....LIVE A LIFE OF EASE

Nice, relaxing, October weekend.

2009-10-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

We got alot accomplished this weekend, besides having fun! Friday night, I had a 'ghouls night out' with three crazy fun girls! We went to Tuachan Theatre to see the annual Thriller preformance that Odessy Dance Company puts on. It was AWESOME! I loved it, and can't wait to go again next year!!

Saturday, Josh and I cleaned out the garage, and got the air hockey table up and running. I think it entertained all four of our kids for 5 straight hours! After all the work, we cooked up a delicious German meal, and Josh and I had a little date night. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, couch, sharing a king size Twix= my favorite way to unwind.

Sunday, we all snuggled under our california king duvet and watched Sword in the Stone, then carved pumpkins, and made roasted seeds. But, I am going to have to say that my favorite part about THIS weekend, was Jaxon learning the truffle shuffle :-D

Can you even see them?

Saylor wanted me to take a picture of her baby seed.

Jax couldn't wait to get dressed after bathtime, to eat seeds!!

He would rather color than gut pumpkins.

git it gurl!

Mazzie trying to bite through her pumpkin.

Erik, pre-carved.

mmmmmmmmmmmmm. I have a killer recipe. No joke.

We carved our pumpkins without templates. Can you tell? Eh, it was probably more fun thatway. From left to right : Erik's bat, Makenzie's kitty, Saylor's original pumpkin face HOWEVER it has a bow (can you tell?), and Jaxon's little bat.

SUP Boarding

2009-10-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

My mom married Nathan when I was 10. Though they divorced years ago, I grew up on lakes, oceans, any puddle of water deep enough for a fin to not hit the rocks. We went to the lake every weekend in summer to windsurf. I loved trying to learn to windsurf, and I loved when we would just bring an extra board for me to paddle around on. I say this with the most respect..... he is one cool surfer dude. We had breakfast with Nathan and his wife Dacia, and their boys this last Sunday (to DIE for blueberry pancakes I might add), and he got me all hyped up over SUP boarding. It stands for Stand-Up-Paddle boarding. Pretty much surfing with a paddle, but you can do it ANYWHERE!!! Even in St. George!!! How fun would it be to wake up and head to SandHallow for a morning of SUP boarding, as your workout? I have decided that I am saving my dough for a board. Yes, along with a fiberglass skim board I have been wanting all year. I know it seems silly to some, but I would hope that in the summers to come, we will be able to make more trips to the beach to actually catch some waves with the SUP board.

I am gonna take it up and make it a new hobby. And Nathan even pointed out to me how perfect the rack on the top of my truck would be just for that ;-)

ONE CAR GARAGE

2009-10-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Big moment at our place tonight!! Erik lost his FIRST tooth! We came home from Vegas, and the kids were brushing their teeth and his mouth was full of blood afterwards. We told him his tooth was ready to come out today! :-) He was a little scared, I won't sugar coat it, and he thought we were going to hurt him by helping him.....BUT, we wet down a wash cloth to help with the blood, and Josh wiggled it around a bit, and Erik started to cry (you know, that cry when you THINK something is going to hurt out of fear, but it really doesn't). Little did Erik know, that Josh had already pulled the tooth, and then it was just laughs after that!

The toothfairy had to run to buy milk at 11:00PM just to break a $100. All worth it though, the first one is ALWAYS worth a little more (to make up for the fear tears).

We were happy to be able to share this experience with him. He was pretty proud, can't you tell by the look on his face?

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”- Mary Lou Cook

2009-10-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is the very start of Jaxon's Dopey costume (took the picture with my phone, sorry). More to come of Dopey and Saylor's costume as the witch from the movie!

Here is the Snow White costume I made Makenzie. She is so into this Disney princess right now, it's not even funny. Saylor thought it would be fun to do the whole theme, knowing that no one at her school would be the witch from the movie. So, we are throwing it all together (well not really, since we have had the idea since July)! Sewing the rest this coming weekend!

