A Day In The Life...

Enough is Enough!!!

2010-02-21T18:25:00.000-08:00

So...for those of you who know me...know that I have struggled with my weight for most of my life...I have decided that enough is enough!! We, as a family, have decided that we were going to start living healthier. We got a membership at the YMCA and have started working out. We have a new routine in the house....we get up and get ready for the day when Eric gets up to go to work (6:45ish) and Hailey and Cayson get dropped off at school for breakfast. Jaxson and Deni eat a PBJ sandwich on the way to the Y and then get dropped off in their child-watch area (free 2 hours of babysitting a day when you join). I have tried a handful of group classes there and definately have my favorites (and my not-so-favorites) but in the 2 weeks since I have started....wait for it....wait for it.................I'm down 11 pounds!!! WOO HOO!!!! Each day the scale tells me I'm just a little bit lighter, makes me feel like I've climbed Mt Everest! My goal is another 40 pounds by July...we shall see if I can surpass that goal...but for now, each pound gone (and I say gone..not lost...because I don't want to find it again)but each pound gone is a motivation to keep going....I'll keep you updated as I continue on this journey! Until next time..........

Come on Over...if you dare!!!

2010-01-27T21:10:00.000-08:00

Well, last week it was the stomach flu...and now it seems that strep throat has invaded the Brewer household...and what an adventure it has been....I always thought that having the kids sick all at the same time would be the way to go....boy, was I wrong!!! Hailey and Jaxson had the stomach flu on the same day...thank goodness for multiple bathrooms!! Then Jaxson and Deni had strep at the same time and then Hailey came down with it the next day...not an experience I would like to have again! I think we are on the mend (knock on wood). The next hurdle is Eric having his wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow (3 of them)....Forget Calgon...Ben & Jerry--take me away!! And please forgive me if I have been grouchy to you...it has been a few nights of restless sleep (and some nights of no sleep)....things are starting to get back to normal (well, normal for the Brewer house)...I'll be nicer-I promise! Until next time............

Girls Nights Out

2009-11-22T22:21:00.000-08:00

Yep...that's plural...two nights in a row!!! What a fabulous husband I have to put up with not one, but two girls nights...and back to back even!! Whatever for, might you ask....NEW MOON, of course!!! That's right...it's that time of year again...time for the second installment of the Twilight Saga...and I saw it twice!! The first night (Thursday) we had a group of 19 total at the theater. Half of us opted to go to a special showing of Twilight before New Moon began. We lined up at 7:30pm for the movie and made some friends that were just as crazy as we were!! Our group got separated so before the midnight movie began, we bounced from theater to theater chit-chatting with our friends...then the movie began...and oh, what a movie it was!!! I thought it was SOOOO much better than the first one (and I'm sure the half-naked guys didn't have anything to do with my decision either!!) But then day 2 (well...technically, it was later that night) we were standing in line and had brought in a few pizzas. We had some left over and they would not allow us to take them into the theater. I took it upon myself to hand out pizzas to our fellow "Twihards" behind us in line. I told the usher (named Al, who had just asked us to make friends with each other in line) that I should get a reward for being so nice to everyone!! He agreed (even though I was kinda kidding)...well...he asked me what I thought was a good reward...there were these cups, you see...4 of them in the set; one with Jacob, one with Bella, one with Edward, and one with all three of them together. I had all but one...all the Jacob cups were gone...so I asked my new BFF Al if he could "find" me one...and so the hunt began. A 3 hour hunt to be exact and he told me it wasn't looking as though it was going to end in my favor....when I came out of the movie theater after the movie, however, who was waiting for me...AL...with a Jacob cup in hand!!! Ahhh....sweet victory!!! We just may have to have a Twilight dinner one of these nights...with my new cups....thanks for another great memory, girls...see you again in June!! Until next time.........

God Bless America

2009-09-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

So it was really hard for me to sleep last night...which is really unusual for a narcoleptic...but I found myself thinking back 8 years ago and what I was doing when I heard about the attacks on our great nation. I felt very emotional and began to cry thinking of all the people that have suffered because of it. Of course there are those who have paid the price with their lives and for that we are grateful. But there are those who have gone and fought for our freedom that have come back and have to live with images and sounds that they have experienced and may never recover from. My heart goes out to all of those who serve this country we live in and am eternally grateful for the sacrifices you endure to keep us free...sometimes sacrificing true freedom yourselves...thank you for your service and may God hold you in the palm of his hand. God Bless America!!

picture dump!

2009-08-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

Just got the camera back from Eric...really wish he would get his own!!! Here are some pix of what we've been up to the last few months...

A trip to Sea World...

Hailey

Cayson

Jaxson

Deni

OOPS!!! Didn't see the sign until it was too late...it says "ALL TIDE POOL ANIMALS MUST REMAIN UNDER WATER TO BREATHE!" Sorry little star fishies!!

More to come........

we are back!

2009-07-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

Well...we have been back for 2 weeks but I haven't had a moment to myself to blog...as many of you have expressed to me...and I apologize! Just an update on Eric...he is doing better-for those of you who didn't hear...Eric was hospitalized nearly a month ago for a week due to blood clots in his lungs and one of his legs. Since his hospitilization...we have found out that he had multiple clots that, according to the many test results he had to endure, were about to pass from his lungs on their way to his heart...thankfully, he was scheduled to work at the hospital on a day that he wasn't supposed to be and his co-workers sent him to the ER just in the nick of time. It was scary leaving him while he was still in the hospital but it was nice that we were surrounded by family to help keep our minds on other things. Eric's co-workers were also nice enough to donate their sick time to him so that he wouldn't lose pay (he missed 68 hours of work all together). Our lives are truly blessed...but I told him if he tries to die on me again...there are no guarantees that I won't help him in the process (just kidding!!:-o)I didn't think I was THAT hard to live with! To show apprecitation to his co-workers...I baked 8 loaves of bread and sent 3 jars of freezer jam (we picked strawberries at Green Bluff the day we got home!) plus some cookies and some other yummy treats! I have MANY, MANY more stories to fill you in on (Reese, the new neighbors, my FABULOUS surprise that I came home to and more....stay tuned! Until next time.................

Be Patient With Me...

2009-06-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

So, the kids and I are in Arizona for our annual visit. I'm not even gonna pretend that I am gonna be able to post while I'm here (exept this one)...but I got some great stories stored up for when I get back (3 airplane rides each way from WA to AZ and back, Eric's week-long stay in the hospital, Deni (who's 4) finally being reunited with Reese (a 17-year old lifeguard), a family reunion, and a visit to grandpa charlie's farm (in the wind, mind you...), and Roland's kids using juice to slip and slide in his kitchen while his wife was at girls camp...I bet y'all can't wait...hang on to your hats and glasses...I got some good ones comin your way!!! Until next time.............

There is a reason it's called "Jump ROPE"

2009-05-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

So, we were at Young Women's the other day (I'm the new secretary and Eric teaches Wed nights...so the kids come with me!) and I was helping the Laurels sew aprons for their pioneer trek dresses. The kids were all in the nursery making a HUGE mess with all of the toys (there were my 4 plus 5 other kids) but at least they were quiet! After cleaning up, we took some girls home and went home ourselves. The kids went and got in their pjs and came downstairs for prayer. That's when I noticed it...Cayson's cheek was bleeding (how did I miss it? I don't know). It wasn't bleeding bad, just a little cut. I asked him what happened to his cheek and he just rolled his eyes and started shaking his head as he said, "Mom...it was so stupid!" Great! You never want to hear those words coming from a bleeding 7 year old...."Tell me what happened while I clean it up". He chuckles a little bit and says, "well, I was in the nursery showing off for the girls and tried to jump rope with a baby stroller and I forgot to bend my knees." Oh, brother! After processing this in my head for a minute...I just simply said, "Cayson, I am proud of you for recognizing that as probably not the smartest choice...what can you learn from this?" "Well, I think next time I will remember to bend my knees!!!" BOYS!!!! Until next time..........

LIlly Belle

2009-05-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

So, Walt Disney loved trains! It was said that after Disneyland closed for the night, Walt could be found driving the train around the park...His wife's name was Lilly, and he named a train car after her. Not just any train car, mind you...his own personal train car. It is filled with antiques and personal photos. We were lucky enough to have been able to ride in this beautiful train car on a trip around the Magic Kingdom. Thomas was the name of our escort (there are expensive and irreplaceable things on the train car so whenever someone rides on it, so does an escort). Thomas gave us lots of interesting facts about Mr Disney and the park...such a great experience! If/when you get to visit Disneyland, make sure to go by City Hall and ask to ride on the Lilly Belle...they will even give you souvenir tickets...One of my favorite things in the car was a picture of Walt and Lilly (a rare picture of her, even more rare of them together). An experience my kids can't stop talking about! Thank you Mr Disney for sharing your dream with the world....Until next time...............

Breafast with the Characters...its a long one, bear with me!

