Recital

We had Livee and Aleena's first recital tonight.  They are in a gym class.  The gym classes were first and then the dance classes.  I wasn't going to stay but Livee was so into it.  She asked "How come I can't do that?"  and "How do they do that?"  She said her favorite one was the "pillow pet" one.  It was cute.  I think she will be my dancer...

http://youtu.be/oeaeD7a5x1A

Here is a video of Livee and Aleena.  It's kind of long, but I know there are 2 grama's out there that will love it.  Watch for Livee waving. It's a quick wave so watch for it.  Livee is on the end of left side, Aleena is the 3rd in from the right side. 

Halloween 2011

Halloween was great.  It wasn't extremely cold, but cold enough I didn't forget it was October.  Aleena was a skeleton Princess.  Livee was our lil' stinker, Hallie a cheetah, and Jase was our clown.  When Livee got her costume on she walked around spraying everyone.  She would put her hips forward, like a boy standing to a toilet going pee, and would make a "psst" sound.  I laughed so hard, and then I told her that a skunk doesn't spray out the front but the back by her tail.  Then she walked around spraying everyone the back way.  Savanna didn't dress up this year.  I didn't even get a picture of her because she was gone working on a school report. 
The school started out the celebration with a parade.  The parade has been around since I was little.  Everyone gets their costumes on and they go walk to the High school and walk the halls and then walk the halls of the elementary.  After the parade they each have their class parties. 

I made my traditional cheesy potato soup for dinner.  I know the kids are so excited that eating is a hard thing to do.  Especially after treats at school and everywhere.  So the soup was ready right after school so when anyone was hungry they just ate. 

Kaydee and her kids came and hung out.  We headed over the church parking lot for the trunk or treat.  It seemed a bit strange that the school puts on the trunk or treat but it is in the church parking lot.  It was still nice though. 

Savanna had to miss the trunk or treat but we all met up and hung out at the house.  We actually had some trick or treaters.  We don't live near town, but I think it helps that I have 2 beautiful daughters.  Well all my kids are beautiful but I remeber seeing quite a few boys knock on the door =). 

Another great year of candy and costumes.     

Aleena, the skeleton princess.

 Lil' Stinker, Livee

 Hallie and a good friend T.

 Jase, my clown.  He doesn't have to try very hard to fit the part.  Just like his dad.

 Aleena, Cooper, Livee, T, Faith, Hallie, Gracie, Jase.  Quin was at art and missed the photo shoot.

Trunk or treat, smell my feet, give me some thing good to eat.



Great mini vacation...

So I decided to read a book. It has been a while. Savanna had checked out THE HELP from the library the other day. I don't read books very often unless I have lots of free time because I get glued to them. Again I was glued to it. I started last night and finished a while ago. Yes, I read all day. Well, I had Livee here so I did still care for her, but took a mini vacation from everything else; cleaning, cooking... It was really incredible. It really made me think about what kind of person I am behind closed doors to my family and how grateful I am to those brave women that lived through such horrific times so that we could be equal. Any one else get a chance to read it? Now I need to go see the movie and see if it did the book justice...

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Cookies

So I may have mentioned before, but I love recipes.  I love to try different twists on recipes until I find the perfect one.  Right now I am on the hunt for a new cookie recipe.  I have a favorite choc chip cookie recipe, and I recently found a new favorite of a molasses cookie.  What other cookie does everyone like?  I am on the hunt for another favorite cookie.  This cold weather, and Christmas season shoots me into baking land.

I made these little recipe cards for a friend and wanted to share it with you.  I forgot how much I loved to digital scrapbook.  I thought my chocolate chip cookie one was here but can't find it.  I will add it later.

Moving

Today I got to spend the day with Kaydee in Twin Falls. She is officially moved. They are sleeping in their new house tonight. I drove the kids and the dogs. They are as big, if not bigger then the kids. And she drove her car packed with stuff. She has movers coming to help move their other stuff tomorrow. We spent most of the day getting basics that she needs for this house. Livee ran around with the kids all day. She didn't want to come home. She fell asleep minutes after leaving. It took about an hour to drive there. Not terrible at all. It did make me miss the convenience of city life with stores just minutes away. But not enough to move back to the city.