HUNTINGTON BEACH

2009-09-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

During our visit to Southern Cali, there was a heat wave of about 105 degrees. But not here! Beautiful foggy weather, and a nice breeze is the reason this is one of my most favorite beaches. We kinda just strolled the pier, played in the water and built sandcastles, and shopped. It was lovely. It really makes me realize how bad I want to have a getaway with just Josh. As we walked around, the banners above our heads displayed that Oktoberfest was happening soon, and we made a mental note for coming back next year.

So many things I wanted to do, yet with 4 kids, a double jogger, and a Grandma with a stress fracture in tow, it wasn't likely. Like rent a peddle cart for $35 an hour and honk at everyone down the Boardwalk as you go! And skim. And not have to freak about the tide pulling your little ones into the water. All things I will be doing when I go back. For sure. I even dragged my family along so I could price out fiberglass skimboards in Jacks. I now have a clear vision of what I want for Christmas.

Of course, you can never leave Huntington without the following: t-shirts from the coolest store ever, Sanuks, Jacks coffee cups, wind spinners (little ones for the kids, and HUGE ones for Christmas presents) and eating at Taco Surf. If you have never been, you are missing out. It's the BEST mexican food I have EVER lived to eat.

I miss it there already.

Disneyland Halloween fireworks & a cute conversation with Makenzie

2009-09-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

DISNEYLAND-2009

2009-09-29T07:42:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun at Disneyland!! We also had some interesting adventures!

On our first day there at lunch time, we were all enjoying our Monte Cristo sandwiches (to DIE for) in the Orleans Cafe, and as we left I felt this B-U-R-N in the top of my foot. I had gotten bit by something under our table apparently. It swoll so fast and hurt so bad, I had to be the first in the family to EVER go to the first aid office. After ice, Tylenol, and a little bit of waiting, I was ok. I could live with it ;-)

Lucky us, we even got to break down on Splash Mountain! Immediately after we went down the huge drop, we stopped dead in our tracks, along with a few other logs, and we had to evacuate the ride. It was actually kind of fun! We got to walk through the ride....it's a little eerie seeing all the animals play guitars and move their mouths, but it was dead silent. All we could hear was the robotics of them. WEIRD!!!!! So, after having to go through that, we got a 6 person ticket to be the first in line on ANYTHING that took fast-passes! Space Mountain here we come (no 2 hour wait for us WHA HA HA).

That's not all either! As I waited with the twinners for everyone else to go on Tower of Terror, a bird decided to attack me and peck my neck as I pulled Goldfish crackers out of my backpack. Oh yes. Nothing like a few good stories to make the trip memorable! We can't wait to go back, two days is definately not enough!

Carol and her marine son, Nick

2009-09-18T11:31:00.001-07:00

I worked with Carol for a few years at a law office. We became fast friends. I try to keep in touch as often as possible with the circle I was close with at my old work. Thankfully, though I don't see them as often as I would like, we remain in touch quite a bit.

Carol's son, Nick recently joined the marines and immediately pretty much headed to the middle east. Wow. She has been sending him care packages since he left, and she sent an email out to friends that could possibly help. I, then, sent THAT email out to everyone on my Facebook, and got a few great responses. I am just happy to be apart of that. Long ago, I was a Navy wife myself, and understand the struggle.

This morning, I get a text from Carol, to check out this site: http://www.markandmercedes.com/, a HUGE radio station in Vegas. Yup, Carol called in, and now ALL of the Las Vegas valley can help her son's troop. I am so happy for her, I could never imagine the kind of 'high' you would get from that. Of all the people in Vegas, and her story is making air. How very special!!!

a funny, dinner-time story

2009-09-17T17:19:00.001-07:00

Conversation between Josh and I at the dinner table

Nicki: "I am going to pack my running shoes for Disneyland."

Josh: "yeah, that's a good idea, that's what I am taking too."

Nicki: "No, so I can use the gym at the hotel."

Josh: "You mean, you are gonna wake up, with smeared churro on your cheek, lick it off, and go work out?"

Nicki: "HEY!!! I can do it at night, maybe on the days we aren't actually at the Disneyland Park."

Josh: "We would have to dangle a Churro in front of the treadmill."

