the days of winter, I told myself I was going to take advantage of summer this year--be outdoors and appreciate it before everything froze over again. We still have time and will still do more but already the days are getting shorter and I feel as though we should have tried harder.

But here are a couple of things we did get out and do...

Fourth of July fishing

Best Buds

Jake's friends and their boys went fishing the morning of the fourth and caught what I think are the cutest pictures ever.

Small town carnival

1st pony ride

I love that we live in a town small enough for hometown carnivals and rodeos. Yee haw!

And I have the best neighbors ever-seriously I couldn't have picked better neighbors--and we threw a rockin' fourth of July celebration with inflatable waterslides, bounce houses, egg races (I anchored the winning ladies team, thank you, thank you) other games, lots of food, and fireworks (until the cops busted us for being in a no-forework zone and we sat on our decks and watched ten different simultaneous fireworks shows in the valley!) Good times.

Bubbles

Water Slides

You can see she takes these things as seriously as I do.

Fireworks in the circle.

Throw Taylor's Birthday Party.

2007-07-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

Throw Taylor's Birthday Party.

Taylor had her birthday party today.

Hello Kitty was the theme for the nine little girls we had over. Jake ducked out near the beginning and left me trying to juggle the craft projects, birthday cake and candles, presents, pinata fanfare, and multiple emotional breakdowns by the birthday girl (we had to have a second round with the pinata where I shook candy out of the headless kitty for only Taylor to grab) all by myself-- thus my explanation for lack of photos this year.

I am all partied out. No more summer babies.

The photos I did get after the party...

(Taylor made this mouse from one of her birthday presents and I just thought it was really cute)

Take Anniversary Trip.

2007-07-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Take Anniversary Trip.

Jake and I have been married 8 years today.

Yup, 8 years. Who'd a thought?

No trips this year but it's on my list for when we reach the big 10.

This was our last anniversary trip. It was our honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta. I can't help but think it looks like a "before" picture. And that it was so long ago digital cameras were a new phenomenon, thus the blurry picture.

Happy Anniversary, hun, I love you!

Throw Chase's Birthday Party.

2007-07-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Throw Chase's Birthday Party.

Chase had his 3-year old birthday party yesterday. After pouring through the party catalog that came in the mail last week, he chose Ninja Turtles as the theme.

Coincidentally, my younger brother, with three of his friends, dressed as the four ninja turtles one day in high school.

My mom thought it clever to overnight that costume to my older brother, who lives in town.

He accepted the challenge. And it totally made the party.

(I also emailed this picture to his girlfriend, along with the information that it can be made poster-size at Costco for only $9)

To complete the 80's flashback, Chase's big present from us was a new big wheel.

Happy Birthday, Chase! (Don't make fun of my last-minute make-shift Michelangelo Ninja Turtle cake. There was a reserve store-bought cake for guest consumption.)

Speak Spanish.

2007-06-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Speak Spanish.

I took 6 years of Spanish in the course of my education and know enough to communicate in the language.

About three of four times a year the opportunity presents itself to use this aquired knowledge. Every time I shy away from it.

Case in point. Last week a spanish-speaking man rang my doorbell and handed me a paper with directions written in spanish. I could see he was supposed to install granite at an address on a different street with the same number coordinates as mine. I knew how to give him basic directions in Spanish but he waved his co-worker out of the car who I could see knew a little English. The directions came to me first in Spanish. But did I use the Spanish? No, I translated it in my head first to English and made lots of hand motions to give them the directions. What an idiot.

Next on my life-long to-do list? Embrace those Spanish-speaking opportunities. No matter how idiot I sound, I can't look more idiodic than I did giving those directions with big wild arm gestures.

Go to splash park.

2007-06-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

Go to splash park.

Our neighborhood has the coolest little splash park that my kids LOVE. I loved it too last year mostly because it was a good excuse to be outside in a bathing suit (to get a tan, not to show off my awesome Mom-bod). But this year everyone seems to be showing up fully-clothed. I am working up the courage to try to change that.