2009-05-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

So, the first day @ Disneyland...we decided to have breakfast with Minnie & Friends...we met a lot of characters and the food was scrum-delish! Cayson liked Captain Hook the best, I think...he took a picture with him and CH put his hook around Cayson's throat...he thought that was cool! The Fairy Godmother (i have been to DL lots of times and this was the first time I have met her...)she came and tied the kids' balloons on their wrists for them. Winnie the Pooh came by and gave the kids some honey. We got pictures and autographs of the characters and went about our business. The next day we noticed that our autograph book was missing! Aaaggghhh! Not that we had a huge amount of autographs...but we had quite a bit...so we went to lost and found to see if they had our book...the lady was gone for quite a while and she said that she went through about 100 books and couldn't find ours...bummer! So the third day, I decided to go to the breakfast and ask them if they would just take the new autograph book around and have the characters sign it again. One lady was not very nice (very un-Disneyland attitude, she had!) so I asked another lady who was walking around with the characters and she was very nice about it. She took our book and went around to the characters and had them each sign it (which was nice because there were characters there that we hadn't had a chance to meet before). I took the book and went to City Hall to give Tammy (the nice lady) a compliment...they get special things when they go above and beyond for the guests...she did something for me...I was gonna do something nice for her...so I was filling out the compliment sheet and the lady that was helping me asked me if she could take my book and have each of the kids' favorite character autograph it...SURE! She told me to come back in a couple of hours and she would give it back to us. So we went over to CA Adventures to the Aladdin show (which is great!) and then came back to City Hall...I picked up the book and ran outside (the kids were in line to meet Cruella DeVil and Mary Poppins and Bert). After we met them, we were sitting down contemplating our next move and I picked up the autograph book...Holy Cow! They had added about 30 or so more names in the book...now, I know that when you are hired to be a character, you have to learn all of the signatures so you can play any given character so I know that one or two people sat down and filled up our book...now that is Disneyland attitude! Anyways, I went back to City Hall to thank them and the lady said that the man that was "in charge" of the project had remembered my kids from breakfast and wanted to do something special...we got autographs of characters that have not nor will they probably ever be out doing autographs...that is something special! More to post later...until next time!

P.S....Grandpa really likes his picture taken with the characters!

Guess What I Am?!?!

2009-04-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

So we have this game called Guess What I Am (target...$15-ish). Anyways, you put your face in the hole of these pictures and people give you clues as to what/who you are...my kids love it! We were playing a while back and Deni was a peacock and couldn't remember what it was called...we described it to her "Deni...it's the bird with feathers that look like eyeballs"...she would answer, "what's it called? Don't tell me!" Finally she yelled out..."i know...it's a POOCOCK!" She was so proud of herself! Here is a picture of the cutest poocock ever!

We Have Returned!

2009-04-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Okay...so we've been back for a couple of weeks but it has taken this long to get back into the swing of things! My vacation posts are going to be out of order 'cause Eric borrowed my camera with all my pics on it and still hasn't brought it back from work...if I don't get it back tomorrow, I'm gonna have to go repossess it...Anyways, these pics are our "in-betweeners". This is after our 3 days at Disneyland on our way to Sea World...the kids once again got carsick and we stopped at a little "rest area"(no bathrooms or trash cans...just a park your car and look at the ocean spot). Anyways, our kids look like orphans because it was a travel day...anyways, we stopped and got Jaxson and his car seat all cleaned up and let the kids get out and walk around a bit and look at the ocean. Along comes a military helicopeter right in front of us...they were doing practice drops that day for supplies...it was cool to watch. They saw the kids outside so put on a little show for them-it was fun to watch! Anyways, the spot that we were at, there was a little nest of chipmunks and Eric put a chip on the ground to see if the chipmunk would come close enough for the kids to see...it sure did...and they kept feeding it...it ate the chips right out of their hands...that is until mom came around and spoiled the fun (they were feeding it MY salt & vinegar chips...HOW RUDE...especially since, not 3 hours before, talked my mom into handing them over to me!) You can mess with a lot of things...but keep your hands off my salt and vinegar chips...it will get ugly! Anyways, after the hour we spent on the side of the road, we headed into San Diego to our hotel to meet another set of grandparents and another amusement park...such fun we had! I will post more pics in the next day or two...we had lots of adventures to share...Until next time!

Be Back Soon...

2009-03-29T22:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, folks...I know it has been a while since blogging...sorry about that...a few things have happened that I will blog about when I get a chance...right now, I am sitting in a hotel room in Mesquite, Nevada on our way to Disneyland...I will try to blog about our trip along the way...no promises, though! We have had a fun time traveling here, though (7 stops for puking yesterday-saturday). On one of our puking stops on the side of the road, Jaxson had to go potty but couldn't pee on the side of the road because there were 9 deer on the other side of the freeway and he didn't want them to watch him...crazy kids! Anyways, our long day starts early tomorrow so...until next time...............

Greg Jones

2009-03-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, family of mine...(friends can join in, too!)...We are getting ready for our trip to Disneyland...now, growing up, we used to go to Disneyland every year for Spring Break...spoiled...I know! We have had a TON of fabulous memories...so I was hoping that you would comment on YOUR favorite memories...here are a couple of mine....maybe they are the same...I'll start with...you guessed it, girls...GREG JONES!!! Greg was a bellboy at Quality Inn right by Disneyland and we all thought he was HOT HOT HOT...he was in his 20s and was tall, dark, handsome, and hairy!!! Well, one day he caught me playing in the elevator (I think I was 6 or 7-ish)and I thought I was busted (I was actually just infatuated with him and forgot to get off on my floor). Later on, my two sisters and our Aunt Shelley went downstairs and took a picture with him (I tried to find it to post but I think Kim has it...)Boy, it's sad that 20 years later we still remember his name! And, Denise...do you remember getting lost in Aneheim with Jean...I'm sure you will never forget the look on Mom & Dad's faces when they found you! And Brother...it's a good thing they don't have the "people mover" anymore, right?!?!? We really have been blessed with great parents that were able to take us on vacations a lot and give us great memories to share with each other...like....Kim and Denise...do you remember waving to the truck drivers while using the port-a-potty in the back of the camper!?!?!? Good Times!!!! Until next time................

Dedication....

2009-03-02T10:30:00.001-08:00

I originally was gonna do this once a week...but I just can't wait for this one...this one is for my sisters, Denise and Kim....we had a '78 Ford SuperCab and when we went on road trips...this song was always a must...and poor brother was the recipient of our kisses on the cheeks....we always pretended he was Fred...hahaha...soooooo funny! I'm happy I found this song...it took me awhile but was well worth it...for those of you who don't have sound...the song is "Seven Little Girls in the Backseat" by Paul Evans and the Curls. A song from the 50's (I think)...sometimes, when my kids are being loud or my husband is being distracting...I belt out this song (I do NOT sing well...)it usually does the trick! We've had some good times, girls, good times! Until next time..........

This Week's Song Dedication

2009-02-28T12:15:00.000-08:00

Disclosure: First of all...this is totally not meant to offend ANYONE...this song is one we grew up with and back in the day when you could live in peace and harmony and say things to people and they wouldn't be twisted around and have you being accused of being racist...which I totally am not (you should see our wedding photos...I think we had just about every race represented in our wedding party alone)...having said that...Okay, brother...this one is yours...Ray Stevens' "Ahab the Arab"...makes me laugh everytime I hear it! Brother would totally get into performing this song....I think Roland (cousin) would get into it too he liked the bone in the nose part...hilarious to think about all the trouble we used to get into...btw...here is a funny story about my brother...so, for a while, after we moved to Spokane, we were in the same ward. I would walk up to him and say, "hey, brother..." and thought nothing of it...well, one Sunday, he was sitting in the chapel talking with a guy named Bro. Duncan...anyways, I walked up to my brother and said, "hey, brother...do you want some jolly ranchers?" Brother Duncan said," His name is Brother Nelson"...confused for a minute, I said, "Yeah...so?!?!" He said, "You just called him brother...his name is Brother Nelson" I turned to Bro. Duncan and said, "I know...but he really is my brother, so I shortened it!" We had been in the same ward for, crud, I don't know...over a year...hardly anybody knew we were related...they thought I called him "brother" because I couldn't remember his last name! I still laugh everytime I run into Bro. Duncan...anyways, I had a bunch of songs that reminded me of you, brother remember the "eternal flame?!?!"... but this one made me laugh the hardest! I've got a good one in mind for my sisters...I just have to find it online...it's a good one...just be warned...it may be embarassing! Until next time..........

Song Dedications...

2009-02-24T21:55:00.001-08:00

Yes, people...there is a method to my madness...I have decided when I put a new song on my blog...it will be a dedication to someone...so...I will start with this one..."My Little Buttercup" from "The Three Amigos" which, in my book, is one of the best movies of all time (my family hates it)...I could watch it daily! Anyways, this dedication goes out to my cousin, Brett. I think he sang this song at every family gathering...and I never got tired of hearing it! Probably one of the most nonsensical (it is a word in MY dictionary) songs EVER....but I love it...and it drives my kids nuts when I sing it to them...but it makes me happy...Thanks Brett for keeping the Amigos alive! Until next time..............

Please Help....

2009-02-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

So, I am making my menu out for the next couple of weeks or so and am looking for some new recipes...I know you got 'em...are you willing to share 'em? Please do...post it in a comment or email me...tiphaine(dot)brewer(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks....Until next time...........

My First Giveaway...Just Copy and Paste!!!

2009-02-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

We love you and how will we show thee???

A Giveaway!

What a perfect way for ME to show YOU my love.

The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me, my choice, for you. (I know... a little scary, but maybe fun? Huh?)
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done by the end of March.
4- You have no clue what it is going to be. It may be a story, poetry, picture, but it will be something I will make and give or mail to you. Who knows...not you, or me! :)
The CATCH?? Oh, the catch is that you must copy this post and re-post it on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who respond to yours. The first 5 people who leave a comment asking me something they want to know about me will then win a handmade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post of picture of it when you get it!
(And if I don't get any responses within 72 hours, this Giveaway will disappear!)

Who's the grouch in your life?

2009-02-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today is "National Do a Grouch a Favor Day"...I keep waiting for my favor but perhaps I haven't given enough hints this week...I knew this day was coming up and have mentioned it daily...maybe someone will be nice and cook dinner tonight...we'll see....Until then.........

CBOTB

2009-02-10T23:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, Okay, Okay...seriously, people...quit sending me hate mail...A few posts ago, I stated that I had fired Cutest Blog on the Block because their site was ALWAYS down...they apparently have a HUGE fan base because I have rec'd 32 hate mail messages from people defending them. I get it...don't take it personally, guys...I was frustrated with them...maybe I'll give them another try for next month's background since it seems they have gotten their act together...now, everyone retract your claws and go eat a Snickers...I didn't know that many people even looked at my blog...next time...just leave a comment...a nice one! Until next time.........

