It's Gonna be a White Christmas!

It has been snowing and snowing and snowing! It stopped just long enough for me to shovel the driveway, and then it started up again as soon as I finished. Now, as I'm typing this all my work is being covered by snow again...bummer. It sure is pretty though!
Haley loves playing in the snow! Morgan, however, doesn't have the endurance that Haley does. She starts out strong, but it doesn't take long for a glove to fall off making her hands cold or she gets stuck in deep snow and soon becomes frustrated. About every 5 minutes I have to go and rescue her or hunt down a lost glove, making the whole shoveling thing 10 times longer then it should. She finally gave it up and sat on the porch with her milk.

I just got Haley new gloves...they look huge! Now, I've got to get her some snow boots. She's been getting by with her yellow rain boots for the time being.

After snow play...hot chocolate of course!!

Morgan prefers the dipping method using her fingers...weird.

New Pictures

I decided to update the pictures on my blog. Our family picture is now revealed! I know, I know, super exciting.

It broke my heart to take off Cassidy's picture, but the time had come. Boy, do I still miss her...I think about her everyday. So even though she's off the site, she's definitely not forgotten!

"Frosted the Snowman...

was a very jolly snow!" That's how Haley likes to sing it!

I have the radio in their room set to a Christmas station, and I have it on pretty much all day. Just today I was changing Morgan in their room singing along to some random Christmas song, and I'm almost positive Morgan said, "Stop it Mommy, stop singing." I was like, "Did you just tell me to stop singing?". Her reply, "Yes". Great, I already embarrass my two year old daughter! That reminds me of when my brother, Jeff, was little, and when my mom would sing he would cover her mouth with his hand. So, as you can see we are not singers in this family! Our own children don't even want to hear us!

Today is a cold, snowy day...a sweatsuit day, as I like to call them. In fact, it's not only a sweatsuit day, it's a no make-up, hair not done day. I'm gonna be a real prize for Ryan when he gets home from work! Well, he may not have a hot wife today, but he'll have frosted, sprinkled sugar cookies waiting for him!!

Finally feeling the Spirit!

We had quite the snow storm this morning. It makes me very thankful we decided to keep the Jeep...the 4-wheel drive was a necessity as I took Haley to her Preschool Christmas program. It was one of those mornings you just want to hunker down with a certain nice hot drink (ah-em) and not do a thing! But, the show must go on!! In snow and everything! And we made it in perfect time! Haley did a super job! It took a while for her to finally find me in the crowd (it was stadium seating so it was a little easier for her to spot me), but when she did she had to hugest grin. And of course we did little cutesy waves to each other, back and forth...ah, just brings tears to my eyes! She got to dress up like a reindeer for the song Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer...so cute!

After lunch the girls played in the snow while I got a pretty good workout shoveling the drive and walkway...gotta say, I do enjoy a little shoveling every now and then! With the snow in the morning and a bit of baking in the afternoon, I would say I'm getting into the Christmas spirit! It's about time! Winter hit us fast this year, that's for sure! With all the grumbling I do about the snow, deep down I do love this season. We have the big pile of snow stuff by the front door to prove that Winter is indeed here: boots, jackets, snow pants, gloves, hats, all sitting in a big puddle of water. Yep, they'll be there for the next few months so I better get used to it!

In other news, Jeffy flew out this morning back to the LBC for Christmas. And I know I'll be seeing him next week, but I gotta say, I miss the guy!

The big huge Penguin

A while back Haley was looking through some toy catalog. I told her to tell me if she finds something she wants for Christmas. Well, on the very last page they had a picture of a stuffed penguin which happened to be about two feet tall, and that is what she said she wanted. Well, I figured she would forget about it and move on to other things...because quite frankly, I do not want anymore stuffed animals in this house! Well, I was wrong! She hasn't stopped talking about that penguin since! So today, I gave in, and bought a pretty comparable penguin from the one she saw in the catalog. I can't believe we're going to haul a big huge penguin all the way to California for Christmas morning, just to haul it all the way back to Provo! Yes, I know, we have to do that with all their toys, but it just seems weird with a big huge penguin. She better love it!
This is not the actual penguin...but hers will be very similar.

Sneak Peek Picture

So I've been tagged by Megan, and of course I never say no to a tag...well, haven't yet anyway! The idea of this one is to post your eighth photo in your eighth folder on your computer. I think that's what she was trying to say. Well, recently my computer lost all files that I had saved (I know, bummer). So I don't have eight folders of pictures anymore, I only have four saved so far. So, I posted the eighth photo in my fourth folder. And this is it...I know, pretty thrilling. This is actually a reject from our Christmas photos this year. Etta was not cooperating in this photo, actually neither were the girls for that matter. The whole process of getting a good picture was extremely frustrating. It's funny when you see family pictures...everyone looks so happy and loving, but you know half the time everyone is sick of each other by the time that photo was taken. Or maybe that's just my family.

This is about the majority of what I said while we took our pictures:
"Haley...LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!!!!"
"GET YOUR FINGER OUT OF YOUR NOSE!"
"Morgan, SMILE!"
"STOP FIGHTING!"
"PUT YOUR DRESS DOWN!!"
"STOP JUMPING...BE STILL!"
"I'll give you some candy if just please cooperate!"

