Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

So, I'm suppose to be packing for our trip. Suppose to be. Instead I'm blog surfing.

Yep, it's what I do best.

Founds some pretty good ones to. My Google Reader list is getting a bit out of control.

Had to share this one though. Remember when I said something about being able to laugh at yourself? I got this off of someones top 5 weird things about Utah and I gotta say she has our accent down pat. Totally funny.

You've heard of Ebonics? How about Utahnics? The Utah accent is really hard to reproduce in print but it's kind of like a choppier version of a Valley Girl accent with more frequent abuse of misplaced glottal stops. Mountain: see, Mau-en. Clinton: see, Cli-en. Also: pillow, milk, crayon, and mirror = pellow, melk, cren, and meer.

If you want to read the whole thing go here. One of those few posts where someone totally has Utah nailed and it's not offensive. A Rare Gem I'm sure.

**Updated**

By Blog keeps centering everything by itself.

Super Annoying!

Because I'm So Interesting You All Just Can't Stand It!

Where is your cell phone? Hmmm, good question, the car, my purse, kitchen counter, diaper bag.

Your significant other? Driving in Traffic to go teach at the Police Academy. His radio is usually so loud that if I call him he can't hear the phone or even feel the vibrate cause his bass is doing too much vibrating of it's own. Can we say Honda Civic with a massage built in.

Your hair? Just cut, shorter than it's been in about 3 years. Loving it!

Your mother? Probably sleeping in.

Your father? Neurotically over packing for our vacation.

Your favorite thing? If we are talking things...It's gotta be my computer or my iPhone. I'm already packing the laptop for the trip and looking up wifi spots.

Your dream last night? No dreams, just a baby who slept all night! That is a wonderful dream.

Your favorite drink? Ah, like you can't guess. Pepsi is running though my veins.

The room you are in? The office.

Your ex? Haven't gone down that road in years.

Your fear? All things to do with my children. Probably that they will get kidnapped or abused in some way.

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Beating Dooce out of her number 1 blogger spot. I mean she's funny and all but she makes money tearing apart my religion. She must go. (Notice, no linky to her.)

Where were you last night? At Melissa's house seeing the effects of a pregnant women 'nesting'.

What you are not? A party goer, fake, patient.

Muffins? They are OK. Love moms apple muffins though.

One of your wish list items? A house, any house will do if it is my own.

Where you grew up? Right here in this very house. Can we say sad. It's true.

The last thing you did? Started making orange juice. The kids are currently trying to finish that task. In fact, I should get in there.

What are you wearing? My husbands t-shirt, lounge pants and glasses.

Your TV? OFF. So over TV since the strike. This is good.

Your pets? In kitty heaven.

Your computer? iMac, love it so much I could hug it.

Your life? Can you say Soccer Mom with a Mini Van. Who would have ever thought. A bit stressful lately, seems like we are on hold.

Your mood? Edgy. It could go either way today.

Missing someone? The minute he walks out the door every morning.

Your car? Makes this annoying squeak that apparently no one can hear but me and my mom. The shop thinks I'm crazy.

Something you are not wearing? A Bra, that is so freeing.

Favorite store? Everyday - Target. No Money Considered - Pottery Barn or Land of Nod.

Your summer? Will it ever get here!

Like someone? I like lots of people when I'm in the mood.

Your favorite color? Red.

When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday, Sara laying on the grass with all fours up in the air trying not to touch the grass and a look of disgust on her face.

Last time you cried? Not really a big crier. Sometimes I wish I was. Probably reading Charlie Cooper's Blog.

Who will repost this? What am I, Psychic?

I scream, You scream

I've never heard of this but how can I pass it up! You can go to Baskin Robbins tonight and get .31 cent scoops of ice cream! Sweet! We are in.

The Hair Net

I got a little chastised for not explaining the pink hair net picture. It's not all that interesting but here it is.

Jena has decided she likes to put her hair in sponge rollers lately. We did this a lot when she was a toddler. She is now a bit of a wild sleeper so I told her she needed a hair net so the curlers wouldn't fall out. She has been asking me for one for weeks. I finally purchased it. And, well, one could not help but try the darn thing on!

Now if you are from my Dads side of the family or if you knew my Grandma Mae who is my Dads Mother you need no more explanation. Really, don't we all have memories of our grandmothers in these things?

And another thing, if anyone from the Hunt side of the family reads this blog I'm sure wouldn't know because it's not like you comment. Although few of you speak in person either, so what's the difference. Although, I know there are several 'Nielsen's' who read this and y'all aren't much for commenting either.

