Ahhhhh!

Ahhhh! Finally our cooler is fixed. We have been extremely hot for the past week and a half. I am so thankful that we have cool air. I bet I will sleep good tonight! :)

Tribute to an Amazing Woman

Today I would like to pay tribute to an Amazing woman--My Mom! Today is my mother's birthday, and since she isn't here to celebrate with us, I just wanted to reflect on the wonderful person she was.
My mom was remarkable, because she would always think of others before herself. She was always serving someone. She often times went with out so others had something extra. She loved to see the joy it brought to other peoples lives. One example of this was when she was really sick in December and was struggling with pain. I had a hair appointment and I told her where I was going. When she found out I had an appointment, she offered to watch the kids for me (even though I had already found a sitter.)

She was a hard worker. My mom worked extremely hard. She made sure the job got done and she gave a 110%. She could work harder and faster than most people 20 years younger than her.

She was smart, and knew what was important in life. Her love was for the gospel and her family. She epically loved playing with the grand kids! She was the most incredible grandma out there. She was always doing fun projects and outings with the kids. She would find out about neat places to take them or special events happening in town. (I didn't have to ask her to watch them, she would just volunteer) she would come home with special surprises, toys and clothes for them.

She was the best mom to me, she taught me what was right and let us kids do most things. Most of all she was the best friend a daughter could have.

She was a phenomenal cook and baker. She made the most delicious things to eat! She loved trying new recipes and many of them would be "keepers". Some of my best recipes came from my mom.

Mom always liked to find a deal, and she would happen upon some real steals. She found the coolest things and loved turning trash into treasure. She would find neat things everywhere and people would always ask her where she found different things.

Words cannot describe the many ways she was truly incredible. I can't wait to see her again! Since our family tradition has always been going out to dinner for family birthdays, with the birthday person picking the restaurant, we decided to celebrate for mom's birthday upholding the family tradition. We picked Chuck-a-Rama (since my mom liked going there) and we all had a nice dinner as a family. I think she would be pleased that we were all together.

I miss her a lot. She was fantastic and I want to aspire to have all of her great qualities. I am thankful to have had such a wonderful mother and friend!

Clippin' Coupons?

I love a good deal, but sometimes it seems like a lot of work. I just read about this website on my friends blog (thanks Jen). I am definately going to try this. With the cost of living going up and higher gas prices, I am ready for a deal (and who dosen't like free stuff?) I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile check out this website:http://slavetosave.synthasite.com/. Hey you know the old saying..."A penny saved is a penny earned."

First Talk

Today Rylan gave his first talk in Primary. He did such a great job! He was really excited to give it. (I think he mostly wanted to talk into the microphone.) He talked about Temples. Our family night for this week we went to Temple Square and talked about Temples as a family. The kids played and enjoyed being outside and having some space to run around. We all had a nice time doing that and we were so proud of Rylan doing such a great job talking in Primary!

Sheesh!

Sheesh! Ok, so I said a few days ago that the cooler was broken....well it has yet to be fixed. The cooler guys said "Call and Electrician" and the Electrician said "You need the cooler guy" and then again to the cooler guy "You need an Electrician".
SHEESH!
Take some responsibility-that's why we pay you! We are smokin' hot in here!\
Don't worry, I will post when it is cool once again. Until then, I am sorry if I am cranky and sweaty! (Oh and if I have ugly hair--since it is strait and flat).
Just makes you appreciate what you have (all those modern conveniences)! Hope you all are enjoying your nice air-conditioned houses! :)

My Day!!!

Hey does this look familiar or what? My dad pointed this comic out to me today and I thought that it was totally funny and totally my life. I just laughed. Too true.

A Classic

I love crayons! As a child I loved to draw and color. I was always doodling something. I loved getting new crayons. Who dosen't remember the excitement of opening a brand new box of crayons? I remember sometimes at Christmas I would get a new box of crayons, and it was exciting! As an adult I still get excited over crayons. (Only now I buy them for my children).

This year the Crayola 64 pack turned 50.

Just some fun facts I want to share about crayons: (I thought they were totally cool)
*About 3 billion Crayola crayons are produced each year.

*Sold in 80 Countries (Packaged in 12 Languages)

*The average kid in the United Sates will wear down about 730 crayons by his or her 10th birthday.

*Has a distinct smell--one that Yale University ranked on the most recognizable smells. It ranked 18 out of 20. (I love the smell of crayons)

*Over the years the 64 pack has changed some. Some colors have been retired, some have had name changes (like Flesh color changed to Peach color) and they have added some new colors. For the 50th anniversary Crayola asked children around the world to pick color preferences, and eight colors were given new names. Some of the new names include "super happy" and "best friends".

Any way you look at it crayons are A Classic, they will never go out of style (they may change their name or shade). They are a timeless toy. I love crayons and the ideas and memories that are expressed by a simple pack of crayons. Kids can used their immagination and create something. Even young kids love to scribble, it is a great toy because it developes fine and gross motor skills. It's great for youngsters, but even adults can have as much fun as the young ones do. It's an activity that the whole family can enjoy and do together. I love crayons so much that

I think I will have to go buy a few more packages (nothing like a brand new box)....I love crayons. It just makes me want to be creative!!!

I think that crayons are a classic toy and we all have an emotional connection to them somehow.

Happy Birthday Crayola 64!!!!!

p.s. Here is a great idea to do with your old crayons. They are called "Crayon Nibbles". Many of you may remember that for valentines, the kids and I melted down their old crayons in a bunch of little heart shaped tins (like the circle one pictured below), and then we let them cool put them into sacks and delivered heart shaped swirly crayons to their friends for Valentines day. It was a fun activity the kids enjoyed, we used up all of our old crayons and it made a fun gift. (The only bad part was that I had to unwrap the crayons first.) Hope you enjoy--Have fun with your box of colors.

