President's Day Fun

The kids were stir crazy from being in the house for so many days getting over the pink eye. Both Jus and I had Monday off so we decided to meet family at Cabela's for lunch. Although Justin and I do not get into hunting and fishing, going there does remind us of our Missouri roots. The kids loved seeing all the animals and fish. DID YOU KNOW THEY GIVE FREE TOKENS FOR THE SHOOTING RANGE TO ALL KIDS THAT VISIT? All you have to do is ask for them at the front desk. The boys had a blast shooting stuff with their dad. All boys love to shoot stuff, right?

Happy Hearts Day!

Justin and I woke up to the sweetest gift from our babies today....PINK EYE! How festive of them??? We're cancelling our plans to go couples sledding at Soldier Hollow and going to lock ourselves in the house for the weekend so we don't contaminate anyone else. Justin and I both agree that there is nothing we want more than to spend time together and take care of our sick little ones. Hope everyone has a Happy Hearts Day!

Case and Point

As stated in a previous post, meet the SNEAK OF THE HOUSE... Here she is just after church....behind the chair hiding and in my makeup. I just love how she covers her mouth as to not get caught.

Making Valentines!

As you can see, Valentines take LOTS of tape!

Cutest, Sweetest Boy EVER!

Isaac is the Most Creative!

Looks like hard work

Busy, Busy, Busy as a little

Valentine bee!

ALWAYS the show off!

Confessions of a Bake-aholic

The finished product, aren't they PRETTY???

The boys enjoyed making cookies!

Little Tweeter loved SPRINKLES most of all!

Delicious!

Wanting to help mom too!

Yummy Cream Cheese Icing!

My cabinet dedicated to SPRINKLES (only)!

I love to bake things! One of my favorite memories as a child, like most people is of making sugar cookie cutouts with my mom and grandmas. I have never gotten them to turn out like I wanted. They are usually too thin and crispy. I wanted to make the ones that are fluffy and cake like and that have yummy frosting. I decided that yesterday was the day. Realizing that time was my main enemy, I set aside plenty of time. I always rush things....I baked them on a lower heat than called for, and let them cool for a very long time. I made a heavenly cream cheese icing to finish it off! They turned out perfectly! They were almost too pretty to eat and the kids loved getting involved.

Poor Brittan!

This sweet dog has been a member of our family for about 9 years. Our sister Amy had just had her first baby and being a military family, Brittan got to be a little too much for them. She was our baby before we had any babies of our own. She has taken on her role as nurse maid so well, never complaining or being grumpy. As you can see in the photos, with a little girl around the house now she has also become a dress up doll. She takes the daily abuses the kids dish out to her with a smile on her face. I seriously have seen her smile BIG before! At the end of the day, you will find her curled up at the end of Isaac's or Ethan's bed faithfully. Routinely, she will make her way to our room in the middle of the night. Routinely, she will get kicked out of our room for her foul smelling gas. I know she is getting older. Her face is turning white, she sleeps a lot more but is always ready to play ball. We don't play ball with her enough these days. I remember the days that we use to take her mountain biking in Moab. She would go on 20+ mile rides with us and still be ready to play ball when we got back to the car. Isaac really wants to go see the movie "Marley and Me" but we don't have the heart to make him face the fact yet that our dear Brtittan won't always be with us. This doggie has given so much of herself to this family. I know it will never be the same when she is gone. My sister in law has done so many great things for us and given us so much over the years. Amy, I would have to say that this is the best gift ever. We love her!

She is sooooo proud of her little creation!

A Case of the Chocolate Strawberry

IS THIS...a GUILTY FACE????

Yep....pretty guilty looking to me!

Let's see...I'll just hide it in mommy's drawer and she'll NEVER know.

Now shut it nice and tight to hide the evidence.

What are you looking at??????

??????????????????

This happened in one of my better parenting moments as I was wrapped up in the last few moments of the Superbowl. I came "to" at some point and realized that Tweeter was being WAY too quiet. This is how I found her. Now Jus and I find candy wrappers and proof of routine naughtiness all over the house. The boys never did this stuff but this little lass is SNEAKY!