Two things can be said of this- 1. You are all very boring and don't know what to say. OR 2. I am very boring so you have nothing to say. I vote for number 1 but it could very likely be number 2. :) I'm a total commenter. I comment on people's blogs I don't even know, so I just don't get the comment thing.

Back to Grandma Mae. Now I grew up living next door to my grandparents. I loved this, I can't really think of anything bad about it in fact. So we got our daily dose of Grandma and the lady was a hoot! Old and Fuddy Duddy and obsessed with pink, yes. But honestly she was a kick in the pants to be with. I miss her and wish like crazy my children could have known her. Grandma and Jena are like 2 peas in a pod. Naturally funny, very girly, feisty as can be, yet they can play innocent like nothing you've ever seen. Jena's middle name is also Mae for grandma.

This is for my sister who says I'm turning into Grandma.

Ways I am like Grandma Mae-

1. I have a pink hair net.
2. I have my toes painted pink.
3. I have a grey, wiry chin hair! Yep, it's true.
   
4. My hair is going grey and falling out way too young. (This is not funny!)
5. I force my daughter to curl her hair when she doesn't want to.
6. I have a gigantic bottle of peanuts in my cupboard.
7. I love to spray people with water but will get ticked if you spray me back.
8. I try to sing, but sadly, I can't sing very well.
9. I have little slipper/house shoes.
10. I can go 'Gelk, Gelk' in my throat!
11. I don't care if I'm ticking people off when I drive, I'm always right and they are wrong.
    
12. If you sneak up and scare me I will yell, 'You little Sh*t!'

My sweet grandparents.
We Miss You!

Never Again Is Too Soon!

Here is the only picture you will ever see of Melissa and I on the FrontRunner Train with our 6 children.

We thought we were avoiding the crowd by going Monday. Wrong! Standing Room Only, kids climbing over seats, babies crying, spilled treats, water bottle left on train, child almost passing out, fighting, threats, strangers giving you the eye, strangers trying to help, mama's 'loosing it', almost.

F is for Farm

I wish I had some really great story about our field trip to the little Farm today. I mean you'd expect something noteworthy to take place when the kindergarten visits, right? I got nothin.

Here are the not very interesting facts-

1. Ry didn't wear socks, he got a blister on our 3 block walk.
I piggy backed him all the way home.
He is too heavy for piggy backs.

2. Who knew cows liked to lick you?
Well, T-Bone the cow does, and his tongues wasn't all that wet.
It was however like rubbing your hand on really ruff sandpaper.
Check out that tongue!

3. My Child thinks Brown Eggs are 'Dirty'.
I should educate him on this.

4. My Child thought it was embarrassing that I was asking so many
questions about the pregnant goats.

Note To Self - Not cool to ask questions on the Kindergarten Field Trip to the Farm. Especially if it involves having babies, any kind of babies.

5. Geese travel in packs and don't like being chased by 6 year old kids.

6. When the previously mentioned child was asked by his father about the farm he proceeded to tell him about the Popsicle he got at then end.

Thank You Banana

Ry's tooth is officially gone!

It fell out this morning when he bit into his banana.
Just moments before he was telling me he would not eat an apple because it would make his tooth fall out.
He screamed when it came out.
Why?
Because he thought it would hurt!
Did it hurt?
No.
Then why did you scream?

No response, just a big holey grin!


9:30 am-Ryan and his friend Cole's feet.

My tub is now brown if your wondering. :)

Hey look! I'm Grandma Mae!
My sister was a little concerned that I was posting pictures of my feet.
Teri, you can now be officially concerned!
In fact, I'm a little concerned myself!
I'm learning to laugh at myself and share the humor.

I'm starting to pack the family for our trip to Colorado to see Barry's Dad and hold a Scentsy Party at Megan's house and then to Kansas to see Spencer, Allie and Little Matt. Oh Yeah, Bart and Karen live there too. :)
I think getting ready for a trip is more work than it's worth! It makes me not want to go on vacation. The kids enthusiasm keeps me motivated though. They have been on the count down for about 4 weeks and now that we are at 2 days it's almost more than they can bare.

