Merry Christmas!

So I am a slacker this year and won't be sending Christmas Cards. Maybe I will send Valentine cards or something like that this year, lol. Anyway here are some cute pictures of the girls for those of you that follow my blog you pretty much have the year covered anyway right? The girls love these new dresses they call them their Santa dresses and please note the matching bruises on their heads. Yes I try to wait for them to clear up but they just re-bruise themselves. I almost photoshopped the bruises away but figured it is exactly who they are right now so I left them. I mentioned to the pediatrician and he laughed and told me not to worry they are just high energy children. So enjoy the cute girls with the matching foreheads! I hope everyone is having a great year and we love you!

Ok, so I have been accused of being a blogging slacker. Which has been very true for the last two months so here is a fun quiz I was tagged with. If anyone else has been a blog slacker lately I "tag" you too!

Whats your Favorite brand of jeans?

hmmm, In the past I always liked Lucky's but I have to say I am just to cheap for that now. I usually get mine at Kohl's they always have screaming deals but I love flares!

What is your favorite restaurant? What do you get there?

Ok I have two and it just depends on my mood. I love Tucanos, seriously how can you go wrong with all you can eat brazillian barbeque!? Oooh and I love those chewy cheesy biscuits. My 2nd is Olive Garden, I love the breadsticks and well just Italian food in general.

What is your current favorite song?

That is a tough one, probably Dido's Here with Me. I love all christmas music too (I have it on my sansa (too cheap for an ipod) all year long.

What's your "type"? Is that what you ended up with?

I don't know if I have a "type." I have always liked cute butts, and Brent does have one of those. But I never expected to fall in love and marry him, especially when I learned he was 20 years older than I am, lol. But it works and now I have a beautiful family and we have now been married 7 years!

What is something unusual about you?

Hmmm, maybe that I can walk into a session with a Psychic and be more interested in what is in her computer, hard drive size, memory, graphics card, etc. than in oh yeah the Psychic!

How do you describe your everyday style?

My style? I have a style? LOL My style is trying to leave the house without childrens fingerprints or spills still attached to me!

What were the last three movie you saw? How were they?

The last one in the theatre was Max Payne (Brent's choice not mine) dark, depressing and so NOT my type of movie. We rented the new Journey to the center of the Earth with Brendan Fraser and that was excellent. I really enjoyed it. We also rented the new Dora Ice Princess the kids gave it two thumbs up.

What are your favorite TV characters?

Hmm, I love the show Bones I really enjoy the banter between the two of them, and House has to be a favorite, I just love to cringe at what he says and does!

What was the last book you read? How was it?

Most of the books I have been reading lately are all on adoption, some are good, some are depressing and some are a waste of paper, lol.

You are asked to bring your best dish to a party, what do you make?

Hmmm, I usually bring my orange jello salad to parties, is it because it is my best dish? No it is because I am always running late and it is fast and easy. But it does taste really good. Brent's nephew's all request it so it can't be all bad!

What qualities do you find attractive in your significant other or a prospective one?

Brent always stands up for me which is something I love about him. I also love that he has reintroduced the outdoors into my life, we have so much fun camping and hiking and doing things with the girls in the mountains. I love watching him with our girls he tries to say he is tough, but he is a push over when it comes to those two. I am just happy to be with him.

Is there a song that every time you hear it, it reminds you of a certain memory? What is it and why?

There is a piece of classical music, can't even tell you who wrote it or what it is but when I hear it I still break out in nerves. I had to play it for a piano recital and I didn't have it memorized and the fan in the room kept blowing the pages and I was nervous cause the YOUNGER kids than me had just played these amazing pieces and I freaked out and couldn't play it.

Do you swear?

Yup, just ask Sage she can tell you everything I say. Sigh. I am working on it though.

What is your worst vice?

procrastination, zoning out, always late, forgetful, hmmm I do have good qualities too!

Yeah yeah, being materialistic is bad. What is your favorite THING you own right now?

