Experimenting

So I've recently downloaded Picasa (sorta like photoshop, but not) and now I'm trying to figure out how to use it. Did you know that's it's free?! Well, I didn't. I guess since we don't have regular TV and my beloved Alias (first and second season are the best) isn't playing on our DVD player (I think the disks are damaged...so upset about it) this is how I'm spending my evenings. And I was bummed that Cyber Monday did not come through for me today...not a thing did I find! I have got to get my head in the game before Christmas kicks my butt!

Anyway, about the pictures. The girls are obsessed with the Barbie and the Three Musketeers movie. They checked it out at the library and I don't even want to admit how many times they've seen it since then. Haley's outfit was supposed to resemble a musketeer from the movie...and I'm not sure what Morgan's got going on. They walked the "catwalk" and struck a pose.

Home again...

We're back from our week in Sedona. We arrived home last night, and then woke up to about four inches of snow...and it's still coming down! So, we're glad we made the trek home yesterday...we missed the storm!

Anyway, we had a great time. The weather was a bit on the chilly side, but nothing that prevented us from getting outside. I was even able to get out on the mountain bike twice! However, the second ride I did was about a half hour too long! I totally hit the wall...thought maybe Ryan would need to helicopter me out. I also I had close encounter with a prickly pear cactus...not cool. I still have a thorn lodged in my hand from it...I think it will be there for a while.

It's so fun to see the kids all together, I love that they are similar ages. Parker and Morgan would play forever together! The two of them are very alike and they both are very affectionate with Piper...always giving her kisses! And they both can ramble on and on, and half the time we have no idea what they are talking about. Funny kids.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners are my favorite meals of the year. I love everything about them. So needless to say I did not hold back. Mash potatoes, good...stuffing, good...homemade rolls, good...turkey, good (dark meat: yes please!)...pour gravy all over it, goooooood! And it was topped off with homemade pumpkin pie (complete with whip cream) and Ryan's family's traditional Ice Box Pudding for dessert!! Mmmmm!

I didn't do very well with taking pictures (what's new there), so I've posted a few that I did take. I'm hoping that I can steal some from my sister-in-law's blog when she posts some.

Traditional PJ picture. We have one from every year starting with Brandon and Haley as babies in matching footie jammies.

Our hike at Red Rock Crossing.

Playing in the leaves at Tlaquepaque...or Wacky Packy as Morgan calls it.

I was messing around with the video feature on the camera on the way home. I rarely include videos because they always take so long to upload onto blogger. But I decided to go for it...enjoy.



Traveling with kids...there's never a dull moment.

Road Trip Season

It's nearly been a week since I lasted posted...I guess I haven't been in the blogging mood lately. What have I been up to...let's see...

*I've actually started on my Christmas shopping! This is the first time that I've ever started before Thanksgiving...very impressive for me! Every year I tell myself NOT to stress out so much...but, it never fails...every year I stress out!. I'm trying to be more crafty with gifts this year. After all, I have a craft room now! I pulled out my sewing machine the other day. It was sitting on the floor in it's case and Haley asked what it was. I told her it's a sewing machine inside. She had the most shocked looked on her face..."WHAT?! You can SEW?!!". I guess it's been a while...hmmm, come to think of it, the last time I sewed anything was when she was a baby. So yeah, time to get back into it!

*Ryan got rear ended last night on his commute home. He's fine, but the car's bumper is beat up. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the Jeep...that thing can take a beating. We got rear ended in it once and it tore the crap out of the other car...us, nothing. You can't beat a Wrangler! I hate the fact that he has to commute...when you spend 70 miles a day commuting it really takes it's toll! But I'm glad he came home safe to us.

*We're gearing up for our trek to Sedona...so I will be MIA next week. Pretty excited about that...Piper will be meeting her cousins and Aunt and Uncle for the first time! It should be interesting throwing a baby in the mix this year. Hopefully I can still keep up with everyone! Bought Oatmeal Cream Pies (my guilty pleasure, and yes, I know it's a completely trashy snack) and Pringles for the drive today...it's just not a road trip without some junk food!

I feel like there's a gazallion other things I wanted to write about. I guess this will have to do for now.

Hey there Delilah (I'm at the MTC)

I heard "Hey there Delilah" on the radio the other day. Every time I hear that song I have this version in my head for the rest of the day.

I think my LDS comrades will appreciate it. Enjoy

Random

Wow, I've been a blogging maniac lately! Needless to say the weather is still dreary (it's snowing right now) and I'm still in the mood to stay home...hence the increase in blogging this week.

Anyway, I thought I'd post a few pictures from this week.

Morgan and Piper playing together.