Pretty funny, mean, but so true. Like I would really work out after walking miles and miles around Disneyland.....

SCORE!!

2009-09-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

I love when I find something awesome AND useful on the clearance racks at Target. It's a total dopamine high. I am slowly (very slowly) but surely furnishing my house.

JUNE- a Birthday Surprise

2009-09-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

I came to Vegas for a very special birthday surprise, for a very special friend. Candace had major birthday plans and kept asking me to come down for the celebration, and I had to make up excuse after excuse why I couldn't be there. Little did she know, 2 other friends and myself had a super secret surprise for her. Blair, our friend, is a DJ on Mix 94.1 in Vegas and happened to have a local hook-up for Love, and a backstage tour after the show. So, we all pitched in and made it happen. Candace had NO CLUE I was coming down, and we blindfolded her until we got to the ticket counter. It was joyous.

The banana picture: This is the ONLY picture they let us take backstage.

MAY-update

2009-09-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Jaxon and Makenzie learned how to "paint" their toe nails. With marker from the craft drawer that has been child-proofed. wonderful.

Erik turned 6! These are just a couple pictures of our little present ceremony at our house. Pirate legos and REAL walkie talkies.

Saylor finished the spring season of soccer. And says she wants to try something new ;)

Erik had a little get together with some buddies from the hood, and here is a rad picture I got of them!

I need to do an update, BUT FIRST....

2009-09-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show everyone what I woke up to on my laptop screensaver last week. Courtesy of my husband. My mean husband.

Best Mothers Day present EVER!!!!

2009-05-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

Yes I am bragging, and yes I did pick out my present for Mothers Day, tee hee. BEASTIE BOYS TICKETS TO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL BABY!!!! Not until September 24th however ;-) But still.....This has been a dream since 7th grade.

Josh also surprised me with little hat boxes with the kids hands, and the twins feet molded inside and painted. Complete with a French Toast breakfast, and a very relaxing day.

Fun pictures of Jaxon and Makenzie

2009-05-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I took the twins to the Brigham Young house one morning and tried to get some fun shots of them all by myself. I am not the best at taking pictures, but I wanted to try since it's so rough gettng their pictures taken (not to mention expensive). Anyways, we had a blast, and some of them turned out prett good!

This one of them on the porch is my absolute favoite.

Easter

2009-05-19T15:02:00.001-07:00

I think these are the biggest Easter baskets I have ever seen in my life. Saylors basket was all crafty stuff, Erik's was all sports themed, Jaxon got lots of train gear, and Makenzie's was all soft and loveable animals.

Coloring eggs this year was quite a chore. I did it on my own while with the 4 kids. Probably the reason I wasn't able to get shots of the twins making theirs....mommy was covered in dye! hahaha. Everyone got their own dye kit this year. Jaxon and Makenzie got a Sesame Street kit, Erik chose Spongebob, and Saylor picked Tie Dye.

Makenzie's Abbie Egg.

C'mon, can't you tell that 1. This is Jaxon's egg, and 2. It is Elmo?!?!?!? ha ha ha

Saylor always goofing off.

Erik made LOTS of Spongebob eggs.

Kite Festival- April 2009

2009-05-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

We went to the annual Kite Festival this past April. It was not very windy, but we were able to get our kite up a couple of times. It is always a fun thing to do to get out of the house and let the kids have fun! Saylor and Josh enjoyed the inflatable boxing ring, and we tried to get the twins to go into the bounce houses......they freaked. They were perfectly fine sitting in the stroller slurping up snowcones.

Saylor turns 7!

2009-05-19T14:32:00.001-07:00

Saylor is 7! I am getting OLD! Ha. She is so much fun right now (not that she wasn't before, but you know what I mean). She is in love with ROXY,which she can thank her mother, grandmother, and Shona for....we started her young. She is quite the little artist. She's CRAFTY! She is great at drawing, loves making things out of stuff from around the house. Just recently she took an old cardboard box and turned it into a dressing room, weaved tulle around the edges of it all on her own, I was pretty impressed. She loves listening to music, and singing. For her birthday we got her an Ipod Shuffle and loaded it with tons of songs. It was a hit!

