He Said, She Said On Decorating

SHE SAID (Sarah): "Oh this will be a nice touch in the bathroom to break up the long expanse of counter top."HE SAID (Aaron): "Honey....can you please get your luggage out of here!"

This just goes to show the difference between a man and womans perspective. Men are so literal, well at least my man is. I had to inform Aaron that this work of art is not my luggage with weeds hanging out of it. It's a decoration, a floral arrangement so to say, a great find, and most importantly....IT'S STAYING.

Are You Kidding Me?

Seriously child, are you kidding me?! I thought only little girls were supposed to have the hair cutting obsession. Although, it does not surprise me in the slightest coming from this little rascal. We'll add it to the long list of all the other shananigans that he has pulled.

90 Years Young

In December we celebrated my Nana's 90th birthday. My Nana is living proof that wheat grass juice, vitamins, exercise, beauty creams and taking care of yourself pays off. She is often mistaken for being in her 70's because she looks so good and still has so much energy.

I was named after my Nana. Her first name is Sarah although she goes by Sally. She was in a play in high school and played the part of "Sally" and the name stuck. I can't think of a better person to be named after. She makes me want to live up to everything she is. She is one of the most charitable, Christ like people that I know. She is always happy, never complaining, truly loves everyone around her and always wants to be where the fun is at. (Which is usually with her great grand children.)

She taught me how to do handstands. She would come pick me up spontaneously to drive around and try to find the end of the rainbow. She is always wanting to know what the latest exercise trend is. She has a Torso Tiger that she ordered from tv to work on her abs. She puts her feet in the pool with my kids and blows bubbles with them. She has an optimistic and amazing outlook on life and loves it.

I love you Nana.

My mom organized a mini family reunion brunch at their house. These were part of the invitations that were used. Isn't she beautiful. She never takes a bad picture.

This is everyone that came and all the relatives. Many of my cousins came over from California, Utah and Idaho.

All of the cousins minus one in California who is sick and one who lives in France and one who had to work.

Nana's 4 sons. She is a hair over 5 foot and all of her boys are 6'2 +.

Nana with all of her great grand children except 1.

90 candles can produce some serious flames.

Taking advantage of the good grub in the kitchen. So yummy.

Avery and Claire (cousins) love to "paint" at grandma's and grandpa's house.

Later that night we went out to Usery Pass for some yummy chili, a bomb fire and smores. My kids have been dieing to go out there so they were in heaven.

It was great to see all of my relatives that I haven't seen in such a long time.

Here is my home made Buttermilk Syrup recipe that I brought for the brunch. (This is for you Emily.) I could drizzle this stuff over everything and it would make it delicious. So addicting.

In large pot add together.

1 cube butter

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 c. sugar

Stir constantly. Boil and remove from heat.

Add

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. vanilla

The Bachelor

Sad to admit it but I enjoy watching this show. I haven't missed a season yet, although I don't think that is something to be proud of or that I should openly admit to. The things these ladies say makes me laugh hysterically. Here are some of my favorite quotes from last night.

Meghan: "People just don't get me...I'm too in depth. You see...a woman who's had a mastectomy can't breastfeed and if everybody's gonna have breast cancer and the babies can't be fed...than our future's screwed."


Niki: "It's just frustrating because I know I'm pretty, I know I'm smart...but being pretty and being smart is not enough!!! You have to be funny...you have to be natural."


Jason: "now I know you like fashion and shoes and shopping and clothes...but tell me something about you...what else is there??"

pause....pause...pause...

Natalie: "I love bears. All bears."

Later when she was not given a rose, "I'm super attractive and you don't feel a connection with me?! Who do you think you are?"

Can you believe these ladies? They are 100% serious when they say these things which makes it all the more hysterical. Talk about being vain and shallow. But it makes for a good laugh on my end so keep it up ladies. I hope someone falls in love with you for you beauty, inner depth and humility.

An Island Dinner

I was recently called to be the Assistant Stake Camp Director in our Stake. I was actually sustained for this calling the day I was in charge of our wards primary sacrament program. Needless to say it didn't really sink in till after the program was over. I have been serving in both callings and loving both of them so much. I love being able to work closely with such great women. There is so much personal growth that can happen when you surround yourself with amazing people. I'm fortunate to get a double dose of this with being in the Primary Presidency and the Camp Presidency (don't know if that's what it's called but I'm calling it that.)

