my latest distraction

We got a new laptop....except I really consider it mine because, well I love it and use it the most. Fly Guy needed another computer at his office and took our home computer. Then we decided to replace our home computer with a laptop. I love, love, love being able to work on the computer anywhere in the house. The funny thing is I really consider myself technologically challenged, but this laptop and this blog have been helping me to learn more. Who knew their was a world of addicted bloggers and internet junkies out there. Fly Guy & I are lucky to have his brother Stephen who is an absolute genius when it comes to computers. He keeps us on track and informed, well as much as we can understand!! I look forward to many great adventures with my latest distraction!! Maybe, I'll stop long enough to get some laundry done this week...

2009

Things I am grateful to have had in 2008:

-E2 fun, lovable and easy going - love him!
- good friends who made me laugh a lot
- a sister & friend who got my butt to the gym
- first trip to a "Time Out for Women" - must do again
- a 7-year-old son who is finally getting my jokes & can keep up!
- better family relationships
- wonderful grandparents
- kids that push me to learn more
- a husband that understands me and still loves me!

A New Year - 2009: a few goals

- play & laugh more with my kids
- enjoy the moment
- cook new things, read more (without the guilt)
- get in better shape
- Fly Guy & I have a deal: I will read the Book of Mormon all the way through (I tend to skip parts!!!) and he will do his Home Teaching....This one will be interesting
-Keep striving for Balance!
- patience, patience and more patience....
- laugh more often!!

snow...snow...and more snow

For Christmas vacation we spent time with my parents in Utah. Unfortunately, I got sick and spent most of the vacation in bed. I really feel like I missed out on the entire vacation. Gratefully, my husband, parents and sister stepped up and saved the day. My kids loved the trip and we loved seeing the family. The other high point was visiting one of my favorite places...SONIC. My friend Kelly got me hooked on the Diet Coke with real cherries. I loved having this treat....honestly a little too much!

Oh how I miss the mountains...but the snow, not so much!

While sledding, E2 fell asleep and enjoyed being dragged everywhere.

Grandpa made sure to get the kids a super fast ride!
The boys did not want to stop playing in the snow...the first thing they asked for when they woke up is if they could play outside. Burr...I could not handle the cold and they didn't ever notice it.

On the way home I was feeling better and we stopped in St. George to visit my sister and her family for New Years. It was really, fun even if I only made it to 11pm on New Year's Eve. Sleep is just too precious these days!!
The weather was so nice in St. George that Fly Guy was able to go rock climbing with my brother & brother-in-law and then they all played paint ball with the nephews. My sister & I took the kids to a really cool park and then we ditched the kids and shopped for jeans. My sister has lost a ton of weight and looks fabulous and it was fun seeing her in tiny jeans!!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning 2008-E woke bright and early to see if Santa had come! He started at 1:00 a.m. and woke up pretty much every hour after that. E has always been our early riser, which can be difficult at times, but in this case it was really fun to see his excitement. You are only a kid once!!
Favorite Things: Sephora....I love this place! Fly Guy went to Sephora and bought me a package of ten mascaras that were tested by Sephora and were picked as the top favorites. I have to admit I LOVE mascara. If I was deserted I would want my mascara. Fly Guy got lots of points for this one!!

E2 was thrilled to play with the ribbon and paper.

S's favorite things: little pets, doll house and dolls & first lip gloss

K's favorite things: legos, pokemon and cars

E's favorite things: legos, pokemon & games

Christmas morning we do a brunch with our family & friends. This year Fly Guy's brother came and our really good friends the Kerrs, Nielsons & Harrison. Later our cousins Mike, Tauschsa & family were also able to come & visit. This year we ate quiche, homemade muffins & scones...yummy! We all ate way too much and laughed a lot!!

Harrison our son/friend home for Christmas!

Kevin showing K how to set up his star wars.