My computer(although I really need one that is newer, faster, etc), my sansa music player, my kitchen aid mixer!

Coke or Pepsi?

Neither, I prefer Mtn Dew but if I had to choose I like Diet coke better than diet pepsi

Beach, Mountains, Big City, Country, or Desert?

Mountains

Whats your favorite Candy?

I am on a dark chocolate kick and so is the rest of the world, lucky me. I like Target they have small bars that have tons of different flavors.

If you could dress your significant other (or prospective mate), how would you dress them? What do they usually wear?

I love Brent in a nice dress shirt and matching tie. How often do I get to see him in them? Oh once a year if I am lucky. If he could he would always wear black crocs, Levi Jeans, and his Cabella outdoor shirt with oodles of pockets comes in short and long sleeves. He has 4 of these shirts and wants more, lol.

What is your favorite dessert?

Cheesecake, or anything pumpkin or even better PUMPKIN Cheesecake!

Whats your least favorite fashion trend?

I have to agree with Tracy on this one: Skinny jeans. Especially on guys, ugh. They look so bad even if you are skinny and can wear them they just make you look sickly, Ugh.

How much did you love doing this??

Not bad and now I have a Post Hooray!

Busy Busy Busy

So I haven't taken any pictures lately. Yes I am a photo slacker this month, lol. However considering we usually fill a DVD every month taking a break may not be a bad thing! SO you don't get any pictures just my ramblings.

So Aspen has decided to be potty trained . . . I think. How many days in a row of dryness count as potty trained? Regardless the hurdle has been crossed in that she UNDERSTANDS the concept. I can take no credit in this. I was about to give up and go back to diapers full time. In fact I have an almost new Costco box of diapers to prove how discouraged I was. She woke up one day and wanted to wear panties, I told her no as I didn't have time to clean the carpets. She lost it, I told her she could wear panties but if she had an accident she wouldn't be allowed to wear them all week. Not the best parenting moment perhaps but it worked! She was dry all day even going in on her own. I know all of you without kids are rolling their eyes but this is HUGE! So we have gone 3 nights and three days completely DRY! HOORAY!

Oh and then we have a funny. My asthma has been bothering me a lot lately and I have been squeaking and wheezing. I didn't realize how much until I heard Aspen doing a fake Wheeze! I asked her what she was doing she told me she was the mommy and Sage was the baby. Of course! because all mom's wheeze!

My tree is up and the decorations are all out. Sage however is pestering Brent because our roof does not have lights! We will see how far she gets with that one. She also stole a set of lights while we were decorating the tree. I caught her trying to figure out how to put them on her 2 foot little tree in her room. She is way into all of this and gets so excited about everything it definitely makes the holiday more fun. Every night she is convinced she hears the reindeer.

I am glad to still have a job we have dropped from about 300 agents down to 95 or so. I was one of the lucky keepers. I am hoping the job hangs on until March at least but we will see. I hope Dell has a great Christmas! LOL

Oh Black Friday the biggest shopping HOLIDAY of the year! Loved it! Had so much fun. I even got some people to try it that never have. Also recruited my dear friend Laura to help me get all the things I needed. You know you have a good friend when they will meet you at walmart at 4am to help you shop the madness! We went to Walmart this year and SCORED. We are just about done shopping now. We need Aspen's "Santa" gift, oh and I wanted to see if I could find some turtlenecks to go under the vests we got for the girls. Other than that we are done. What a great feeling. Now all I have to do is wrap it all.

Well guess I will get back to work! Hope everyone had a great holiday!

New Pets!? How Fun!

Our backyard is sunken. In most places it is 4 feet deep and on the level parts it has a small 4ft fence around it. This creates the perfect trap for your random dogs on a trip through the neighborhood. It seems like almost any tiny dog can make it in but rarely can they make it out.