Pink is my favorite color

I think I'm a little behind the times. I rarely get pedicures, but my friend Mindy and I went out Friday night to get a pedicure and the Nail Salon had Massage Chairs! How great is that! It's probably totally common, but like I said, I'm a little behind. I didn't want to leave the chair, I assured the little Asian man that my toes were not dry yet so I had to sit a little longer. :) Check out the color Mindy talked me into. Sparkle Pink! I can't stop staring at my toes. It's a far cry from my usual Deep Reds and Maroons. She also talked me into going to Robintino's. The Salad was good, the bread was good, but as usual the pizza is a grease pit.
Saturday morning I had my hair done with Randie. I got it colored darker to cover up the grey. And then I cut about 4 inches off. I really love it. I needed a change.

Saturday was spent hanging out at home. Sara got to go for a ride in the Kelty Pack and she thought that was great fun. We also got her bike seat on my bike and took her for a ride. She didn't want to get out and when I finally took her out she kept trying to climb back in. It was just to cold to go for a long ride.

Speaking of cold. I got the great idea to ride my bike to my hair appointment at 8am. It's only about a mile away. Bad idea. My ears were so frozen and my nether regions are super duper sore. And I am in worse shape than I thought. I was huffin' and puffin' all the way there and back. I've lost about 10lbs in the last 3 months and it gave me a false sense of being 'in shape'. So now I really have to go exercise.

The kids spent the day just getting dirty which always makes them super happy. Barry took his last finals and it looks as though he will be coming out with an A in both classes. Yeah! No more school for 6 weeks! I'm not sure who is more excited about this, him or me or the kids.

I was also suppose to go to the Viewmont Dance Concert with Melissa and Tori but I sort of ditched them. I was too tired to go sit in the dark. Sorry girls, but you know I still love you more than my luggage!

Up and Coming

I just found out 2 things that make me very happy. High School Musical is coming to Capitol Theater in July & August. Yes, I'm excited and my kids are going to be mucho excitedo!

2nd Wicked is coming to SLC next April! Yeah, it's a year away but I don't have to fly out of state to go see it now!

Also, if you haven't heard. The FrontRunner is giving Free rides this Saturday after 2:00 through next Wednesday! My kids are dieing to go on the train and have been asking for months when they can. So we will be riding to the Gateway with the Bremsers to spend some time at Discover Gateway for the kidos.

This is the kids favorite part of the museum. They could walk in and spend the whole time here with the balls and the vacuum tubes.

Projects

If you need a little chuckle this morning you can always count on Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer. Her post today is just so true you can't help but laugh. See it Here.

So, I can't decide what to do with Jena's quilt. I really want to machine quilt it, but I've never done one that big and I don't want to mess it up. So do I pay someone to quilt it for me or do I hand quilt it? It's a problem, so it just sits in the craft room, waiting. Can you see it? It's like 'I
Spy'. Can you find Jena's quilt under this heap of craftiness?

In the mean time I've been making burp cloths for the upteen baby showers I have coming up. Obviously these were not my creative genius but I think they are super cute so I whipped some up. I'm calling them Burpies.

These one's aren't quite done yet.

Also, receiving blankets that are a must have. Granny is working on these. I'm not so into the baby print flannels, but I'm always a sucker for the jungle/safari stuff. I have a thing for Giraffe's, they are so cute.

Oh my Hail! It is suddenly Hailing, raining and snowing all at once! It's April 24th! I don't think Mother Nature got the memo!

Dear Mother Nature, It is April now. That means that a little rain here and there is fine if sunshine follows immediately after. Snow however is completely out of the question! Please pack away the snow until next November. Thanks Ever So Much! Desperately Seeking Spring in Utah

I found this ribbon at Roberts in the Scrap booking area. An area which I feel lost and overwhelmed in. I don't have the slightest clue what half of that stuff is even for over there. Anyway, the ribbon, love the ribbon. You're all thinking, it's ribbon, with words on it, big deal. Ok, Ok, but I didn't know scrap Booker's had all this cute ribbon. I know now, I will buy it often. Too often probably.
They say that variety is the spice of life, right? Well Jena apparently understands that very well, she changes her clothes several times a day, re-does her hair, and now it's a yogurt buffet for breakfast. A little of this one, a little of that one. Deep breath, a big SIGH and we save the leftover yogurt for tomorrows breakfast. But why? Because she's just gonna want toast.
I finally downloaded the rest of the Project Tree pictures. I wish I had better pictures of Richy up in the bucket, he was making great faces. He also promised the tree would grow back like a weed. Granny is watching and waiting.
And I love this picture of Granny and Sara, you can tell how hard the wind was blowing. Don't they look like twins? Sara is Granny's clone.

This was sort of fun

Don't Mess With A Good Thing.

