Broken TV

I honestly do not know how the TV broke, when it stopped working or how it just stayed black turning on when the button was pushed.  As the TV remained off the kids and I read more and got school projects finished in a timely manner.  There was less fighting and more talking going on in our home.  I like watching TV, I really do.  Obviously I don't love it enough to feel a great void in my life without one.  The other members of my household feel differently.  The problem had to be rectified by swapping out a TV and quickly.

LDS General Conference

As I was compiling the information for the Sunday Program I stumbled upon the "Invite Others" social media link on lds.org.  I was completely caught off guard as church leaders are encouraging members to link up their social networks with general conference this spring.  I think the words shared at conference may make it to the ears of many more this season.

Solar Panels

It has been over six months until our house was sealed up, windows tinted, roof lined, and solar panels put up to heat our water.  The solar panels aren't as big as I thought they would be.  Devin said he has seen a decrease in our utility bill, but he has not yeat calculated the difference.

"Get Air" on Valentine's Day

The kids ate candy, cookies, cupcakes, and more candy on Valentine's Day.  They talked about going to the new trampoline park, "Get Air", at the Sportsplex for several weeks now.  After consuming a phenomenal amount of sugar I thought it was a fabulous idea to take the kids.  There were not a lot of people jumping today so they kids ended up not colliding with other people as they were jumping.  On our nineteenth Valentine's Day together, Devin and I, sat together on couches and watched the kids jump at the trampoline park.  The night did have a sweet ending as Devin surprised me with my favorite, chocolate dipped strawberries!

Pinewood Derby

After four trips to Hobby Lobby, many nights in the garage and thirty dollars later Devin, I mean Noah, entered a spiderman model car in his first "Pinewood Derby" competition.  This event had a really cool track with a timer set up in the cultural hall of the church along with many supportive spectators.  Kaden Bodily was in 1st place, Cole Larsen was in 2nd place, and Noah's car came in 3rd place.  It was a pretty fun night.

Organized Legos....I Think Not

Noah insists that his legos are cleaned up.  We have legos all over the dresser, the nightstand, the bed, and in the corner of his room.  They are everywhere.  Noah goes through this adrenaline rush of finding a lego set, buying the lego set, and putting it together.  The lego sets are put together once and then never again.  Noah is focused on the next set of legos he wants to buy and conquer.  It is amazing to watch him concentrate as he is putting a set together since he does not need help with even one step of the process.  It is pretty incredible the sets he has put together.  But what would be absolutely amazing is of he could create something unique and original from this single heap and better yet produce instructions for someone to duplicate his creation.  It's comical to view the lego videos he has produced and to everyones benefit we have kept them to our viewing only.  Noah has figured out the Amazon app on the ipad and has accumulated $888. worth of legos on a wish list.  Luckily for us he does not of the security passcodes or they would all be shipped by express to our house today.

It's Back!

It was a very sad evening in December when Devin, Kendra, and myself went into Zeppe's Italian Ice shop for a treat and the girl said it was their last night they would be opened for business.  I was devastated.  I had it all planned out what I would order for a treat for the upcoming weeks.  This messed up my plans completely.  Fortunately the girl let me sample every italian ice flavor without feeling like a pig.  I thought, 'at least I got a chance to try them all without having to take separate trips and ordering them all.  Plus, that custard does stick to me for so than any other treat.'  Then one Friday night after dinner we drove by and discovered a new italian ice shop had opened up in the same location with a new name, "Igor's".  Even though it was the middle of winter I was thrilled.  Their new menu didn't offer all the flavors.  However, it offered the most important flavor, my favorite flavor, coconut creme.  Awww...delicious italian ice with vanilla custard topped off on the top....yummm!

New Years Eve At Jospeh Smith Memorial Building

The Choral Collection group was invited for an additional performance for New Years Eve at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  This performance didn't have any Christmas songs.  They had one rehearsal of old songs the day before and not all the performers were able to join in on this performance.  This evening turned out to be amazing.  A Fax stage and chairs were set up on the main level where the tree stood at Christmas time.  The performance was amazing and it attracted a lot of people passing through the building that evening.  They were the only children performing group invited to participate.  They have definitely earned their spot on the program.  This was by far my favorite performance I have ever seen Kendra perform.

Noah Wii - ed out!

This Christmas break Noah was thrilled to have the extra time to play the new Wii games he got for Christmas. He kept sneaking down to the basement to steal any opportunity possible to play.  One morning he woke up really, really early.  We found him dead asleep, dressed for the day, with the Wii remote still lodged in his hand.