So I know I have a smile in this picture, but I was probably ready to scrap the whole thing at that moment! If we didn't have a picture for every year we've been married, I probably would have...but I can't break tradition! So anyway, here's a sneak peek at our yearly Christmas picture. Enjoy!

I'm not going to tag anyone else. Last time I tagged people The Mop was the only one who played...funny, because he was the one person that I thought wouldn't. He proved me wrong! Anyway, if you're reading this and want to play...knock yourself out! I always love pictures!

My dentist visit...grumble, grumble.

I left Jeffy in charge of the girls while I went to my dentist appointment this morning. I had to leave around 9:15 and Jeff wasn't up for the day yet. So I had to drag him out of bed to hopefully keep an eye on the girls. He didn't have class today, so he was trying to take advantage of some extra zzz's...lucky him, he got to watch my kids instead!



Have I mentioned that I HATE going to the dentist? Well, I do! Very much!! I hate the scraping part I think worst of all. It's like nails on a chalk board to me!! I hate how your spit pools up in your mouth and then when they take the scraper tool out a big string of spit follows. I hate when they spray the water and it goes all over, drenching your entire face. Or how the toothpaste stuff flies out of your mouth, and later you find crusty dried up paste on you skin or in your hair. Today they "painted" my teeth with this type of fluoride that supposed to stay on your teeth for the entire day. The tech lady was like, "It's going to feel really slimy and funky, but you can eat and drink normally, just brush it off before you go to bed." OK, that stuff is AWFUL! It feels like you constantly have food in your teeth, and it looks like there's chalk all over in your mouth...GROSS! Plus, it has this fruity flavor that stays in mouth (even if you eat something) it just made me sick to my stomach. The lady said the fluoride stays "active" for 6 hours...well, I lasted about 30 minutes. I tried, but failed. So anyway, bottom line: I HATE the dentist! Too bad to, because everyone is so nice in that office.

The good news: No Cavities...yeah, for me!

And let me just add, Jeffy isn't too bad at watching the kids. When I walked in he was helping Haley get her coat on to go outside (granted, he let her put flip-flops on in 30 degree weather, but whatever). And he even made them eggs for breakfast! We'll forget the fact that he served them on little plastic lids, instead of actual plates, but they do look an awful lot like plastic plates in his defense. A job well done! It's kinda nice having him around!

Christmas Shopping

I went out last night for some evening Christmas shopping. I waited until Ryan got home so I could go without the kids....Hallelujah! The only real bad thing is that I'm so super tired by that time, the last thing I wanted to do was get in the car and go to some crowded store! But I sucked it up, went out into the bitter cold and shopped for a few hours. Those kids better appreciate what I'm doing for them!! Unfortunately, when I got home I realized that one of the things I bought for Morgan was opened and some items fell out...great, just what I need! So I had to go back today to exchange it with Morgan in tow (did I mention the gift was for her). Luckily, I don't think she noticed what I was doing, and I did a pretty good job at covering the toy. Then I did some more shopping at the Disney Store...again with Morgan (Haley was in preschool). So anyway, I would see something I wanted to get for the girls and then I would tuck it behind the register when Morgan wasn't looking. I did this constantly for a good 30 minutes. After a while I had quite the pile of goods behind the register. I'm sure the workers are used to that...there isn't really any other way when you have a kid with you. I would say it was a successful morning.

The girls made a Gingerbread House this afternoon. Gotta love these kits they sell now...it can't get any easier!!

My Goofy Girls

Some of you may know that I've had to send my camera in to get repairs on more then one occasion. And every time I bring it in they always ask, "Do you know if the camera was ever dropped?" (as they look over at my two children). Of course I never rule them out, because they very well may have when I wasn't looking. But this time I caught someone red handed!


If you are not sure...those are Morgan's little toes. And I did NOT take this picture! Mystery solved! I was wondering why she tucked herself in a corner and was saying "CHEESE" constantly...now I know what she was up to!

My girls love "getting dressed" by themselves, they always come out of the bedroom in something weird! These are a couple of their latest fashions.

Haley picked out some Valentine pants, good choice for December. And yes, those are Haley's panties that Morgan decided to wear on the outside of her PJ's. I think she was going for the super hero look. Her favorite plate right now does happen to have Spider Man on it...a gift from her boy cousin.

They got into the Winter bin with all the scarfs and mittens the other day, so this is what they came up with. I want to point out the princess tiara that Morgan put on top of the Winter hat...too cute!

It's never a dull day around here!

Getting into the Spirit...at least trying.

Yesterday I got a neat surprise...Ryan has today off!! Yeah! He actually had no idea himself until an hour or so before he left work. So pretty nice surprise for him too!

I tried getting into the Christmas spirit this morning by taking advantage of Ryan being home and doing some Christmas shopping. I didn't do as well as I had hoped, I pretty much felt like crapola all morning. But at least I can say I started, which is a start.