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Annual Christmas concert

One of my dad's true loves in life is his Christmas Choir. It is a volunteer choir. The first weekend of December is the performances. They start practices the first sunday of september and practice every sunday night. This year I decided to join and sing with. Practices were fun cuz my sister Kaydee was there too. We had the giggles so many times. I am gonna miss her singing with me since she is moving-talk about that in a minute. So yesterday was our first concert. It was in a theater in Rupert. It was nice except for the furnace wasn't working so it was only about 55' in the auditorium. Brrr. I play 2 numbers on my violin. It is a little hard to move frozen fingers...Tonight was a concert in Oakley. Brad and the kids came. Aleena and Jase actually sang one number with a childrens choir. So cute. We have one more tomorrow night and then there is a small party here at the house after. So we have been madly getting christmas decorations up at the playhouse, decorations for house, lights hung, house cleaned, playhouse cleaned. Kell came up last night to help me clean. Very nice of her. She stayed the night and did more today while we were at church. It is also Faith's birthday tomorrow, and since they will be in the middle of moving, we did birthday today. We decorated cake this morning. Came home from church and had birthday lunch, and then had concert. Poor Kell was here to help clean and it was like shoveling snow while it is heavily snowing.
So yes, Kaydee's family is moving to Twin Falls. It will be hard to not have her right next door, but I am very excited for their new place. Twin Falls isn't too far to go and visit...

Oh yeah, Hallie had her last basketball game for tbe season til tournament Saturday morning. They finally won by one point. Hallie actually scored one in there. She was so excited. It was a super intense game. Neck n neck the whole last quarter. Good job Hallie. U rock. U too Quincey. They are on the same team.

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Confessions...

So I have a bit of a problem.  I am letting my computer/phone take over me.  It is wonderful, today's technology, but at the same time it is addictive and is preventing me from doing the things I need to.  Pinterest.com has become quite an obsession of mine.  Looking for new ideas or recipes is not getting me anywhere but stuck in this chair.  Facebook, well I don't spend a ton of time on there, but more than I need to.  I truely don't really love facebook.  It is just something to do.  SO I am going to make some changes.  I think those places are ok, I just need some balance.  I am going to try once a week.  Probably one of the weekend nights.  No pinning, or posting til then.  Blogging I don't really count as a waste of time if I am journaling my family's experiences.  Does anyone else have this problem? 

More Thanksgiving weekend...

These three played with extra bread dough for the longest time.  They had flour everywhere.   

The kids were playing a "shark boy/lava girl" game.  They can sure be creative.

 Aunt Kaydee decided to take the big girls out to have a fun photo shoot so they got all dolled up.  I will have to add pictures of the other girls later.  I only have my kids. 

 The girls really had fun taking pictures even though it was freezing outside. 

Old Grinch

 It all started back in St. George in September.  My dad, my sister and I had gone to get a massage.  They were done and I was the last one out.  The lady says to me "your husband and daughter are waiting for you in the waiting room." 
So the next incident was about 2 weeks ago.  My dad has tickets to some community concerts and I go with him.  We decided to go a little early and have dinner at Perkins.  We run into a lady that says hi to us.  I thought she recognized who I was but I haven't seen her in about 15 years. So the other day, this lady that saw us out to dinner asked my sister who dad was taking out to dinner, So my sister asked me if Dad was seeing someone.  Haha, it was me.  So now I am old enough to date my dad...
Then the final incident happened yesterday at the bank.  My sister Kelly and I were together.  She knew who the teller was and the teller says "Is this your mom?"  Now really, I am seriously getting some old vibes from people.  Maybe its the chub layer I wear around that ages me, So I am getting a face lift and some lypo for Christmas ;).   Haha, really not, just sayin' 

That covers the old part, now to the grinch part.  I am not sure what is happening to me, but I am a Grinch this year.  I am having a hard time buying presents.  Can't get settled on what to get them, trying to stick with a budget, which I am ok with a budget, just trying to get something they won't be disappointed in with that budget.  Do I buy the large ticket item and hope they aren't disappointed in the fact that there isn't very many presents.  My oldest wants her Christmas presents now because she wants new clothes.  Every time I go to the store to buy Christmas stuff I just start to have a small panic attack.  What is up with that?  It is making me crazy and grinchy to my family.  How do I un-Grinch myself?  I even told Brad that maybe he should do all the shopping this year.  I was very serious but I don't think he thought it was a very grand idea.  Anyways, not sure where this is coming from or why.  We have never spent a lot on Christmas, and we have had harder times then we do now, so again, have to figure out why now?  Wish mom was here, could use one of her talks....