Action Jaxson!

2009-02-10T22:24:00.001-08:00

Man...not only does his body move 1000 miles an hour...so does his mind! So, the new song on the blog is Human by The Killers. It was playing on the radio in the van while we were waiting for the other kids to come out of school and Jaxson and Deni were getting restless so I turned up the radio and was singing along with the radio..."Are we human, or are we dancers?" Jaxson said..."MOM...TURN IT DOWN!" I turned it down and he said, "What did that song say?" I repeated, "Are we human, or are we dancers?" Not even missing one beat...Jaxson replied, "Are those my only choices?" I tell ya...I could write a book! What a nut! I love him anyways! Until next time............

What are you having for dinner?

2009-02-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Well...at our house we are having Napoleon Dynamite's Dang Kay-sa-dillas (formerly brewer quesadillas...I kinda like the new name)...Here's how you make it....

1 pork tenderloin (or pork roast-even beef would work...we like pig, though)
Cook in crock pot on low overnight (I say overnight 'cause mine is always frozen when I put it in)
Take pig out and shred it...put it back in crock pot
Add 1 jar salsa...mix well...
Take a tortilla and lay it out on a hot skillet...put pig meat on 1/2 of tortilla & sprinkle w/cheese
Fold tortilla over and let the cheese melt and tortilla brown. Flip it over and share the love with the other side. Take it off the skillet, put it on a plate and do it all over again! We like to cut the tortillas in wedges like a pizza and serve with more salsa, sour cream and homemade guacamole...ole! YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!Until next time............

Giveaway: Emmie Cakes

2009-02-10T10:32:00.003-08:00

Giveaway: Emmie Cakes

Posted using ShareThis

WinCo Update

2009-02-10T00:57:00.001-08:00

So it is about 1 am...just got back from grocery shopping...I have to tell you...although I loved not having a ton of people at the store, I just wasn't that into bagging my groceries when I could hardly keep my eyes open...you just can't sleep deprive a narcoleptic...anyways...here's some of the good deals I got (mind you...I was a tad bit hungry)...Pork Tenderloins---$.98/lb., B/S Chicken Breast---$.98/lb., 5 lb bag of apples---$.98(not a lb...$.98 for the whole bag!)doritos---$.98, fritos---$.98, Oatmeal Creme Pies---$.98, and because I love him dearly...I sat at the bulk candy bin for 20 minutes and picked mr brewer a pound of watermelon jolly ranchers...you're welcome! That is just some of my good buys-gosh, it makes me happy to find good deals! I can't wait to go back tomorrow (I mean later today)...Until next time.................

p.s....I didn't even have to wait in line!!!

I love WinCo!!!

2009-02-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

Oh...today is a great day! WinCo finally opened! They started building a building across the street from Wal-Mart a few months ago and when I inquired to a wal-mart employee about it, they told me it was going to be a Sam's Club...we don't have one of those, either! Anyways, a couple of months went by and the sign went up saying "Coming Soon...WinCo Foods"! Boy, was I happy! I don't even know how to describe the store to you...it is a bag-your-own-stuff grocery store! I think, overall, their prices are pretty cheap (I was browsing today). I have gone to a WinCo before in Boise when visiting my sister and fell in love with it there! They also have some bulk items that you can get (kind of like Costco). Anyways, they opened today...when you walk in the door, there was a lady handing out maps of the store who was saying, "Just to let you know...there is a two hour wait to checkout!" 2 HOURS!?!?! Seriously....let me put into perspective what the store was like today---you are at Splash Mountain at Disneyland and need to get to It's a Small World and there are 2 parades---yep...it was that ugly! There were people who were tag-teaming with other people...one would wait with the cart while the other one shopped...they did have a ton of good deals today but I have a life and could not wait in line for two hours (I came home and read a book...just kidding!) but when Big Daddy gets home from work tonight...I'm off to the store (while browsing...I made a list of the good deals and marked on the map where I need to go)...hopefully the line will be shorter (after all...it's gonna be midnight)...let's hope......Until next time........

Funny Girl...

2009-02-07T23:09:00.000-08:00

I should have put this under my "They Said What?!?!" section...but I thought it was good enought to post...so Eric was getting ready for work (he works graveyards on weekends) and we called the kids downstairs so we could all have nighttime prayer together. It was Deni's turn and I was helping her...she was blessing everyone and I whispered to her that she needed to ask that Daddy be safe at work...she looked at me funny and so I repeated it again...she looked at me funny again and shrugged her shoulders and said. "please bless daddy to be a dork!" There are days he doesn't need help for that! Just Kidding! Anyways, I thought it was funny...we could hardly get through the rest of the prayer! Until next time..........

I have good news and bad news...

2009-02-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

The bad news is...we did not get chosen for Supernanny...a few months ago we applied and they came to our house and filmed us for 5 hours (with 1 hour notice!)...they followed us to the grocery store and just observed us doing regular stuff...chores, dinner, bedtime, etc. I think it would have been kinda fun to have Nanny Jo come in and help us on a couple of issues (Big Daddy says there are two women on the planet that could bring him to tears...Judge Judy and Nanny Jo...needless to say, he's a little relieved!) Anyways...to the good news...our kids aren't the worst kids in Spokane! While they were here filming us, they were here doing an open casting call and had 18 other families apply...they went and filmed some of them as well...the guy that came in and filmed us (Tim) said our kids were some of the best behaved kids he has seen (and not just from the ones he had filmed in the past)...I think he was drunk (just kidding!). Anyways, sorry I couldn't get her autograph for you, Audrey...Until next time..........

One Less Bill!!!

2009-02-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

HOORAY!!! Today, my dear, sweet husband paid off our van! YIPPEE!!!

What a day!!!

2009-02-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday (Sat.) Hailey and I ventured out for a mother/daughter outing...Eric was kind enough to watch the other 3 kids so Hailey and I could spend some time together. We went to the mall and looked around a bit (we were supposed to get our nails done but the wait was too long). Anyways, we went to dinner and then dashed across the street to the INB (formerly the Opera House) to take in a broadway performance of Annie...now, folks...not that I am a broadway snob...but seriously-this is not the movie theater, people...leave the babies at home! We had people getting up all around us to take their kids potty and there was a lot of talking around us...I was getting annoyed (frankly, I wanted to get out my cell phone and play some ringtones to see how they liked the noise). These tickets were not cheap...I say to all of you idiots that couldn't keep your kids quiet---next time, stay home and rent the DVD! Okay, so ranting aside...Hailey and I had a great day together! We ended with an ice cream shake from McDonalds (after all...all great days end in ice cream!) Thanks for another great memory, Hailey...I love you! Until next time...

A great organizational give-away!

2009-01-31T23:44:00.000-08:00

Confesstions of a Yummy Mummy is having a FABULOUS give-away...check it out here

Pac Man Fever!

2009-01-30T20:27:00.000-08:00

I think I have just been in a time warp lately! I sing this song to my kids all the time and they think I'm nuts (I am sure not only for singing silly songs to them, however). Anyways, browsing on iTunes the other day...I came across the song Pac Man Fever...please tell me you remember it?!?! I called lots of people with my excitement only to find there are people who do not share my excitement and couldn't care less...thanks a lot! Just a hint: you might find that I will leave you alone and quit bothering you if you humor me once in a while-that's just my personality...but you still love me...anyways, what was I saying...let me read, for a minute... ... ... ... ... okay, I am back...anyways, I was excited to add pac man fever to my playlist...hope you enjoy! I think I will start on costumes for Halloween (yes...it will take me that long-Mom, will you help?)I have enough ghosts!!! Until next time....

Cutest Blog on the Block

2009-01-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

So...I usually try to get backgrounds from cutestblogontheblock.com but the last few times I have visited their site...it has been down...well...you're fired! I'm now officially not a fan...i'll try out jellypages.com for now...you better not fail me...Thats all I have to say about that...Until next time.......

I forgot the dang camera!

2009-01-30T17:47:00.000-08:00

Well...so I didn't exactly forget it...Eric borrowed it and left it at his office (which happens with a LOT of our stuff)...anyways...it would have been handy at the field trip I went on today with Cayson's 1st grade class....plus 2 other classes...that's right...roughly 50 1st graders-downtown-and nobody got lost or hurt! It actually turned out to be a great day! We left the school at about 9:20 and headed to the main post office downtown. Each of the kids had 42 cents to buy a stamp and put on the letter that they had written to a loved one the week before. They then put their envelopes in the drop slot (Benjamin...your letter is on its way!). The kids then went behind the scenes of the post office to see what steps the letters have to go through to get to their destinations...we then walked a block and a half to River Park Square and invaded the tables at the food court to eat lunch...there were a lot of people who were not happy having their lunch interupted by 50-ish kids---they'll get over it! We then went down 2 flights of stairs via the escalator to Mobius Kids (science center)...click here to learn more about it...anyways, we spent almost 2 hours there...what fun! Then we took the bus back to the school and got there at about 2:15...it really was a long but fun-filled day for all-the kids were so sweet and it was fun to see them excited about everything! Thanks for the invite, Cayson...Until next time................

Be Patient.....

2009-01-21T18:57:00.000-08:00

So Eric has been out of town for 6 days and just got back at 1-ish this morning...I haven't even turned my computer on the whole time he was gone but you better believe I've got a few things to say about stuff...inauguration, weather, etc...I will post a few hopefully tomorrow or the next day....let me sort out my thoughts so I can post the correct opinion to the correct topic (i'll try to hurry)...have a fabulous day!! Until next time.........

Flashback!!!

