Tribute to Grandma Jane

This all happened because Madelynn thought I looked like my Grandma as I was cutting the boys' hair one evening. So she decided to document it (not knowing that Grandma Jane doesn't have a computer, and therefore will not even see)!

A little background about my sweet Grandma. Mary Jane had her own beauty salon that was attached to the far end of their house. In the middle section of their home was the towns' only movie theatre (which my Grandpa ran for many years until it was no longer profitable). So imagine how fun for us when we went to visit, we saw free movies and I got to play in the salon with the dryers and the spinny chairs and the big sinks! My Grandma would often give me a perm or a haircut, I am sure glad perms were in style back then! After close to 50 years she finally retired this last year. She always said that she thought one of her two granddaughters would take over the business one day, unfortunately that would mean moving to a VERY small town where business of any kind is not flurishing these days! Maybe one day I will go to cosmotology school, but for now my boys are my loyal customers!

Stetson Power

Andrew and Madelynn are both playing Basketball this year. One loves it and the other one is tolerating it~ I'll let you guess the answer to that one!

Andrew has never played on a team before and you would never know, he is fun to watch! It took him a while to get used to using his hands instead of his feet! Drew seems to have a certain quality about him that exudes leadership. Although he is new to the sport, the other boys look to him for guidance and want to follow his lead. I am so proud of him for putting forth the right example to those around him wherever he is!

Madelynn liked the idea of playing with her friends, but doesn't love the hard ball being randomly thrown her way! I think as she has had more practice and a better understanding of the game she has enjoyed it a little more now that the season is about over. She is so funny, she told me that she is perfectly content sitting on the bench cheering her team on (I don't know if I will be able to talk her out of the whole cheerleading thing)!

Regardless of who loves sports and who doesn't, I love them both for being who they are!

Blueberry Bliss

Our local Grocery store was having

a blueberry sale this last week. So because of my recent (as of Jan. 1) diet restrictions (i.e. sugar, anything I love) I went and bought $20 worth of berries! I love them, they are so yummy to eat straight out of the package (rinsed of course) or in muffins (not really on the diet unless made with whole wheat flour and Splenda sugar) or in cereal (which I don't really eat because I can't stand milk) So anyway, you get the point! I am on a fruit kick.

Mr. Independent

This is the scene I came upon the other day!

My son is 5, yet he thinks he is the small version of his 11 year old brother. Here he is making hot chocolate, he then proceeded to pop some popcorn. I just hope that the rumors of radiation, or electro-magnetic rays or whatever due to microwaves isn't true!

Fun with HAIRSPRAY!

Madelynn getting ready for our G.N.O! Me and Madelynn posing before our date!

Kadi, me and Carrie dining with the girls (Taylor, Averi and Emma) at the Olive Garden - yum!

We all had so much fun at the musical, Madelynn loved the music and dancing! She was somewhat disappointed though when I told her that Zack Efron wasn't going to be playing Link. It is always a great time when the girls go out on the town!

To Read or not to Read

Okay, so yesterday was not my finest one of the year so far!

I let the kids have friends over to play, made homemade calzones and cookies for lunch, even blogged finally! Not sounding so bad you say, well then I looked through the stack of books on my nightstand, looking for something to fill my brain and keep me preoccupied so that I wouldn't eat all the cookies I made or just eat all day in general! I found a book my friend Kadi had lent me a while ago -Nanny Diaries- I got into it right away and found myself sitting in the same chair ALL DAY! I get into such a zone when I find a story that takes me to another place, I love it, but as soon as it is time for dinner, I am still reading! As soon as it is time for bed, I'm still reading! Rick comes in and asks if I would come down to read scriptures (his New Years Resolution, he is soo good), I say that I am reading! Midnight rolls around and I finally finish the book. I look at my surroundings and realized I missed prayer and goodnight hugs and kisses and I feel awefull!

I know that my obsessiveness sometimes is a little overbearing when it comes to some things, but I never thought that I would choose a silly book over reading scriptures and saying goodnight to my kids! Tonight will be over the top with love and affection from mom!!!

New Years Wish

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year! We have been spoiled with dad home for the last few days, he is now back to work and I am back to blogging!



We had a terrrific Christmas, our day was filled with fun surprises from Santa, and from mom and dad! The kids were elated to find a Wii game system and some fun games to go with it! They had to search for this gift, but once they opened the games, they had a pretty good idea what they were getting! Rick and I just sit back and laugh at thier faces and over the top excitement, Oh to be a kid again!



We had planned a trip to Pagosa Springs, but when my good friend found out that they were not able to come, we decided to stick closer to home. We were invited up to a condo in Vail, so we stayed one night there, went sledding and up to Beaver Creak Village (I must purchase a fur coat before going back there): The next day we headed up the road to Glenwood Springs. The weather was soo cold, but once you step foot into the pools, wow.....so warm and relaxing! We stayed over night there and soaked for as long as our little fingers and toes would allow.



We were able to see two fun movies over the break, Alvin and the Chipmunks and National Treasure. We loved them both!




We spent New Years Eve at home. I made one of my favorite meals, chicken and dumplings (although it never quite tastes like moms). We drank shirley temples in margharita glasses (don't ask me where I got them, they aren't used unless it is New Years Eve), the kids loved to do cheers every five minutes while we ate! Then we watched the ball drop in New York, the kids lasted longer than I thought they would, and they actually slept in!



All in all it was a great ending to the year! I am so excited for 2008, I already have kept one of my resolutions, (working out every day)! I am hoping to stick to it and hopefully make a few more as I think about what I want to accomplish this year!

Once again...

HAPPY 2008




Madelynn as my co-chef, we thought our hard work was picture worthy!

Christmas and our Getaway!!!

Here are some pictures from Christmas Day and our trip to the Hot Springs! Enjoy....