Turkey for you, and some turkey for me...

We have been having a fun holiday so far.  Here are some pictures of our dinner.  We have quite the house full but it wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving it wasn't. 

Grampa
Brad and Liberty
Savanna
Hallie
Jase
Aleena
Livee
Linden and Michelle
Kayla
Tyler
Zane
Kaisey
Broxton
Chris and Amylee
Sage
Analise
Nate and Kaydee
Quincey
Gracie
Faith
Cooper
Matt and KellyRae
Lexey
Macey
Tate

So far not much drama with all the kids.  Lots of playing and coloring.  Luckily the weather hasn't been to cold so the kids can have a breather and run around outside.  Some of the adults are off shopping today, Brad is at work, Dad is working at the temple, and I am here waiting for the cable guy.  Not the ideal to come and set up satelite but it was what he could do, so I guess we will take it.  The down side is it is me and 15 kids.  It will be fun but I might to escape later and have a quiet moment.  Hope everyone's weekend is going great.

pretty toes

Livee wantted to paint her toenails so I let her go to town. When she finished she said "do u think my ginastic teacher will wuv them? She is so proud of her paint job. She just makes me smile...
On another note, I finally got my computer re united with the internet so I can do some carch up with pictures...

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First Parent Teacher Conference..

I can't believe the first quarter is over already.  This last week was parent teacher conference.  I first hit Savanna's.  She is doing really great.  Awesome grades.  Her teachers love her and surprisingly a few of them said she is always very willing to answer out loud and she has very well thought out, articulated answeres.  Its not that I don't think she is smart.  I know she has those answers in her head, the part that she is sharing with her class.  I can officially say that her shy, timidness is gone.  She fits right in and isn't as scared of life as she used to be.  One of the teachers, Mrs Cranney, went to school with my oldest sister Cherrilyn, who passed away some time ago.  She said that Savanna reminds her so much of Cher that it is a bit eerie when she is walking down the halls. 

Hallie was next.  I wasn't worried about her.  She did awesome.  Tries hard, is a peacemaker, a helper, and gets her work done.  She has lots of friends and she fits in very well.  She even kept her grades up with early morning basketball. 

Jase next.  I will admit, I was nervous about this one.  I haven't had any calls or problems with him at school, I just know Jase.  Doesn't love homework, or reading, or much to do with studies.  His teacher is awesome.  She was very honest and really gave us a sincere view of his day.  She said he is a "percher".  He can not sit in his chair for more than a few minutes at a time.  He pushes his chair in to lean over his desk and work, which she is fine with.  He is easily distracted with the littlest noises.  He is super funny, and loves to talk and make noises.  She thinks he loves to be small and fast.  I knew most of this before going into this and know that he is the youngest boy in his class since he has an August birthday.  He really surprised me with his grades. He had a few A's and the rest B's.  His B's were all border line A's.  They have a redo program where they can redo anything that is not a passing grade.  He did not do any redo's. So if he would put forth even just a little redo effort, he would have straight A's.  So we have given him the challenge to get straight A's.  He was pretty excited about it.  He is a smarty pants and just need to try.  I need to maybe find something that will help his attention span be a little longer. 

Aleena was last.  She is doing great too.  She is really getting the reading thing.  She is making lots of friends.  Listens very well and puts forth all her effort to get her work done.  She is a pleaser. 

I have great kids and need to show them that more often.  I am very proud of their hard work this quarter. 

Summer to winter

We got our first snow yesterday. I didnt get any pictures dang it. The kids were so excited. There was enough to even make a snowman. They were even more excited because I just bought new coats and snow pants last week. Now we need boots. In Kuna it never stuck around long enough to really have to have boots but here there is no question. Gotta have boots. I probably said this before but we lost our winter tote off the trailor during our move. All snow stuff, boots, gloves, hats pants, coats. I am thankful it wasnt my box of pictures. Anyways, Costco had a great price on pants and coats. We lucked out..

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Uniform

Brad was issued his new uniform. They recently decided to go with a standard food uniform which is white. He doesn't seem to mind. His clothes won't get gross and they have a company clean them so less laundry for him. The all white brought back flashes of my Albertson's bakery days. I suddenly was craving a donut when he was modeling for me...