The 100-degree heat sent us over last week. Here is the abbreviated portfolio of the afternoon :

Love these guys.

Declare "Friday Night Blackouts".

2007-06-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Declare "Friday Night Blackouts".

Pretty much all power in the city and neighboring city went out yesterday afternoon and stayed out until 10pm.

When the kids came running in complaining their TV was off, my first reaction was panic.

But them something really great happened. First, I realized I would not be able to cook dinner. Such a shame. With that stress off my back, I began picking up the house. Then the most amazing thing happened--the kids started helping.

I had no emails calling to me to come sit down and take a break at the computer. I had no guilt over failing to work on my website or getting anything listed on eBay. Soon, the house was clean and without computers and air conditioners and TV, it was quiet. I was in a little bit of heaven.

Then it got hot. Really hot. And it didn't feel so much like heaven anymore. So we went out to dinner.

I came home to lights, cool air, and a clean house without any dinner dishes. I think I am going to call the power company and see what we can do to to schedule a blackout every Friday night (but only until 10pm).

Go to Book Club.

2007-06-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Go to book club.

This is our book club. What a fun bunch of hot chicks, huh?

Susannah had the novel idea (no pun intended) of holding book club this month at her vacation home in St. George and extending our typical 4-hour time slot away from husbands and kids into about 4-days.

Jake, for some reason, wasn't as excited about it as I was, but I sure thought it was a great idea.

While we do actually read a book and discuss it every month (ok FINE I never finished "These is my Words" but I read them most months, I promise), we realized our common interests are much more broad and thought, why limit ourselves to books? So we decided to re-name it simply "club".

Future excursion plans include a self-defense class, tennis lessons, definitely more Dance Dance Revolution (including the husbands next time), and bowling. I don't think everyone was crazy about my "tap-dancing book" idea as our bowling team logo, but they'll warm to the idea.

Emily is going to learn to play the fiddle and I think Val and Nat should learn drums and keyboard. I would fight Sue for rights to the guitar and win, and Sue proved she would definitely, definitley be awesome at lead vocals. And any dance choreography.

Clearly, I had a great time. Can't wait for the next one.

Shop IKEA.

2007-05-23T13:10:00.001-07:00

Shop IKEA.

IKEA opened in town today. People had been waiting in line since Monday for the Grand Opening. Monday? Seriously?

I mean, they have some cool kids stuff, but their inexpensive grown-up stuff isn't all that inexpensive or grown up.

Don't get me wrong, it's on my list to go, but waiting in line to get in when the doors open? Entertainers for the opening day crowds?

Strange.

Give up Diet Coke.

2007-05-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Give up Diet Coke.

I didn't think axing Diet Coke from my life completely was a real long-term possibility until today. While out dropping off mail at the post office, I was taken by thirst and suddenly, I realized I hadn't had Diet Coke in a couple of weeks (gasp) and immediately stopped for one at the next Wendy's (who incidentally carries the best-tasting Diet Coke).

And it did nothing for me. No euphoria as I took the first sip, no calming sensation as it slid down my throat--nothing but maybe a little disgust for the taste that had become such a good friend of mine. I didn't even finish the drink-- which has never, ever happened. (I think I hold the record at numerous restaurants for most glasses of any beverage consumed by a single customer).

Then I came home and drank a Gatorade and realized this delightful beverage has been replacing my Diet Coke addiction the last couple of weeks. Gatorade and I --we have a history. We have been through a lot together. Gatorade has been my life-long "feel-better" drink since it first comforted me while I lie dying on the side of the track after my first-ever 400m race in high school. It has since gotten me through pregnancy sicknesses and ugly bouts of influenza and now, without me even realizing it, it has supported me through my Diet Coke withdrawal. Diet Coke, you are nothing to me.

Ah, a new addiction. Sugar-laden, yes, but still better than Diet Coke, no?

Go to the zoo.

2007-05-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Go to the zoo.