So anyway...Christmas tree shopping maybe this evening, and who knows what else is in store for the weekend...good times I'm sure...at least let's hope.

It's December...

where is my Christmas spirit?! Usually I love this time of year, but these past few days I'm feeling anything but merry or jolly. In fact, if I read another happy, happy, everything's perfect family blog I may just hurl!! (No offense happy family blog people, you know I'll still read your blogs...I'm a glutton for punishment!)

It seems when bad or stressful things happen around here, they happen all at once...and this time it's happening during the so called "happiest" time of year! My poor Jeep Wrangler isn't doing so well and needs the engine replaced...swell. I've been calling around looking at prices, yadda, yadda, yadda. In the meantime I'm still driving it while it makes a clanking noise everywhere I go. The car guy said it's dohicky that's in the whatcha-ma-callit broke. (OK, he used the real words, but I can't remember everything). Anyway, so basically the poor Jeep will give out at any given moment. I feel like I'm driving in a ticking time bomb! And what exactly is going to happen when it does give out?! Will the car just stop in the middle of the road? Will the engine break up and then fall out of the bottom of the Jeep. Then I'll be standing on the side of the road like an idiot holding my children next to my broken up car while everyone drives past staring and pointing fingers at me..."Hey, look at that idiot!". OK, that hopefully won't happen, but you never know! So I've got to figure that out.

Then there are stresses with Ryan's work (yes, us wives also stress about our husbands jobs). I'm not going there, but lets just say it's hard times right now. There, I'm done!

So those things on top of other daily stresses is making me feel anything but in the Holiday mood. I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet!! And quite frankly, I have no desire to! To be perfectly honest I haven't been the most fun mama lately. This morning was no picnic! Here it is, Polar Express Day at Preschool, it should be pretty easy morning since Haley gets to go to school in her PJ's. That saves like 30 minutes of getting ready time. But are we on time...NO! I'm still running around the house like a crazy lady! "Get into the car!!! GO, GO!" But it still seems my kids are always in slow motion where ever they go, at least when you need them to go fast. And by all means...Haley CAN'T be late on Polar Express Day!!!

Yes, I'm very thankful for my family, my wonderful husband, the roof over my head, my poor crappy jeep that makes a lot of noise...blah, blah, blah. But I'm entitled to have grumpy days, I'm entitled to get angry or stressed and write a post about it for the world to see! I'm entitled to be a scrooge right now and have the urge to punch the bell ringer in front of the grocery store! I know it won't last, and I'll come back to my happy go-lucky self! But in the meantime...you may want to stay away from me!

Thanksgiving Update

I kind of went crazy with the pictures, and really there are so many more I wanted to post! But I resisted the urge, and left it with these.

Anyway, we got back from Sedona last night, after a fun filled week with the family! These pictures are way out of order...but whatever, just hang in there with me.

I was able to go mountain biking a bunch while we were there...I LOVED it!!! Ryan said my skills had improved since my cross racing action...maybe a little, but I definitely have a long way to go! Ryan's sister, Beth, and her husband, Chad, rented bikes and joined us for one of the rides. That was way fun!!! Thanks to Grandma for watching the kids!!

Let me just say how impressed every single hiker was with Ryan!! It seems that everyone we passed commented on his cross bike. "Wow, he's doing these trails on a cross bike?! That guy is CRAZY!" "Look at that guy...did you see how skinny his tires were?!!" I know...he's pretty awesome!

Here are the girls with Grandma and Grandpa. This was taken right before we headed out Sunday morning. Morgan refused to be in the picture at first...she was having one of her many grumpy episodes. Anyway, we finally coaxed her to come somewhat close to where they we standing and then she got down into her "don't touch me" squat position. So the three on them inched their way closer to her, trying really hard not to set her off (it worked)...hence the funny poses.

The day after Thanksgiving we went on a hike to Emerald Rock (I think that's right). And right before we turned around we discovered a tree swing! So of course all the kids (and some adults)and to take a swing before we headed back.

I love this picture with Ryan and the girls hiking because it's so typical of my girls. Ryan is hiking of the normal part of the trail and the girls take the alternate way, and of course it's the harder way. They always have to take the "other" route...for everything!

Sandy and Ken (that's grandma and grandpa) wanted to make a cover for their hot tub and had this brilliant idea to have the kids decorate it. So before the hike we spread out the tarp and the passed out fabric markers and the kids went to it! I think they really enjoyed it! Now Sandy and Ken can look at their master pieces all year long!!

This was the official kid table at Thanksgiving. All the cousins finally together...Parker, Haley, Brandon, Liam, Megan, and Morgan. Now that's a crew!!

Every year we take a picture of the four cousins on the couch in their PJs. And every year it seems to get more and more challenging to get them to cooperate...I guess that's what happens when you're trying to work with 4 and 2 year olds! So this is the best picture I got!

Grandma and the forty pound turkey!! OK, not really...but the thing was huge!!

Chad and Parker Peanut.

Beth and Brandon Bear.

And now that we're back I know it won't be long for our next adventure to Long Beach for Christmas...I love this time of year!!

Getting ready to head out of town!