So every year I buy cheapo flip flops and then hate them. Which is a bad thing because I live in them. So I vowed to buy good ones this year and I found two that I just love! The Rocket Dogs are so super comfortable and I just love the others.

Teri made the comment, 'Don't you already have a pair of those?' Meaning the Mudd Sandal's.
Answer-I've probably owned 10 pair very similar to these, in fact my wedding shoes were pretty much exactly like this but all white.

When I like something, I stick with it. Hence the 17 Hoodies that are hanging in my closet. No lie, SEVENTEEN, I just counted them today. I wear them all if your wondering, probably a security blanket type issue I have. I think you all know about my jeans and white t-shirt obsession. I could never go on that TLC show, What Not To Wear. They would through out my hoodies and I would cry. Although I would have $5000 to go buy new ones.

I'm predictable, what else can I say.

Overheard

Jena speaking to Ryan after I have repeatedly asked them to put the couch cushions and pillows back on the couch.

'Ryan, come clean this up or we're going to get our butts kicked!'

Hilariously funny when overheard from the other room but...hmmm, I really say that, I should choose some different words.

By the way, the whole left side of my face is numb to the back of my ear. And I never thought I'd say this, but have enjoyed my last 2 dental visits. Dr. Adrian Vande Merwe is great, funny guy, great office, lots of laughing gas.

And just for my friend Tori, everyone go to her blog and leave her a comment. She thinks I'm the only one who looks at it, but Melissa does too. :) She's a very funny girl so she needs an audience. That's Crazy Talk

Laundry, Cinderella Style!

It's a good day y'all! The sun is shinning the birds are singing...if I were in a Disney movie something would drop on my head right now or a prince would come sweep me off my feet. But I already have my prince. And even though today is Monday and that means laundry, lots of laundry, I will do it with a smile. Perhaps even like Cinderella since I'm going all Disney on you, and I'll sing a song while I'm knee deep in dirty clothes. Plus, I get to go to the dentist again today and breath in some lovely happy gas! Doesn't that sound great!

And to make your day better...Don't you love to get free stuff?
Check out the Bloggy Giveway going on this week.
You can enter like 300 different drawings for tons of fun stuff.
If you can find the time to enter them all that is!

Read Only If You Are Very Bored

Don't drive on I-15 north of Kaysville.

Trust me, just don't. Probably all summer, avoid it at all costs.

As I exited I-15 trying to avoid the gridlock I came upon this sign.

What The Heck Does That Mean?

I also saw this.
I might have been a wee bit picture happy today,
but I was stuck in the car so what else was I to do?
I could be totally wrong, but I think these look so fun. I would love to ride in one. My sista, Teri, secretly wants to be a Harley Mama, well maybe not secretly. But I just want to ride in this thing. Not a clue what it's called.

This is for the family.
We have a tree that causes a little bit of drama in the family.
Yes, a tree, we all realize how silly it is.
Look what Dad did to Mom's Maple tree.
Between Dad, Matt and Richy they must have taken 25 feet off the top of that tree.
After 2 'White Trash Trailer' Loads to the dump I was surprised Dad didn't just keep cutting until the whole tree was gone.
That would have equaled a Happy Dad and a Ticked Off Mom, which would have equaled a Sad, In The Dog House Dad, so the rest of the tree stays.
We now have about a billion Box Elder Bugs that are homeless and are sure to take up residence in the house. Fabulous!

The Boys of Summer

Have I mentioned I love baseball? I think I might have mentioned it. The Guys played their first tournament this weekend. I could sit there all day 5 days a week and watch them play. Had I seen Barry play baseball on our first date it would have taken me 1 day to know he was the one, instead it took 5 days and a date to the Buzz game to be sure. It is such a great sport!

This is the way Barry stands when he watches baseball. I'm not sure he even realizes it but he is like this almost the whole game. Unless he's actually playing of course.

I can't say that the 4th street park in Ogden is all that kid friendly of a spot though. If you ever play there you may want to bring ear plugs for the children or banish them to the grass away from all the scantily dress hookers and their F bomb dropping, beer guzzling men - Oh wait I mean the upstanding men and women of the greater Ogden area who frequent this ballpark. Better yet, leave the youngin's home and bring ear plugs for yourself. :)

And oh man did the wind blow! I wiped down my face with a wet wipe after 2 games and it is black y'all, black. My eyebrows are crusty and my ears have mud in them. Yes mud, they turned on the sprinklers to wet down the field and the wind helped the water into the stands to gives us all a good soak. Sara was not so sure if she should be upset about this or not. She was also a bit frustrated with the fact that all of the kids got to run free and she could not. It must be very frustrating to be one year old. You can see her brain working a thousand miles an hour but her body will just not cooperate! She wants to run and play catch and climb and do all the things the big kids do but she is stuck with us boring adults. Good thing Ashley and Nate have a little one coming soon so Sara won't feel so left out of the big kids.