It's zoo season and we kicked it off Friday in 90 degree weather with every elementary school class in the state. We had to wait in line to see animals. It felt wrong.

But it yielded some super-cute photos as trips to the zoo always do.

I took this picture of the kids . . .

Then afterwards Taylor walked up to me and said casually, like she'd done it a hundred times before, "Ok, now I'll take one of you" and held her hand out for the camera. Then she took her first photograph ever. . .

Not bad.

Vacuum House.

2007-05-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

Vacuum House.

We have been through 5 vacuums in the past 2 years.

Two of those were in the past two months, and when the last one stopped working a couple of weeks ago, I was finally ready to admit there may be a problem with the operator of the vacuums, and not the vacuums themselves.

May.

Not that I am a particularally wreckless vacuumer. Sure, I suck up a cord here and there, get a bathroom rug caught in the brush everyonce in a while, and maybe now and again send a coin or two tumbling around the belt, each time, but wreckless? Nah.

Regardless, since the others were all from Costco and returnable until I wore out my vacuum privileges there, I am vowing to be more careful with our new vacuum, which although is the least expensive one yet, has killer reviews and so far (it's been used once today and I cautiously only sucked up one rug and it only smelt like burning rubber for like 2 minutes), I like and recommend very much.

Broaden Shopping Options.

2007-05-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

Broaden Shopping Options.

I just bought myself a super-cute, sporty, kelly green sweatshirt for $4.99 at the mall! It was so cute and soft, I turned on the A/C in the house just so I could wear it. My husband even commented how much he liked it when he walked in the door and saw me in it.

Best part? I bought it on the clearance rack, at The Children's Place, in the boys section.

Life is full of surprises.

Note: For those of you who demanded picture proof I don't look like I'm wearing my kids' clothes, here you go . . .

Write a novel.

2007-05-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Write a novel.

We're reading a book about a high school vampire love story for book club this month.

And it's awesome.

You'll just have to trust me on this--I never watched Buffy or had any vampire affinity before this-- but I read the first 500 page self-indulgent novel in three nights and completed the equally large and sappy second novel three days after that.

I don't know if it's the way I relate to the author (who is LDS, graduated from BYU, lives out west and wrote the book as a busy Mom with little kids) or the way I strangely relate to the characters (Yes, most of them are ten years younger than me and then, you know, they're vampires--so I'm sure this is just excellent writing on the author's part. Well, that and maybe my super-pale skin), but something about reading these books reminded me of the pestering pipe dream I've had all my life that there's a novel somewhere in my head as well.

So, anyone have any ideas what it's about? I haven't a clue...

Oh yeah and the main character in the books we read drives the 16-year old me's dream truck pictured below. Brilliant!

Run around a high school track.

2007-05-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Run around a high school track.

I picked up a new freelance gig and I'm back on the high school sports beat. It's good to be home, old friend.

I don't know, though, if I will be able to attend a track meet and resist the temptation to sprint around that perfect rubber track like I've been longing to, just once, like the good 'ol days.

Isn't is sad how few opportunities we have to break into a full-on sprint when we grow up? That is, in an acceptable setting and not out the sliding doors after a 2-year old, leaving behind your purse and crying older child while paying for craft supplies at Michael's, which doesn't count.

Run more races.

2007-05-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Run more races.

I knew I would need the motivation, so I cleverly convinced two sisters-in-law and my hubby to run a race with me last month. Our professional race photos came in the mail this week and I thought it my responsibility to make sure everyone saw them.

Here is a great mid-run photo of my hubby dashing to the finish line.

And here is a great mid-run photo of my sister-in-law dashing to the finish line.

And here, is yet another great photo of my other sister-in-law dashing to the finish line.

And this. This is my photo.

This is a great photo of me-- about to vomit-- AFTER crossing the finish line. Why didn't I get one of those great photos like everyone else of me dashing TO the finish line?

I like to think it was because I was too lightening fast to be caught on film and somewhere on the photographer's roll is a puzzling streak of fury, too fast to be identified. That, I am certain, is the only explanation behind this injustice.

