Monday, December 29, 2008

Thanks for the great ride Phoenix Metro!


Merry Christmas!





Thanks for the fun Christmas Eve everyone. Another successful party!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Happy Birthday Ty Ty!!

I wish I had the picture of Tyler sitting on Santa's lap--it was hilarious. Katie did you get it?

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Presents and a Lesson on Life by Hillary Weeks

I saw this on a friend's blog and really liked it...

I have many wonderful Christmas memories and one not so wonderful Christmas memory. It was the year I spoiled the surprise. I couldn't help myself. It happened when I was about 17 years old. Everyone was gone so I had the house to myself. With Christmas only a few days away, the presents were piled high under the tree. I had looked to see if there were ample gifts with my name on the tag, and sure enough, there were plenty. As I passed by the tree, the gifts seemed to call, "Open me...open me!" What was a girl to do? Well, I'll tell you what this girl did at least...I took every single present up to my room. I shut the door. Then I carefully removed the tape and wrap from each package and peeked inside. An outfit from my mom. Pajamas from my grandma. (Like that was a surprise.) A new journal. And a several other thoughtful, wonderful gifts. After I finished re-wrapped the gifts, the guilt and regret set in. "Why? Why did I do that!? I just ruined Christmas! Now there would be no surprise Christmas morning!" Let me tell you, it was not worth it. I have experienced other things that were "worth it" such as, eating that third piece of blueberry cobbler with ice cream. Now, that's worth it, but opening your presents two days before Christmas definitely was not. Sometimes, now, I wish I knew what was ahead in life - if I could just see around the bend, even just a couple of days or weeks. Sometimes I would really like to know what the future holds. But I guess that would spoil the surprise. So, even when I'm feeling anxious about days to come I need to trust, not try to figure out or fret, I just need to wait and open the gift of each day, one at a time.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Making Cookies



I only got 2 pictures before my camera died. Be sure and post your pictures! By the way, I think we had another successful  year of cookie decorating and think we have started a new tradition of doing it at Amy's house! What do  you think Amy? I had lots of fun. Thanks everyone!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A Tight Christmas

My dear friends,

Somewhat embarrassing to admit, I'm not getting an annual bonus and
Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you
all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree
that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've
included the instructions below.
How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most
aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the
nifty slippers for yourself....

Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.


Sunday, December 14, 2008

Favorite Christmas Memory

Remember how we started that book of Christmas memories? What ever happened to that? Let's start it on here and each year we'll do a new post with a different memory. 

So what's your favorite Christmas Memory? 

One of mine is the year we got a trampoline. We thought we were all done opening presents but then Dad said he had to show us something outside. We went outside and saw the trampoline. I remember being so excited. Spencer and I wanted to sleep on the trampoline that night. It brought many years of sleep overs, jumping with the sprinklers on, and countless hours of jumping and games. It is still one of my favorite presents that we ever received. 

Happy Birthday Dad


I'm slacking this month--but he won't ever look anyways, right?!?


Friday, December 12, 2008

First Assignment

Sean was informed yesterday that he is needed in Louisiana for his new job at Hensel Phelphs for 7 months. He starts on January 7th and returns at the end of July. He will work for 10 days on and 4 days off. So he will come home twice a month for those 4 days. Here is a link on a map to where he will be going. 


Saturday, December 6, 2008

Oh Dave


Wednesday, December 3, 2008

What's Your Favorite Christmas Movie/story?


Last night at Spencer's house we (Spencer, Marlee, and I) were talking about favorite Christmas movies. Spencer said his all time favorite is "Home Alone." Remember when we all went to see that in the theater together? And the person behind me said, "I would never bring that many kids to a movie!" Good times. Anyways, last night I couldn't think of what my favorite Christmas movie was. I thought about it more today and decided that my favorite movie (and story) is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I love the ending and think it has a great theme. 

So, what's your favorite Christmas movie? (or story)

Monday, December 1, 2008

Happy (Belated) Birthday Jessica!


You're always so good about posting everyone else's birthdays, I'm sorry we are posting yours late! Hope you had a great day!!!

The results are in...

You've probably all noticed the polls have closed on our blog and the results are in. One of us didn't vote but it's too late now!! So the majority has spoken and it looks like we will do birthday gifts next year with a theme of food storage gifts. So let the food storage building begin!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

VOTE FOR ME!!!

