I'm so sad that the season in about over. It went by way too fast for me. We had a great Christmas this year. On Christmas morning we waited and waited for the boys to wake up, finally we just woke them around 8:00. They were so excited. I feel like for me Christmas gets better and better every year. Each year the kids are more excited and understand more about both Santa and the true meaning of Christmas.

We opened stockings down by the fire first, then went back upstairs to attack the presents under the tree. Steve and I both thought this was our year to spoil the other one. I'm always whining about my life dream of playing the violin. Well, I guess he got sick of the whining and decided it's time for me to do something about it. Surprise!!! I was also tired of his whining about needing a "varmit gun". So I got him a .22-250.

After all the presents were openned we braved the snow storm and headed out to the farm. Everyone was waiting on us for Christmas breakfast and we finally showed up around noon. We ate and then openned presents again. After that we spent the day playing the Wii. Bronsen worked hard this weekend at becoming Wii's youngest addict. He played it for 3 days straight.

On Friday Steve, his dad and brother Mark all went snowmobiling over in Colorado. It was a great weekend with lots of fun. Below are a few pictures of the festivities.

I've been tagged by both Leslie and Kendra, so I'd better do it.

Here are the rules:

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.
5. Leave a comment to let them know.


1. When I eat certain foods I love how they feel when my mouth is clear full. Some of those food are Cheerios, certain pastas, not too many things, but a few. When I first told Steve about this and we were dating I think it scared him a little. He wondered if he was going to have a 600 pound wife because she loves the feel of her mouth being full.


2. I'm petrified of finding a dead person in my bathtub. I can't stand to keep the shower curtain closed. If it is closed I will ALWAYS either open it or look in to check when I'm in the bathroom. This has been a fear for a long time, and Steve unknowingly took me to see the movie, "What Lies Beneath." when we were dating. If you've ever seen it this was very cruel!!!! But he paid for it by the bloody fingernails in his arm and having to listen to his date scream and then cry at the theater.


3. I'm strangely attached to me mother. She's like a drug. I couldn't quit her if I tried. It's funny because I felt like I was fine when we lived away, but now that I live in town I pretty much have to see her everyday. I know I waste a lot of her time and mine, but I just can't help it.


4. I can't stand to touch the inside of my belly button. It has such weird nerves in there. It makes me automatically nauseous and sick to my stomach.


5. I love for all of my hangers to match. Before I got married all of my clothes were organized from coolest shirts to warmest shirts, and then by colors, prints, stripes, etc. The shirts were all on green hangers and dresses, pants, etc. were on maroon hangers. Now I don't make the time for such frivolous organization but I do still only buy white hangers. If I'm hanging up clothes and run out of white and there is a green or maroon one available I'll either put Steve's clothes on it or go trade it for a white hanger out of the coat closet.


6. I absolutely love to hoard food. It's not hard at all for me to keep my years supply. I never pass up a good deal on something I need for food storage. I get a strange joy out of buying by the case. I do go to Sam's Club and Costco some, but I'm not one to buy just anything in bulk and I do think you must be careful in those stores. Bigger isn't always cheaper. I just love the feeling of seeing my shelves overflowing with food. I'm grateful that I live in a world that I can hoard as much food as I want.

So now you all know how weird I am. I tag anybody that feels the need to expose a truer side of themselves.

Last night I came across this little story in a talked called "Three Goals to Guide You" from President Thomas S. Monson. I was looking for a quote on service for young womens; it wasn't what I was looking for, but I thought it was a great reminder to look around a little more often at what we can be doing for others. I know it's sometimes hard for me to not be self absorbed in this crazy busy world.