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catch up

I have been trying to cut my computer time back which has resulted in less blogging, plus it has been busy around here. I take pictures on my phone and my camera, so I guess I will just catch up on my phone for now and try and get to my fomputer later..We got all the rocks chipped out downstairs. What a dusty job. The city let us park their dump druck and we scooped all the rock into it and they hauled it away for us. That really helped out. We have replaced the big long 12' floor heater with a little box heater that has a fan. Now we can put furniture against the wall. Next is lighting and wiring. We have to run some outlets around and move some phone lines. We are also in the process of trying to figure out plans for the entertainment wall. I am maybe going to build it. That is where the debate is. Little scared about that but Brad seems to think I can and should. We will see...

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Aleena's #7 Birthday

Aleena invited a couple girls for a make-over.  We did face paint, curled hair with a matching bow, and painted fingernails.  Kaydee came over to help me out. 

left to right, Livee, Mikayla, Faith, Aleena, Addie, Hope

 Aleena was wanting to take her friends to Kiwi Loco.  Instead we set up our own ice cream bar and let the kids pile on the goodies.  They loved it.  I don't think any of them finished their bowl because they had more fun piling on then eating it. 

Happy Birthday Aleena.  I love you.

Embarrassment

My blue van was in the fix it shop for about 4 days last week.  It needed some intake manifold hose replaced which meant taking everything out to find the little hose.  It was a 5 hour labor job.  Not a cheap fix, but had to be done.  Anyways, my dad has a back up van.  It is BLM green and is an old bomber.  It runs fine but the kids didn't love it so much.  I had to pick them up and drive them around in it.  I loved it.  I loved the "Mooom, I am not riding in that".  "Do we have to drive this?" "This van is so embarrassing".  Casper, which is what the kids call the green van, not sure why, really saved us.  And it made my kids appreciate my blue van a little more even if it isn't a fancy new car.  Oh-Jase loved it because Savanna wouldn't ride shot gun in it because she was too embarrased so Jase got to sit up front.  With older siblings that doesn't happen very often. 

Holy rocks

Downstairs is a big stone wall that used to have a big wood.stove on. The wood stove has been gone for years. As part of the basement makeover we decided it would go. We got all the electonics moved. Dad has his office in his bedroom, and mine went upstairs. It went quicker then i thought. My dad worked his hinny off and after school the kids did an awesome job hauling the rock out. We still have a long ways to go but I am excited we took the first step.

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first day

Brad had his first day at work for his new position. It was strange having kids home after school and not having to say "sshh". He said it went good. He will have a better feel for things as he has more experience. He is a go getter. I know he will put his whole heart into doing his job. I am so proud of him.

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Snow..

We had to make our first fire in the house the other day. There were a couple really cold days. Thursdsay wasn't much higher than 41 or 42 and lots of rain. Friday the same...I just can't believe how much snow we got on the mountains...it is so pretty.

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New Schedule...

Well, I can officially share the news with the public.  Brad is getting a promotion.  He is becoming the Warehouse Supervisor.  Can't really tell you what he will be doing exactly just because I am not sure.  The part that we are really looking forward to is that his schedule will become Monday thru Friday 9-6.  No more nights, no more strange schedule.  Now Brad has not ever really complained about his shift or working nights.  He has had some bad sleeping days but he hasn't minded.  I am the one what has done most of the complaining.  He will finish his Friday-Sunday night shift and start Tuesday on his day shift.  We are so excited and can't wait to start this new chapter....

Back update

Hallie had her x-rays with her ortho and then we got to talk to Dr. T about her brace. She is still at 20 degrees. They are very happy with where she is. Her bones are indicating that she is still growing. Maybe she will get some height. We have to come back in 4 months to check that her brace is still fitting. Good job Hallie on wearing that dumb thing and not fighting it...