Go to www.people.com/lookalikes and click on Katie as Reese then click VOTE

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Run for Nie

Hey everyone--there is a fundraiser for the Nielson family that was in the plane crash a few months ago. It is on January 24th. I don't know how much it is yet, but I am trying to find out. I am going to do it though. Here is a link to the blog that has some more information if you are interested. It will be fun if we all do it!  

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thank you!

I wanted to thank everyone for the canning steamer and accessories that you gave me for my birthday. I am so excited to start using it. First item on the agenda: applesauce and apple pie filling. Yum!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Congrats to Jessica and Marlee on the Casa Grande Tri!!! 1st place and 9th place!!!! You guys are awesome!!!

Sunday, November 2, 2008


MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!!!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

Good luck!

Good luck on the Stair Climb tomorrow--Katie and Marlee!!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Auntie Jo

We had lots of fun visiting with "Grandma Jo" today at Nikki's bridal shower. She says hi to everyone!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Did you know?

Caption reads: "Charlotte Wood, 22-year old student at the Washington School for Secretaries, is able to type 87 words a mminute, 27 words above the number required for graduation. She lives at 3936 Livington St. N.W." 

How many words a minute can you type? Take the speed test here. 


Sunday, October 5, 2008

What's Your favorite part?

Leave a comment with yours and your kids favorite part(s) of conference.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Signs of a Good Mom

Signs of a Good Mom
I went walking with a mother of five children the other day and was surprised to see two bikes on the porch roof.  It seems that her 8 and 6 year old decided to cruise the neighborhood without telling their mom.  The bikes are staying on the porch roof for another few weeks, a daily reminder to them of how mean their mom is.  I love it!  Bikes on the porch roof are a sure sign of a good mom. Since that walk, I’ve been thinking about some of the other lesser-known signs of a good mom.  Here’s what I’ve come up with:

  • Good Moms let their kids get messy.  If you show up at a friend’s house and their child has playdough in her hair and a grin on her face, then you’ve found a good mom.  Good moms hope that Crayola means it when they sell “washable” markers.
  • Good moms let their kids splash in puddles and throw rocks into the river.
  • Good moms let their kids ruin a few outfits.
  • Good moms laugh at their kids’ jokes, even when they’re not funny.
  • Good moms discipline their kids, even when the punishment is harder on the mom than on the child.  My friend is secretly wishing she could take those bikes off the roof and get the kids out of her hair.
  • Good moms are willing to read “Go Dog Go” to their child twenty-six times a day.  They just hope their two-year-old doesn’t notice all the pages they skip.
  • Good moms know it’s important for children to dress themselves, even if what they wear is embarrassing.
  • Good moms say encouraging things like, “Wow, what a neat snake!” and “That is a beautiful bug; why don’t we find a home for him OUTside?”  Good moms proudly display all the rocks their children bring home, even when they secretly throw them out the back window a week later.
  • Good moms think dandelions are beautiful.  Especially when their kids blow the seeds in someone else’s yard.
  • Good moms believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, even though they forget to email the tooth fairy five nights in a row.  They act surprised and excited when the tooth fairy leaves a note apologizing for the delay in picking up the tooth.
  • Good moms make their kids say “I’m sorry” even though they know the child doesn’t really mean it.
  • Good moms let their kids dress up like superheros.  Every day for a year.  Or two.
  • Good moms can be found on the couch reading to their children while the dishes and the laundry and the mail piles up in the kitchen.
  • Good moms develop amazing ways to keep important things out of the wrong hands.  In abook I read, a mom of ten kept donuts, potato chips and other goodies in the dryer and only once in a while ruined the clothes because of it.
  • Good moms let their kids have a woobie.  Even if the child is a boy and his woobie is a pink pillowslip, they don’t sweat it.  Even when he shows up for the first day of Sunbeams and announces to his teacher, “My name is Michael and this is my pink woobie.”  Even when he brings it to preschool for show and tell.  Ten times.
  • Good moms roll with the punches.  They laugh (eventually) at the mirror covered in toothpaste, the five gallons of water spilled on the floor, the Christmas presents unwrapped, the carrot cake turned upside down on the floor, the infamous syrup disaster, and the fingernail polish artwork on the wall.  They also cry sometimes.
I thought these were pretty funny as I can definitely relate to them. Especially, the one that says good moms let their kids dress themselves. Carter came out for church a couple of weeks ago in his red car slippers because they "were red like his shirt." I had a screaming child trying to get them off and finally decided if he really wanted to wear them he could. When we got to church I tried one more time saying, "we're at church now, time to put your church shoes on" and he said OK as happy as could be!! My lesson was learned! 