I had to bring Jena home for a BDay party half way through the day and she crashed, I could hardly wake her to go to her party. After 2 late night games Friday, a sleepover and games starting at 8am, she was pooped! She could not keep her eyes open but she kept trying to tell me that she did not need a nap, it was a bit slurred in her efforts to stay awake and talk at once. I'm sure Ryan will be crying tonight that his legs ache. He will go, go, go and then his body sort of falls apart. He, Chris and Michelle went to a Blaze football game last night and then to the ballpark at 11pm! Me and Sara did not participate in all this late night fun. We went to bed and I read my book and slept in until 8:30. Oh So Nice!

For y'all who don't know how to play baseball, here is a tutorial for you. :)

Hit the ball...

Run to 1st...

And 2nd...
(A little commentary about this picture. We have a friend who we place softball with, who shall remain nameless. When he runs the bases he looks like Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) in Pirates of the Caribbean. We laugh every time he runs the bases, though he doesn't know. And Barry looks just like that in this picture.)

And 3rd...

Then slide into home. Coming up with bloody knees like Barry is only optional.
Blood, Dirt, Sweat and a little healthy yelling at the ump, isn't it great!
The Fans

Nat, Sydney and Megan (Hiding from the flying dirt)

Ashley and Nate. Nate kept hoping someone wouldn't show so he would just have to play! He just had his ACL and MCL repaired. :( Too bad, although I don't think the wifey would have been to happy if he had.

Checkin' out Uncle Nate's Cool Surgery Scars.
Trying to figure out how to get her shoe back on.
And just being so darn cute you can't resist her!Sara was so dirty and sticky! I apparently had a stupid mommy moment because I failed to put any sunscreen on anyone and Sara is now sporty a set of pretty pink cheeks and a pink stripe down her head. Oops! But as Nate would say, 'It's all good!' By the way, who puts their baby in white to go to a park full of dirt? Apparently I do. Thank goodness for Spray 'n' Wash and Bleach.

Brothers and Sisters

Don't you just love those days when everybody is getting along?
Brothers are nice to sisters and sisters are nice to brothers.
I'm Sorry's are said and meant.
Kindness is shown without asking.
The air is warm, the grass is green, Ahhh.

I believe I can Fly!

Sisters going for a ride in the jeep.

Our little Poser.

Wasting Time

So if you like to waste time lately here is a fun way to do it.

Go take this quiz.
Grey's Anatomy Diagnosis Quiz.
I guess you might have to like Grey's too.

Turns out I'm most like Izzie.
Which is great, because she is my favorite!
I HEART Izzie!


Grey's Anatomy is back next week.
Hallelujah!
Another way to waste my time-great.

A while back I took the which Jane Austen character are you most like quiz and it said Marianne from Sense and Sensibility. I had just finished reading that book and I didn't think I was like her at all. So I just finished watching the Masterpiece version and I have to say I am a lot like Marianne. I act without thinking of others, I am self centered, I'm passionate and outspoken and always say the wrong things at the wrong time. Actually watching the movie I decided I am Marianne and my sister Teri is totally Elonore.
Great movie by the way, I have really enjoyed the Jane Austin Masterpiece Series.

A Bag of Tricks

Sara is so fun lately. I love that she is walking! She just walks all over, babbling and laughing with herself. She loves to roll her arms to Patty Cake. She is learning to fold her arms for the prayer, she wants to feed herself and everyone else, she says Hi to everyone we pass, she screams when she gets excited, she loves bikes and the BIG slide at the park-no little slides for her.

This is Sara's 'I'm Cute' Cheesy Face.

Folding her arms like a good little girl.
Check out the Buddha belly!

Climbing out of her crib. I have to keep the side up or
she'd be outta there in a flash.

Her cute pony tails and big blue eyes.

Just being cute. Note all the drool down her belly.

She is like a faucet with her new teeth trying to break through.

The kids got out their baby books today and had a great time seeing all the things they did that Sara does and all their own little tricks too.
It made me really want another one! Yup, I said it, I want another one. I just really want it to be a little boy!