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Driving and catching up

We are on our way to Boise. Brad, Hallie, Livee and myself. Hallie has a couple doctor appointments. I figured it was a good time to do some catching up.
Volleyball season is about over. We have two games left. It has been fun. Heidi, the 8th grade coach, she is fun. I went to school with her. Its been nice building a friendship with her. The girls are improving. I am getting more used to the fact that my job with 7th graders is to constantly remind them of what to do. Lots of repetition. Savanna has really improved. She can really spike that ball and her serves are amazing. Did I mention before she is getting quite tall. I think she measured 5'6". That is taller than me or Brad. Hallie got the shorts and Savanna got the talls. Its quite cute to see them stand by each other. Hallie has really been an amazing babysitter during this volleyball season. During my away games she really takes care of things at home.
I have been doing the lunch room job. Livee goes to daycare. She started out loving it, but usually cries every time she has to go. My house has been a disaster since I started that job. I know it doesn't make sense to me but it is what it is. I have made a hard decision but have decided to just stay on as a substitute and go back to being a house wife. I am just happier staying home making things better for my family. I gave my notice yesterday. So hopefully things will get a little calmer around here. I was telling Brad the other day that the "Oakley Honeymoon" is over. We are officially involved again.
Canning season is almost over. The poor kitchen is probably ready for a sticky break. It has been good, just messy.
I got another calling at church. Not sure the official name but it is a homemaking board member. I will still keep my nursery calling. I am working on some magnet boards right now. My dad is great at wood working and is going to help me.
Aleena is enjoying 1st grade. She is making lots of friends. She is pretty quiet at school like a little mouse. Jase is doing pretty good. He has been a bit forgetful this year, but this year is the time to learn some responsibilty in the homework and school department. His teacher doesn't let them have recess if they don't do homework. That really will teach him. He can't keep track of his glasses and forgets his homework. He is adapting, but I would rather him learn it now than later. Hallie is in band this year. She is trying the trumpet. She likes it. She too has lots of friends. I love to see her sitting by different kids every day. Livee is my little shadow. She sure wishes she was in school. Savanna does good. I haven't had any problems with her school wise. She is very responsible about getting all her stuff done and still get up for 6 am practice.
Brad's arm is doing awesome. It didn't take him long to recover. He is doing good. Loving his job. It makes me happy to see him so happy.
We are happy here. Loving life. Missing friends and family...

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Chickens

Its time to give the chickens their powder treatment. I think it keeps the mites off. Hallie and Quincey are all over catching the chickens. Dad and Kell wrestle them in a bucket and put the powder on them. They just cry and wine. Who knew chickens could be so loud...

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Win some, you lose some...

We headed to Declo today for volleyball.  The boys didn't have a football game today, so it was just us girls on the bus.  It was so nice.  The 7th grade just didn't have it in them today.  We lost in 2 sets.  It is hard to get on the court after a weekend of no practice.  The 8th grade were neck n neck the whole time.  We won the first set.  Declo won the second set, and we pulled it off in the 3rd set.  It was seriously an intense game.  Savanna played really well.  She really has a serve that gets the other team for a good 5 or 6 points in a row.  We weren't out to late since we didn't have to wait for football and Declo is only about 35-40 minutes away if that.  Hallie really did an excellent job helping Grampa out at the house.  It was nice to come home and have dinner cleaned up and the kids happy and just playing.  Even Grampa got a bit teary eyed telling me how good of a helper Hallie is.  Another game tomorrow.  Hopefully the day goes as smooth as today did. 
Livee hasn't been wanting to go to Peg's and it has worked out that Brad could just watch her these last few times, but tomorrow is a have to day.  Hopefully she does ok.  I think she is just still adjusting to the whole day care idea.  The lunch job is going better.  I have made some adjustments at home so that I can go to work without feeling like I need to be at home doing this or that.  Anyways, good night for now.

haircut

Livee has been wanting a hair cut. Her hair just gets so tangly and we pull it back all the time so she suggested we cut it like Faith's hair, her cousin. I tried to talk her into a little longer so that her dad didn't think it was me having a crazy moment, hehe, but this was all her own decision. Aunt Kaydee cut it for us. She did such a good job. It is so cute and Livee is so excited she doesn't have to have any more ponytails..

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Pep Rally

Savanna was pretty nervous about her first pep-rally as a cheerleader. She was ready to miss school which meant she would miss her first home volleyball game. She lived through it. They introduced the teams at this one and played some games. The 8th grade girls came up with a cute cheer. We won our first game yesterday. 7th won in 2 sets and 8th won in 3 sets. It was fun. Later last night I was invited to come play "old lady" volleyball. It was fun. I was the shortest player. I know surprised arent you? They were all really good players and helped rescue all my bad moves. Came home with a few dingers on my knees and a sore neck but over all it was good.

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Eggs

We finally are getting eggs again. We are all pretty excited. The eggs are so stickin' cute because they are little. Now we need to find a little fridge to put them in. We will be selling fresh eggs.

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