We have been having stake camp meetings since November and are now getting into the thick of it. Last weekend we had an Island Dinner for all the stake staffers (and spouses) that were called and will be going to camp. I was in charge of the decorations and the game. Yippeee! I can't divulge the theme of our girls camp this year (although you can probably make a good guess from the decor). We have been making the rounds to all the wards presenting this years Girls Camp Theme and haven't gotten to everyone yet. When I say presenting I mean embarrassing yourself as much as possible. But hey, that's what girls camp is all about right?! This was the table when you first walked in. There was a lei for everyone and their spouse and a tropical drink with an umbrella in it.

These were the centerpieces that I came up with. The pineapple was also handed out for prizes for the game.

Some of the Stake Young Women's Presidency. They were in charge of dessert and made delicious fruit tarts.

I had a couple of these treasure chests on the food table. We served Hawaiian haystacks which were so delish.

I originally set up the tiki torches with the butane bottle in it but didn't intend to light it. After a couple of hours of setting up, the gym smelled like if you dropped a match it would go up in flames. We took the butane out and I stopped by Hobby Lobby on the way home (love, love, love, that it is so close) and grabbed some vellum. I tore it crumpled it up and made "fire". I think it turned out better this way even though it wasn't planned.

This is a wall paper mural that I had ordered online. It came last minute so we had to scramble to get it put together. I thought it was in one piece but it came in 12 different pieces. Yikes, what to do what to do. Melissa, Stori and I had an early morning assembling party at the church, it wouldn't lay out flat anywhere else. We layed all 12 pieces out flipped them over and then taped it. When we turned it back over (after 2 hours of taping) it didn't match up. All of our husbands had the same reaction "duh". We then had to take it apart and retape it early the next morning. I'm planning on putting it on wood so it will look cleaner and crisper and use it as a backdrop at camp as well. It's going to be fabulous. Melissa Hawkins (Stake Camp Director), myself and Stori Brown, both assistant Stake Camp Directors. I love, love, love, these ladies. I think we each bring our own unique talents to the table and make a great team. We have had a blast so far, planning and preparing and camp isn't even here yet. I can't wait.

Pack-Rat

Are you missing something? If you are chances are that it will be found in this drawer. This is Trey's "treasure" drawer. He calls all this junk his "treasures" and manages to quickly and quietly run away with things and add it to his collection of "treasures". So many times I have been missing something and have found it in this very drawer. Well I started the undaunting task of sorting through it all. Here are some of the "treasures" that Trey has been hoarding; hundreds of puzzle pieces, hundreds of screws, toothbrushes, "crystals" (rocks that are white), rechargeable battery packs, hot wheels tracks, homework, underwear, markers, cords to who knows what, measuring tape and on and on and on the random list goes.

Maybe it's a middle child thing that he feels he has to run and hide things before someonelse takes it away. Maybe it's the fact that he feels big and independent that if you ask him where something is he can answer yes and run to his drawer and get it for you. Maybe it's just a phase or maybe it's just Trey. I'm just thankful that it is contained in a drawer.

Top Dog - Ruff, Ruff

Logan received the award of "Top Dog" at his school. This is an award that they give to all the kids who test out of their grade level in math. With half the year of second grade under his belt he has tested out of it. There was one other boy in his grade who did the same. They gave each other a thumbs up as they were recognized at the assembly. It was cute. I think that he has finally reached the age where he is aware of the "coolness" factor and tries to maintain it. Hence the hands on the hips and hidden smile. I love it.

Logan was so excited when he came home to tell me he had passed the test. This was the first time they had taken it all year. He received the award last year for testing out of his grade and really wanted to do it again this year. Infact it was one of the 10 things that he had listed on his goal list. He told me that when the teacher passed out the test that he started crying a little bit because he wanted to pass it so bad. I don't think I realized how much pressure Logan puts on himself to achieve and do what is right. I tend to be this way so I've taken a mental note to just

encourage Logan to do his very best and that is all that matters.

The shirt that Logan was wearing when he took his test, he has now deemed as his "lucky shirt". What a funny, spectacular, wonderful, great kid.

Photo Shoot '08

We had our pictures taken awhile ago. This is not an easy feat for me to do. I feel like it's me against the 'rest of 'em'. Yes there is lots of weaping whaleing and gnashing of teeth once I schedule the date to get them done. I try to be as happy and optimistic about it as I can but lets just face it, for majority of the people in my little family, it is not their pick of fun things to do. I always breathe a sigh of relief when they are over and hope that we got some good ones to document the stage of life that we are at right now.