Yesterday was a whirlwind kind of day! It seems that I was constantly running around going somewhere. Lets see...Dropped off Haley at Preschool, Target, the mall (which Morgan screamed the entire time), dropped off Jeffy at class, picked up Haley, Costco, the dump (unloaded 4 bags of leaves), my parents rental (pick up more bags of leaves), the dump again (unloaded more bags of leaves), camera repair place (got my camera back), and finally Home Depot. Ugh! And I realized as a was running around in the afternoon I never ate lunch!!! We went home in there somewhere to eat, I did feed my children, that I know! Etta got out again while we were gone on our morning errands! She's too smart, and she knows that if she keeps at it she can push boards off the fence. Luckily, I neighbor found her and put her in our garage. So anyway, I think I was too busy trying to figure the Etta thing out that I forgot to eat! I remember munching on something though...oh yes, I did eat a leftover pop tart sitting out. There you go...lunch of champions!

For those who are curious, I ended up buying a backless booster that is purple with flowers for Haley. I weighed her the other day and my scale (although probably not the most accurate) says she's 40 lbs. And she's nearly 43 inches tall, so I decided to get the backless one. She loves it!! She loves the little slide out drink holder I think the best! Plus it gives us sooo much more room in the backseat!

We're leaving tomorrow morning for Sedona...can't wait! We're always ready for a road trip!! Unlike any other time before a trip I'm stocking up the pantry and fridge instead of leaving it nearly empty. Jeffy will be here until Wednesday, he leaves for Long Beach to spend Thanksgiving with our parents. So my freezer is loaded with Hot Pockets and Taquitos and there's plenty of Ramen, cereal, Pop Tarts, and cookies in the pantry...everything a 18 year old needs to survive! I'm making a bunch of pizza tonight, so that should hold him through the weekend.

Like I said earlier, I got my camera back from the repair shop...AGAIN! Hopefully, this is it and it's finally fixed. So last night I was testing it to make sure it in fact works...so these are our testing pictures.


This one is pretty crummy of me, but Morgan is super cute!

Uncle Jeffy/Big Brother and my girls. We actually had to bribe Morgan to sit on his lap. We said Jeff would swing her around if she cooperated, she decided that sounded like a good deal.

Oh, and I have to mention...There is nothing better in the morning than to look into the paper and see a big photo of your husband!! Yeah, that's right...Ryan was in the Outdoor section of the Deseret showing off his cyclocross skills! Check it out!

Look in the photo gallery.

Pink Flowers or Neutral Colors?

I might as well just start living in my car since that is where I am the majority of the time. Maybe if I was a little more organized I wouldn't have to be, but I guess I like to make my life as complicated as possible, so I'm sure I won't be changing any time soon. So anyway, I'm on the lookout for a new car seat for Haley, she's ready to upgrade into a booster. Actually, she was probably ready for it long ago, but like I said I'm not very organized, so I'm finally getting around to getting one for her. The selection wasn't great at any of the stores I went to this morning. I'm looking at the Graco ones, since the other car seats I have are Graco, and no way can I mix brands!! So they had a cheaper model that pretty much had no cushion, it would be like sitting on a rock! That one's out! The next one up was really nice, but the only design they had in stock were pink flowers. Super cute! And of course Haley went crazy for it! But I just can't do it. Every major baby/toddler item I have ever purchased has been neutral colors: stroller, high chair, crib stuff, paint colors... everything! I just always think..."What if?...What if I ever have a boy?". No little boy is going to want to sit in a booster with pink flowers all over it! So the search continues, and I had to break Haley's heart. I tried to explain..."What if you someday have a brother Haley?". She says, "But Mommy, I already have a brother....Jeffy!". Jeffy (yes, that is what we call him...I've been calling him that since he was a baby, and I'm not stopping) anyway, he's taking on a role he never knew he had...a big brother that is!

I'll probably be destined to only have girls...and then I'll be kicking myself that I didn't buy super girly things!

Saturday Cross Race

So I was able to race after all. A big huge thanks to Jennifer and the whole Primary presidency for all they did to prepare for Sunday's program...they are awesome! The program was wonderful, I thought everyone did a super job. Haley said her line in the microphone, no mumbling!! Yeah, Haley!!

So I felt pretty good Saturday and I really liked the course this time! There was a lot of single track and it was way more technical. I only almost biffed it once...not bad! I even practiced dismounting before the race and I think I've got it down...now if I only knew how to get back on the bike fast. Anyway, it's pretty fun seeing Ryan and the girls cheering for me when I go by. It would be so neat if the girls got into this...they love mud after all, so they've got that going for them!

I took these pictures from Rio's Rider. I have no idea why they are so small, maybe you can click on them to get them bigger. Just check her blog to see them full size, she has a way better race report anyway. This is Ryan mixing it up in the A's race.

Rio's Rider right behind me...she was coming for me!

This picture kills me...what's up with my baggy leg warmers?! Nerd alert!!

Here I am jumping the barriers...it's way steeper in real life, honest!

I don't know....but.....I think I'm starting to like this stuff!