During the week, when Haley is at school Morgan does not leave my side...kid you not, does not leave my side! She's still scared to be in any room alone, so she becomes my little shadow. But she has also become my little helper as well. She loves to watch and help me cook, and she loves sorting and matching socks when I'm folding clothes. The other day she even helped clean the bathrooms...she is my official toilet scrubber. And she adores Piper and is constantly kissing the top of her head.

A few days ago Morgan said there was a spider behind the basket in the laundry room. I told her I'd take care of it...but I kinda forgot. So today I was doing laundry and she reminds about the spider. I moved the basket and behold...a black widow! Yikes!

So I kinda freaked out a little...I mean, a black widow is lurking in my laundry room for heaven's sake!!

This is the spider right before I drenched him with bug spray

The spider is now dead. But Morgan, who is scared of pretty much everything, (remember the fear of falling trees?) has developed a new fear...black widow spiders. She is asking me question after question, "Do black widow spiders live in carpet? What can they do to you? What if they crawl on you? Do they live in houses?"...you get the idea.

Poor thing...what have I done?!

It's all about the sweat pants these days.

I've been such a home body these past two days. It doesn't take much...the weather went from sunny 70's to overcast and rainy/snowy 40's. All I want to do is stay in my house all day, sip a cup of coffee, wearing sweat pants and cozy socks...is that so wrong? However, things still need to get done. Yesterday I managed to get dressed, that's right, something other than sweat pants, and got some errands done. Flu shots being one of them. But don't worry, as soon as I got home the sweat pants went right back on. I better be careful...I don't want to become a schlumpy mother. The other day Jeff's girlfriend was here and my girls were absolutely obsessed with her! They were admiring her high heels, curled hair and jewelry...they were in awe of her! I must say, she did look amazing! (Jeff and her were on their way out on a date). But anyway, I got to thinking...Am I too schlumpy around my kids?! Maybe I should make sure I glam it up every now and then. A schlumpy rut isn't a good rut to be in. But for now...well, it's okay. I'm transitioning into Winter weather. I need a few sweat pant days to get prepared.

Speaking of being a home body, I've become a very bad dog owner. To be honest, I'm just not in the mood to deal with them. So, unfortunately they've been spending a great deal of time in their kennel. They spend the majority of their time wrestling and humping each other. Yeah, you read right...humping. They are both females and both are spayed, yet they are constantly humping each other! Why?! I'm no dog expert, but this seems very twisted to me...anyone have answers as to why they do this? It's driving me bonkers!

I started hanging some artwork and pictures on the walls...I know, it's about time! It's amazing how the house starts to feel so much more homey when the are walls aren't bare. I love my living room! I think it's my favorite room of the house. I've decided to only put black and white photography on the walls in that room. I have my old school PCH photo and a photo of Anza Borrego badlands that my brother took so far. I need more. So I'm on the hunt for some black and whites of Utah. We'll see what I find. I also need to find some artwork for the family room as those walls are still bare. Andrew...hint, hint! (My brother is an amazing artist!) The decorating possibilities are endless in this house...I love that!

Here comes Winter

That's what it feels like. Last week was beautiful! Temps in the 70's even, that's crazy for this time of year. But this week the temps drop and we may even be getting some snow. Today is a rainy day...a good morning to do a post.

Piper had her sixth month check-up last week. She's actually turning 7 months tomorrow, so I know, I was a little late. She weighed in at 12.7 pounds, and is 26 inches long. She is quite petite...so much in fact, that the doctor was a bit concerned. I'm to increase her solids and if she wakes up at night I should feed her (I don't like that one very much). Next month I need to take her again for a weight check. But everything else looked great.

I think yesterday was our last warm day, so we packed everyone up (dogs too) and headed up to South Fork for a hike. It was slightly chilly up there, but nothing too bad...sweatshirt weather. So as we're getting Piper in the backpack we discover Haley crying...turns out she was "looking" at the river and slipped in. She was soaking wet from the waist down. Lovely. She decides she wants to try to hike anyway. Well, needless to say we didn't get far before we had to turn around and go home. But we did find a really cool hammock and tree swing right off the trail. So that was good fun for a bit.

So before Old Man Winter comes we have got to get this yard under control! We have been pruning like crazy and still have so much to do! I try to tackle a part of the yard everyday...it's slow going, but we're getting there.

So Many Things

There is so much on my mind...things I've been meaning to write about...wanting to write about. After all, this is my journal and I want to make sure I document things I'm going through, feelings and such.

* My transition into my new home. A friend asked me the other day how I'm liking my new house. Well, of course I LOVE my new home...LOVE it!! But like any move into a new area, it takes time to adjust. Truth is...which I told her...I miss my old hood. I miss the young families, I miss seeing the kids running all around up and down the street. I miss seeing my girls playing with the neighbor kids in the front yard. It's true. I haven't been to church yet here. I probably should, it's an easy way to get to know people fast. But to be honest, I'm nervous...childish I know. My shy personality comes out. I'm the new girl. Maybe this Sunday. So anyway, it's only been a couple of months being here...I should give myself a break. Fact is, this area is awesome, I'm glad I'm here...everything will fall into place soon enough.

