A Week of Birthday's!

So on top of the busy Christmas season we always have a busy birthday week on top! Hunter turned the big 6 on the 14th! We had all the family up for dinner and a party then the next day had all of his friends over for some good old fashioned games and cake. All he wanted for his birthday and Christmas was an Ipod well he got his wish. It was so hard for us to decide if he should have one or not but I am so happy with my purchase. My sister gave him an Idog and with the 2 together has had a ball listening to all his favorite Disney toons and primary songs! I still can't believe that he is 6. I still remember the discomfort of pregnancy as if it were yesterday. He has brought so much joy into our home and reminds me so much of myself. We have always said that he has more Tippets in him than Torman.

Then my last year of being in my twenties was Tuesday and my parents took us to my annual Outback Steakhouse dinner (thanks guys!) As a huge surprise Justin gave me a Garmin GPS for my car (I have been begging for one for over a year) no more getting lost going to hosts/customers homes YEAHHH! My parents gave me this AMAZING map to hang in my office. I know if sounds lame but I really wanted a world map that I could put a colored pin in each time we went somewhere new.

He put it away!

Well much to my surprise the morning after my post about Justin's suitcase I awoke and it was emptied. While it did sit at the top of the stairs awaiting me to put it away (I can't ask for perfection can I!) in the basement. You all had such fun comments, Mindy yours was the best!

Who will win?

Now if you know me well you know that I don't like to lose so let me share a story with you about how I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE. This is Justin's suitcase and you will notice that the whole bottom section is filled with clothes from his trip to North Carolina in which he came back from 2 WEEKS AGO! I took out all the dirty clothes and washed them all that is left is the clean ones. This is sitting at the foot of our bed and he has to walk over it several times a day. I have only asked him a couple of times to please put them away and he said "I was waiting for you do do that" so I am holding my ground, I am not going to say anything but lets take a bet on how long it takes to put these away as well as the suitcase! ARGHHHHH!

So much to be Thankful For!

Once again another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I do have to say that this is one of my favorite holidays. I think mostly because I get to be with everyone I love and there are no worries of present buying, plus my hubby usually is home with me for 4 days in a row! YEAH!!! This year we started with a 5k run/walk that was done right in our neighborhood to raise donations of food for the needy. It was gorgeous weather and we had a great time. Hunter ran the ENTIRE way. We then went to a great dinner put on my my dad's sister at her church house. I love to see all of my cousins, aunts & uncles and their kids and catch up. Then we spent the night at my parents and me and my sisters got up at 4:30 for our annual shopping adventure. I really didn't have much to buy but it is fun to be with my sisters. We spent the rest of the weekend as a family putting out all the Christmas decorations and shooting clay pigeons. When we woke up Thursday morning we all laid in our bed and said what we were thankful for. It went something like this: Hunter: Ridgey, Apsen, Mom, Dad, Lake Powell, Granny, Papa, Grandma Naeg, Panka, Grandma Tippets & Grandpa Naeg Justin: Only 2 things because without those nothing would be possible, Jori & My grandma & Grandpa Jori: A husband that works so hard for our family, down comforters, Tivo, blogs, sleeping past 7am!

Pineapple Addicts

I had to just share a fun little blurb about our family. For a few years Justin and I have been buying whole pineapples from Costco. (they are around $3) Well our kids have fell in love for the tropical fruit as much as us. It has become quite the event to cut the pineapple up. Each kid now uses their own knife and we whip out the big cutting board and cut away. I always get a large bowl out to put it in but we end up only filling it up half full because the kids eat so much of it. As you can see we are training Aspen for the days to come!

I'm a a big boy now!!!

Well on Monday our sweet Ridge turned 2! So this gives me a great chance to brag him up a bit. Our sweet boy was born via c-section at 8:47 am on November 10th 2006. He made his debut into the world after a bit of a struggle. He simply didn't want to come out. Even though I had a c-section they couldn't get his bit head out. During my entire pregnancy I kept saying how big he felt in my stomach compared to Hunter. he felt so long and so heavy. The doctor predicted that he would weigh about 7 lbs. I kept telling Justin he is going to be 9 lbs. So after they got him out (after 20 minutes of 2 doctors pushing on my belly and pulling on his head and the use of the vacuum) out he came and the doctor said "you are going to have to name him buba!" He was the baby of my dreams. Anyone who knows me well knows I always talked about wanting a chubby little butterball (just like I was). And guess what he was 9lbs even! The kid was an eater and nursed nonstop for 9 months! He was the brother of Hunter's dreams and they are the cutest little friends. Justin and I are always commenting on how well the play together.

Ridge is the most polite easy child now. He says thank you after dinner, throws away his garbage in the garbage can without being asked, says please for everything, closes the screen door when he goes in and out and always wants to throw Aspen's diapers away. He is a ball of fun and is very rarely in trouble. He started sleeping in the bunk beds with Hunter about a month ago and hasn't had a bit of trouble.

