HuMptY DuMptY

Alexa is my most accident prone child (so far) although Tyson has had his fair share in his short 2 years. (so it might be a race between the two of them). Alexa falls a ton and usually pops up and says "I'm okay!" Bruises frequent her legs and at least once a day she does something to need a kiss. When she was little she made me kiss whatever was hurt and sometimes it was things I did not want to kiss (once she bit her tounge and I was not going to kiss that- sorry) I used to kiss my had and tap her bum (and tounge or whatever) if it needed a kiss. She got to the point where she would kiss her own hand and tap whatever place got the ouchie. It was funny. So far the major ones have been 2 black eyes (same eye, two years apart almost to the day! aNd It ruins my plans for family pictures every time!) and she cut her head open. Chelsie (my little feisty one) attacks Alexa often, hence all of the scratches on her face- poor girl, I hope the scares eventually fade.

Ode to Jam

When I went to visit my family in Cali this past Oct. I returned home with a treasure. My mom let me take a container of my Grandma Donetta's homemade raspberry jam. She grows the raspberries in her garden (in Idaho) and makes all kinds of delicious treats; homemade raspberry ice cream, raspberries and cream in a bowl, jelly roll pancakes, and of course the jam. I love all of it but I am rarely there to enjoy all of the goodies. It has been a long long time. I love jam and I especially love her jam. Even as kids we loved it! Once when we were on the looong journey back to Cali, someone knocked our cooler out of the van and a container of jam broke open- we were seriously trying to figure some way to save any bit of the jam and had a moment of silence for the jam that didn't make it, - it was so sad! I remember scraping the bottom of the container to get every last bit. Well as you can see I was VERY excited to get some jam and it was very generous of my mom to share as it was her Birthday present from my Grandma when they had gone to Idaho to visit. Justin had a few peanut butter and Grandma Jam (i think that is the offical name) sandwiches for lunch and when one returned home uneaten I said "J, if you don't eat the sandwiches I will just give you the old jam okay?" He said " oh no mom, I am going to eat it right now- see!?" I know it is a little pathetic... but I love my jam!
Well after many delicious sandwiches, toast and rolls, the jam has seen its last day, and so I leave this Ode to the most delicious and much desired container of Grandma Jam!

MerrY ChristmaS!

I just love Christmas time. I love the transformation of the city, the lights, Christmas trees and Santa. I love Christmas music and movies, cookies, hot chocolate, and sweaters. I would like to be Mrs. Clause when I grow up! I love planning and hunting for the perfect present for my hubbie and kids. It truely is a magical time of year...
Some of my favorite Christmas traditions...
1. Light Hunting (driving around with Christmas music on and looking at all of the lights)
2. Temple Lights (we were sick this year the day we were going to go and we never were able to fit it in- so sad!)
3. Movies (my favorites are Elf, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, The Grinch- the cartoon, and Joy to the World)
4. Christmas Music
5. Decorating the Tree and the house
6. Christmas outfits and Pictures
7. A visit to Santa
8. Sugar cookies and Orange Rolls
9.Reading/acting Christmas Story
10. Visiting with Family
**note to self, Do Not go anywhere Christmas Eve! I ran to get my perscription filled at Walgreens and I got honked at when I turned into the parking lot. I couldn't get out of the parking lot because everyone else was determined to leave first and the other cars were flying through as if the parking lot was a speedlimit "free" zone. Then as I pulled out into the center divide a car came flying around another car honking and flipping him off out the window! What the??!!! I felt like I was in an alternate universe- didn't these people know it was Chirstmas Eve!?!?! Yikes. Well luckily I made it home in one piece! But next year I think I will hide out in the saftey of my own house! Other than that it was a great Christmas! I hope your was too!

HaPpY HaLLoWeEn!

This year for Halloween we were Star Wars characters. Justin has been really into Star Wars and said he wanted to be Luke Skywalker so Alexa said "yeah I will be Princess Leia" and our theme was born. The Luke Skywalker costume was hard to find, so Justin ended up being Obi Wan (thanks mom for the costume). I made Alexa's costume from some white curtain fabric (without a pattern mind you). It was a little hard to get on b/c the fabric was so stiff (it probably needed a zipper) but it worked and that is the important part. Oh did I mention this was my first sewing project ever!!! (i know, that explains a lot)! Tyson was Darth Vader, Chelsie was Queen Amadala and I was Padme. I love dressing up and all the decorations at Halloween. We went to our ward Trunk'r'treat Thrusday, it is always fun to see all the amazing costumes and for the kids to see their friends. Trick or Treating in our neighborhood on Fri. Fun, Fun, Fun, not to mention another years worth of candy!