Reading With Kendra

Kendra hates to read.  She's not a bad reader.  She's not a low reader.  She completely understands every word she reads, yet she hates it.  As a teacher, I know the phenomenal benefits of reading from a book everyday.  I have had parents of students spend day after day on the multiple printed pages of a workbook and have absolutely no gains with their child in reading.  But, when they throw the workbook pages away and turn the pages of a book everything magically starts to move forward for a child with reading.  Therefore, a day without reading is like going a day without brushing your teeth, it's simply unacceptable, for anyone.  A day cannot go by without some sort of sustained reading taking place.  Kendra refuses to read and fights me on it.  I realize it's a little bit of rebellion or me pushing too hard.  So, I checked out a ton of books on CD and Devin downloaded them on her ipod this Christmas break.  It's one attempt to get her to like reading again.  If not, I'm very excited about books I can listen to while doing my monotonous chores.

Cruz With The Boys

Cruz loves hanging out with Zach and Noah.  Cruz watches Zach very carefully as he plays a DS game.  With Noah they are both just waiting for the next chance to tease the girls on the other side of the door.

December 26th - Boxing Day

For many years as I glanced at the calendar and read "Boxing Day in Canada" on the calendar I always assumed the Canadians honored the sport of boxing.  I was as wrong about that assumption along with my life-long assumption that "La Cucaracha" was the national anthem of Mexico.  While we were living in our the condo at Country Station in Bountiful our next door neighbor, who was born and raised in Canada, put several boxes in her car trunk on the 26th of December.  It was then that Beth, our neighbor, had explained to me the true meaning and tradition of "Boxing Day" in Canada.  It is a day when you organize your home removing things you do not need or do not use that can be donated to charity to help those in need.  Since that day many years ago I too have adopted that tradition.  I found it is a great opportunity to make room for the numerous Christmas gift we receive and take things, not necessarily junk, to the Deseret Industries.  This year I was glad to make room for the new Kitchen Aid mixer and Ninja blender.  As I was taking our boxed up items to the drop off area I had a blast from the past stare me down.  It was the couch Devin and I had received as a wedding gift.  We had that couch in our first apartment, the condo, in storage, and moved it along with us to our house.  I'm sure it was not the same exact couch, but it made me remember it has been quite a few years since we sold it to a young couple soon to be married along with it's accompanied love seat, two end tables and two ceramic lamps.  Well this duplicate couch brought back a lot of memories on this "Boxing Day".

Christmas Card 2011

Our family Christmas card this year was hand devlivered to most and sent out extremely late to the rest.

Christmas Breakfast With Santa

The annual breakfast with Santa at the church brought out the 'bah-hum-bug' in Zach in Kendra.  They had absolutely no interest in chatting with Santa.  This may be Noah's last year to be truly filled with excitement.  He was a good sport to sit on Santa's lap, messed up bed head and in his pajamas.

Noah Getting Braces Put On

This was Noah's big day at the orthodontist.  He is the first of the kids to get braces.  He has an under bite just like aunt Emilie and crocked teeth all along the top.  For now, Noah just got the braces put on the top.  This is called phase I.  This is the beginning Noah's life with braces.  Devin said he was a very good sport about every aspect of it.  I was amazed he didn't fuss or whine over them at all when he came home.  Noah was so excited about the cleaning pack with all it's nifty tools enclosed that Noah got to use to clean his braces in addition to the regular toothbrush.

Christmas Around The World - Christmas In Switzerland

At school we have been teaching the kids in the 'red house' all about Christmas traditions from around the world.  I always choose to do Switzerland since it is so familiar to me through what I was taught as a little girl.  I was amazed at how attentive the students were when I showed them the slideshow.

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Trick-or-Treating At Our House

My friend, Sandra, wanted to come to my house tonight to help pass out candy to the kids who came by for treats. We had to wait for Devin to come home with the candy since I hadn't picked up any for the neighborhood kids. While we were at the house waiting for Devin to arrive, to our surprise, some trick-or-treaters rang our doorbell but we had nothing to give them. I thought maybe I should give them something silly but instead I told Sandra to be quiet and pretend like no one was home. She was so confused. Then I turned out the lights and we stayed very still in the house, Sandra kept giggling. Finally Devin came home with the candy and I turned back on all the lights. Sandra was so excited when kids came to the door. She would say "Happy Halloween!" and I took pictures of her first Halloween in the U.S. She did a fabulous job handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters.

Trunk-Or-Treat

The kids got a chance to show off theor costumes, hang out with cousins and have a fun time at Dick's Market in Centerville with their Trunk-Or-Treat event. It turned out to be a busy, but fun filled Halloween this year.