Friday I was downstairs swapping the laundry when I hear blood curdling screams from Sage. I run upstairs thinking something terrible is happening. Nope just a dog in the yard. I told Sage and Aspen to stay in the house and headed down the deck stairs (no shoes on either.) Well of course the kids don't listen cause if mom isn't scared they aren't either and follow me with Gunner. Great now the little speed bullet of a dog is racing around the yard and Gunner is happily chasing him with all his might. Whoa! Suddenly there is a very good sized boxer in the mix and I am worried for my Gunner! He isn't the least bit intimidated stupid dog and just looks at it as another dog to chase.

The boxer jumps out of the backyard onto our upper side yard and whines. My dog and the little terrier are giving it their all to follow and both are just smashing against the wall. Well the distraction allows me to scoop up the cute little terrier, poor thing was covered in burrs. The boxer then runs to the front yard and into 1100N the street/freeway I live on. I go running back up the stairs through the house, down the stairs and out the front door and this time yelled to the kids if they followed me they were going to bed for naps and slammed the door. I sat down on the sidewalk and talked to the boxer and showed her his little terrier friend, soon she was sitting next to me trying to crawl into my lap. She followed me into the house and the kids were in heaven. The boxer was so good with the girls and was such a sweet heart. The little terrier had a tag his name was Gizmo. I brushed all the burrs out of Gizmo and then put Satin's harness and leash onto him so that if he went into bullet mode again I would have a better chance at catching him. The were both total sweethearts. The phone # on Gizmo kept going to a fax machine so I asked Brent to fax them a note saying we had their dogs. Sage insisted on talking to Brent. She told him that we were going to keep them. The big one was hers and the little one was mom's and Gunner was his. He told her no of course but she didn't give up until he told her maybe we should have Gunner go with them.

We got to play with them for a couple of hours and then a couple of boys walked over and picked them up. They were so relieved that we had their pets. I was worried how Sage would react but the dogs were so excited to see the boys. Sage was just fine with it and gave them a hug and kiss goodbye. I have to say it was me that was the saddest to see them go. The terrier was a sweetheart but he was a fully intact male so I knew I couldn't keep him. That is all I need is Gunner and Gizmo having marking contests! But oh my that Boxer melted my heart. I have never had much to do with the breed and I have to say I am impressed. She LOVED attention and was fabulous with the girls and was so soft! If I sat down she was by my side instantly.

Gunner is getting better though, he is spending more and more time out of his crate and I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He just may someday be house trained and a member of the family. Their was one member of the family that was thrilled to have them gone . . . Merlin. As we came trooping in the house he gave me this look and would meow at me like Hello!? Mom what are you thinking?!

It's a Boy!

So I have had many people asking about Lore. She and the baby are both doing fine and Lore seems to be recovering well. I don't want to steal her thunder as she is working on a post as we speak. But I will let you know that Cameron Lee was born November 4th at 5:28pm and weighed 7 lbs and I think 13 oz if I remember right. He was also 19 inches long.

Juliet (Lore's super cool friend and also a Dula(sp?)) and myself were with Lore through her labor and delivery. She was not alone that is for sure, but I did get put in time out for getting emotional, lol! Nice thing about having two of us there for her I could take my time out and not leave her alone. Juliet is amazing, calm and wonderful! Anyone would be lucky to have a friend like her in their lives. I have to say I don't think Lore could have had a better team! It was so amazing and beautiful to see the baby born so very very different from my two c-sections and then having my babies rushed to the NICU. How amazing the birth process is! It is truly a miracle and I feel so lucky to have been able to be there for Lore!This is after Lore was moved to her room. Me, Lore and Juliet!

What no picture of the cute baby boy!? I figured that is Lore's job so you better keep watching her blog! LOL! Oh and he is super cute!

Belated Halloween

So I wanted to finally share some pictures of our Halloween. I have been getting flack from many that it has taken me so long but it has been a VERY busy November! Aspen loved being a Snow White and Sage loved her kitty tail!