Wish Kristin Happy Birthday.

2007-04-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Wish Kristin Happy Birthday.

Today is my best friend from high school's 28th birthday. I have a tradition of thoroughly embarassing her for her birthday--gifts given at school that were wrapped nicely and ripped open in front of a crowd only to be packaged again in feminine product boxes, envelopes sent in the mail with pictures of her in her skimmies on the outside--I was a great friend like that. We live across the country from each other and I so rarely get to see her and miss her tons, but this year I decided a photo tribute on my blog would still keep the tradition in place.

Happy Birthday, KristOn!

Send swap package.

2007-04-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Send swap package.

I signed up for this swap a few weeks ago--the idea behind it was basically, you find 3 "mellow" (this is up to interpretation) items in the same color family, send them to a stranger you are assigned who also signed up for the swap, and receive a package of the like in return.

What's not cool about sending gifts to/receiving gifts from a stranger?

My stranger was particularly cool and I received the nicest package full of pink hues! She was even thoughtful enough to include a little something for my kiddos, which they were, and still are, thrilled about.

We must have been on the same wave length because I sent her pinks too! Here is the pic she took when she received it--to my relief, (as far as I can tell) nothing is broken!

Thanks again so much, Laura! Check out all the swap photos on Flickr here.

Play Guitar Hero.

2007-04-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Play Guitar Hero.

I knew I would love this game.

What I didn't know was I would love "kickin' my husband's trash" in a video game even more.

Our friends came over and introduced us to the phenomenon last night, inspiring my husband to buy one (well, two) first thing this morning for our house (no doubt so he can practice, beat me, and reclaim his video game supremacy), and also inspiring my friend to start her own sure-to-be awesome blog, "Sue's Fun In the Sun", here.

Vote for American Idol.

2007-04-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

Vote for American Idol.

American Idol finally convinced me to vote last night by promising to donate money for my votes. Blake Lewis all the way baby!

Then the fine representations of my southern homeland on the show tonight convinced me to make my own donation.

Well it was either them or Jack Black's awesome rendition of Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" and the reaction of Black's biggest fan in the audience who was crying, holding his own rose. Classic.

Throw big party.

2007-04-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

Throw big party.

I've been wanting to throw a big party and I pulled the "birthday card" to guilt Jake into agreeing to an 80's-Themed Murder Mystery this past weekend.

How can 30 people decked out in neon colors, jelly bracelets, acid wash jean jackets, biker shorts, and crimped side ponytails NOT have a good time?

Add to that a little role-playing, murder solving, and of course breaking out the running man to Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now"--it doesn't get much better than that.

These pictures are courtesy of the awesome looking friends pictured in the second photo. I thought my camera was broken so I didn't take any pictures. Turns out I had just put the batteries in wrong (those AA batteries are complicated) but that's another story. . .

Lenny and Linda . . . er, My hubby and I . . . we were characters in an 80s band Jake named "Crying Heart" (you can't see it but those are tears and a heart scrawled on his face).

"Mark" and "Maria" in their like, totally awesome outfits!

They look innocent enough, but the two assasins on the left (even the one on crutches) murdered about half the party before it was over. And stole their victim's loot, giving them the most money at the end and winning them the acclaimed DVD "Teen Wolf". Oh yeah, Michael J. Fox at his best.

I wish I had pictures of everyone. Mostly so I could use them later as blackmail.

Rock on Crying Heart!

Watch TiVo-ed comedy.

2007-04-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Watch TiVo-ed comedy.

When events of the world hit me strongly, I think it's healthy to release some of that stress through laughter. You probably already know this, but in case you don't, these are the 3 best laugh-out-loud shows on TV to do so:

Doogie Howser --as he will always be known to me--totally makes this show. We watched the re-run episode with Lily as the hunchback stalker last night, seriously, so funny.

Buy mullet wig.

2007-04-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Buy mullet wig.