Rambling today

Well, these last two days have been a bit nerve racking. They are making some big changes at Ryan's work and to make a long story short...a lot of people are without jobs right now. Thank goodness Ryan is not one of them! But we weren't sure what was happening for a while, but I think I'm safe, and I can finally take a breath! This is such a bad time right now for the economy, and I can't help feeling so bad for all those families who are scrambling now to find work. Timing could not have been worse with the Holidays approaching. I have not been shy when it comes to complaining about Ryan's hours...12 hour days are not ideal!! We never really see him during the week!! But I guess I'll zip it and just be thankful he has a job!! So, no more complaining...for today anyway!

In other news, I got my haircut yesterday. I'm not super crazy about it. I hate when that happens...you have visual of what you think it will look like, but when you leave it's not at all what you expected! Oh well, I think I'm calling it quits with short hair. I'm growing it out starting today!



Warning: This is kind of a gross story...

At Costco when I'm done actually shopping I like to meander through the book isle before checking out (I'm in need of a new book to read). Anyway, so Morgan is sitting in the shopping cart and Haley is beside me, I wasn't really paying attention to what she was doing. Anyway, I'm reading about some book when I notice a lady talking to Haley. She's like "Oh, honey, I don't think that's a good idea!". So I look down and I see Haley slapping her hands in a puddle of something on the floor. So of course I pull her away from it. I'm all confused as to where this mysterious puddle came from, because it wasn't there moments earlier. I look all over the cart thinking something must have broke open. Nope. Then I notice that Morgan is sitting in a little puddle and her pants are soaking wet. So yes, apparently Morgan's diaper was already full and then she peed again leaking it all over the seat onto the floor where Haley decided to start splashing in it. EEEEWWWWWW!!!!! No one around me actually saw me discover Morgan's wet seat, so I pretended it came from her sippy cup and got out of there. Kids are so gross!!



Oh, and by the way...I'm racing tomorrow!

Morga-Muffin...my little grump!

I'm having the hardest time finding a layout that I like. I really liked the last one I had from "cutest blog on the block", but it took way too long to come up every time...so I had to pull it. How do other people create such cute blog layouts?! I want to know! So anyway, I'll probably keep messing around with it...you'll just have to put up with me!

So today did not start out well. I feel bad for Jeff because he witnesses all my "moments of rage". Luckily, he's an easy going kinda guy and really could care less that I'm storming around the house ranting. My girls are constantly fighting...what's up with that?! Please, please, I hope they grow out of it. I hope it's just Morgan's age...she's in the "terrible two's" and believe me, she fits the bill as she is grumpy most of the time. Her favorite phrase right now is "NO WAY!". She says it for everything! Even when someone smiles at her and says hello at the grocery store, she gives them a grumpy look and says, "NO WAY!". It's quite embarrassing! The other day I wanted her to say sorry to Jeff because of something she did, so I had her stay in her room until she did. I would check on her every few minutes to ask, "Are you ready to say sorry." Her response, "NO WAY!". There was even one point she was standing in the hallway right outside her room crying to come out. I say, "Your choice is to say sorry and come out, or go back to your room." She stood there for a few seconds thinking it over and then she turned around went into her room and shut the door. She stayed in there for about an hour until she finally gave in and said sorry. I really thought she was going to be my easy going child, but I was wrong...she's as stubborn as they come!

Totally Bummed!

So sorry to let all my fans down...but I won't be able to race at Wheeler Farm this Saturday. I know, I know, I'm sure all of you are super upset right now...but don't worry I'll try to come out again sometime. But that will be hard for me because it's only getting colder, and you all know how much I dislike being cold. I may have to race in snow pants, a puffy jacket and maybe even snow boots, but I'll be back!! I'm really bummed about it because Rio's Rider is planning on racing this weekend! I'm totally going to miss out! But we'll see...I've been known to change plans very last second, so you never know, maybe I will show up!


Haley has her Primary program practice Saturday from 10-12. And because I'm a teacher for another class it's pretty important that I be there too. Plus, Haley NEEDS the practice!! She mumbles her line in the microphone, so we really need to work on that! And when I say mumble...I mean mumble!! You can't understand a word she says! Oh, and then I found out on Sunday that the teachers are going to sing!! Noooooooooooo!!!!!!! I don't want to give away the program (there may be people from church that read this) but I will say the teachers will be front and center, STANDING in the AISLE singing!!! So I really can't fake it this time! At least the song is one of my favorites...although I still don't know all the words to it. This will be me,

"Called to serve Him. Heavenly King of glory,

bla bla bla bla...witness for His name.

Far and wide...bla bla bla bla bla bla bla

Far and wide His love proclaim."


OK, hopefully not! Just for the record (and for all my non LDS readers) there are more words to this song, this is only the first verse. But in any case, I better start practicing so I don't look like a complete idiot standing there.

So I decided to change my layout, but I'm not sure about his one. It takes forever to come up on the screen...that bugs me! But I was pretty tired of the old one...it was kinda boring.

I survived!!