Saylor opted for a luau style birthday party. My friend Carissa made this FABULOUS cake. Look at that thing.....it weighed like, ten pounds! I didn't want to cut into that masterpiece! We all had lots of fun swimming at the Washington Community Center Indoor pool.

The Twins turn 2...(this age should be fun)

2009-05-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Jaxon and Makenzie are getting so big, and are a hoot and a holler. They are such fast learners and amaze Josh and I every day. I started doing the baby sign language with them with they were about 8-10 months old, and they still use it alot, Makenzie using it most (but just to show off, tee hee.) They know the signs for: milk, water, bath, blanket, sleep, eat, drink, cat, dog, flower, bird, book, read, mom, dad, grandparents, no, yes, and I am sure there are some I am missing.

They are talking alot, both of them love singing Twinkle Twinkle, and ABC's. Jaxon loves to do 'Little Piggies Went to the Market' on my toes ;-) Cute little Makenzie will point to the stars in the sky and sing ABC's on accident almost everytime. They can count to ten, and love reading books (especially Eight Silly Monkeys, and Yucky Yummy). They entertain themselves alot, and do everything together. It is very cute to watch their interaction. Jaxon will hold his sippy cup up to Makenzie and say, "MILK!" and Makenzie will say, "Yes, Jaxie, Milk." They giggle and talk back and forth for sometimes up to an hour and a half during naptime. They just love each other, and I am happy that they are best friends....for now anyway.

LOVE

2009-05-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

My bestie, Shona, got us unbelievable discounted tickets to The Beatles Love show at the Mirage in Las Vegas. It was amazing. I have to admit, I started bawling within ten seconds of the opening of the show. It was so much fun, and a nice treat for our 3rd Anniversary.

OOPS!!! I forgot about you little blogger!

2009-05-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

I don't 'forget' about my blog, I just am so busy I forget to update it like I should. It takes so much time having to do a 6 month update all the time, I better get on the ball and make it a bi-monthly, or AT THE VERY LEAST monthly habit!!

So, what have we done since Snow Day?? Tons!! The next few posts will tell you all about it.

Snow Day!!

2008-12-18T12:54:00.001-08:00

We woke up to the snow storm that finally hit St. George! My mom's house in Henderson, NV had about 8-10 inches, and we were hoping for a white-out here. I know, who would hope for that, but we hardly ever get to see snow, so it was exciting!! Sad to say, we only saw a couple inches here.

Saylor was out in the backyard by 8:00 a.m. to get to work on her snowman. It took me a good 20 minutes to get Jaxon and Makenzie ready to go out and join her, and they lasted about 5 to 10 minutes tops! Which was probably a good thing, because I wasn't equiped with gloves for them...I put socks on their hands which didn't even last 30 seconds.

All in all, we are enjoying the change in the weather, and hoping for a white Christmas!

COOL FIND

2008-11-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

After much stress and research for Jaxon's peanut allergy, I found these medical ID tags that you can custom order. The best part is that you get 3 in a pack for $12.95. They are waterproof, sweatproof, don't fade, or rub onto skin. They start in infant sizes and go up from there. Check them out, and other allergy alert items, at www.statkids.com.

Sunday drive to Pine Valley

2008-11-10T14:12:00.001-08:00

It was so pretty outside, and so we decided to get out of the house and take the kids for a relaxing drive up to Pine Valley. We had alot of fun!! We can't wait for there to be more snow. Josh has been telling me about this little cafe up in Veyo that has the best pie on the planet, so I was really excited to get chilly, and gobble up some of that...but the cafe was closed. I guess we will have to go up again real soon :-)

peanut allery

2008-11-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

Poor Jaxon!! He came in contact with a little bit of peanut butter oil from making a sandwich earlier on in the day for Makenzie, and just from the residue he blew up. His face turned purple, his eyelids sagging and white like a ghost. I rushed him to the ER, where his breathing was slowing down, but they fixed him right up!! PHEW!! We have known about this allergy since he was about 8 months old, but this time it was BAD!! The doctor says I just need to throw out the peanut butter completely!! I have to now carry a junior eppy pen with me everywhere we go.