Funny Hill Kid Quote #7

I hate it when the boy's hair starts growing past their ears. A tragedy occurred this morning while I was giving Isaac a routine trim. I felt the scissors snip through the skin on his ear and a shrieking scream followed. Well, tonight at dinner I was again apologizing for my stupidity and I said to Isaac, "did you tell your friends at school how terrible your mom is and she cut you?" He replied in a very serious manner saying, "No mom, I didn't want anyone to call the cops on you or anything." I realize that my child will probably run away if he ever sees me coming at him with scissors again, with reason.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Today is one of my good friends Brooke's birthday. We met nearly 10 years ago while I was here in Utah for my first visit. The funny thing is, Justin was dating her sister at the time. Brooke also has two amazing sisters Amy and Angie. Meeting them gave me just another reason besides Justin to move here. I feel like I am a better person for knowing all three of them and watching (in jealousy) as they display their unbreakable sisterhood bond to us all. We have shared so much together over the past 10 years. Our kids are now growing up together and making friendships of their own together. It makes me smile to see them grow up together and think of how we use to sit them side by side when they were little babies. Brooke is always happy and has this overflowing bubbliness. She always knows how to make a person feel wonderful. I think she forgets sometimes the awesome qualities she posesses. I love her, I love how she blesses my life and am grateful to call her my friend and my hair stylist!

Root Canal

This pic is both funny and sad at the same time. Our poor Isaac, who has horrible teeth btw had to have a root canal this past week. He has had the worst time with the dentist. Ethan and Abby seem to have perfect teeth with no cavities. This guy works so hard at brushing and mouthwash to no avail. We are glad this is over and happy to laugh at how content he looks sucking on the laughing gas. I have to also say a big thanks to hubby for taking one for the team and not making me endure this appointment.

25 Things Tag

1. I love to do laundry and vaccume, seriously.
2. I buy tons of scrapbooking stuff and never, ever use it. I have a ten year supply in my basement.
3. I'm way picky about eating meat that other people have prepared....don't take it personally.
4. I met my husband when I was 15. I was his friend's date at a church dance. But we never really dated until I was 23 except for a few times in college.
5. When I was 18, my husband told me he knew that I was the woman he was suppose to marry. We were both dating other people at the time. I feel so blessed to have been someone's soul mate and to have married mine.
6.My first kiss was Chris Hite at the top of the twirly slide at the Clinton Park when I was twelve years old.
7. I make my grocery store lists in chronological order of the aisles in the store.
8. I arrange my clothes in my closent by color.
9. I met my lifetime best friend this year...the one that everyone searches for...her name is Becky. I plan on rooming with her in the nursing home....
10. I never liked wearing jeans until this year. My friend is a designer and I love all of her jeans! shopmodbe.com Now I can't stop wearing jeans
11. I LOVE a good garage sale!
12. I sleep with a pillow between my legs every night.
13. I have to have foot surgery twice this year.
14. My mother gave me the best compliment in the world when she said that you can look at our children and see that they are a product of true love.
15. I think I have the most beautiful children in the world (inside and out).
16. I had sideburns until a few months ago when I found the courage to let them grow out.
17. My life's dream and goal would be to go to culinary school someday
18. I love my job, I can't imagine not being with all the grandmas and grandpas here.
19. The first year I moved to Utah I wrecked my car twice. The first time I backed into the neighbor's car and the second time I backed into Justin's car with my car.
20. I drink chamomile tea every night before bed.
21. I secretly want to adopt a baby but know Justin would KILL Me!
22. I love anything with polka dots on it!
23. I spent the first year I lived in Utah trying to figure out how to get out of here...now I just try to figure out how I can stay here forever...truely!
24. White tulips, pink peonies and blue hydrangeas are my favorite flowers.
25. I hate getting wrinkles, but am glad that I am getting happy wrinkles from smiling so much!


I tag Becky, Jamie, Trisha, Brooke, Dana L. & Joleen

And we have music....

Thanks to my technology savvy hubby who figured out the whole playlist thing for me. Pay no attention to what a musical mutt I am LOL!

Funny Hill Kid Quote #6

This is a second hand share....Justin was laying with Abby today trying to get her down for a much needed nap. She began to pick at her nose and then proceeded to pull out a big bogey. She then looked at her dad and said, "Look daddy, it's a snake." The best part is that she was really just trying to make him laugh. Gotta love 2 year old humor!

Funny Hill Kid Quote #5

I have to start this post out by saying YEAH LOST! We are thrilled the time has come for Season 5. Isaac is addicted just as much as we are! Well, we were snuggling in our room the other night watching Lost. I was cozy in between Justin and Isaac. Isaac was extra cuddly and look at me and said, "Mom, I sure am getting romantic in my older age." Of course Justin and I both busted up laughing. He is such a sweet and tender soul. I then asked him what he thought it meant to be "romantic". His reply was, "well mom you know, it's when you're all slow and nice and stuff." This kid is way tooooo much like his father. I then told him that he's only allowed to be romantic with me. Watch out girlllllzzzzz! Muah!