2009-01-15T19:13:00.001-08:00

867-5309...I always wanted this to my phone number...but then I thought of all of the weird-ohs that would call it to see if it really worked (I've been tempted!)...Anyways, I put this song on my playlist and my kids thought it was funny that someone would make a song out of a phone number...and it gave me an idea....all of my kids now know their phone number (Hailey knew it before...but the others only remember it if they sing it...)I can only imagine what would happen if they were lost (heaven forbid) and they had to give their phone number to the cops (Deni has to shake her hips as she sings it...)very, very cute!!! Anyways, Eric is out of town for six days so we have to fill in the time doing something (our address is next on the list). Until next time........

Happy Delurking Day!

2009-01-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

I just found out that today is national delurking day!

"What is that" You say?

A lurker is one who reads a blog but does not comment. I will be honest...I do it sometimes!

What this means for you is that if you are reading this I expect you to leave a comment even if it is just this once to let me know that you are out there and that I am not just talking into the oblivion they call the internet.
I want you to say hi if it is the first comment you have ever left on a blog or if you comment on my site every day. Show yourselves. Please. (This includes you (you know who you are!) I promise I won't bite if you leave a comment.)

You don’t have to be witty or clever. But if you can't think of anything to say, here is a couple of ideas for you...you can answer these or think of something on your own...

Where are you from?
How did you find my blog?

What's for dinner?
Do you have a blog yourself?...Leave the link and I will check it out!

Until next time.........

EEEEWWWWWW!!

2009-01-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Okay...there is not one of you I would ever do this to.....I have a neighbor who just moved in across the street less than a month ago....she has been over not once, not twice, but three times now asking to borrow our plunger...WHAT?!?! A plunger, really? The first time she brought it back...I poured bleach in a 5 gallon bucket and soaked it for an hour...the second time, I told her to keep it (I found it on my front porch after a jaunt to the store to get another one...jaxson likes to flush things!) Again, bleach...I could own Clorox... So today I am sitting at the table making out a menu and shopping list for the next couple of weeks when 'knock, knock, knock' "Can I borrow your plunger?" I told her, again, that she could keep it because I have another one....I swear...if she brings it back...I'm gonna duck tape it to her front door! GROSS!!! You don't borrow someone's plunger (I don't care if this is Hillyard) I think I need a bath.....gross.....it gives me the willies.....Until next time......

Scattergories

2009-01-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

Rules: It's harder than it looks! Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! You can't use your own name for any of the questions...except #1!!! Be a good sport and post this on your blog if you get tagged...I did!

Have Fun!!

1. What is your name? Tiphaine
2. A 4 Letter Word: Tons (like I'm tons of fun!)
3. A Boys Name: Trevor
A Girls Name: Tara
5. An Occupation: teacher
6. A Color: tan
7. A thing you wear:t-shirt
8. A Beverage: tap water (yuk!)
9. A Food: tangerine
10. Something found in the bathroom: toilet
11. A place: Tahiti
12. A Reason for being late: tire got a flat
13. Something you shout: TOUCHDOWN!!!

Okay, so I'm tagging Shaina, Lauren, Audrey & Kass (payback...love ya) Until next time....

Follow me!

2009-01-12T10:09:00.001-08:00

Okay...I'm talking to all of my fellow bloggers....the "followers" feature is my new best friend! I am a follower of many but I'm not sure if others know how it works...here is my tutorial. On your dashboard, you have the option to put in someone's blog address in order to follow them...this means that when you sign on to your own blog, it will inform you of when they post on their blog. On some blogs (mine, very recently included) there is a place for you to click that says "Follow This Blog" just click on it and it will give you the option to follow publicly (picture added) or anonymously(no picture)...I have about 20-ish blogs that I follow...it sure does save time checking all of them everytime...now when I sign on my blog...it tells me who has recently posted...I love it! Anyways, feel free to follow me (but not too closely-that would be stalking :-D). Until next time.....

School is in Session!

2009-01-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

So yesterday while out on my outings, I spotted many of our military personnel at various schools and school crossings making sure the roofs were plowed and that the crosswalks were safe for our kids...thanks for that! They then announced on the news that there would be school today...hooray! My kids (and myself) were so ready...except that tomorrow starts the weekend! They are pretty bummed about that (odd, I know)...they miss their friends and mom makes them do chores ALL DAY LONG (according to Hailey)...I can't wait to get back to a normal routine (and my living room to stay clean for more that 15 minutes)... Until next time.....

I have decided to embrace it!

2009-01-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

There is no school tomorrow...and my guess is Friday as well...it may be 2 days of pajamas at the Brewer's house...my house won't get cleaned until the kids go back to school...i've tried to clean this week...hahahahaha...i've decided that I will just embrace whatever may come our way...i still don't have to like it, but I will accept it (at least we have clean underwear)! Until next time....

I am moving.....

2009-01-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

That's it...I'm packing up and moving somewhere else...anywhere else (except Alaska or Antarctica)...No school AGAIN today...seriously...what changed? No school Monday...school Tuesday...no school Wednesday (are they trying to teach us patterns...I think I got it now)...Jaxson & Deni had school though...Head Start is associated with the Community Colleges of Spokane so when SCC and SFCC have school...so does Head Start...it makes it kind of a pain, though when District 81 doesn't have school...I have to remember to pick up the little ones (they haven't been forgotten yet!)...Anyways, we'll see if the pattern is broken tomorrow or not...I think the problem with today was that we got some rain and there is now water everywhere...and here is today's science lesson...what happens when water gets to freezing temperature? Raise your hand if you know the answer....that's right, boys and girls...it freezes...the only problem with today's science lesson is....its 40 degrees today....that means it's not freezing temperature...what is the problem? Yes, I was aware that I have a bad attitude...I want to see the sun and then I shall be happy (until it gets too hot...) Did I ever tell you that I have an opinion on everything?!?! Until next time.......

What a Day!

2009-01-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

So...I had just pushed the "publish post" button on my last posting when my phone rang. It was my friend, Maria (I babysit her boys & they live 2 doors down)...she said, "Did you go get the kids?" Ok...my first thought was 'seriously...they better not cancel school today...the kids are already there!'...instead, i said, "no, why?" Maria replied (in a frantic voice) "kxly.com said that they are evacuating the kids because Arlington is on fire!" What? Seriously? I tried to get as much info from Maria as I could while yelling at Eric to go pick up the kids...my second thought was 'SOMEBODY HATES ME!!' Eric got to the school only to find it surrounded by 7 fire trucks and a bunch of police cars...and all the roads to the school blocked off...by this time I was off the phone with Maria but trying to call the office (why would someone be in the office while the building is on fire?) hoping that they forwarded the phones to someone who could tell me if my kids were safe. Eric was able to get to the school on foot and was stopped by a cop who told him that there was smoke coming from the boiler room but that the building was inspected by Avista (utility company) and the Fire Dept. and was deemed safe for the kids to return to class but that parents were more than welcome to pick up their kids and it would be counted as an excused absense. Eric called me on the phone and explained the situation to me and asked me what I wanted to do...I put him on hold and called the office one more time this time getting an answer. The secretary in the office told me basically what the cop had explained to Eric and told me that the kids were safe and were now back in their classrooms...I got back on the phone with Eric and told him to leave them there and if there was another problem that the school could call us. After school, Cayson told us that there were only 5 kids in his class and Hailey said there were about 11 in hers...they thought the whole thing was cool....We'll see what tomorrow brings...until next time...............

It's A Great Day!

2009-01-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

Hallelujah...my prayers have been answered! The kids finally have school today! I have waited 19 days for today! Not that I don't love having my kids home, but seriously...when the snow is piled so high outside and they have played every game in the house...twice (or three or four times)...it's time to go to school...I know there are some of you out there who dread your kids going to school...I am not one of those...I love them dearly...but they need their friends and to be somewhere other than the walls of this house! (Hey, I might want to go to school!) Anyways, I think the surrounding school districts are still out so to that I say "sorry!" I still have 2 to get ready for pm school so...until next time........

Did I mention I HATE snow?!?!

2009-01-04T23:30:00.000-08:00

Ugh! All This white stuff is getting on my nerves! I will give you the condensed version of my day...My baby started Sunbeams today...WAH!!! If that wasn't enough...everything went downhill from there! I got home from church (hoping for a nap) and instead was greeted with water all over my kitchen floor...fabulous...where is it coming from? The window...yep...that's right. Why would water be coming in from the window, you say? It's because there is 8,000 inches of ice and snow atop our roof...15 towels later...I called over the neighbor (Eric was asleep after working all night and all morning and had only been asleep for 2 hours at this point). Anyways, Phillip came over and assessed the damage...I then called my friend Aimee and she brought over her 2 boys to help shovel off the roof (while she was on her brother's quad shoveling our sidewalk). Eric was awakened at this point due to all the commotion. I then called a member of our bishopric who, coincidentally, is a roofer...YEAH! (Be nice to the people in your ward so when you need them, they will come!) Terry Simpson brought over 2 daughters (who my kids LOVE) and a son (who they didn't know....but now love him, too!) The girls kept the kids occupied while I hauled bucket after bucket of hot water to the men on the roof(thank you Ashley for feeding the kids and doing the dishes...i love you! (I hope Edward was a good payment...pass him on to Christina)...I think, by the time they left, that they were in agreement that Supernanny would be helpful at our house (all the extra people, of course, did not help with the caos factor). Anyways, during all of this, someone had called in sick at Holy Family and they called Eric to go in early...hahahahahahahahahaha! Well, in a nutshell...the roof is fixed for now but it is now snowing again and we are due to get 6-10 inches during the night...and they have already cancelled school for the kids...will this winter break ever end?!?! Give me a call to make sure we are all still breathing and sane...until then...here are some pictures of our fun times! It sure is a blessing that we are surrounded by good people who are willing to give service to you...and that they think highly enough of you to be willing to do it...hopefully one day, we can return the favor...Be good and stay safe...until next time....

Eric and the Hatchet... Phillip the neighbor

Jaxson & Cayson... Aaron & Jericho... Terry Simpson & his son Tyler

Where did all the snow from the roof go?