* Piper. Oh my little Piper. She's been a fussy one lately. Actually, she's fussy with EVERYONE but me. If I'm holding her, she's a dream. But with anyone else and her little world falls apart. This means I can't leave her side...ever...we are connected at the hip. I already feel a bit tied down since I nurse, but now, because she has trouble being with anyone else (Ryan included) I feel like I never get a break. Cooking dinner is usually done with her screaming the entire time, because *gasp* I have to set her down! I know, the horror. Excuse me for having to stir a pot or chop some veggies. I've thought about putting her in the backpack several times, weird as that may be...at least I'll have my hands free and perhaps she won't be screaming...maybe. So naturally, I'm pulling my hair out the minute Ryan walks in the door.

* Ding Dong...the fence is done! Yes, my dad is the hero! He spent pretty much everyday working on that thing. Boy, am I grateful...and I'm sure the dogs are too! Pictures to come.

* I had my first colonoscopy last week. Yeah, that's a story. Anything that revolves around a hospital will usually follow with a good story. First off the reason I did it: I have direct family history of colon cancer, and with my cousin's husband's passing from cancer, and hearing about people whos passed away from colon cancer in their forties (no I'm not in my forties yet...sheesh) I was scared. I wanted to have a piece of mind. So yeah, a colonoscopy. I'll try to make this short. First off, not eating for one entire day is complete torture!! Especially when everyone around me was eating. Then, to have to clean out my system...more torture. And I learned that nursing and cleaning out the bowels should not take place at the same time. I didn't realize how many calories my body uses to produce milk. So, without eating all day and then having diarrhea all night (yes, I said it...diarrhea) it made me extremely weak, to the point of passing out and feeling very sick to my stomach. Just not cool. So anyway, a terrible night, terrible morning...I finally get the hospital (my mom took me, and of course Piper tagged along, see above paragraph). Then they have the nerve to tell me that I was a little late and they may not be able to do the procedure! WHAT?!! I did not just go through all that for NOTHING!! I started to panic, and was about to get on my knees and beg for them to see me. I know, totally weird...beg for them to give a colonoscopy...some may see that as an out, an excuse to postpone. But no, not me...there is no way I was going through that prep again!! Luckily, I didn't have to get on my knees and they took me. But, it was very rushed, so rushed I wasn't able to nurse Piper beforehand. It was literally within minutes they had the IV in and I was whisked away. All I remember is laying there by the doctor and seeing the long probe thingy behind him...I started freaking out inside. I told him I was very scared. He said, "Don't worry, we have something for that." Then he gave me an injection and told me to roll on my side, *poof* I was out.

I woke up in a fog with my mom sitting in the room. And that was that. Oh, and if you ever get a colonoscopy don't drink two big cups of grape juice right after. You may throw it up. I learned that the hard way.

Oh, and everything is okay. Another ten years and I get to do the whole thing over again. Hopefully I won't be nursing then.

Halloween Festivities

My parents hosted a Halloween/Birthday party. Both my dad and my brother share the same birthday on November 1. So growing up we always celebrated their birthdays on Halloween. This is the first time in 7 years since we've been together for it! The girls we're thrilled to pieces about it...my mom sent them the most elaborate and spooky initiation for it (I should have taken a picture of it!). So they were very excited.

The girls went as Flappers this year.

They even got the dance down pretty well!

I didn't dress up Piper...I know, bad mom.

Next year Piper, I promise!

I'm always frantically trying to get everything for the girls' costumes, I never bother doing any costume for myself. Jeff was bummed when we arrived without being dressed up (he's dressed like a guy out of the 50's) so I rummaged through my mom's Halloween bin and found some wigs...voila!

My mom decorated the whole basement. I tried to scare Haley as she was coming around the corner.

Little Jett came as a Pirate...what a cutie!

My mom organized a bunch of games. This was the bobbing for donuts game. Tie the donut on a string and the first person to eat it (without using your hands) wins. Haley said this was her favorite game! I realized that I'm not very good at it. As you can see I'm between Ryan and Jeff, two tall people...and my face and donut kept smashing into their chests. I thought Ryan had the win, but alas his donut fell to the ground. Carrie took the prize!

Haley and Morgan...are you using your hands?!

The Birthday men.

The floor is covered with popcorn from a relay we did earlier...just in case you were wondering.

We had tons of food and games and then Ryan, Jeff and Matt took the kids out trick-or-treating. It had been pouring rain all evening, and it finally broke long enough to get out...lucky break!

Now we have candy up to our eyeballs here...and of course I'm eating it.