"You are, of course, surrounded by opportunities for service. No doubt at times you recognize so many such opportunities that you may feel somewhat overwhelmed. Where do you begin? How can you do it all? How do you choose, from all the needs you observe, where and how to serve?
Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person’s family, quick words of encouragement, a sincere compliment, a small note of thanks, a brief telephone call. If we are observant and aware, and if we act on the promptings which come to us, we can accomplish much good. Sometimes, of course, more is needed.
I learned recently of loving service given to a mother when her children were very young. Frequently she would be up in the middle of the night tending to the needs of her little ones, as mothers do. Often her friend and neighbor across the street would come over the next day and say, “I saw your lights on in the middle of the night and know you were up with the children. I’m going to take them to my house for a couple of hours while you take a nap.” Said this grateful mother: “I was so thankful for her welcome offer, it wasn’t until this had happened many times that I realized if she had seen my lights on in the middle of the night, she was up with one of her children as well and needed a nap just as much as I did. She taught me a great lesson, and I’ve since tried to be as observant as she was in looking for opportunities to serve others.”

Here's a link to the entire article if you're interested. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=73b81b3e50cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

This picture is of Steve's buck. He shot it openning morning, something he probably won't do again unless it's a "monster buck". It was a nice 3x4 though and the boys sure thought it was fun to actually see the deer before he shot. Bronsen told his dad, "They have horns, shoot!"

Sorry to all of those who are not used to all of the carnage that is associated with hunting season. I tried to crop out what I could. Hope I haven't offended anyone with all the blood, guts and carcasses.

A month or so ago we took our dog Haley into the vet to be fixed because all of the neighbor dogs were driving us crazy when she was in heat. Well, unfortunately it killed her. Bronsen was devastated, the rest of us were pretty sad too, so we had to get a new dog. On the way home from Oregon we stopped in Salt Lake and found Moki.

So far she's been a pretty good dog, a puppy, but a good dog. I do have to tell you about one thing that makes Steve laugh so hard. Steve and the puppy were downstairs watching TV and Parker came down completely naked. He loves to wrestle Moki, so he pounced on her. When Moki finally got away and Parker wasn't paying attention Moki jumped up and bit Parker right on the bum. How's that for payback Parker? We are enjoying having a puppy again despite the circumstances that made us want another one.

I'm so excited that fall is finally here. With fall comes my desire to create. I'm looking for some fun fall crafts to do. I know all of you have some dang cute stuff. So if you would please send me your ideas I'd love it. Thanks!

We loaded up the kids two weeks ago for a family vacation to Klamath Falls, OR. It's in south central Oregon next to the California border. Here are some of the highlights and not so great things of the trip.

Highlights. . .
- The lava cave national monument was definitely a highlight. What little boys (and moms) don't love putting on helmets and using flashlights to hike up to 2000 ft. into a lava tunnel. It was really really cool.
- The boys spent so much time in the swimming pool at the Running Y Ranch where we stayed. Bronsen even swam across the pool without his floaty on the last day.
- We tried to go fishing, but after hours of no luck we let the boys strip down and just swim. Parker was so excited to chase the ducks. Luckily they were pretty tame.
- We got to see Crater lake. The 7th deepest lake in the world. On the way there we stopped for a free train ride at a miniature train mountain.
- Just spending relaxed quality time together.

Not so great things . . .
- My purse got lost or stolen somewhere between Wendover and Oregon. What a nightmare.
- We were going on a bike ride on an asphalt trail that went around the resorts golf course. Steve was pulling the bike trailer with the boys in it and discover that at the bottom of a steep hill was a sharp 90 degree corner. Anyway, the trailer rolled over twice. The straps broke and threw Bronsen out. They both got some road rash, Parker's hand was the worst. Luckily they were both wearing helmets, and their helmets took a beating as well.
- We didn't catch any fish.
- We drove ssssooooooo much that week. Poor little boys.

What follows is my attempt at a video of the trip.

I'm getting too fat to keep it a secret much longer. Even my brother Nate came up to me at the football yardsale on Saturday and said, "So, how much longer do you think you're going to be able to keep this a secret?" Thanks Nate.
So anyway, we're expecting again in February. We're about 12 weeks along, so hopefully past the point of another miscarraige. We're very excited and pray that all goes well.

I'm not sure whether I'm posting to make all of the other moms out there jealous or if I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm sitting in the hotel in Boulder, CO just bloggin' and finally getting a chance to comment on all of your blogs. Steve and I drove over last night after dropping off the kids at my moms. This is the second trip this month that we have taken and left the boys. I know, I'm spoiled. Thanks to our moms! So Steve is at his training and I'm just here wasting the day away. I'll probably go do a little shopping after lunch.