I bought this new mullet wig on eBay and really, really hope it arrives in time for Jake to wear to our 80's party Saturday.

Download songs.

2007-04-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Download songs.

My own tiny little shuffle (perfect for running with- I don't do arm straps) was finally delivered (blue was totally the right color-choice) and I am especially happy with my engraving word-choice on the back :

"michelle rocks"

(get it? get it?)

I am now faced with the impossible quandry of which song to honor by downloading it first- Suggestions?

Throw out mouthwash.

2007-04-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Throw out mouthwash.

Coincidence the three of us using this product were sick the entire month we were using it? Guess not.

Thanks, Doc, for recommending I poison my kids.

Play with Kids.

2007-04-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

Play with Kids.

The Easter Bunny brought each of my kids a great toy.

My favorite is this Barbie.

Taylor saw an advertisement on TV and loved it. It crossed my mind to consider whether it was some kind of SNL commercial. Alas, it was not.

Let me tell you how it works. You open the dog's mouth by lifting its tail and feed him the tiny magnetic "treats". You then push down his tail and the "treats" come out the other end.

That's right. But the good times don't end there.

Barbie, the community-conscious diva she is, then properly scoops up the mess with her magnetic pooper scooper rod, and deposits it in the doggy trash. The treat-turned-mess then falls through the trash into the conveniently located doggy treat box, ready to be recycled again for hours of pooper-scooping fun.

After viewing the commercial, I told Taylor is was kind of weird. She said, "yeah, but I really want it."

And after playing with her all morning, I admit it is strangely entertaining. Good call, Easter Bunny.

Work out.

2007-04-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

Work out.

Not being able to run on this sprained ankle is driving me crazy.

Does anyone know of a worthwhile workout I can do?

Ice Foot.

2007-04-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ice Foot.

A friend invited me to meet her with my kids at the gymnastics gym for "open gym" yesterday. My kids needed to exude some energy so 15 minutes later, I was out the door, kids in tow.

I was excited for my kids as I took off their shoes and socks and they looked wide-eyes in anticipation at the rock climbing wall, padded obstacle course, trampoline, and of course, the foam pit.

Then it happened. One of the instructors said to me, with way too much nonchalance for my reaction, "Adults are allowed to play on all the equipment too."

I held back for a bit. I bounced with my kids on the trampoline. I hung on the rings. I walked on the balance beam. But two things were calling me. The open spring floor and the climbing rope/foam pit.

I haven't done a roundoff backhandspring since my cheerleading days and even then, it wasn't all that pretty. But I have been dreaming of the chance to try it again on a spring floor for years. So I did it. Twice. And landed on my feet, (thank you, thank you), which was my only goal.

Up next: Climbing rope and foam pit.

I waited in line with the 6-year olds for my turn on the rope. I was pretty sure my weak arms would merit me, at most, two hefts up before I plunged in the soft foam below. But what I had forgotten was the techique involved of using your lower body as well. When those elementary school contest-winning skills came back to me, I was up the rope in no time.

Then came the fall into the soft foam below.

. . .Or the not so soft foam. Seems I weigh a BIT more than the 8-year old I saw do this before me and more weight=more momentum=more force=sprained ankle.

The doctor put it in a splint and I'm just hoping it heals in time for me to at least jog the 5K in two weeks I've paid for.

But I'm told the fall was really cool looking and I totally showed up those other 6-year olds.

Water plants.

2007-03-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Water plants.

My father-in-law and his wife asked if we would keep their plants when they moved to another, hotter, state last month. I warned them that, no doubt about it, they would be dead when they returned for them.

I was not joking even a little.

I cannot keep plants alive for the life of me. I either forget about them and they die or I worry about them to much and overcare for them and they die. I have killed bamboo before and that's pretty hard to do.

But, as most kids are, my children are fascinated by seeds and plants. I taught Taylor the process of photosynthesis (and the intellectual-sounding words that come along with it) when she was only two. So, conceding to their begging, I allowed them to pick out a seed packet at the store and we came home and planted them and placed them in the kichen windowsill. At the kids' persuasion, I even picked a packet for myself. We put them in color-coordinated cups so we would know whose was whose.