Happy Birthday to my bro. Kendall

Kendall turned 19! shout horray! He is at BYUI and is getting ready to turn his mission papers. Happy Birthday Kendall!!!
here are some random Kendall facts:
1. Kendall loved to tell stories when he was younger. When began with "this one time" the were elaborate tales and very funny but never true!
2. Kendall has a funny sense of humor and always makes us laugh.
3. One year Kendall opened a bottle of shampoo for his one Christmas Eve present and exclaimed in dismay "shampoo???!!!!" we still get a good laugh out of that one!
4. He was the "favorite" child because of his red hair (until Travis came along!)
5. He loved playing soccer in high school and now plays on a rec team at BYUI.
6. In middle school he asked my mom if he could go by Kenny or Ken- she said no. (i think it is funny both that he asked and the she said no)
7. My nickname for him is Wendall. (i don't know why, but I have one for all of my sibs and my kids)
8. He is the most giving person- i love that about him.
9. He is a good and loyal friend.
10. He talked my mom into getting a dog when he was in HS. (my dad was/is totally against pets) she got it, he went off to school and the dog is still at home. There's irony for ya!
Happy Birthday! We love you!

Shout out to my cousin Brian and Bro-in -law Dave on their B-days

Sorry no pics for this one. I don't have any digitals and don't know how to scan the others yet. It is funny to have so many people born on NOV 1st!
Brian was one of my favorite cousins growing up. He lived in Idaho Falls (still does) so we didn't get to see each other much, but whenever we were up there for a visit- I spent every waking and sleeping minute with him. We would play all day and then all the kids would sleep on the trampoline in his backyard. It was a blast! We even went to Ricks (when it was called that) for a year together before he left on his mish. Good times!
Brian
1. Brian is the nicest person you will ever meet.
2. His room was SPOTLESS even in HS. I was amazed.
3. His "accident" stories are the funniest!
4. I would call his apt. at Ricks and leave singing messages
5. He drove me to the airport for my first ever plane trip. We almost died getting there (heading down the street with a big center divide) going the wrong direction is not a good idea!) and I was late. (and the whole time i was worried about the actual flight!)
I could go on and on, We have some great memories! Happy Birthday~ the big 3-0! YiKes! Love ya!

Dave
1. just the best Uncle- he loves all kids and they love him back
2. teases John (makes me laugh)
3. First Day Dave, sees almost every movie opening day- and is almost guaranteed to see most movies in the theater.
4. crazy driver (that is the truth)
5. He is anti-"rabbit food"and married Sarah who grew up mostly vegetarian. Ironic!
I am lucky to have great in-laws that I get along with and love. I wish I could post for all of them but there are a whole lot of them! But I am truely grateful for each and everyone! Have a great birthday Dave! We love ya!

That was no ANT!

Tuesday night (Sept. 30th) I was stung by a sCoRiOn on my baby toe in the kitchen when I was locking up the house. I went back to get a glass of water and I didn't turn the light back on. My first reaction was, 'I just got bit by an ant' (a big ant) but by the time I took the two steps to turn on the light I thought 'OWWW- That Was No Ant!' The little scorpion came running at me, the pain seared and I called for John to help. But he was sleeping and didn't hear me. So I ran and grabbed a shoe and killed the nasty little bugger. The affects were already taking over my leg. I crawled upstairs and woke up John. When he finally figured out what I was saying he ran downstairs to look for more (with the black light) He got me ice and water (since I never did get any) and some Advil. He brought the flashlight (blacklight) upstairs and shined it everywhere we went. It was a long night, but since I wasn't frothing at the mouth or experiencing blurred vision or paralysis (the symtoms to watch for!!!) I just hung out at home all night.
John has become the sCorPioN hUnTer! He has gone scorpion hunting every night since and has actually found a a lot of them- which really doesn't make me feel any better. But I guess at least there are less and less each night! SO if you see lights flashing around my yard, you'll know it is John on a hunt!
The blessings (in disguise); at least it was me and not one of my kids. And I would rather it be a scorpion, whose venom is a nuero-toxin (attacks the nerves) than a black widow or brown recluse whose bites are nasty with after effects that are nasty. Hense my acrachnophbia. Also I know a lot more about scorpions. (more than I ever wanted to!)