And this is only in the front yard!

What is the first day of kindergarten going to be like?

2009-01-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, heck...so my baby graduated from nursery today and is now a Sunbeam...what is the world coming to? I don't think I'm okay with this...I was fine all morning and through sacrament meeting...then came time to take her to class..."the big girl class!" I'll admit I got a little bit teary-eyed...but I was so proud of her...she stood in the hallway quietly with her arms folded until the primary presidency came and got her...then she sat quietly in her seat through sharing time (yes...I snuck a few peeks in at her)...my baby is growing up! If this is what it is like at church...what is it going to be like on her first day of kindergarten? AAAHHHHGGGG!!! (Deep Breath)...I think I'm okay now...Until next time...

I hate snow!

2009-01-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Let me rephrase that...I HATE SNOW!!! I hate it, hate it, hate it! We have been stuck in our house almost the whole winter break the kids have had from school...in fact, they had extra days off because they closed the school 2 days before the break started! I told Eric...it's time to put the house up for sale and move back to Phoenix. Here are some pix from the first storm...that's right...I said the first storm...we've had a few...the news said that Spokane has had 59 inches of snow in the month of December...If the snow were a person...it could ride any ride at Disneyland...that is ridiculous! I hate it! (Did I mention that I hate it?!?!) I've tried to find snow pants for the kids...none available within 100 miles of Spokane...none on the internet...none, nowhere...none! There has to be an upside to this...I don't know what it is...but there has to be one (like one day it will melt...yes, but then there will be floods). I can't wait for summer...and then it will be too hot. Believe it or not, there are things that make me happy...

Here are just some of the pictures... I'll post more later!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hope this year brings love, health & happiness to all of you!

Happy Birthday, Jaxson

2008-12-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe he's 5! My, how the time flies! I love you, Peanut~

Do you think he's hungry?

2008-12-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

It's not like I starve him...Jaxson sat here for a good 10 minutes watching the chicken cook...I don't blame him...it's a great recipe! Okay...you twisted my arm...i'll share it with you...here it is...

Creamy Chicken & Biscuits

1/2 large onion

1 1/2 tsp butter

4 cups chopped, cooked chicken

1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup chopped pimiento (the red stuff inside the green olives...yes,they sell it by itself)

1 cup shredded cheese (divided)

6-8 canned biscuits

Preheat oven to 350

Grease bottom and sides of 11X9 baking dish

Dice the onion, saute in butter. Put in bowl.

Add cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk & pimiento. Mix well.

Spoon mixture into baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.

Take out of oven and top with 3/4 cup cheese. Arrange biscuits over cheese and top with remaining cheese. Bake until biscuits are done (20ish minutes). Serve immediately!

Let me know how you like it...Jaxson loves it! (so do the others!) Until next time...

Tag!

2008-12-08T00:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks a bunch, Kass for this opportunity...sorry I can't return the favor...love ya lots!

Here goes...

So apparently I've been tagged! This is going to be interesting...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago

1. Sitting in our quite apartment with no kids...(I now have 4)
2. living in warm weather...(our high was 30 today)
3. not much housework...(eric & I both worked 10 hour days...)
4. taking all the naps I wanted...(I can't even spell nap nowadays)
5. dreaming of having a family (see where dreams take ya...)

5 things on my to-do list
1. Laundry
2. Dishes
3. Sleep (somewhere in there...)
4. Clean out the fridge
5. Clean out the oven (my favorite!)

5 snacks I enjoy
1. Popcorn
2. Chips and Salsa
3. Orange Sticks
4. Dang Quesadillas
5. Macaroni & Cheese crackers...YUM!

5 things I would do if I was a millionaire
1. Hire a Maid
2. Go on vacations( yes...that is plural)
3. Hire a driver (with a fancy car)
4. Buy a house where I could have my own floor...with a bowling alley and movie theater and gym and a hogi yogi (I have never thought about this, can you tell?!?!)
5. Stimulate the Economy

5 places I've lived
1. Heaven (hopefully, one day I can go back...)
2. Winslow, AZ (I grew up on a corner there...well, a house on a corner... unless you ask Denise)
3. St George, UT (Love the Pasta Factory)
4. Phoenix, AZ (could use the warm weather about now)
5. Spokane, WA (here until we move elsewhere)

5 things I'm passionate about
1. Family
2. Movies
3. Music
4. Religion
5. Patriotism

5 things I say often
1. FOR THE LOVE...
2. GO TO BED!!!!!!
3. JAXSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. I love you!
5. Dinner is Ready!

5 things I want to do before I die
1. Hire a Maid
2. Stay in a castle in Scotland
3. Swim with the dolphins (preferably while I am still breathing)
4. See my kids graduate high school, college, get married and give me lots of grandkids (in that order, please)
5. Buy an island

5 things I want/need
1. To go to sleep (it's after midnight)
2. My house clean (without me doing it!)
3. My kitchen painted (again, without me doing it)
4. Christmas to be paid for (by someone else)
5. My husband to not have to work so dand hard)

5 places I want to see/visit
1. Disneyland...it never gets old!
2. Australia
3. Scotland
4. Vegas (we always have a great time!)
5. Times Square

5 TV shows I can't live without (I can live with out these I just like them)
1. The Office
2. Survivor
3. The Amazing Race
4. Biggest Loser (I would love to be on it someday...I just hate Alison Sweeney)
5. Supernanny (Again...would love to be on it!)

5 things you don't know about me
1. I love to play games (I am all alone in my family on that note...we still have games from our wedding that haven't been opened!)
2. I love having my feet rubbed (hint to the husband...it has been a while)
3. Sterling Roses are my favorite (eric, I swear you better read this)
4. I love to fill shopping carts in the store and then leave
5. I have narcolepsy (snore, snore...I'm sorry, were you saying something?!?!)

Tag: Whitney, Shiela, Glenna, Natalie, Lauren...You are welcome, Girls!
Until next time...

Happy Birthday, Eric

2008-12-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

Eric,
Thanks for being the person you are...my rock, my friend, my partner, my babies' daddy! I hope you had an amazing day...(not really since you had to work...sorry!) Here's to many more birthdays...and hahaha...for now you are as old as me! I love you!

SPOILED ROTTEN!!!

2008-12-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

Apparently...I can't leave these guys alone for one second (I refuse to bring them all in to the bathroom with me)...this is what I found when I came out...Although...I do wish I could find the picture I have of Cayson painting Eric's toenails (it is not safe to fall asleep on the couch at our house...) I only wish I would have had a camera on Eric when he found his red toenails (a scream from the shower...hahahahaha). Anyways, Hailey wanted to paint her own nails but Deni was just fine letting her brothers help her out (I'm not quite sure what happened to her shirt). Seriously...I was just going to the bathroom and getting the dirty clothes out of there so I could throw them into the washer...3 minutes TOPS...man, they move fast! Oh well...at least it didn't end up on my carpet...there's always tomorrow!.

This is pathetic!

So Pretty!!!!

Until next time...

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Much to be thankful for this holiday season...many family and friends who continue to put up with me...thank you! Eric...you are the love of my life...thanks for putting up with me mostly without an argument...I love you, bloodsucker! Hailey, Cayson, Jaxson, & Deni...thanks for making me laugh everyday...even if the windows get broken (twice)...Supernanny would die in our house! Denise, Kim, Brother...I call him that because he is my brother:)...thanks for always being there for me...keep sending me the funnies, bro! Mom and Dad...what great examples you are to me...thanks for 32 years of unconditional love! Danna, Mike, Charlie, Leslie...thanks for letting me into your family...even though I am a PITA...it seems I fit right in (kidding, kinda)...Gma Brewer...I canned peaches and cried cause you weren't there to tell me I was doing something wrong! To all my friends (the list is WAY too long)...thanks for lots of shoulders to cry on...even if some of them are attached to phones...the list could go on and on...yeah, I do have a lot to be thankful for...you all are a part of me and I love everyone of you...Until next time...

Update on Deni

2008-11-26T23:37:00.000-08:00

Okay...thanks to all of your prayers for Deni...they were definately answered. She went to the dermatologist on Monday and here's the news...

1. She has one of the worse cases of excema he has seen on a child...not rash wise...but the different types of sores she has on her body...her bottom and feet are rashes...her belly and legs are sores...it's weird, he says...there is a cream for it!

2. She has blackheads...on her nose and forehead and a little on her belly (weird). Anyways, puberty is gonna be great! There is a cream for this too!

3. Atopic dermatitis...she has been diagnosed w/this before but just not given the right treatment for it...change the laundry soap (All...free and clear), shampoo (Johnson & Johnson no more tears baby shampoo), soap (cetaphil cleansing bar), lotion (yes, there is a cream for this too)
Which brings me to our daily routine...
After bath...moisturize w/cetaphil moisturizing cream, apply one cream to bottom and feet, apply other cream to nose and forehead...put on boxers (the elastic on her panties irritate her skin...she's not excited to wear boys underwear), shirt, pants, socks, shoes....it doesn't seem like much...until you have to remember...did I put that lotion on yet and where does it go?!?! And it has to happen TWICE A DAY! It has been really fun re-washing all of her clothes and bedding and the towels...oh, well...I'm glad we have a road in which to travel with her, though...let's hope it is free of any more speedbumps! Until next time!

Twilight...Brace Yourselves...It is LONG~

2008-11-26T21:18:00.000-08:00

Okay...I was hoping to post this a lot sooner but I just haven't...thanks for the push, though (Lauren...I'm talkin' to you...) Here goes...