Over the past three days, two of the colored cups have begun to sprout beautifully.

One shows no sign of life. Any guess whose cup that is?

Go on a cruise.

2007-03-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Go on a cruise.

My mother-in-law called us from the Gulf of Mexico Sunday to wish my hubby a happy birthday (Happy Birthday, hun) and to tell us about what happened that day on her cruise.

Buy new stroller.

2007-03-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

Buy new stroller.

Since the mouse ate through our double stroller and I promptly disposed of it, I was on the prowl for a new one. Not just any double stroller, but the perfect double stroller.

I was looking for something that wasn't too big for small aisles at the malls (like my jogging stroller), something that could still handle long casual strolls outdoors (like the zoo), but something that was comfortable enough the kids would actually stay put in it (unlike my Sit-N-Stand stroller, where I end up pushing the stroller, holding one kid, and holding the other's hand).

I was at Toys-R-Us when unexpectedly, I found it-- The Fisher-Price Kid Utility Vehicle. The name alone is so cool I knew I had to have it. But when my kids saw it and went crazy for it, I was certain it was the stroller for us. Since I eventually bought it online, and will not be returning it, I have to like it. So I do. And here are my reasons why:

The kids sit facing each other, which keeps them entertained, the seats are super-padded and comfortable, it has off-road wheels, and it pulls like a wagon (which is perfect for me as I am one of those people who pulls the grocery cart from the front at the grocery store because pushing it just isn't comfortable, and certainly doesn't look as cool).

I think it will be the perfect stroller for Disneyland. So now I suppose we have to go.

The Cons:

It is hard to take downhill, so it is not a stroller for say, my neighborhood which consists solely of steep hills. I was going to take the kids to the park in it. I turned around half-way.

It folds up compactly and simply, but it is much more complicated and time-comsuming than flipping a latch and pushing it together.

I guess there's always a price that comes, though, with being cool.

Do Laundry.

2007-03-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Do Laundry.

It was a good thing the family had so much fun at the birthday party because that night was spent cleaning up round after round of kid vomit.

I spent the entirety of that night holding towels under Chase's mouth (a method my hubby was skeptical of but, as I saw it, my only option as my 2-year old refused to use a bowl).

The next day was my turn. Then my daughter's.

Needless to say we had a LOT of laundry piled up on the laundry room. I was once again self-assured I made the right decision on splurging for my new washer and dryer, which are AWEsome and (yay!) I finally get a chance to blog about.

The washer holds 23 towels! So freakin' awesome. (It is the set pictured above, though this is not my photo as my washer and dryer are not displayed in my living room. But how cool is it that they could be?)

I still had to do like 6 rounds of laundry to catch up. Now I just need a machine that folds and puts away . . .

Have more fun.

2007-03-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

Have more fun.

We went to a birthday party last week for a friend's daughter at Bouncin' off the Walls --basically a huge warehouse filled with gianormous inflatable slides and obstacle courses . . . so pretty much heaven on earth for any kid.

The best part is adults are allowed to play too. The kids all had a blast but I'm pretty sure Jake and I had more fun (and made bigger fools of ourselves) than any kid there. Thanks, Mark and Amy!

Set Clocks Forward.

2007-03-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

Set Clocks Forward.

Best idea ever. If it was so easy to change the law to give us even more daily sunlight, why oh why wasn't this done decades ago?

My only, ONLY concern is the affect this will have on the glow-in-the-dark costume industry for Halloween trick-or-treating, now that there will be less hours of candy gathering in the darkness.

Is it because of all the talk about global warming and saving energy?

And the even bigger question: Is Al Gore going to take credit now for inventing this too?

Brush kids' teeth better.

2007-03-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

Brush kids' teeth better.