We took the girls to Lehi and went trick or treating with my sister and her kids. As usual the kids feed of each others excitement and we had a great time, we then all hopped in the cars and went back to Pleasant Grove to Lore Bunker's neighborhood. Her circle goes all out and is a must see for those of you that have never experienced it make it a priority next year! I thought it was cute because Sage would tell everyone thank you and to have a Happy Halloween as we went around. Katie then headed home to hand out treats to her neighborhood trick or treaters and Brent and I took the girls around our neighborhood. The girls made a HAUL!

For a week after as it started to get dark Sage wanted to put her costume on and head back out for more Candy!

Things I have learned this month

This has been a tough month and a great month all at once. I have really learned a great deal about myself and others. In no particular order they are:

1. http://howtomakebread.blogspot.com/ Pantry Secrets is a mother daughter team and they are amazing. I learned so much about not just how to make a loaf of bread at their class, but how to be a better mother and great tips on how to save money and provide for your family. Wonderful ideas on food storage. The whole food storage thing has been so overwhelming to me and honestly had no clue how to start. Not anymore and the more I add to it, the better I am feeling. I am really excited because I feel like at this time next year I will be able to confidently say I have a great food storage for my family. My favorite quote from that night, "Do you like to eat? Then you need food storage." I highly recommend the class and the dvd! Sage loves the dvd too, you would think it was Disney or something.

2. http://www.chorebuster.net/ Chorebuster, ah, my hero! Ok, I have thought of myself as an organized person especially at work but it has never filtered into my home. Then you add children and the chaos grew! I had no clue how to organize the chores and keep my house clean, granted some of you may be rolling your eyes as you can naturally achieve this. I was a failure. I felt like all I did all day was clean and clean and clean and yet nothing looked like I did. I know Brent would look around and I could see that look, What did she dooo all day! It would kill me because I knew how busy I had been but looking around I had to agree what had I done all day! My biggest problem I have found is distraction, I would start to do load the dishwasher and Sage would spill something I would wipe it up and find a toy on the table take the toy to the toy room and pick up some toys, find a cup and take it to the kitchen and notice the floor needed sweeping, sweep half the floor and find another toy and head back to the toy room . . . . do you get the picture! LOL I never FINISHED anything! I ran around with my head cut off. Now I focus on my 6-10 chores a day outlined by chorebuster. As long as I accomplish those I have actually made progress in my home. I try really hard to not let myself quit working on my "chore" until it is 100% complete and I get to put the little check mark in the box. Sigh, check marks, I love check marks! Such a feeling of accomplishment! Love to make my check marks! Crazy thing happend a couple weeks into it my house was clean most of the time! I was hitting all the areas in a regular time frame so picking up the toys and a quick sweep of the kitchen and I was ready for company! Amazing! I can't tell you how much I love this website! Our internet was down for a few days and my first thought was Oh No! I haven't printed this weeks chore list! Don't worry I just reused the week before, Whew! Just added Brent and Sage to the chore list . . . LOL we shall see how that goes!

3. Contention between people is usually just lack of knowledge. I am going to try very hard to put contention out of my life and take the time to hear the other side before I react. Katie is probably busting a gut over this one.

4.Forgiveness. What a gift that word is to ourselves and others. It really is true that forgiveness takes not only the load of yourself but the other person as well. Guess I knew this but had it reaffirmed for me this month. I am going to work at being more forgiving as I don't need to carry the crap around with me.

5. I appreciate you! Thanks for taking the time to read my posts and look at my pictures. I enjoy sharing and hope you enjoy it as well. Also I changed some settings so anyone can post a comment, I would love feedback and to know you are reading!

Hee Haw Farms

Brent is Deer Camping/Hunting with his brother so I took the girls, my niece Katherine and my Dad to Hee Haw Farms today. As I am watching my kids pet the animals and play in the corn box (instead of sand) and staring at the biggest pig ever I keep thinking how crazy this would look to someone who has lived in New York City. But we really enjoyed our "country" fun today.

This is one of my favorites, Sage my roller coaster loving, dare devil child is grinning, Katherine is screaming in terror!
Then you cut to almost the end, yup Sage is still smiling and somehow poor Katherine is upside down. Of course it has to be the screaming child that ends up upside down.Ok even I had to pet these little pigs, there was just something so cute about them. I can see Wilbur's attraction now.