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Thinking Back Tuesday...

Hard to believe there are 12 of them now!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Keith and Jason at Huntington Beach

Keith and his boyfriend with their boogie boards. Aren't they hot?

Friday, September 26, 2008

A Special Musical Number...

Here's what we did tonight...over and over and over again! Cheap entertainment, right?!?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008


Wendy is on a roll - she's been working out and losing weight!! Congratulations Wendy - we're very impressed!!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Look what Mason is teaching Conner


I walked in and saw Mason looking down at Conner jabbering away at him like "duh, just climb up already". They both looked at me with the cutest smiles so of course I ran and got the camera!

Another birthday wish...




We made this video with the camera in our computer--Carter was excited to play peek-a-boo with himself, hence the lack of singing! Happy Birthday Wendy!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Happy Birthday Wendy!

I'm sure Jessica has a fabulous picture to put here but I don't so we will have to wait and see what she comes up with, Happy Birthday!!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Where can we do this?



Wouldn't this be so much fun to do! Maybe we will have to attach some sleds to the back of the Ranger when it snows in Pinewood this winter!?!

A Special Message for Spence & Marlee



This was such a hit last year, we had to repost it!!

Sunday, September 14, 2008



Can you all believe I actually posted something??? I had to try it. It really isn't rocket science!! Anyways, I thought some of you may not have seen Spencer's Star Wars hot lava cake. He thought it was cool!

Names for Christmas

Kids:
Carley has Carter
Cameron has Conner
Caitlyn has Reeslyn
Tanner has Caitlyn
Spencer has Carley
Hunter has Mason
Tyler has Mallory
Conner has Cameron
Reeslyn has Spencer
Mallory has Tyler
Mason has Tanner
Carter has Hunter

Adults:
Amy has Marlee
Dave has Spencer
Keith has Dave
Stephanie has Amy
Steve has Sean
Wendy has Jessica
Russ has Stephanie
Katie has Keith
Jessica has Katie
Sean has Russ
Spencer has Wendy
Marlee has Steve 


Congratulations Spence!!!


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom!!

Thanks for getting married 41 years ago--we ALL appreciate it.



And by all, I mean:

3 daughters
3 sons
2 sons-in-law
3 daughters-in-law
4 granddaughters
8 grandsons

And several more grandchildren to come...

Saturday, September 6, 2008

What's for Dinner

We had this for dinner last night and it was so good! (and easy).

Inside Out Chicken Pot Pie
1/3 c. butter
3/4 c. celery, chopped
1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 3/4 c. chicken broth
2/3 c. milk
2 c. cooked and cubed chicken
1 c. frozen peas and carrots
1 pkg. Grands flaky layers biscuits

Cook biscuits according to package directions. Meanwhile in saucepan melt butter. Add celery and saute for 2 minutes. Add flour and whisk until it's incorporated. Continue to stir for another minute, until golden and bubbly. Whisk in broth, milk, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders. Bring to a boil, stirring gently. Add chicken and frozen peas and carrots. Turn heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes until heated through. Correct consistency with more chicken broth or flour if needed. Split biscuits in half and spoon filling mixture over top to serve.

What are YOU having for dinner tonight? (we're having pizza rolls--also found on the website where the chicken pot pie is found)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Fun Cabin Times





































We had a great time at the cabin this weekend. It's so fun for all the cousins to play together. Here are some of the highlights from the trip.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Say cheese!


Carter is proud of his teeth! We love it when he smiles for the camera!!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Found this today


Food Storage

I thought this was interesting...Katie-we could make a video of you teaching us how to can food and we can post it on our blogs and send it in!

SALT LAKE CITY 14 August 2008

"Church Public Affairs is asking Church members to share their experiences with maintaining and utilizing food storage by posting video, text or other content on personal blogs, video-sharing sites like YouTube, social media sites like Facebook, or other Internet sites. Members can then e-mail a link to their story to publicaffairs-slc@ldschurch.org. The Newsroom site may link to some of them in an upcoming Web package on the Church welfare program, but in any case the stories may be beneficial to others who read them on the Web."

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Anybody? Everybody?


Just wanted to invite anybody who wants to come stay a weekend with us October 18th. That is the Bisbee Stair Climb!! It is a fun workout! You can run or walk it. It only a 5k with 1000 stairs. For more information visit http://www.bisbee1000.org/
It would be fun!!!!!

Trip to the Lake