Another reason for posting today is that I might need to explain the "B town biggest losers" blog. I went to a young womens presidency meeting last week and one of the other ladies asked me if this was really a blog that we got on and talked about who we thought were the biggest losers in Blanding. Holy cow, I'd hope most of you know me better than that. NO!!! This is a blog that my cousin Laici set up for all of us to try to lose weight and be "big losers" ourselves. If anybody really really want to see to blog I'm sure you can go to her blog and request an invitation.

Life has been so crazy lately that I just haven't quite been keeping up. You can tell by the laundry that has been piling up for so long that poor Steve finally took it as his mission to at least put it all through the washer. Now I just have to fold Mount Everest. But thanks honey!

We had a really fun 4th of July. I finally uploaded a few pictures. Oh how I need high speed internet!!! We went to the parade and then watched Steve play with my cousins in the 4 on 4 sand volleyball tournament. After they lost out we went to my moms for some Navajo Tacos and I set up a carnival for the kids. It was so much fun I think it will become an annual tradition. No more expensive than the booths downtown, and our booths always deliver prizes. We even had metals for the footraces. Thanks to my aunt Stacey for all the prizes! We then went down to Centennial Park and enjoyed the fireworks. Quite the show for small time Blanding.

My mom and the boys at the parade

Steve had such a hard time getting kids interested in his bean bag toss

The next day we invited everyone out to Recapture for a day of boating. We finally got a tube to pull Bronsen around on. Him and his cousin Heather loved it.

Since the fourth we've just stayed busy. Steve and I took a trip up to Salt Lake to buy a new truck. Well, new to us, quite used actually. For those of you who didn't know, our old truck blew it's engine when were were towing the boat to Lake Powell last month. We left the boys with Steve's family. Thanks guys!! They love spending time on the farm and getting to ride the tractors.

Since then we've been finishing up co-ed softball, our last regular season game is tonight. Steve's been working hard. Some bad news there. He can't come home for lunch anymore. Makes me way sad, but what pull do I have? I've been keeping up with the garden, if anyone needs zucchini just let me know. I bottled a bunch of apricot jam the last couples of days. Steve's favorite. I was also put in the Young Womens presidency as 1st counselor, so that will be keeping me a little busier.

All in all we're going great and just hanging on as the Summer flies by. Next week we'll be in Boulder, CO as Steve has some training. I just like to tag along.

20 Years ago...
1. I was 7
2. I was living in Kanab
3. Little did I know, I was about to move to Blanding
4. I was constantly digging in the dirt trying to make a swimming pool that we could line with plastic and jump off our deck into

10 Years ago...
1. It was the summer before me senior year.
2. I was dating Tyler and having tons of fun. I'm sure we went to Bar-D.
3. I went camping with my friends all the time.
4. I was working at Clarks Market


5 Years ago...
1. We had just bought our first home in Washington. A very cute but bright red home. The neighbors asked us if we were drunk when we told the contractor that the exterior paint color was okay.
2. I was trying to get pregnant.
3. I thought that jumping on a bike and riding up and down huge hills for 20 miles at a time was no big deal.
4. I was working at bodylink and WSU extension as a dietitian.


3 Years ago...
1. Bronsen had just turned one.
2. We were moving back to Utah
3. We were starting to build a house in Garland.
4. I was pregnant with Parker.
5. I thought my life was settling down and we were going to put down "roots".




1 Year ago...
1. I talked Steve into moving to Blanding.
2. I was getting bids on the same house plans and from the same people I am today !!!!
3. I was very excited to buy a bike trailer so I could get back into biking.
4. I was enjoying growing a garden in "normal" soil.

Yesterday I...
1. Taught Bronsen to ride a bike without training wheels. He's getting so big!
2. Went to the dam for a boat ride and wake boarding.
3. Only checked 2 things off my to do list.
4. Made me house stink because I boiled water out of my beans all over my stove.
5. Took the kids for icecream and pizza.
6. Ordered a tube for the boat, so everyone can have fun on Saturday.