Sticks and Stones may break my bones but . . . . .

So I have been blessed and my kids don't call each other names. They fight don't get me wrong in fact Aspen bites and scratches Sage. But I have to say Sage usually deserves it. I have started putting them both in time out for fighting as it is driving me crazy. Well I was in the kitchen and they were starting their fighting thing in the living room. I hear my baby Aspen getting more and more frustrated with her sister. Finally I hear her say, "Well your a . . . your a . . . . Stink Bug!" I just had to laugh. That was the worst thing she could come up with. Sage is wailing, "I am not a stink bug! Mom! I am not a stink bug!" I put them in time out for fighting but I have to say Sage gave her such a great reaction I am sure that Aspen will be using that one again.

Aspen's 3rd Birthday ~ The Princess Party

All the princesses in a row! Aspen and Sage thought it was so cool that Karissa and Taylor dressed up like princesses with them.

Our Sleeping Beauties!

For our craft the girls put princess foam stickers on their crowns and the boys mad Cars visors.

My cute Nephew Joshua

Aspen had a Tinkerbell birthday almost all her presents were Tinkerbell related, but this is definitely one of her favorites!

Make a wish!

I can't believe Aspen is 3! She is my sweet girl her favorite food right now is peanut butter or pizza. She loves to jump and I often catch her jumping on or off of inappropriate items. She is a soft hearted little girl and will cry harder if you hurt her feelings than if you tackle her, luckily since her best friend is her cousin Joshua and he is ALL boy! I told her we had to get going because we didn't want to be late to her well baby appointment. She assumed this meant that she was getting a baby at her appointment and wanted a boy baby. She was very disappointed and confused by the fact it was just a normal visit to Dr. Zollo. All of her dolls since then are "boys."

Fall in Utah

Can that girl scowl or what? She cracks me up. She is going through a don't take my picture phase!



Oh, and I am not taller than Brent, simply standing on a hill. If I had thought I would have switched him places. I love fall in Utah, we went up a couple of weeks ago and spent the day in the mountains with the girls had 2 picnics and lots of fun. Aspen is into collecting. She collected leaves and rocks in piles everywhere we went.

Fun at the Park

Joshua and Aspen, she wasn't going to let him get away without a kiss!

Joshua and Ethan what cute brothers!

Ethan is Sage's favorite, they may be cousins but she always calls him either her brother or her best friend.

Joshua has grown up so much the last couple months and will talk and talk, even better he is getting easier to understand.

How cute are they! Katie and I sure are lucky Mom's to have such cute kids.

Aspen was determined to make it up, if Sage could do it so could she. It took her quite a bit longer but she never game up and was quite proud of herself that she had made it!

Soccer Season has ended.

Well it is fall and Sage had her last soccer game. It was great weather, a bit cloudy and cool. Perfect day to enjoy her last game. It was also Sage's first game with an audience! Grandma and Grandpa came and watched the game today. So of course Sage was more interested in hanging out at the side lines than playing but she had fun. At the end of the game they gave all the players a soccer medal. She is SO proud and hasn't taken it off!

Sage's Art

Sage has been on one lately she is really testing me and the rules.  I feel like every few minutes I am telling her to stop doing something.  Apparently she feels this way as well.  Get a load of the happy Mom picture she has drawn of me!  I love the eyebrows!  Don't I look like a happy camper?

I am a HUGE fan of Meet the Robinsons, I have to say I am a bit like a 4 year old when it comes to this movie.  I can watch it over and over and I know most of it by heart.  Oh and I ALWAYS cry at the end.  

We have watched several times this week and Sage was drawing this little person, so I asked her who it was.  She told me Louise.  I am thinking to myself Louise?  Who the heck is Louise?  I asked her who Louise was and she gave me that very grown up duh mom attitude and told me, "Louise!  You know from the movie!"  Of course it is!  I should have known! Get a load of the hair!