2009 Goal #3

I am working hard on that being a kid again thing and making more time just playing with my sweet babies. We are in the middle of a re-model at work and I have been saving big boxes from all the new furniture we have received. The kids and I had so much fun making this awesome fort while dad watched the playoffs. We have been adding windows and painting ever since then. Come on over and check it out for Superbowl Sunday!

Reflections

Here is a photo of Isaac with his teacher Mrs. Headman. I strongly encouraged him to participate in the reflections program this year. He was frustrated with me and did so with a bit of irritation. He made a really awesome picture and called it, "The Dragon's Castle". I explained to him that everyone should make some kind of contribution. He was the only child in all the Kindergarten classes who submitted anything. As a reward, he got to have ice cream with the principal and came home that day so excited and so willing to thank me for encouraging him. In addition, he got to go up in front of his school and accept an award. Way to go Isaac!

This girl is a REAL LIFESAVER.....

For those of you who always ask me how I do it all.....meet the REAL me! Her name is Aubrey and she is our super nanny of nearly three years now. I love everything about her, really! She is not only a best friend to me but somehow manages to keep our crazy household in order on a daily basis. Our kids adore her. Abby often will ask for her every weekend. I have learned that this is such a great thing. That is, if I choose to work, that they have someone who loves and cherishes them to watch over them in the absence of Justin and I. I can't tell you the countless times that I have gone to the dishwasher or laundry room late at night to find that what I am going to do is already done. Most of all, I have gained a best friend for life. She sees the daily chaos we live in and all my shortcomings and loves us despite those things. I look forward to the days when she has a family of her own because I will be right there backing her up. Love you Miss Aub!

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Sillys In The Tub

Our sweet neighbors got the kids these great big lollipops and they had fun with them. Can anyone say....SUGAR HIGH!

Good Movie

If you are an independent film nerd like us.....be sure not to miss SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE....it was totally worth watching. It made me happy :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)and sad at times, but mostly HAPPY....

HEADSTANDS.....

Well, thanks to our Yoga Masters compassion and skill, I am going to soon be well on my way to accomplishing goal #5.....she showed me the proper way to get into the headstand yoga position at class this morning. I went home immediately and tried to show Jus and the kids but was to fatigued from class to get the job done. Then Justin had fun showing me the proper military way to stand on your head...who knew???? Thanks Jen for all you do and for your willingness to share with all the yoga illiterates in our ward. I have a feeling I will be standing on my head a lot more in 2009!

2009 Goals

I know it is a bit late, but I have been reflecting on what exactly I want to accomplish this year. I guess I figured if I profess them to all of you, I will actually have to put my goals into action...... So here it goes.....

1. To try less to be critical of people and situations and just try more to UNDERSTAND and just LOVE.....even if I am not being LOVED
2. Make time for QUIET and learn to enjoy QUIET....I am always so busy, when I am not busy I am trying to find things that will make me busy
3. Be a kid again (with my own kids) play house, chase, build forts and just have fun more often
4. Make sure that my sweet husband knows and feels each day how much I love and appreciate him
5. Be able to get through a yoga session without falling on my face (those of you who are in our class and reading this are laughing silently I know.......
Number 5 should have been more like....I want to gain mad yoga skills and stand on my head like Dana, Becky and Jen can!
6. Be more organized and put things in their spot the first time.....I just spent a week cleaning out drawers, closents, bags, cars, offices ect. and realized how much easier things would be if I would follow my husband's example of tidiness

THAT'S IT.....I expect all of you to call me down when I am doing something that is not congruent with these goals!

We're Buried in Snow!

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. There has been so much snow here, in fact more than I have ever seen in my nine years living in Utah. We have had a great time playing in the white stuff as well as snuggling in our cozy home together and drinking lots of cocoa. We have also been enjoying the company of Justin's brother Shaun and his family who have just moved back from the East Coast. The kids are thrilled to be reunited with their long lost cousins Gabe, Victoria and Lydia. Isaac returned back to school this week and Ethan will start at a new preschool at Hillcrest this next week. He is excited to get to go to "big boy" school with brother and to ride the bus. Justin and I are certain this will be an exciting new endeavor for him and push him academically. Abby is just doing her thing, being the diva of the house. Her cousin Tori has introduced her to "My Little Ponys" and she has been having fun playing with all her new Christmas toys. Dora is still her favorite. Justin and I have had the chance to go on lots of dates lately and see some good films. We hope to get out on the slopes soon and possible to a screening or two at Sundance. Hope you all are keeping cozy and warm in this winter weather!