Chris Paxman (http://www.paxmanphoto.blogspot.com/) took our pictures this year. He did a great job. Anyone that can handle the detail orientedness (is that a word?) (or pickiness as our husbands would probably call it) of me, my sister and my mom, is a wonderful human being. Kudos to Chris. Here are a few of my favorites. I have a couple more that he is editing and still working on. I can't wait to plaster these babies all over my house.

On a side note. I am madly in love with my family and these pictures make me want to kiss them even more than I already do.

This is my sisters cute family. Her kids are a photographers dreeeam. They love to pose and smile for the camera. Mine...ahhh...not so much. Not only does she look like a wonderful mom, she IS.

This is all of us. Love 'em so much.

Motivation to Clean

This is my current cleaning motivation. I love the smell of this room spray. How could I waste this yummy, delicious smell on a dirty house. Have you ever been into a house that smells good but is dirty? Me neither. So a couple of sprays and away I go to clean. Good stuff.

Christmas Break

We had a fun and busy Christmas Break. We have been going to bed late, waking up late, playing, watching movies, having sleep overs and making memories.

We spent our New Years Eve partying it up with some friends who had a family New Years Party. Yes I typed that right...family. The kids came with us and had the time of their lives playing with friends, eating snacks and junk food off of the "kids only" table and popping poppers. Logan and Avery stayed up until 1:30 a.m. Trey was so excited to go to sleep at 10 p.m. for a "sleep over". I sang him one song and he was OUT, soo, soo tired. We laughed allot and played tons of fun games. I think a little bit too much was revealed about myself but hopefully they'll still love me regardless. I loved it that my kids were able to come and be apart of it with us.

We went to the park to feed the ducks and go on a nature walk. The kids love feeding the ducks and try to make sure that each duck gets feed the same amount of bread. The weather was beautiful and it felt so good to be outside.

The kids went exploring trying to find rabbit holes and snake tracks. We spotted a couple of fat quails but other than that not much.

Can you believe that it only takes an hour and half drive to go from feeding the ducks in 70 degree sunshine to playing in the snow? I love Arizona! We took the kids up to Cinch Hook to go sledding for the day. We rounded up as many hats, gloves, jackets and boots that we could find around the house. It was pretty slim pickings so I borrowed some from a friend who just got back from Utah. (Thanks Heather.) Logan was doubtful that there would be snow but low and behold there was and lots of it.

Trey is striking a pose.

Logan gave me a 5 second window to snap a picture. Then he was off again.

It took Avery a little while to get used to the snow. She loves hats and jackets and dresses up in them all the time. I don't think we would use them as dress-ups if we actually had to use them on a regular basis. But living in the valley we don't. She held her hands out like this the entire time up until the last 20 minutes when she finally got used to it.

The best seat in the house is in daddy's arms.

This is how we went up the hill. Aaron pulled one of the kids on the sleigh up the hill each time. What a way to go.

This time it looks like it was Avery's turn to ride and Trey's turn to hike. Those were some big hills to hike. Aaron was a little sore the next day from pulling the kids up. He made me aware the next day that he was only "a little" sore because he is in such great shape already. Shhhuuuure.

This is how we went down. Trey went head first every single time. This kid has no fear. He would go and go and go and go down that hill. Wiping out sleds, inner tubes, children, parents and anything else that might be in his path. He would make it down the hill and then keep sledding straight across the flat surface. People would say "look at that little kid go!" I think it was because of his size that he was able to get such a good ride. It was hilarious to watch.

"Ta-Da!" All done and ready to go back up!

Don't get me wrong we did take some tumbles and spills, but there was never any tears. Can you say "fearless".

This was one of Logan's few times going down head first. He preferred sitting on the sled for more control and steering power.

We had to try it, it was just so tempting having it everywhere.

It was a great day but all good things must come to an end. The boys are still talking about how much fun they had and when we can go back.

I think if you throw in a pancake breakfast primary activity day that about wraps up our Christmas break.

It will be hard to get back into our little routine tomorrow. Waking up early, running carpools, grocery shopping with one if not all the kids, exercising again and did I mention waking up early. Oh how I love my sleep.