Crayon Nibbles

Items that you will need:

-mini muffin pan (one that you don’t mind getting a little crayon on)--Mine was little heart shapes.

-Old Crayons

-Wax Paper (to put crayons on after they are cooled)
Directions:

You’ll want to preheat your oven to 265 degrees F. Peel off all the paper from the crayons (for the new ones, and break them into 1/2″ to 1″ pieces. Arrange two to three like colors in each slot, then bake for 6-8 minutes (don’t over bake - you want them just melted so you can’t distinguish the crayon shape anymore). Let them congeal a little on the counter, then place them in the freezer until they are firm (approx. 30 minutes). They should then pop right out.
These crayons are great for little hands that aren’t steady enough to hold thin crayons. They can wrap their whole hands around them and go to town without breaking them. Hope you have fun!

Fun facts taken from the Deseret News.

Welcome Summer!

Today was the first day of summer! Yeah!!!!! We celebrated by going to a BBQ at our neighbors house. It was fun to see some of our old friends (Sam, Marcia, Paul (Guzel), Anna (Joe), Phil and Carla and Larraine) again and catch up on things. Thanks Marcia for the invite! We had a blast eating, talking and hanging out with everyone that was there. Everyone brought a dish and Sam and Marcia made Flank Steak-YUM! The kids had fun playing. Phil and Marcia even got down on the floor and played with the kids. It made my day to have someone play like that with my kids, because my mom used to do that and it's what I miss the most about her. (Thanks again Phil and Marcia for playing with them. It was just what I needed!) The adults played card games while Marcia entertained the kids. It just keeps getting better....we got to go to a movie with Joe and Anna. We saw Get Smart. It was a great movie and we laughed and laughed. It was a wonderful evening and an awesome way to Welcome Summer!

The fabulous food (the picture doesn't do it justice!)

Good friends and excellent company

Fun Stuff and Good Times!!!!

Only one bad thing.....our cooler has been broken and we have been dieing of heat! I hate being sweaty! YUCK! Just when it gets hot! HMPH! Still we are happy to have the nice weather. :)

Bonk!

Yesterday, Rylan bonked his head on the cement. He was trying to get into the stroller as I was pushing Alana. He fell strait back and hit his head. He cried and then seemed fine, but as the day went on he started acting funny and wasn't responding. His pupils got big and he was really sleepy. He started throwing up and I got really nervous and called my neighbor (who is a nurse...thanks Sharon!) and she said that I should probably take him in to get checked out. He got a blessing from our neighbor and home teacher (thanks Justin). So we went to an after hours clinic and they ended up sending us to Jordan Valley Hospital. Rylan was very brave and got his first Cat Scan. He was promised a drink and a Popsicle if he could hold really still (which he did, to my surprise). When we were all done he did NOT forget to collect on the promised Popsicle and drink. They gave him some medicine for the nausea and then sent us home and told us to keep a close eye on him and if anything changed to call. Today he seems just fine. I am so glad--what a scary experience!

Rylan was really sleepy at couldn't stay awake. He would almost fall asleep and then wake up.

Rylan threw up several times while we were at the doctor's office and hospital.

Rylan was sad because he didn't feel good.

Rylan being loaded into the Cat Scan machine.

Holding really still for a Popsicle and drink. I got to hold his face still and stand by him while the scan took place.

This is after had some medicine to make him feel better and we got the OK to go home. The results....a concussion.

Happy Father's Day!

The first Father in my life was my own father, so I just want to take a minute to thank him for everything that he has done for me.
Dad, thank you for always helping me with my math homework growing up, untangeling my necklaces, teaching me to like different foods, and just for being so supportive. I have so many fond memories with you.
There isn't anybody like my dad. He is funny (who could wear buddy holly like glasses and get away with it for decades?) I love your pranks, jokes, and how you LOVE the grandkids. You are so smart and when I want to know something, I usually think to ask you first. Thank you for all you've done for me and the influence you've been for the positive in my life.

These are just a few of my favorite pictures of my dad doing what he loves best...."Swamp Stomping"
p.s. If you haven't met my dad I would highly recomend it!

Next, Tony. The second man and father in my life. My wonderful Husband! You amaze me every day. Thank you for working so hard and providing for our family. Thank you for always treating me like a queen, and for putting up with my quirks and stuborness. You are a hard worker, talented and smart person. Most of all you are the best Daddy that I could ask for for our kids. They adore you and always ask about you. I love how you play with them and spoil them. You are awesome!

Tony with the kids. He loves spending time with them and spoils them. He is a cute dad.

And for my father in law Dave...thanks for raising a stong, responsible son. With out you I would not have the wonderful husband I have. I love it when you smile (your real smile) and how much you enjoy the grandkids. Thank you for your support.

My Father-in-law Dave, with Alana

Happy Father's Day!

Here's how the day went....

Today I was asked to give a talk in church about Father's. I am really glad that I got to talk about my Dad and husband. (Even though I don't totally enjoy public speaking!) I think it went pretty good and being asked to do that really made me ponder and appreciate my Husband, Father and my Heavenly Father. After church I made spaghetti for lunch (requested by my husband) and after that we went to Tony's parents house for Father's Day dinner. It was espically nice, because they also invited my Dad and brother to come. Tony's cousin Lorena was there too. We had steak, cheesy potatoes, some yummy summer salads. We talked and spent a little time at the park behind their house. Had some dessert and then headed home. It was a really nice evening.

Hats off to all the Father's out there! Happy Father's Day!