Not only did I survive, but I had a lot of fun racing cross! Luckily the weather was very pleasant...maybe a little on the chilly side but at least sunny! I had to borrow Ryan's gloves because I forgot to bring some and my leg warmers were constantly falling down (I may need to update my Winter gear). Other then that, I think I fit in pretty well...I mean the whole idea is look fast, right? I was hoping people would be like, "Who's that new women?"..."She looks fast!". Then after the race starts they find out how bad you suck!! Oh, and I was on a mountain bike (most people had cross bikes).

I want to explain why all my photos are blurry. My camera is a piece of crap, there! So anyway, this is me right after the race. My race was a whopping 20 minutes, that was two laps around the course, which was perfect for me! Any longer and I might have started hating it. They end the race when you're still having a blast, so then when you finish you're thinking, "Wow, that was fun! I want to do it again!". I think they do that on purpose. The course had three barriers in a row we had to jump over. Unfortunately, this is where I got passed by everyone. I have no idea how to dismount properly so I of course lose a lot of time. I have to roll up to the barrier, stop, get off, run over the barriers, stop, swing my leg over and start off again. I know...nerd!! Then, there was another barrier to jump over before we had to run up a huge hill that was basically made of mud, all the while carrying your bike. But I had to so much fun! I ended up getting fifth out of six women...hey, not bad, right?! So we'll see about Wheeler Farm (that's where the next cross race is).

My girls had a blast playing in the mud, it's probably their most favorite thing to do! These pictures are of them making "Pat-a-Cakes". It kept them busy for quite a while. Mmmm, they look scrumptious!

After playing in the mud they spent the remainder of the day picking dandelions. Two other little girls joined in with them, but they were very reluctant at first. They stared Haley and Morgan in complete horror because of how dirty they were. These two girls were as clean as a whistle! How is that possible with mud everywhere?!!! Impressive! So anyway those two girls finally decided that they were dirty, but not dirty enough to pass up playing together.

What to do...what to do?

Ryan suggested that I race cross on Saturday. He's even posted some pictures of me racing back in the day to try to motivate me. Of course at first I thought there's NO WAY I'm going to race cross...I'm terrible at it! But then, I do have a lot of fun mountain biking...hmmm, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. So we'll see.

Preschool and Primary

Haley got her preschool picture today. I know it's small, but I don't know how to enlarge scans, or any picture for that matter, so you're gonna have to just deal with it! She doesn't look very happy in the photo...in fact she's the only one not smiling! But hey, at least she's looking at the camera, and more importantly she's not making some kind of silly face, which was my fear. Our Primary program is coming up in a couple of weeks for church. For those not familiar, every year the entire primary (all kids ages 3-11) spend the first hour singing the songs they learned that year. Also every child has a speaking part. Anyway, this will be Haley's first year participating in it! I'll actually be up there with all the kids since I teach the 8 year old class. I just hope, hope, hope they don't make the teachers sing!! Last year we had to, and if you aren't aware, I can't sing nor do I like even trying! Unless of course I'm in my car alone where I can really rock out! I come from a family of non singers...so it's not completely my fault. But hopefully Haley changes all that, because she LOVES to sing, and sings all the time! In fact, I've heard her singing the primary songs recently around the house! It's pretty cute! There's only one song that I'm not that fond of (I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on this one!). It's a beautiful song, but a few lines I'm just not crazy about.

"Home is where there's Father. Strong and wise and true.
Home is where there's Mother and all the children too."

Say What?!! I'm sure all the dads love this song. They all sit there and nod there heads..."Yep, that's right...strong, wise? Yes and yes." We're not just baby makers people!! We have an important role around here too!! Anyway...enough of that.

Something about seeing all those kids up there singing, it just gives chills. And this year my kid is in it!! Hopefully, I don't start crying or anything!! Women do have a tendency to burst into tears while standing at the podium, and I'll be sitting pretty close to it during the program so I'll try to control myself!

And so it begins.

We woke up to snow this morning, and it was still coming down pretty hard when Ryan left for work! He has to drive to work with a big coat, snow gloves, and beanie to try to keep warm...two windows don't zip up anymore in the Wrangler. So I'm sure his drive was not only long, but chilly! And of course Haley was up with us (because she never sleeps) running around the house yelling out, "It's snowing, it's snowing!!!!". She has already asked when we're buying our Christmas tree. One Holiday at a time Haley...one Holiday at a time!!!

Haley and Morgan couldn't wait to get outside! Not me...I need time to get used to this cold weather before I can just jump out there, I may freeze to death! I mean wasn't it about 80 degrees just last week!!! My girls are true Utahns, cold doesn't seem to phase them! Ryan must have passed on some toughness in that area, because it certainly didn't come from me...I don't like being cold. And it seems in the Winter I'm always cold! My hands, feet and nose are always freezing. The worst is trying to get dressed in the morning without my hands ever touching my skin, yikes, it's like ice touching me! Just ask Ryan, I've nearly punched him when he tries to touch my stomach, back, or neck with his cold bare hands! It's just a reflex, I have no control of my actions when he does that. So watch out!! My mom is the exact same way. The doctor was telling her all the side-effects she would have as she goes through her chemo. One was a sensitivity to the cold! She's like, "But, I'm already super sensitive to the cold!!". So if you happen to be in the Long Beach area during the Winter season and you see some lady wearing a huge puffy jacket, snow boots, scarf, gloves, and a beanie...don't worry, it's not a crazy homeless lady, it's just my mom trying to keep warm!