So Patti and Rachael and Diana and Waz and I all met at the theater at 9:00pm (for the midnight movie). There were a few people there...none of which were nearly as cool as we are! We had some other friends that were coming at 10 but we didn't want to wait for them so we got our place in line (we were 2nd...the 1st had been there since 6:30-yes, there are people crazier than we are) anyways, we were hungry...the kids had already been fed but we wanted "real" food...PIZZA! Now, there aren't many movie theaters out there that serve pizza...so we enlisted the help of an usher named Ethan that we adopted as our pet~(oh, let's say a pet gopher, hahaha). All we had to do was call his name and out of nowhere...tada...there he was! Well, we wanted pizza and so we asked him if they would let us order a pizza...we were sitting not far from a sign that said "NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK". He consulted with the mgr who said...YES...just don't take it into the theater (I think it was safe to say that a pizza wouldn't be there after 3 hours of waiting). So off to Fat Daddy's Patti and Rachael went (it was next door). While they were gone...I heard a very nasty rumor...there was a Twilight party going on in the game room of the movie theater and someone told us that they were going to be able to cut in line...OH, ETHAN...after a squabble with me...Ethan went to find his manager and came back with some news...the people who rented out the game room had paid extra for the services offered...one of which was early admission into the theater...however, since they had WAY too many people in the party room...and WAY to many words with me...and others, I am sure...they decided to give them their own theater...which was fine with me...I still got to put my feet up in the theater and enjoy the movie...or so I thought...Now, I would never in my poorly thought out schemes...ever let my 13 & 14 year olds go to the movies with their friends at midnight...EVER...but that is who was there...1000s of them (or so it seemed). Every time Edward came out on the screen...AAAAGGGHHH!!! They all screamed! SHUT UP, seriously...Ugh! It was awful and I left the movie theater HATING the movie...But, Patti saved me and we went the next night (technically, it was later that night, I guess) with her sisters and I absolutely LOVED the movie...they left out things that I would have liked to have seen...but for the most part...I thought they did a good job with what they had to work with. I think they could have made it a tad bit longer and done things with the other characters to involve them a little more but overall...I gave it a B+...Until next time...(They gave the go-ahead to start on New Moon...)

Here's Rachael and her "Team Jacob" shirt...
Patti's husband made the sign for her back...
gotta love duct tape!

The Whole Gang! We all have Twilight T-Shirts!

Patti wanted Edward on her boobs!
Sorry it's sideways...it's late!

Ethan...our "pet"...he even snuck over and had pizza w/ us! Good Times!

We're On Our Way!

2008-11-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

Well...I got a great phone call this morning from Deni's dr...the dermatologist had a cancellation and her appointment got moved to MONDAY!!!!!!!!! I think maybe they just told me it was a cancellation so I wouldn't think that all of my bugging them actually got me somewhere! I'd like to think that it was my "power of persuasion" or maybe all of your prayers...thank you. I'll keep you all posted! Until next time...

The Pledge of Allegiance

2008-11-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

So I am really grateful that they still teach The Pledge in school...not only in Elementary School but they are teaching it to Deni and Jaxson in Head Start. It almost brings tears to my eyes when I visit the classroom and listen to these kids (ages 3-5) saying their pledge to our flag and our country. I am grateful to the teachers who explain to these kids, line for line, what the pledge is and its meaning. I feel very blessed to live in a country where we are able to have the freedoms that we are so blessed with. Jaxson was too shy to be in the video...but I think Deni did a great job (we are still working on left hand/right hand...even I get confused sometimes!!!) She is getting so big!

Until next time...

Happy Birthday, Gma

2008-11-18T00:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Grandma! Happy Birthday to you! Cha Cha Cha! Happy Birthday, Mom...we love you! Eric, Tiph, Hailey, Cayson, Jaxson, Deni

Keep Her In Your Prayers

2008-11-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

So our little Deni is sick again (still). I think it was some time this summer that she started to get all of these "goosebumps" all over her body. We took her to the dr and he said that she had atopic dermatitis...we should switch our laundry soap to perfume free/dye free and switch our body soap and shampoos as well...we did that...they didn't go away...they got worse. She was just tested for MRSA because the spots had grown in size and started oozing out goo...it was fabulous...the tests came back negative but they put her on antibiotics just to be safe...Well...the antibiotics looked like, at first, they were helping but the last couple of days she has developed more spots on her little body and the "goosebumps" have spread to her nose and her forehead and most of her abdomen. She also has a rash that looks like permanent panties...the drs have prescribed meds for a yeast infection....did nothing to it! We are at our wits end trying to figure out what this could be...the drs office knows me by voice (its sad when you know ALL of the receptionists by voice also...)Anyways, we have been referred to a pediactric dermatologist but cannot get in until mid-December...hopefully, I can "persuade" the dr to call the dermatologist to get us in sooner...until then, please keep her in your prayers. Here are some pictures of some of her "owies"....She looks like a beaten child when I take her to school...she has to have them all covered with band-aids and there are now 16 of them...poor girl!

I have my fingernail in a couple of pictures as a size reference...they are not small sores...

This one is on her left arm...it oozes the most...YUK!

On her belly...this is what they start out as...

This one is on her calf...she says this one itches the most...

This one is on her back...

Poor Thing...Until next time...

Bowling Part 2...aka...meet Fred Flintstone

2008-11-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of Jaxson's approach from our bowling trip the other day...At one point (I think I already mentioned) he forgot to let go of the ball and sailed halfway down the lane...what a dope I am for putting the camera away too soon! Oh, Well...Good Times!

If you want sound, you have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to pause the music...I know it's a pain but I can't figure out any other way! Enjoy...Until next time...

Happy Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T01:23:00.000-08:00

To all the veterans out there...thank you! May we all one day live in peace and harmony. God Bless America!

A Night of Bowling

2008-11-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

So on Saturday we took the kids out bowling...I think we have only taken them once before. The kids did all of their chores while Eric was sleeping after a hard night at work and when he woke up, they were ready to go...I got some great pictures of the kids. Jaxson had everyone 3 and 4 lanes down in stitches! He has a great approach but on one of his turns, he forgot to let go of the ball and ended up halfway down the lane...it was funny...I only wish I would have gotten a picture but by that time the camera was put away...maybe next time! Hope you enjoy the pictures...by the way, Hailey was the only one in the whole game that got a strike...way to go!

I don't know how she got a strike with this one...it looks painful!

It looks good from here...

I don't care ...lalalalalala

She was just excited to be there!

Are you going to roll or what?!?!

Until Next Time...

Twilight Tickets

2008-11-06T22:08:00.000-08:00

Twilight tickets went on sale on Halloween...and I showed great self-control because I bought mine today...that's almost a whole week! You all should be proud! Actually...I had to wait for other people to say if they were going to the midnight showing or not...I am so there! My hope is that a lot of parents won't let their kids go on account that it is technically Thursday night (12:01am Fri. morning) and most of them will have school the next day...I know I am dreaming but it doesn't hurt to be hopeful! I am taking a couple of my BFFs and also Jaxson & Deni's teachers daughters (I loaned them the books and got them hooked!) We had a lot more people but some of them are wimps that go to bed early (gotta take care of kids or some other lame excuse :-o)just kidding! Anyways, feel free to call me on Thursday night...I will be up! Anyone else want to go....Kass, Aud, Jess, Mom, anybody....???? It could be (actually it will be) FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scroll all the way to the bottom to view the countdown! Until next time....

I Miss the Sticker!

2008-11-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

So, in Spokane we have just the mail-in ballots and Eric and I were talking today about how they jip us on the "I Voted!" sticker...I know it's just a sticker...but still...I miss it and it was Eric's first time voting so he really felt jipped! Maybe someone could mail us one (grab an extra one or two at the polls)...I turned my ballot in last week...you think they could have something there that when you put your ballot in the box...a sticker pops out...but NOOOOO! Oh, well...I will get over it...Get out and VOTE! Until next time...

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween to all! Hope you had a fun (yet safe) day! The kids had a lot of fun. Yesterday we went to Spokane Community College's Family Fun Day and the kids got a lot of fun things. Then tonight we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. It was a lot of fun for them...their favorite part was one car we went to was giving out cans of pop...they thought that was cool...the things that make us happy! Anyways...here are some pics of our fun few days...tomorrow we are off to a birthday party...costumes are a must! Maybe this holiday will never end...

Hailey went as a princess! People came up to her and said how beautiful she looked...we think so too!

Cayson went as a Dragon Warrior Ninja...he only wanted this costume because it came with 3 swords and a chinese star... boy, I was excited!

Jaxson went as a cowboy...people thought this costume was so cute that they took pictures of Jaxson and he decided after a while that he didn't want to wear it anymore because people were laughing at him... it took a lot of persuasion to get him back on the horse(hahaha)

Deni went as Alice in Wonderland...lots of compliments on this costume..."she looks just like her" people would say!

The whole gang!

Happy Halloween...Until next time...

A Little Behind...

2008-10-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

So here are just a few pictures from the last couple of months I have failed to post. Hope you enjoy...

Hailey and Cayson's 1st day of school! Hailey is in 3rd grade and Cayson is in 1st!

Jaxson's 1st day of school...he is in his second year of Head Start!

Deni's 1st day of school...she is in her 1st year of Head Start and goes to the same class as Jaxson...

Jaxson and Deni had a field trip to Walter's Fruit Ranch in Greenbluff...they got to pick an apple and a pumpkin. They also learned how they made apple butter and apple cider and got to sample both...they were in Heaven!!!

Farmer Mert showing the kids the crown on "King Red"...AKA Red Delicious...the #1 sold apple in the world!

Keep Your Mouth Shut...