This picture of Jaxon was AFTER he got shot up with tons of medication, and leaving the hospital...he looked really bad previous to this...poor guy!

Halloween 2008

2008-11-03T08:38:00.001-08:00

There is this street in the neighborhood I grew up in that just goes ALL OUT for every holiday! The kids sure had fun trick or treating there, and we got to see alot of old friends.

Makenzie aka "Dottie" and Jaxon as "Dipstick" were good little puppies while out and about! Everyone got a kick out of Saylor's and the twins costumes. Erik got a little upset that everyone was complimenting their costumes and not his :-(

Mr. Bones and Cruella De Vil. Didn't my mom do AMAZING on this dalmation coat?! I know, she gets most the credit, I only bought it all and put it together!

Makenzie got this trick or treat bucket from my Dad and stepmom, and she kept loving and kissing it! So cute.

My personal, favorite story of the year so far...

2008-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to post this, so you can all have a good laugh.

To start off, a couple months ago, the text message alert on my cell phone was a cat call whistle ( I meant to be funny when i downloaded it).Ok so, I had my annual ob/gyn appointment one day... I got prepared for my 'exam,' (sorry to get a little graphic here,) the doctor was at the point of the "manual part," ya know, and I get a text message >sounds of whistling<... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! He looked at me said, " what was that?" I then had to explain that it was my phone, and not me whistling...From there, an entire staff at that office was histarically laughing! He came back with my papers and said to me, "I think the most concern is your ovaries are making noises." Then he told me I needed to enter that story into a magazine.So, anyone that goes to Pride OB/GYN, and sees Dr. Ken Jones, ask him about the girl whose ovaries whistled at him during a pelvic exam.

She got skillz

2008-10-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Saylor's Halloween painting she made at school. She is such a great artist!

It's finished!!!

2008-10-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

While in Vegas last weekend and putting this costume together, my mom's sewing machine broke!! HOWEVER, she worked her magic, and sent me a picture of the "final product." Saylor has yet to see it, but she is going to D-I-E!! I have a feeling that this will not just be a costume...it will be dressup/church dress/winterwear/big argument! Hee hee

Thanks Dad and Jeanette!!

2008-10-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Look at the ADORABLE rug my Dad and stepmom sent Josh and I for a Halloween surprise! The kids got goodie bags as well, but we are waiting for Erik to get her so they can open them together...We love our rug, thanks guys!!! I don't want anyone's muddy shoes to step on it because it's so dang cute!! But it is at our door step, please wipe your feet on the grass out front ;-)

Cornballs

2008-10-21T07:32:00.001-07:00

My "CORNBALL" kids, nothing less!!

She's Crafty!

2008-10-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Miss Fabulous had her mind SET on her Halloween costume of a pirate chick, until one day while at Costco we were browsing and found dalmation costumes for toddlers...as soon as that moment happened, she had a plan: We buy these costumes for the twins, and she gets to be one of her favorite Disney characters, Cruella Deville. I thought it was a fantastic idea, until I started looking for costumes. None, except in adult sizes...nothing on the internet...here I am, stuck.... I started looking at the McCalls website to see if I could make it for her, and so the story goes...the project has begun! I am hoping for some kind of award here ... This better turn out to be a smashing costume!! And just to add, making costumes is way more expensive than buying one! To date, I have spend over $60, and still am out red gloves and red heels...sheez! Like I said, I better get an award for this (my mom is doing the sewing, so she will get the credit)! The final product will be displayed on Halloween...dun, dun, dunnnnn.