Cross race melt down

So I've been thinking about this last weekend and feel the need to post about my "crazy mama moment" at Saturday's cross race. Maybe because I'm embarrassed...I'm afraid that someone that reads my blog saw me loose control. It was one of those moments that you can feel yourself becoming more unraveled but there is nothing you can do about it. I became completely oblivious to everyone around me...and most likely drawing their own conclusions. But hopefully not...I'm sure everyone was too busy watching the cross race then to notice the frantic crazy lady with her hyper puppy and two children that refused to walk in the same direction that she was!

Let me explain. So I went with Ryan to the cross race thinking it would be a fun family activity...WRONG! I brought Etta with, which was my big mistake. I can't handle a dog (hyper puppy that is) and two children by myself. Etta went every which way so I tripped over her every few feet. Plus, the girls were obsessed with all the other dogs...so every time I turned around they were completely out of sight and I had to go hunt them down. Every time I found them around someone elses dog. Finally, Morgan decided it would be funny to hide out under the bleachers. I normally wouldn't care, but the bleachers were right along the finishing strip of the race and I was scared that she would jump out in front of a racer. So that resulted in me screaming for her to come out. These are the moments that you just hope so badly that they listen since there are tons of these people around. But it never works that way, huh? So I continue to scream at her all the while holding onto Haley (I think I might have been holding her jacket hood) and of course Etta is getting tangled in my legs. Yeah, I'm sure I was looking pretty unraveled at that point. Morgan just sat under there smiling at me with a little smirk. Ooohh, the NERVE!!! So finally, I got her out and dragged them both to the car with Etta practically being strangled as I dragged her too. Put them all in the car and left the race!! Don't worry, I went back to pick up Ryan, but I just had to get out of there! So as I drove away I thought how crazy I must have looked to everyone around me and then got really embarrassed about it. And this point I never want to go to another cross race again. Not really, I'll give it another go...but this time I may leave Etta home. So anyway, please don't judge me...I'm really a perfect mother, honest!

My two Fancy Nancys

It was a very successfully Halloween, the girls made out with tons of booty this year. And the weather couldn't have been better! Jeff and I were able to hang out on the porch all evening while we passed out candy. I thought the girls looked great as Fancy Nancy. However, I failed at getting their hair curly. I must have spent over an hour with the curling iron and hairspray...but their hair still went flat pretty much as soon as I finished...bummer. But of course that didn't phase them! They were chomping at the bit to get out as soon as the first trick-or-treater came to our door at about 5:30!! They like to start early around here! Ryan told Haley that as soon as it got dark they would leave. A little bit later we caught Haley yelling on the porch, "You have to wait until it's DARK, people!!!!!". Oops! We had to explain that was our rule, but other families can do what they want. So the girls of course didn't eat a bite of dinner...does any kid on Halloween?! They basically stayed on a sugar high to get them through the evening...but that's what Halloween is all about, right?

You have no idea how long it took us to get this picture! They were like little ping-pong balls bouncing all over the place, they would not sit still!

Then Morgan got grumpy and refused to get her picture taken at all! So this is her turning her back to the camera.

They have finally come down from their sugar high, and the rationing of the candy has begun. I think we have enough to last us until Thanksgiving at least!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to everyone! We have two excited little girls over here, who can't wait for tonight. Haley was our wake up call at 5:45 this morning, she wanted to go trick-or-treating first thing, then daddy can go to work. Hey, it is dark outside, I can understand her thinking!

Haley already had a dress rehearsal yesterday for her costume. All the kids came dressed up at her Preschool. I even curled her hair! She stood very patiently while I did it...I know, very surprising since she never can stand still for anything! And sure enough, as I was walking her in the building a lady coming out says, "Oh, what a pretty princess you are!". Haley immediately replies back, "No, I'm not a princess, I'm Fancy Nancy.". Good job Haley! I'm sure she'll be saying that phrase a lot tonight!

I also want to give a shout out to my mom. After five weeks, today is her last and final day of radiation!!! She's had to drive into LA everyday (with the help of my grandparents...thanks, you both are wonderful!). And if anyone knows S. CA freeways, you know that they're no fun, especially when you are feeling at your worst. It's very exciting that this stage is over! She has been enduring so much these last several months, and I'm just so proud of her, and inspired by her strength. She still has a few months left of chemo, but she's at the half way mark now!!

Tag...I'm It!

I've been tagged by a fellow blogger!

Eight Various Things About Me

My eight favorite TV shows:

Well, we spend most nights flipping through channels, the never ending search for a good show. But if I had to choose I would say, in no particular order:

1. Dr. 90210, however I don't actually watch the surgery part...that grosses me out!

2. Jon and Kate plus Eight. It makes my day not seem so bad.

3. House Hunters. Ryan hates this show, but I love seeing inside other houses, and what you can get all over the country.