2008-10-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

Okay...so you would think that by now I would learn to keep my big mouth shut...so not the case...I think it was July 1st that a ban in Spokane County (all of WA by 2010) was put into effect that you could not use dishwashing liquid that contains more than 0.5% phosphorus in it...so they took ALL of the dishwashing liquid off the shelves. Within a week or so they came out with some new phosphorus free stuff...well...I hated it! It left a white film on all of our dishes and it was taking me 2-3 cycles through the dishwasher to get them clean. Anyways...I would offer my opinion (shocking, I know!) about the ban to anyone who would listen (or pretend to listen). My neighbor's mom was visiting and she was complaining that she would have to buy a new dishwasher because it wouldn't clean her dishes...I gave her a bottle of Cascade (I had my mom pick up a few bottles of "real" soap on one of her visits from AZ to WA...) I told her to try the soap and see if it got any better...that was a month ago. So yesterday, I got a phone call from her saying it was the soap and she was happy that she didn't have to fork out money for a new dishwasher. She then informs me that she works for KXLY (Channel 4) news and they would love to interview me about the soap...OH CRAP!!!! Anyways, after scrubbing the kitchen so they could film in there...they came and did the interview...here is a link to the interview (after you click on the link there is a little camera icon on the right where you can watch the video)...Anyways, I hope you can take a couple of things away from this...1)Learn what people do for a living before you offer your opinions & 2)Keep your opinions to yourself...Yeah, right...I will never learn! Until next time...

As if I didn't torture him enough....

2008-10-22T00:18:00.000-07:00

So, as many of you who read my blog know, I took Eric to see Mamma Mia a few months ago...he said I owed him big time! Apparently, he didn't learn his lesson the first time because tonight I took him, along with our good friends, Patti and Andy Alder, to see Phantom of the Opera. Oh, am I in BIG trouble! You would think by now he would learn to say no...(he tried...he asked one of his co-workers at the hospital to go in his place...she apparently doesn't like dating other peoples spouses...expecially women!...hahaha! At least I fed him first (Olive Garden...yum!) It was a good evening for all of us (eric even got a nap in during the show...after he was caught holding Andy's hand :-o!!)What a good man he is...he cancelled his class for tonight and it was a lot of fun being with friends who aren't afraid to act like toddlers with us! I swear they aren't going to let us out in public together anymore! The show was great...not my very favorite broadway show but I was happy I experienced it! There is a very long list of Broadway shows I would LOVE to see...I just may be watching them alone! Anyways, when we got home, Hailey had written a message on our dry-erase board in the kitchen that said "mom and dad...I hope your date was really really great tonight...love, Hailey" how sweet...then lower on the board it said "mom and dad kissed on their date!" and then, at the very bottom it said "mom and dad love each other" yes, we do...thanks for noticing! And we love our kids too! Until next time...

Grandma Duncan

2008-10-12T01:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Grandma Duncan! We hope you love your flowers! Love, Hailey, Cayson, Jaxson, & Deni

Twilight Movie 11/21/08

2008-10-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

Okay...take a look at this and tell me you aren't as excited as me?!?! Oh, the things in life that make us giddy...Until next time...

If you have my autograph...better hang on to it...it could be worth something someday!

2008-10-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Okay...so I was picking Jaxson and Deni up from school on Wednesday when Teacher Valerie gave me a sheet of paper asking if I would be one of the parents involved in meeting Senator Murray at the kids' school on October 17 to discuss HeadStart and the resources available to us as parents. Sure, no problem...until I read that there will be media involved...a little more hesitant, but, hey...why not?!?! Then the next day (Thurs) I was picking up kids again (you think I would learn and let Eric do it from now on)...when Teacher Valerie runs out after me saying..."Janel needs you to call her". Janel is a social services specialist from HeadStart that is also over the policy council of which I am the current president so it is not unusual that I would get a phone call from her. I was loading the kids up in the van and since Eric had the older kids I was in no hurry to get home so I sat in my van on my cell phone and called Janel...she had called to see if I would be so willing as to join her and another HeadStart employee on Oct 22 to be interviewed on PBS for a piece on education something or other. I know it is only PBS and not a lot of people watch it...but still...I was excited that they thought to include me! I guess my next step is the BBC...(just kidding!) Anyways, I am happy about it..HeadStart has done a lot for our family and we have made lots of lifelong friends from the program...I recommend it to anyone who has kids...(it makes me want to have more...well, that may be overreacting just a bit!) Until next time....

Glenna

2008-10-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Aunt Glenna! We Miss You! Love, Hailey, Cayson, Jaxson, & Deni

Kim

2008-09-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Aunt Kim! We Love You! Thanks for being our friend! Love, Hailey, Cayson, Jaxson & Deni

Thanks for trying to help...but next time don't!

2008-09-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Okay...it's Tiphaine here! Hello to all! So, the other day I was putting groceries away in the pantry and I smelled something rotten. I couldn't quite figure out where the smell was coming from so i started cleaning off the shelves. I started at the top and worked my way down...sorting and tossing and organizing and wiping things down. Still the smell was awful...when I got done with the last shelf...I still couldn't find the smell so I started removing the 5 gallon buckets filled with flour, sugar, and such. When I moved the last bucket...I found the smell...an almost (but not quite) empty bag of potatoes...ROTTEN! Yuk! They were not put back in their spot...someone decided to hide them apparently. They were so rotten that they were leaking all over the pantry floor and the purple print on the outside of the potato bag was now staining my pantry floor....I went to go get the mop to clean it up and Jaxson (the big helper) said, "Mommy...I won't let Deni get into it!" "Thanks, Jaxson...you stay away from it, too!" was my response. When I came back into the pantry from getting the mop wet, I turned around and was immediately met with purple footprints going from my pantry to the bathroom to the kitchen and back to the bathroom...AAAGGGHHHH!!! Jaxson and Deni, both, decided to "dance" from the pantry throughout the rest of the house and thought the purple footprints were the coolest thing ever! Oh, I could have beat them both...but instead, handed them each a wet towel and told them they had to clean it up! They were not too happy that I was making them mop up their masterpiece. Oh...I can't wait until the next adventure....perhaps it will be a mudpie in my bathroom sink (oh, wait...that already happened last week...I sure do wish those two had school on Fridays!)

Twilight Saga (this is a long one...)

2008-09-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Okay...so I need to find a Twilight Anonymous meeting to go to. Can anyone help me? For those of you who don't know what I am talking about...where have you been? The Twilight Saga is a series of 4 books, written by an LDS author named Stephenie Meyer, about a vampire who falls in love with a human. That is the jist of it....kind of. Anyways, I really didn't want to get started with these books in the first place because I have seen friends get addicted to them to the point that they had a countdown of when the next book would come out...that is way out of my comfort level (and one of the reasons I did not read Harry Potter...) I can't read part of the story and wait a whole year for the next part of the story...I need it all at once...Well, my mom came for a visit and had read the first one she had borrowed from my neice. So she bought herself one and left it for me to read (I hope she knows she won't be getting it back!) She left at about 10-ish am and lucky for me, it was a rainy day...the kids sat on the couch and watched tv most of the day...and I read! I was done with the book(400-ish pages maybe) by 9-ish pm...I decided I could wait until the next day to read book 2 (until I read the first chapter of book 2 at the end of book 1). I called Eric at work and asked him if I could get book 2 from Barnes & Noble across the street from his work (class doesn't end until 10 but b&n closes at 10...do you see my dilema?)Anyways, I got the book that night (spoiled, I know!) and had it finished by noon the next day (it rained...thanks, mother nature). I got on the computer and checked to see if my Borders coupon had been emailed to me and lucky me...in my inbox was a 40% off coupon...hallelujah! I rushed over to Borders in the rain and got book #3 and #4(book 4 was on the bestsellers list so it was already 40% off). I had books 3 &4 read in the next day and a half...that is 2500 pages in 3 days. Not only that, but in the next 3 days, I had them all read again...that is 5000 pages in 1 week (Eric said it is not something to brag about and my neighbors kept asking me if I had fed my kids..."yes", I would say...and I also did 4 loads of laundry daily!) I am an official "Twilighter". They are great books for those of you who are readers (they are even great for you non-readers)...it is a great story and you really get into the books. There are several ladies at church who read them and on Sundays we have a discussion on them...I think all of my books are currently out on lend right now...I even have a waiting list (I feel like the library!) I can't wait for the movie to come out! I am way excited! November 21st...you can find me in line at the movie theater...I already have a sitter lined up (thanks, eric!) Pathetic...I know...but at least I am willing to admit it! Until next time....

Oldie, but Goodie...

2008-09-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Eric fixed me up with another computer (he has a multitude of them at his office) so he decided to bring me one home...how sweet! Anyways, I still can't promise that the postings will be any closer together! I could have put this posting under "they said what?!?!" but I chose to do it this way instead....

Last year while staying at Gma & Gpa Nelson's house...the kids were getting ready for bed and Cayson came in and said..."Mom, Deni pulled some black stuff out of the rectangle CD!" Not knowing what in the heck he was talking about...I went to investigate only to go back into the Family Room laughing so hard...Deni had pulled the ribbon out of the cassette tape and poor Cayson had no clue what the darn thing was! Are we really THAT old!?!?! Anyways, it is this story that inspired my new cassette tape on the blog that plays some of my favorite songs...let me know what you think! Until next time...(hopefully it will be sooner than later!)

P.S....Happy Birthday, Dad! Thanks for being the greatest dad anyone could have asked for! Lots of Love!

9/11

2008-09-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

God Bless America!

Papa Mike

2008-09-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Papa Mike! Thanks for being our friend!
Love, Hailey, Cayson, Jaxson & Deni

Wii Are A Happy Family!