He loves Scooby Doo, warm milk in his baba, his blue balnkie and thumb, chicken nuggets and playing with all of his friends!

I have included a dew of my favorite pictures through the last 2 years!

It's Like Having a Barbie!

So everyone had told me that having a girl would be soooo fun. When Aspen was born she got so many cute clothes that she really won't need anything till she is 18months. Well the little fart isn't growing fast enough. She is already 6 months and still barely wears 3-6 month clothes. So I thought she might need a few more things to wear so a shopping I went. I bought the boots before she was born but the dress was too cute to pass up. I feel like I am 5 years old again with Jen playing barbies in our old basement. I thought this picture was too cute to not share!

A Week of Halloween!

I don't think we have ever had so much going on for Halloween but we did! It started with our annual tradition of going to my parents the Sunday before for my dads famous potato soup and a costume display of me and Jen's kids. This year they gave Ridge his birthday presents because they will be in Greece for his birthday. Then we carved pumpkins for family night while we learned about the creation (Hunter was quite interested in how Heavenly Father made everything in 6 days). Wednesday night we went with Justin's parents to their ward halloween party and did trunk r' treating there. Then on the big night Justin took the boys out for 2 hours. It was around 50 degree's even in Eden and the kids had a ball. They got way more candy than they needed but had a blast. Hunter was Indiana Jones, Ridge started the week as a super cute duck but when we all laughed at how cute he was he would not put the costume on so I broke out Hunter's old Tigger costume and he loved that. Aspen started as Wonder Woman but my cute neighbor found this little bug outfit and she wore that on Halloween.

What's College!

So today I took Hunter to a cooking class for kids and on our way to town he started talking to me about school and was asking about my sisters (Shanae and Misty) and what grades they are in and wanted to know about college. I explained that college is not required but it is great to continue learning because it will help you get a better job and make you smarter about lots of things. So he asked something along the lines of if college taught me to "do Pampered Chef". I explained no that I wanted to be a police officer and that is what I went to school for. We started talking about how some moms work and some moms don't and he was asking about what the children do so that have moms that work. (Now before anyone burns me at the stake everyone should remember that I was raised by 2 parents from the age of 11 who both worked full time jobs and provided a wonderful life and lots of love for me. ) I explained to him that most of them go to daycare and proceded to explain to him what that is. He then told me how glad he was that I stayed home with him during the day so he didn't have to go to daycare.

So with that said I have to say 2 things. How grateful I am to have a husband who works his butt off for our family so that I can wake up every morning with my kids and be the first person Hunter see's when he walks through the door from school. I have an amazing husband!

Secondly, I am grateful for my 2nd job (next to a mom) as the Pampered Chef lady. I never dreamed when I was a little girl that I would be the home party lady but I have to say after 5 years it was one of the best decisions of my life. My original reason for doing it was to make my car payment and so I didn't throw me or Hunter out the window (everyone remembers what a horrible baby he was right). I truely believe it saved my life because I was really struggling with him. It has given me a night out each week to talk to potty trained adults, have a kitchen stoked with thousand of dollars in high end cooking tools for free and provides me with a pretty great paycheck ($1000-$2000) per month. (I only tell you what I make because someone asked me the other day if I get paid with free product!) I use to be embarrassed that after earning all those college degrees people would think I had failed and become a salesman but it was a great choice even if Hunter thinks I went to college to "do Pampered chef!"

Yes you can tell me I am Betty Crocker!

So I have this sweet neighbor/friend Trisha who has family who have pear & apple tree's and grape vines. So she asked if I wanted to use some of the apples to do applesauce and apple pie filling (I made the most amazing canned filling last year). Well Justin and I have really been trying to get a full year of year supply of food storage so how could I pass it up. Plus I complain all the time at the fact that I pay to buy the food to can when I could already buy it precanned. So I have always canned but this year I have canned more than I ever have. So here is the rundown this far:



5 Pints of Grape Jelly (1st time I have made Jelly and it was YUMMY!)
10 Quarts of Grape Juice (1st time for this too and it was way good with lemonade)
8 Pints of Raspberry Freezer Jam (Hunter calls this my "famous deeeelicious jam"
12 Quarts of Apple Pie filling
10 Quarts of Stewed Tomato's


Still plan to do applesauce and dried apples


This has been so fun, I am starting to get more and more concerned about what food my family eats and where it comes from so to look at my canned food and know that it is so much better for my children. Plus Hunter loves to help and I feel it sets a great example to him!