4. Oprah. Say what you want about being a stereotypical housewife, but I love her show.

5. Any cooking show on the Food Network by Paula Dean, Giada, or Rachel Ray.


Okay, eight is really hard...that's all I've got.


Eight things I did yesterday:

1. Took Haley to preschool

2. Costco run

3. Laundry

4. Fold laundry

5. More laundry

6. Folded more laundry (I know this is very exciting to you)

7. Made butternut squash ravioli for dinner, but no one liked it. It did have kind of a funny flavor...too sweet I think.

8. Blogged...of course.

Eight things I look forward to:

1. Having a family dinner conversation without children spilling a drink, dropping food on the floor, interrupting, getting up and down from the table, screaming...yadda, yadda, yadda.

2. Going skiing and sledding.

3. The day Etta is trained and is a perfectly behaved dog.

4. The day Haley and Morgan are trained and are perfectly behaved children.

5. The day Ryan is trained and is a perfectly behaved husband.

6. Thanksgiving and Christmas

7. Holiday food

8. Warm weather again.

Eight favorite restaurants:

1. Burger Supreme, you can't beat having the family eat for under 12 dollars!!

2. Great Harvest. The Cinnamon Burst bread makes the best French Toast!!

3. Blackboard Bistro in Seal Beach, CA. They have the best breakfast!

4. Pizza Picasso's in Sedona...we look forward to it every year!

5. Einstein's Bagels. This time of the year they make the pumpkin bagel with pumpkin smear...YUM!

6. BYU Creamery...hands down, the best ice cream on the PLANET!!

7. California Pizza Kitchen.

8. PF Chang's

Eight things on my wish list:

1. Side-by-side refrigerator with a ice and drink dispenser...ahhh, so lovely!

2. Soft fluffy carpet for our living room.

3. A pair of jeans that fit properly! I'm tired of the dreaded flat butt! Give me curves!!!

4. Shoes, shoes and more shoes!

5. A weekend getaway...just Ryan and me!

6. Boob job...hey, a girl can dream! Although that would go nicely with our weekend getaway!

7. Big SUV

8. Big Home

Eight people to tag:

1. Ryan...might as well.

2. Beth

3. and 4. Jrad and Sleevie...maybe they will finally post something!!

5. Megan

6. The Mop...I just wanted to see if he'd actually do it.

7. Jill

8. The two Jennifers

Whew...I'm glad that was done! That was harder then I thought it was going to be!

Road Rage!

It's a good thing I don't have to commute to a job everyday, I may just loose my mind if I did. And yes Ryan, I know you spend nearly two hours of commute time everyday...you handle it well! I had to drive North, up to Lindon to the Animal Shelter to get Etta's licence. When I got there I found out I had to get it at the Spanish Fork Shelter because I live in Provo...great. Back on the freeway and go all the way South, past my house, to Spanish Fork. Good thing gas prices are going down!

Pet Peeves while driving:

-Huge 18 wheelers in the left lane...I can't stand that! Plus, they are always going about 85 mph. In CA all 18 wheelers and trucks with trailers HAD to stay in the right lane and they have a 55mph speed limit. I know CA has its issues, but that is one law I agree with!

-What's up with people not obeying work zone speed limits?!! Maybe I'm extra cautious since I just got a speeding ticket, who knows. But people are going like 90 mph through a 55!!

-Tailgaters...No matter how close you get to my bumper, I will not speed up! In fact, I'm more compelled to slow down just to irritate you.

-Stopping at traffic circles, when no cars are coming. You YIELD!!!

-People that don't get out of the right lane when you are trying to merge onto a freeway. You end up having a near drag race fighting for the lane! MOVE OVER! I'll fight you, and I will win!

-People that break (for no apparent reason) when they are changing lanes. Don't do that...that just makes everyone else have to break and then result in a traffic jam.

OK, I better stop. I can complain about everyone elses driving because I'm a perfect driver! Ryan, be quite!

Fancy Nancy

Not sure if anyone is familiar with this picture book series, or if anyone cares, but if you have daughters or nieces you should totally get these books for them...they are way cute! My mom got me hooked on them...she always finds the cutest things for my girls! Anyway, both Haley and Morgan are going to be Fancy Nancy for Halloween. They have to be the same thing because Morgan would freak out if she isn't wearing the same thing as Haley (she wants to do everything Haley does, wears, says...EVERYTHING). So in any case, I've been slowly gathering things for their costume, it's really not that difficult since Fancy Nancy basically wears anything that has ruffles, sparkles, pink in it, flowers or butterflies on it...you get the idea. The girls already had the real Fancy Nancy skirt, complete with ribbons and flowers already on it! Very cute! And the last several weeks I've been buying anything that Fancy Nancy would wear...meaning very girly, girly stuff! So we'll see how all this comes together on Halloween. I'm sure everyone that sees them are going to be like..."And you're supposed to be....hmmm, a princess? a diva? a pop star?...". Then I'll shout at them, "FANCY NANCY...don't you know anything?!!!!". Okay, not really...but it'll be funny watching people trying to figure out what they are. But I guess I let the cat out of the bag since I'm blogging about it, but whatever!