2008-08-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

So the other day I had a hard day...getting ready for school to start on Tuesday (hallelujah!!), going through the kids' clothes to see how many outfits were going to be needed for school, and still trying to get daily chores done before a cranky daddy came home from work...we got most of it done but I figured it was safer for the kids to go to bed than for them to keep trying to "help" me. After I thought all the kids went to bed, I sat on the couch with my feet up (and my stupid books I am addicted to-look for them on a later post) I heard a ka-thunk, ka-thunk (there were approximately 11 ka-thunks) from upstairs...I went to investigate just to be scared at the bottom of the stairs by Cayson...I think I caught him off guard as well! He was coming downstairs to let me know that all the other kids were asleep and could we (and this is a quote) "just play a few games on the Wii because we never get any alone time". BULL!!!! He's gonna be a great negotiator or lawyer or something when he grows up! I thought there would be no harm in playing a couple of rounds of Army Tanks or Big Game Hunter (shooting animals without getting dirty...Deni will tell you to watch out for the bear!) But when it comes to boxing (a game everyone should experience at least once), I have to say I much rather watch than play (Hailey does a booty shake when she plays and Eric turns 30 shades of red!) It is hilarious...Cayson becomes a whole new personality when he plays (as you can see in the pics). So, here it is in a nutshell...anyone is welcome to come play anytime...just call first! Until next time...

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Okay...so for our anniversary today Eric proved his undying love for me! Today is our 11th anniversary and it just so happens that a few movies we have been looking forward to have just opened within the last couple of weeks...The Dark Knight, Hancock, and of course Mamma Mia! Oh, I have waited for so long for this to become a movie (it is cheaper to pay $9 to see it than $65 to see it as a play). So Eric told me I could pick the movie (a decision he now regrets!) To see this movie, you have to be a fan of musicals...Eric is not! You have to be a fan of chick flicks...again, Eric is not! Finally...you have to be a fan of ABBA...Eric is not, shocking, isn't it?!? He was a good sport, though, and let me make the decision to see this movie that I have been waiting almost a year for...he did pretty good until about the 7th or 8th song (there are at least 11 or 12 songs in the movie)...although, I must say that even though he is hotter than heck, Pierce Brosnan CAN NOT SING! I love him as an actor...he is my new Sean Connery...but he can not sing! Anyways...thanks Eric for a fantastic anniversary and, yes, I do owe you big time! Thank you for 11 wonderful years! I love you! Until next time...

Spoiled Rotten!

2008-07-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here's how this adventure started....Tiphaine's mom called her friend, Susan, to see if she knew about tours of the fire department. Susan called back and told us to call the fire station and talk to James...so we did. This is how the conversation went (in a nutshell)..Gma Nelson: Hi James, this is Peggy Nelson calling about the tour of the fire station. James: Where do you live? Gma: 1000 Apache. James: Are you Denise's mom (have you noticed that mom's lose all identity when they have kids?!?)? Gma: Yes, I am. James: How would the kids like it if I came and picked them up in the fire truck? Gma: They would be in hog heaven!
So after a quick rush of "everyone go potty and comb your hair" we rushed outside to wait for the firetruck. He came and picked up Tiph and the kids (you should have seen the neighbors come out to see what was happening) and off they went! He took us on a ride for about 15-20 minutes during which time he let the kids (one at a time) unbuckle (which I told them under normal curcumstances was NOT safe) and turn on the siren. He then took us to the fire station and gave the kids a tour of it...they asked so many questions (Cayson was disappointed that they did not have a fire pole!)and James was very patient and answered each question the kids had for him (what's that? what's in there? how does this work? what does this button do?) He even gave each of the kids a baggy full of goodies (coloring book, tattoo, pencil, activity thingy) and each of them got a bottle of Gatorade (he told the kids it was firefighter juice). He then put us back in the firetruck and took us under the underpass (where it echoes) and blew the horn and siren. The kids loved it! He then took us back to Gma Nelson's house where Aunt Sandra, Gma, and John (a neighbor across the street) were waiting (Gpa had just left for work). It was a great adventure that they will remember for a long time to come. When the kids told Eric about it, I think there was a hint of jealousy there but he was excited for them, too. James told us this is not a usual thing they do...maybe it's just because he knew Denise or maybe he was having a slow day...who knows, we are greatful whatever the reason! Until next time....

Reese

2008-06-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Well...right now the kids and I are visiting the super-exciting city of Winslow, AZ. So far we have gone to a Brewer reunion in Snowflake and then came to Winslow and are staying with Tiph's parents (thanks). The other day (Friday, maybe!?!?) we went to Eric's dad's house and he helped each of the kids make marshmallow shooters out of PVC pipe. You should have seen his living room when they got done with it! Well, then we came back to Gma and Gpa Nelson's house and there yard soon looked the same as Gpa Charlie's living room...Deni loves eating the marshmallows off the floor though (yuk!) Anyways...let me get to Reese....Deni and Jaxson got into swimming lessons starting last Monday...Deni was excited until we got there and then wasn't sure about it...Jaxson had an anxiety attack and threw up 3 times before we even got to the pool...anyways, so once they got into the water all was fine...Jaxson has learned lots of things from his teachers (Sharon Cox and her daughter Savannah)as has Deni...all because of her teacher Reese...actually Reese is one of her two swim teachers (the other is Amber Garner-daughter of Wayne & Jodi for those that know them). Anyways...back to the story...Reese goes to my mom's ward and they are good friends of the family. My girls have a crush on him. He stopped by the house on his way from the credit union on an errand from his mom and had a popsicle with the kids (the girls were not about to let him leave without one!) Anyways, Cayson takes fabulous pictures of the kids swimming and one day he decided to let Hailey have a shot at the camera...she took one picture of Deni under water and one of Jaxson floating on his back..........and 12 of Reese!

Today at church Reese just happened to pass the sacrament to us and Deni said, "That's my teacher, Reese...I love him, I don't hate him!" She then went and showed him her dolly she was paying with during church and a page she had colored...his friends were sitting in front of him but even so, he was a good sport about it! Thanks, Reese!

Well, we are off to swimming lessons again tomorrow. I think perhaps Hailey will get in (Hailey and Cayson were #1 & #2 on the waiting list) but Cayson has opted to go to wrestling camp instead...they both will do great at whatever they get to do! Until next time.....

2008-05-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Okay...we have gotten a few phone calls to see how Deni's eye surgery went...thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Deni is doing just fine. Her eye surgery went well - she only pulled out 1 stitch (1 out of 4 ain't half bad!) She has glasses now and she hates them with a passion! They have stick on prisms on them which means there are vertical lines on the lenses so she complains that she can't see sometimes...things are blurry to her! The longer she wears them, the longer she can wait for her next surgery. Doc Snow told us that a typical child has to have an average of 3 surgeries. In a perfect world, her next one won't be until she is about 10-12. Thanks to Grandma Nelson for taking a flight up here for a week to help out! We love and appreciate all you do for us...sorry we didn't get to cinnamon rolls...next time I'll have some waiting for you! Well...it's been a busy, busy month already and the calendar is full of events...Cayson's bday party is tomorrow...all are invited...it starts at 4! After the party ...eric is cooking his famous cow!!! (he doesn't know it yet). I'll try to post some more pics...i think i finally learned how (thanks, kim!) Until next time....much love to our friends and family!

Our Kids: Our Business

2008-04-15T17:47:00.000-07:00

So...my speech went pretty well...the mayor didn't come and I was told that the Sheriff had to attend to an "incident" that was on the college campus. I saw his patrol car there so he was there somewhere. Anyways...I wish I had time to post a blog everyday and I am sorry I don't keep up with it more often...I will keep trying! Well...as promised...here is the cake recipe...it was easy to make and Eric said he liked it (actually, he said, "it's not brownies, but I wouldn't hate you if you made it again!" I guess that means he liked it. Here is the recipe...

Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups butter, softened, divided
2 cups chopped pecans
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

FROSTING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
1 package (2 pounds) confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Directions: In a small heavy skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter. Add pecans; cook over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes. Spread on foil to cool. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and remaining butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat just until combined. Fold in pecans. Pour into three greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat in enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Let me know if you try it...It is way good! Nothing else going on this way...sorry we aren't very exciting people! Until next time! Lots of Love...

Speech

2008-04-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

Okay...so I am a tad bit nervous for tomorrow...I have to give a speech on child abuse prevention (don't laugh) for Head Start. I have been told that the mayor and sheriff will be there but that could just be a rumor (let's hope so). I haven't yet decided what I am going to say (how's that for waiting till the last minute!) We will see how it all pans out. I am excited for dinner 2nite for a couple of reasons...it's done (Eric and I made 2 pans of enchiladas last night) and I made a cake that should be illegal! It's called Butter Pecan cake...and it's fatening(how else are we supposed to maintain our figures). It takes a whole pound and a quarter of butter and 2 blocks of cream cheese just for starters! I hope it tastes as good as it looks! I'll share the recipe tomorrow if i love it! Well...it's time to go get kids from school (spring break is OVER!!:)Until tomorrow....

busy, busy, busy!!!

2008-03-27T01:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know it has been a while since the last posting but we are still here! We have been incredibly busy! Eric is still teaching at the school and has just started working graveyards at Holy Family Hospital (we hate it!) Hailey is 7 and 3/4 (so she says) -going on 15 and 3/4!! She will be baptized on her birthday (July 8) in Winslow, AZ so more of Eric's family might be able to come...more info to come later! Cayson is 5 and 3/4 and is getting more and more handsome as each day goes by! Jaxson is 4 and 1/3 and loves to go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, (is there enough room on the page?!?!) he keeps us young! Deni is 2 and 3/4 and has learned a LOT from Jaxson (thank you, son!) They are definately partners in crime! We are looking forward to going to AZ this summer and possibly CA (don't tell the kids!) Eric will have to take a couple of trips back and forth from WA to AZ but Tiph and the kids will stay put for a little less than a month...thanks to Tiph's parents for the room and board! We will start out on a family reunion with Eric's family which we are excited for-it's always fun to see family! I'll try to keep up on the blog...I've been asked about it quite a bit (to be honest, I forgot I started one!!) More to you all later! Lots of love! Remember who you are and don't drink out of any strange toilets!

2007-09-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hello! Just thought I would let you know we are starting a blog...it seems like the easiest way to let people know what we are up to. We will be posting pictures & family news shortly...hope you come and visit soon! Tiph