When I took Taylor in for her Kindergarten doctor's exam (yikes!), the doctor asked me if she brushed her teeth by herself. I laughed and told him my kids will be teenagers before I trust them to brush their own teeth.

He recommended this new product I hadn't heard of yet. It's a listerine mouth wash that tastes good, has all the benefits of listerine, and coolest part--it tints the plaque in your mouth blue.

Remember those red tabs from 80's elementary school dental care assemblies (or was that just my school who had those every year)? Same principle but with a way cooler name and color.

Now, my kids are going on 3 and 5 and turns out the process of rinshing your mouth and spitting is still too abtract for them, but I think it's a great idea for older kids. And I found myself using it for kicks too. Pretty cool stuff.

Catch Mouse!

2007-02-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

Catch Mouse!

When we moved into our new house last fall, we were told all the new home construction in the mountains had stirred the field mouse population and to expect to run across one in our garage or basement.

We did see a little one in our garage when we were moving in. He ran away before we could catch him and seen from a distance, the little thing was kinda cute.

When I realized this weekend there was one living in my CAR, totally creeped out, any memories I had involving cuteness towards the nasty creatures vanished.

We suspect he made his way into my car from the field, to our garage, to the stroller (which we sometimes store in the garage), to the car. I became aware of his presence when I found my half-marathon training schedule, which I had left in the backseat, chewed into suspiciously-looking nest-like shreds.

I went to the store and purchased every kind of mouse trap they had. I then left it to my hubby to rid my car of the beast.

My hubby had a preference for the traditional snapping mouse trap so he dotted two of these traps with the suggested peanut butter, set the triggers, and placed them in my car.

The next morning he checked the traps. The traps remained un-triggered, sitting exactly as before. With one exception. The peanut butter was licked clean.

Tricky little devil. I might expect such advanced thinking from a more experienced rodent, such as, say, a city rat. But a field mouse? My hatred toward the creature, now a clever adversary, grew stronger.

I took it into my own hands to dot two of the sticky traps from my mouse trap collection with peanut butter and place them strategically in the car. And I waited.

About 10 o'clock last night Jake checked on the traps. A little confused, he came in and asked me where I had placed them. I told him. He said one was still there, but the other was missing. Completely gone.

Back into the car and armed with only a flashlight, my hubby,and manly hunter, found the mouse. With its front paws stuck to the trap, he was under the driver's seat desperately trying to flee using only his hind legs.

Jake put him in a cardboard box, still stuck to the trap, while we tried to figure out what to do with him. We laughed when we noticed that although stuck and desperately fleeing for his life, the mouse had still taken advantage of his position and licked the peanut butter clean. We battled our sudden feelings of humanity toward the creature and our more dominent feelings of disgust.

Disgust won. He won't be coming back.

Find soundtrack.

2007-02-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

Find "Music and Lyrics" soundtrack.

My hubby and I went on a date last weekend and he let me see "Music and Lyrics."

LOVE this show. LOVE.

NEED the soundtrack. Seriously-- need it.

Plan Dinners.

2007-02-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Plan Dinners.

So somehow I spent all but about $100 of our entire grocery/ household products budget in the first 7 days of the month.

Unfortunately, my hubby was the discoverer of this little tidbit and bewildered, looked around the house proclaiming we had no food and couldn't imagine what the money had purchased.

Perplexed myself, and knowing I did not have any sort of meal plan for the day let alone the remainder of the month, I rummaged through the pantry and freezer and made a list of meals I didn't need to go to the store before making. Despite my early-month overspending, I pledged I would still stay within the month's budget. (Lucky for me it is a short month). We have plenty of cereal, oatmeal, sandwich meats, and soups for breakfasts and lunches but dinner was the real trick. Below is my list without touching the $100 still in my pocket. Though it becomes quite a stretch towards the end of the month, still, I admit, I am quite proud of it.

Feb 10th- Garlic Shrimp Alfredo

11th-Pork Chile Verde

12th-Thanksgiving Dinner (Roasted the Turkey all day and everything. So yummy.)

