More Pics

Another Picture- more to come

Sneak Peek of our Family Pics

Here's a few of our fabulous family pics- thank you Cindi Christensen Jones! Amazing work!

Karate Kid

We are so excited that Michael is testing for his purple belt this week- karate has been a great influence on him. I love the self defense aspect now that he's in rough-and-tumble junior high. But I also love the discipline, respect, exercise, and positive role modeling he receives. He is gaining confidence and is becoming more of a delight- despite those crazy teen years we're running in to!

Picture- a pie in the face for his 13th birthday

Katie's Funny Word of the day- Mom, I'm not five- I'm five-in-a-row. Because I'm smarter than just five!

Those Lazy Sunday Afternoons

So maybe this is my new journal- like my journal, no one reads it and I don't have much to interest anyone anyway!
But it's nice to write a bit on Sunday afternoons.
Hmmm, November- gratitude time.
I am grateful, first and foremost, for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. That is my biggest blessing in my life.
I am grateful for Tony- who provides for our family so I can be home- and for my kids who make it all worthwhile.
I am grateful for my Church, which encourages me to be a wife and mother first.
I am grateful for the temple- which is centered on families being together forever.
I am truly blessed!

Halloween

My all-time favorite Utah activity is Cornbellys (with discount passes, of course!). We had so much fun shooting pumpkins out of cannons, bouncing, watching pigs race, hay riding, and enjoying the fall and each other.
For Halloween, the kids dressed up as a reaper (Michael, of course), Dorothy/Alice (Tori), Ninja (Jake), and Sleeping Beauty (Katie). I'm not sure when Halloween became a week-long event- but we enjoyed lots of parties and are still trying to get rid of the candy. There is so much- and when I ask them to pick some pieces to throw away they find raisins or dum-dums.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping and having my kids home during December (off track).

Fall Birthdays

TORI turned 11 this month- and Michael is soon to follow with his 13th b-day. Tori is into New Moon- and is maturing too fast- "I want a mani - pedi and a New Moon poster- no party, no friends."
Well, we weren't going to stand for that- so we had a surprise party with a Halloween theme- Tori had a blast! And Tony had fun planning food games- like sticking faces in pies full of whipped cream to get gummi bears or throwing cheerios at a head with a whipped cream-covered poncho!
The girls loved the Halloween make-up and doing each others face art!

KatieBug

Miss Katie, my baby,recently turned FIVE! Five is a big deal- I remember five- that's scary! Five is the age of playing with friends, riding bikes (or Hot Wheels for slow learners like me), reading, and growing up. Katie chose her own clothes for the first day of school- complete with wedged high-heeled sandals, skinny jeans, shawl, and bag (yes bag- not backpack). She topped it off with make-up and told me she was going to a meeting as she stepped outside to catch her ride! I barely intercepted the make-up in time! What a little grown-up! I love that girl!

Michael started junior high last week- ah, the Wonder Years- gym class, no recess, hanging out, cell phones (yikes), girls (double-yikes), designer clothes (not quite there yet- still working on clean clothes and deodorant), and Puberty!
In honor- here are some of my memories of Hermosa jr. high- Go Matadors! Choir Class- which included lots of hanging out- specially since Mrs. Swinehart/Ms. Specht went deaf (so sad, but true), Mr. Ruchensky aka Pick and Flick aiming his boogers at us- seriously!, Ms. Donahoo and girls PE- oh my!, Animas Valley Mall and Mesa Drug, and lots and lots of make-up and Aqua Net!
We'll hope Michael's memories are not quite as traumatic as mine! He will do great- he is so brave and fun and good-natured! Go Oquirrh Mountain Eagles!

Toothless Wonder

Jake woke up crying today- for the 3rd time of his 3 lost teeth- no tooth fairy. Strangely enough, she came after he woke up- wierd, huh? I'm not sure what it is with her and our house but she is very scatter-brained! Poor Jake!

Sunday Sillies

Taking Joy in the Little Things of Life! Apparently deacons think Laundry Fairies will sneak in and take care of their dirty clothes or that Sunday shirts that are only worn to church don't need washed- either way, Michael turned 12 in October and Tony discovered that his shirt needed washed on Saturday, that special day- unfortunately, I did not get the memo until Sunday at 10:40 (get in the car kids- I don't have a shirt). So, in homage to Chris Farley, we had Fat Guy n a Little Shirt day! It was hilarious- Michael said "I physically can not pass the Sacrament in this shirt!" But somehow he managed!

Katie got in on the sillies. As always, Tori and Jake were arguing in Sacrament and Tony told them to come to him and he would handle it. Not 2 minutes later, Katie whacked Michael. "Katie, what should you have done?" Tony asked- "Whack him harder" (she whacks again) "No," said Tony holding back the laughter (and a hint of pride) "What should you have done Katie?" She thinks., "Oh yeah- pull his hair!"
Grab!
Oh, we are so proud of our 4 year-old!

My oh my!

First Attempt

OK, I am not a blogger, but I have an awful lot to say, it seems.
Here is my test run.
Any help or advice you can offer would be fabulous!

I love a good sale and have been enjoying running back and forth between OfficeMax penny sale and Payless- both stores have each others coupons. Also, I am counting down for JCPenney and JoAnns' $10 off a $10 purchase.

Anything to not feel guilty about shopping.