Today I...
1. Have spent way too much time blogging.
2. Will clean my house.
3. Have a softball game.
4. Have kissed the knee of the boy who now thinks he and his bike are invincible.
5. Wonder if I can survive Parker being two.

Tomorrow I...
1. Will take the kids to story hour
2. Will go to Lant's missionary return dinner.
3. Will hopefully get all of the things done that aren't getting done today.
4. Will water the garden.

In the next year I...
1. Hope to have another baby.
2. Hope to not be getting bids on our house again, but rather be living in it and working on the yard.
3. Want to build our house design/drafting business.
4. Hope I can find time for things that really matter in life.


I tag Nat, Michelle, and my mom.

So I think I lost my camera at girls camp. When I was packing for Lagoon on Friday I searched everywhere, and came to the conclusion that it's not to be found. So no fun pictures of the boys enjoying the rides. We did have a good time though. The bees game was also fun. The boys loved the fireworks afterwards, and running the bases too.

So Bailey send me a get to know you forward and since I haven't done one in quite a while I'll appease her.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER SOMEONE? Not really "after", but my dad got the name from my uncles girlfriend, whom he also took out a few times. Hmmmmm.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I got teary last Tuesday, does that count?

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? NO, when I was a senior in high school my mom told me I'd better start practicing my hand writing because I would go to college and my professors would think I was stupid because of my handwriting.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham or pastrami

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yep, 2 crazy ones.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so.

7. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep.

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? For a sugary rush, I love cinnamon toast crunch. For everyday health probably wheat chex with fruit in it.

9. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Rarely.

10. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Stronger than most girls probably.

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Vanilla with toppings.

12. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their countenance

13. RED OR PINK? Red. Every picture I have up until 1st grade I was dressed in it.

14. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? That sometimes I don't think before I speak and I end up offending people.

15. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Washington friends.

16. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Absolutely.

17. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gray sweats and no shoes. (it's still early).

18. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Bacon, egg and toast. (trying to be a "good wife" today, and we're out of milk.)

19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My dining room fan. It sounds like it's going to fall off the ceiling at any moment.

20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green

21. FAVORITE SMELLS? Anything that brings back good memories.

22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Kari Palmer, trying to track down that stupid camera.

23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes, Bailey's a great sister.

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? High school football. Can't miss a game.

25. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown, with a few unfortunate grays. Can you believe that, I'm only 27!!!

26. EYE COLOR Hazel

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not any more, and I love it! Best money I've ever spent.

28. FAVORITE FOOD? Things full of flavor, I seriously love all food way too much.

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I don't do scary movies.

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? I don't even know. I watched about 10 minutes of Charolette's Web this weekend.

31.WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Gray, it's Steves.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Early Summer mornings, and cozy winter nights.

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses for Steve and hugs for everyone else.

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Brownies with icecream

35. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Who knows

36. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Someone who doesn't know how to copy and paste.

37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I'm just starting the 4th book in the Barrington Family Saga by Anita Stansfield.

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Chief Architect

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LATE LAST NIGHT? The news, and King of Queens.

40. FAVORITE SOUND? My front door openning.

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Probably the Beatles.

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Jonkoping, Sweden

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? What if I'm just special?

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Monticello, UT

45. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everyone's

So I guess that's it!!

So here I am, sitting in my house with no husband, no little boys, nothing to do but blog. It's so great!! This week was girls camp and I was our ward camp director. Well we ended up coming home early because of the SNOW!!!! All of our girls were too wet and cold to spend another night. I must say I thought my aunt Stacey just asked me to do this because she's my aunt and knew I wouldn't say no. But even though I wasn't all that excited to begin with, I had a great time. I forget how powerful the spirit is and how much it can change our hearts. I'm so thankful for the chance that I had to get to know some amazing girls, and to have my testimony strengthened. I love the feelings of the spirit, I wish I could keep them that strong all day everyday. (Of course then I'd be blubbering all the time). But I am thankful for my testimony of Christ's gospel.
Now, I get to go pick up my boys from "the farm". Even though breaks are nice and refreshing. I miss those crazy kids and can't wait to see them and spend the day playing together.