13th-Turkey Casserole

14th-Lasagna

15th- Steak Dinner! (Liz and Jared were in town last night and came over to watch a TiVo-ed LOST --they made a bad, bad decision and are TV deprived right now-- and treated us to steaks on the barbie, well-salted veggies, Mtn Dew, of course, and ice cream and berries, yum!)

16th-Grilled Hamburgers and leftover steak

17th-DATE NIGHT! (We go out like twice a year, this meal doesn't count)

18th-Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

19th-Taco Salad

20th-Spaghetti and Meatballs

21st-Shrimp Primavera

22nd-Homemade Sausage Pizza

23rd-Ham-Roasted Red Beans and Rice

24th-Broccoli Chicken Pasta

25th-Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese

26th-Beef Strogonoff

27th-Buffalo Wings and Mashed Potatoes

28th-Chicken Cordon Bleu

Any of these may also be substituted with Breakfast Dinner (Pancakes or French Toast, eggs, sausage and hashbrowns).

29th-And even if it was leap year, I have extra stuff for egg, ham, and cheese English Muffin Sandwiches.

Cut Chase's Hair.

2007-02-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Cut Chase's Hair.

Chase has been sporting the long 'do and pulled it off like a rock star but we have had the itch to cut it all off for a while now.

The perfect excuse came along this weekend when I went a little crazy 'trimming" his hair. Here is Chase in his "before" picture.

Soon after hair was flying everywhere.

It made quite the pile.

We have a brand new little boy running around the house. So cute with or without hair, don't you think?

Practice my shot.

2007-02-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

Practice my shot.

We have a three-week hiatus from church basketball and based on the last game, I think it wise to use this time to work on my shot, which is sadly far, far from my basketball life peak, pictured here in Jr. High at age 12. Don't I look fearsome.

Go Hunting.

2007-02-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

Go hunting.

For those of you who were unaware, this morning was the morning of the big hunt.

I awakened at 5 am and as true hunters (huntresses?) do, dressed myself in appropriate winter hunting attire and rolled out of the driveway before the sun rose in anticipation of the hunting expedition before me.

The first animal I encountered was a wild rabbit, but as it scampered away, my eye was quickly drawn to a deer up ahead in the distance.

Stunned by my headlights, the deer stared at me--frightened-- as I drove right past and turned out of the neighborhood. I was not animal hunting; I was bargain hunting!

My sister-in-law and I met and drove to a large warehouse sale where brand new shirts, sweaters, and swim suits, all once priced as high as $80, were rumored to be selling for as low as $2 a piece! The doors opened at 7am and long lines were expected, even in the 17 degree darkness, to break those doors down when they did. We were expecting, and anticipating, the cat fight of all cat fights.

And disappointed we were not.

Arriving 30 minutes before opening, we were among the first in a long line of women desperate for a deal. Not being one for Black Friday or After-Christmas shopping, this was my first experience being crammed with a warehouse of women fighting over a $2 shirt. But $13, two swimsuits, two sweaters and a shirt later, I prevailed.

I proudly brought home my kill and showed the family, then hung it (in my closet) to be admired, and then worn (but not eaten). I also kept it in the front seat with me and did not strap it to the roof of my car. In case you were wondering.

Also, to clarify, I am not the girl pictured who killed the warthog.

Rent the movie "Grease".

2007-01-29T20:40:00.001-08:00

Rent the movie "Grease'.

I shamelessly declare that I love, love, love the new reality series "Grease: You're the One That I Want!".

I now shamefully admit I have never actually seen the movie.

I'm the product of a three-brother household.

I have seen bits and pieces at slumber parties over the years but as I was more interested in torturing early sleepers with cleverly frozen undergarments and hands carefully placed in cups of warm water, I have never watched it in its entirety. I am officially adding it to my long list of "deprived- childhood-girlie must-sees".

I have, however seen this modern-day Grease favorite multiple times.

So I'm starting a list here and now, what other gems am I incomplete as a woman until I have viewed?