This scrapbook made with Smilebox

Coupon Afternoon

I'm not a big coupon clipper. However, when the boutique-like stores advertise and offer discounts I clip away. I love to gather the coupons and make an afternoon out of it and get some lunch. Devin was a pretty good sport and went along with me. He didn't really enjoy the shopping part, but he did like the lunch part of it. So, I think I need to go with a girlfriend next time I have a stack of coupons. These are some of the things I found at LaDiDa in Kaysville, Just A Thought in Bountiful, and Bun O Basket in Fruit Heights.

Halloween Carnival

Parties, parties and more parties. My kids got all dress up for so many parties. We definitely got a money out of their Halloween costumes. Our ward members put a lot of work into pulling off a really fun, safe Halloween Carnival. There was a huge soup dinner and lots of games, face painting and crafts for the kids. Kendra and Noah loved this evening. Noah kept stuffing candy in his Mario hat while Kendra loved the face painting and crafts with her friend, Olivia. Zach wasn't so thrilled with the Halloween Carnival this year because his friends didn't come and hang out.

Class Parties

Devin came to the elementary school during the Halloween festivities. He was able to see the kids in the school's parade and during their class parties. The kids are still so excited about Halloween.

My Role During Halloween Class Party

While the mommys are busy managing a classroom full of Halloween activities, I grab the fussy baby. If class parties mean holding the babies and then putting them to sleep, I'm thinkg we should have more class parties. I don't mind being in the background once in a while, especially when a picture is taken and I obviously look like I have hit my peek weight - ack!

Class Party

My first and second graders look so cute all dressed up in their Halloween costumes. Our school has not had Halloween parades and parties for quite a few years, so this was a huge event for kids and their parents. It was also the first time these kids have come to school in costume, parade around the school and have a Halloween party with their school friends.

Scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox

My Class

My first and second graders are so cute all dressed up on for Halloween celebrations at school. Our school hasn't had a parade for over four years so this was a huge event. The kids in my class haven't had a chance to get all dressed up and parade around in school in their Halloween costumes and have a class party with their school friends.

Scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox

Fall Colors

We have a new neighbor from Las Vegas who I got I chance to meet this past week. I asked her if she's going to been alright with the change in weather. She said, "I love the change! I look at the mountains and it's as if lava if rolling down." It made me realize that I need to appreciate the change of season and enjoy the fall colors. These are the beautiful Autumn views from my backyard.

Fall Soccer

Last pictures of soccer this fall, for Noah.

Another free collage by Smilebox

My New Favorite Treat Addiction

I love treats. The ones you make, the ones you buy, the ones to reward yourself, the ones that comfort you on not so good days, and the ones that are just delicious. I'm in a bad habit now of visiting Zeppe's Italian Ice on a frequent basis. It will start to show on me soon. I love their "Geleata". It is italian ice topped with custard. It's like a pimped up Pace's Rainbow that melts in your mouth. Ahhhh, I love it!

Sweet Tooth Fairy Frosting

I search and searched and found a cooking blog that had a copycat version of the Sweet Tooth Fairy frosting recipe. I was skeptical to even try it. But when I finally did, I think I achieved greatness. I'm not one to make food really fancy. I love good tasting food. This recipe is it! Frosting Recipe: 1 - 8oz. package cream cheese, softened 2 T. butter, softened 1/2 tsp. salt. 1 pkg. Dream Whip 1/4 tsp. almond extract 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. clear butter flavoring 3 c. confectioner's sugar Beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add extracts into small bowl, mix in salt to dissolve, then add mixture to cream cheese. Add package of Dream Whip and mix well. Finally, add the confectioner's sugar and thoroughly mix. Add in any extra ingredients to flavor frosting as desired*. Refrigerate until ready to frost cake or cupcakes. *The Sweet Tooth Fairy adds grahm cracker crumbs to create a s'mores cupcake (yum), lemon peels, apricot bits, white chocolate, etc.

Rollerblading

Kendra is thrilled that her friend, Olivia, has learned how to rollerblade this fall. Kendra takes all the credit and follows her around the cul-de-sac like a proud momma.

Crafting With Gourds

I'm not too crazy about funky and wacky gourd crafts, but I'm pretty excited to try this one out. I picked up two gourds at Pack's Pumpkin patch. I got one goose necked gourd for color and dimension, not to dress it up as a ridiculous goose. The other gourd I picked up was an apple gourd. I'm supposed to leave it out in a dry, cool place and let it dry out decay naturally. When it is all dry in the spring, about when school gets out, I'm can paint it red like an apple. They had one on display at the pumpkin patch and thought, 'I have to try that one for myself'. I read in a magazine blurb to apply petroleum jelly to the surface to avoid mold, so we'll try that too. I guess this will be a fun way to count down the school year.