Lake Powell

We had so much fun this past week in Lake Powell. We had GORGEOUS weather. Low 80's the whole week. The houseboat ran great and 5 days just didn't seem like quite enough. We were lucky to go with 3 other families in our ward that we just love. Plus my darling sister Misty came as well! I even got my fat butt up skiing after 3 years off due to pregnancies. Hunter got up skiing too and once again was a maniac on the tubes! We only had a few minor issues. Hunter fell into a thorn bush and had to have 100 thorns removed from his hands, then on the last day he was showing off and cracked his head on the concrete. Aspen had a severe diaper rash so bad that we had to go into Page to get some special cream and our sweet Ridge nearly drowned to death in the blink of an eye. Other than that we can't wait to take Stressless out again in the Spring with Justin's family!

Hallaluja!!!!!!

Well as many of you know Aspen has not been the easiest baby. Well I am happy to report that a miracle happened, she found her thumb. She now can self soothe when she is upset and oh my it has made all the difference in the world. She seems to be so much more content. And then Sunday we had our next miracle, she took a BOTTLE! She woke up won morning in July and decided that she no longer liked bottles and wasn't going to take them. So I haven't been away from her for more than 3 hours in the last 3 months! Now maybe Justin and I can get a date once in awhile or I could run errands without having to dash home.

Horray for fall!

I just wanted to let everyone know in case your interested that the fall colors in our valley will be at their peak during the next week. If you feel like a gorgeous drive this is the time to take it! And don't forget we love drop bys. We don't get much of those living up here in the sticks!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD!

I just wanted to let everyone know that my baby brother officially is sworn into the United States Army tomarrow morning. He leaves for Ft. Jackson, South Carlolina for 9 weeks of basic training and then to Georgia for 12 weeks of Officer training school. Then to who knows where. The big news is that him and Bethany just found out they were pregnany last week and she is due in May. So please keep them both in your prayers because anyone who has been pregnant before knows how hard it is and I can't imagine doing it without someone to wine to around!

Yes this is my very serious baby brother showing his true colors at the hospital when Aspen was born!

My baby started school!

So September 2nd Hunter started his 1st day of kindergarten. He was more excited about riding the bus than anything but my fealess little man hopped on and never looked back. I even drove over to the school behind the bus and he had gotten off and in the school before I ever got out of my car. I still can't believe I have a child in school. While I was so sad to see him leave my little nest he was so ready to go. On Friday he even got rewarded for being one of the best behaved kids in the class for the week. I know my Hunter is sitting still and listening, its shocking!

I have also included some pictures of a little party we had before school started. At a suggestion of Family Fun magazine we hosted a back to school breakfast for the whole neighborhood. The kids all came over early the Friday before school started for donuts, juice and fruit in their pj's. They had a ball and it was fun to have one last horah before school started! You know I love any chance for a get together!

More Good Days Than Bad!

Well the last week has been one of the hardest of my life. I never thought I would be burrying one of my parents at the age of 28. While we new my mothers death was coming it still was hard for those that she left behind. She had a beautiful service with lots of gorgeous Hawaiian flowers that she would have loved. Although some people thought that my mom would not have enough friends and family to justify a viewing, the line went out the door and down the hall the entire evening. The outpoor of support warmed our hearts. Thank you to everyone who has expressed their concern. All 3 of us kids have been overwhelmed by the love so many have shown. My mom lived a several lifetimes of adventures, trials, joys and sadnesses in her short 64 years. I am surprised at what little things seem to remind me of her and flood me with emotion. While our realtionship has been strained much of my adult life it doesn't hurt any less to not have her here. I love you mom!

Sad News...

As many of you know my mom has been sick with what we believe to be breast cancer for the past year. She finally lost her battle Wednesday afternoon. Jen, James and I were all at her side as she quietly slipped back into Heavenly Fathers arms. I know my nana and gramps were anxiously awaiting her arrival greeting her with open arms.

I would love to share more with everyone about my mom when I have a bit more time.
To view the obituary visit www.desnews.com and find Louise Lundell.

Summer Projects

We have been busy little bees this summer. I tell Justin all the time I don't know what we would do with our time if we didn't have 1 acre to take care off. This year Justin finally finished our timbers in the front of the house. He had to rent a scissor lift and put 3 pieces of wood in weighing about 200 pounds each. Then we finally stained them (only took us 3 years). Justin also put a water fountain in the back yard for the kids. made out of scrap pipe from an old job. We also finished ladscaping the fron corner of our house that we weren't able to finish the curbing on and grass because an irrigation pipe had to be installed. Justin also built a little landing about 4 feet off the ground in the boys room and is building a ladder up to it. This is Hunter's Lego playing area (I think Justin is living out his childhood dreams through our children) The icing on the cake has been his Theatre room. He has been working on it here and there for 3 years. We finally finished it up and all we need is a screen and we are set to go! good thing winter is coming so Justin can give himself a weekend off. I am just worried when there are no more projects left to do what is going to tear apart and start over on!