Makenzie Grace

2008-10-20T18:13:00.000-07:00

Aw, our little Mazzie!! Sweetest, smartest cookie on the planet!! Although both Mazzie and Jax are learning lots of new words, this girl can sign alot of things!! She knows alot of the basics of baby sign language, such as, Mom, Dad, milk, thirsty, drink, eat, hurt. She also can sign cat, dog, fish, shoes, socks, just to name a few more. Jaxon does well with sign language too, but not as well and as frequent as Makenzie. They both say and sign, so I am hoping they become little geniuses (doesn't every mom hope for that!!).
Makenzie will spend hours putting on shoes, and walking around the house. We have random shoes all over the place. We have broke down to buy dress up shoes, but she wants regular shoes. If she is throwing a tantrum, all I have to say is, "Wanna put shoes on?" And as soon as they are on her little painted toes, she is in the kitchen or entry way to prance around and stomp. It is so cute. We recently went to Henderson to visit my mom and went to the Vans store, where both her and Jax got their first pair of old school Vans, and she absolutely LOVES them!!!

Action Jaxon

2008-10-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

We have so much fun with this little guy. He is full of CONSTANT energy, and loves to work his mind. He will draw on his Magna Doodle for hours, we take it everywhere we go, he loves to color! Jaxon loves to see how things work, he does have engineering in his blood. He is still little, but though his height might be small, he is a TANK! We call him our garbage disposal!

Jaxon is our screamer!! He wants everything HIS way, or else we hear an ear piercing noise! One of the many reasons we dont do normal everyday things like, take the kids to the grocery store!!! Josh says he will NEVER make me go anywhere with the both of them, cause sometimes I end up leaving in tears! I have a feeling we may be entering into the "terrible twos," and I can say now, I will probably be one stressed out Mama! So, in advance, I apologize if my kids scream at the top of their lungs at the same time while in line somewhere or something...I don't need dirty looks ;-)

ALOT of updates since posting last!

2008-10-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, we have been back in Utah for almost a few months now, and since our monitor broke, we replaced it, but then needed a wireless modem, hence the reason for me only being able to access internet from my phone. A few things have gone on since August, so here you have it.

I broke my ankle (yes, for the 3rd time now), and I refuse to disclose how ;-). Anyhow, about a week into my "wicked witch" cast being on, the tightness never loosened up on me, and was cutting off circulation, so the doctor but a wedge in my cast...didn't work. It was removed, and I got a boot, which made things worse. So, I am walking most of the time without anything, in a lot of pain, and not able to exercise much until another doctor I am going to says it is ok.

A week after I broke my ankle, Josh got in a very scary accident on the freeway. He was sandwiched between two vehicles, and rushed to the ER by ambulance. He had some bruising on his brain, slight memory loss, and double whiplash, but he is doing alot better. He has rehab two to three times per week, and yes, we have hired a great attorney.

I am so thankful that Josh was not injured more. He had some dangerous work equipment in the bed of his truck, one of them being a 3 foot long pin (that gets staked into the ground), that went through his back window and landed at his feet. Not only that, but he was on a two-lane freeway, and his truck spun into both lanes. If only a couple of the circumstances had not been so lucky, he probably wouldn't be here, or would have been critically injured at the very least. It has made our relationship even stronger, Heavenly Father must have known that his family really needed him! We feel very blessed that he is here and doing great.

Our new little rental...we are here until we BUY!!

2008-08-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

We found a house in Coral Canyon to rent until we can buy in this area. We have been waiting to find a rental we like out there, and this came along. Though, it has a dirt backyard, we get to design and put our own in as soon as we get there! We are pretty excited about that. And even better?? This house actually has room for our arcade sized air hockey table, YESSS!!! While we live here, we are on the prowl for buying in Coral Canyon. And, it's just a couple exits closer to SUU, so I don't have to wait an extra 10 minutes for Josh to get home from school. Other incentives? Our friends live close, we are within walking distance from the elementary school, we have access to a big indoor gym (with spin classes for me), an indoor pool, and two outdoor pools (with a waterfall you can swim behind)! And neighborhood parks all over the place.

Getting ready for First Grade

2008-07-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

I let my friend, Matt, put some highlights in Saylor's hair for 'the big day' of back to school. We had a blast getting foiled together! I know, I am a sucker. (This picture was taken with my camera phone in the dark, so it's not the best of quality.) She felt so grown up, and of course it's the kind that washes out in a couple of months. I am not prepared either financially or mentally to start a highlighting addiction with this one!!!

The start of our BLOG

2008-07-28T20:46:00.000-07:00