The Kerrs...Clark, Tiff, Cam, Beth, Amanda & Kevin

The Nielsons, Grant, Terri & Hanna

For Christmas Eve every year we are fortunate to join my Aunt & Uncle and their kids/grandkids for dinner and a Christmas program. I always feel like when we arrive at their home, Christmas has finally begun. My aunt has put together an amazing program outlining the nativity with scripture verses and songs that correlate. Participating in this tradition is a great experience that always fills me with the spirit and gratitude for the family that I am part of.

Cookies & Yummy Treats...What Could Be Better

The whole month of December we enjoyed making our favorite goodies. We loved making sugar cookies (my friends recipe), which are soooo good. Our family also spent a day making carmels, russian tea cookies, toffee, turtles and shortbread cookies. We really enjoyed having the kids so involved this year. It was also fun to box up our treats and bring them to our friends.

K decorating his cookies.

E...so proud!

Our Gingerbread House play date!!

Thanksgiving with the Moores

It doesn't get much better than cousins bonding! Give them big trees, a tree house, a rope bridge, and a few zip lines and they can't help but have a blast together!!

K...E...Jake...Lexie...Ashley

E...Jake...Lexie...Ahsley

THE ZIP LINES

E getting ready to do the big zip line! Yeah!!
Grandpa & Grandma wanted to make their home exciting for all of the growing grandchildren. They set up a little zip line that is eight feet off the ground. Most of the kids can do this on their on. Then they hooked up a zip line for the big kids and adults. This one is 25-feet off the ground and 150-feet long. All of us enjoyed riding on this. It is really fast and fun. I think the adults enjoyed it more than the kids, especially Fly Guy!

S on the little zip line. The first day Grandpa put this in, she rode it over & over.

Ashley climbing every tree she can...

THE ROPE BRIDGE

Max...Ammon...Lexie
Fly Guy built the rope bridge with the help of his buddy Theron. The boys really loved how challenging it was to get across. It took several tries, but some of them made it!

E...Jake

They made it!!

K with Dad!

GRANDPA'S TREEHOUSE

Grandpa built this tree house for the grandkids. They loved it! The kids spent hours and hours playing.....totally worth it!

Ashley...Ammon...Lexie...Jake...Katie

The kids visiting over a good meal.

Max & K bonding over Pokemon!

The three little girls: Abby, Natalie & "S" were so cute together. They played or fought the entire holiday. All of them have older siblings that boss them around so they definitely know how to stick up for themselves. We never had to worry about any one of the dominating the other. They are all very tough but adorable girls!!

Joel & Melanie were super nice and went hot tubbing with most of the kids. The kids always love to swim in the hot tub. It tends to get a little crazy...especially when Uncle Joel tells scary stories!!

TIME WITH GRANDPA

We cannot have a family event without a drive in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Car! Grandpa always takes the kids on a drive around the neighborhood. This time the guys had to have a turn. They really are just big kids!!

E2 loving attention from Grandpa!

Abby having special time with Grandpa!

PIZZA MAKING WITH GRANDMA

On the last day Grandma took the time to work with the grandchildren and have them make individual pizzas. The kids had so much fun preparing all the ingredients and then designing their own special pizzas.

Abby...Katie...E...Max...Lexie...K

Preston ....Natalie

Great Grandma watching the kids make pizzas.

We are truly grateful to Grandma & Grandpa Moore for the time, expense and love that they put into this Thanksgiving for our children. The best gift we can receive is seeing our kids form special connections with their cousins and grandparents. We love you both and appreciate all that you do for our kids.

Pies, Pies and More Pies

When I think about Thanksgiving one of the first things I think about is Pie! I only make them once a year and they are so good. This year Fly Guy & I made cherry, apple and a pumpkin chiffon pie. We spent Wednesday evening making pies while listening to Christmas music. I really enjoyed having Fly Guy working along side of me.....this will definitely be a new tradition. I think that I enjoy the process of making pies and decorating them because cooking everyday for the family can be a little boring at times. Occasionally it is nice to try something new and spend a little more creative time. For you cooks out there...you should try this pumpkin chiffon pie. Go to Oprah.com and look for her recipe given on a show last week. This pie is really good...I will never make a plain pumpkin pie again!!!