Happy Halloween

Cool yard in the neighborhood.

"OH my goodness!"

Trick or Treat

Daddy and his girls. Scott was channelling the Jolly Green Giant last night.

Hunter didn't want to go out trick or treating, so he stayed home and passed out the candy.

Darth Vader was going to be a ninja, but he couldn't find his costume (well, he couldn't find the shirt part, everything else he had) from the trunk or treat last Friday. We went to the "Boo Bash" on Wednesday, and he just told me he didn't want to be a ninja anymore. He came down crying about 1/2 hour before candy time and spilled his guts. We think he left the shirt at the church at the trunk or treat. That kid :)

She saw that candy bucket at the store, and it was a must have. She carried that thing around all night! Anything "princess" is Ah Ha Ha. We think it's like... ta Da? I'm not sure, but that's the best we can come up with.

My little witch. She was pretty darn cute last night. She even lost a tooth later that night. The tooth fairy "forgot" to come, but thankfully remembered after she woke and question about the lame tooth fairy.

The "master carver". We waited to carve pumpkins until Thursday, because we thought Scott would be home. As it turned out, he was late. BUT, all the kids help scoop out the guts, but Hunter and I were the "master carvers". (his term)

Can I just say I'm a wee bit jealous?

Kind of last minute, Scott turned his layover in Houston (on his way back home) to a stay over for the day. He set up a meeting with some old work people at HP to see about some business stuff. But while he was there, he got to go visiting! Can I just say I'm a wee-bit jealous? Those last few days in Houston, still rate as some of my all time saddest days. I guess that's a blessing in my life, that those days are the saddest. What I mean is, I guess I haven't had some terrible thing happen in my life, you know? Anyway, he took the work meeting to Los Cucos for lunch. Ahhhh, Los Cucos, a favorite place of ours. You just don't get good Mexican food here, sorry but it's true. But I will say I have had some excellent food...just not Mexican food. ahh, the people and the friends. Good times. He certainly wasn't able to see everyone, but he did get to see a handful. I wish I was there. Who knows where we will end up? If we will ever move back to Houston? The sad thing we decided was, even if you move back to a place, it's never the same. When he saw the house though, he said he felt very much detached. That's not home-home is where we (we meaning his family) are! That's a good thing. Life does go on, and we have made many wonderful friends here, too. For that I am thankful.

Yesterday, Hunter had a band concert. With Hope being sick and Scott being gone, I had decided early in the week to get a babysitter and leave her home (best money I have spent in a long time). As it turns out, I left everybody at home, Hannah was tired, and Hayden had been stung by a bee and got Benadryl-so he was going to be tired. Anyway, as I was sitting there, I started looking around and thinking about our first band concert here, right after we moved here. I remembered looking around, not knowing anyone, and feeling very sad about that. Last night, was different. As I sat there, I knew a lot of people. Certainly, not as many people as I would have know at a jr. high band concert in Texas, but enough to not feel lonely. To feel like I am getting to know people here! Can I just say that is a really good feeling. I started talking to the man next to me. As it turns out, they had lived in Houston in the late 80's-mid 90's. It was fun talking to him. He liked living in Houston, but I think he was surprised I liked it so much. It got me thinking, what did I like so much about Houston?? The thing that tops my list?? The people. Enough of that for now.

And in other news...after feeling better"ish" for a whole day, Hope threw up again last night, and has been a sick little grumpy girl today. Lovely. I feel like I'm coming down with the flu, aches, sore throat, stabbing pain behind my eyes, stuffy nose...the works. Oh well, now I get a taste of what is making her so grumpy. I pray I don't get the stomach bug with it!!

friendly reminder: don't forget the sunscreen!

About a month ago, Hope had a dermatologist "emergency". She had a rash under her arm that needed some help. The fastest they could get us in...was about a month later. Lovely. Anyway, today was the day. I thought about cancelling. Thought about, but didn't do it. I wanted us to be seen!! Hope didn't throw up any last night, even though she did come in for visits about 5 times, so she wasn't feeling too hot. She did want some breakfast this morning, I took that as a good sign. Although, she did throw up her entire small bowl of oatmeal, and then she proceeded to take a nap. But I took her anyway. I certainly braved it. I was talking to my friend Jennifer on the phone while driving over (hands free thank you) and she said "did you bring something...in case she throws up?" I had not! But I lucked out and she was fine. I got checked out head to toe...I wasn't really expecting that one, but alrighty then. I found out I don't have any skin cancers. The little "thing" on my face by my eye is totally benign and so I left it for now. I did have the doctor prescribe me some more Renova (real reason for my visit). I was on that before I got pregnant with Hope and loved the way my skin looked, so I'll be back on that (tonight-I'm not compulsive AT ALL) I use it as an anti-aging skincare cream. But the most important thing is, don't forget the sunscreen!!

barfy babies

There is nothing like staying home when your baby is sick. She is one of those sick babies that likes you to hold them. Just sit there...and hold her, and of course let her rub my ear. And you know what, she is my baby, and I can do that...for the most part. She did fall asleep at one point and I went outside to my garage and did my book camp. I have a play list that I have entitled... Get Your Groove On. It's good stuff, and I indeed can get my groove on ;)

Hope is now fer-real asleep in her bed. So, I could break away and blog away. I was doing my thing and happened upon my friend Sarah's blog, who posted about some delicious pumpkin treat. I am a sucker for the pumpkin treats. I quickly hurried down to make sure I had all ingredients, happily I did. Butter scotch morsels and cream cheese included. I love that.

The only problem is, what to have for dinner? I have menu planned for the week, but I'm not so sure I'll be making it to the grocery store. Maybe when Hunter gets home I can run over. Scott is oot. I'm using code, so none of the scary rapist/murders will see this and come get me. If the kids or I ever get REALLY sick, you can be assured Scott is...OOT. I'm sure I'll be getting barfing pretty soon. Hope kept coming into my room last night starting at about 12. After about 1/2 of her tossing and turning and her breathing RIGHT in my face, I'd take her back to her room, only to have her back again the next 1/2 hour. That lasted until about 4, when she barfed...all over the sheets. She started making barfing noises, and since I hadn't been "really" asleep since about 12, I gathered the top sheet and caught-it-all. Am I good or what?

So, I'm off to go bake, and then read, and then watch another Oprah followed by another Sesame Street, because I'm sure Hope will be awake by then.

**Oh imagine my profound disappointment, when I went to start baking, I realized I didn't have any canned pumpkin. I always have canned pumkpin, I didn't even look for that. I really will be grocery shopping later today.

Just checking in

I haven't posted for a few days. Nothing too exciting to report just busy with life. On Wednesday, I made 8 trips (I started counting) picking kids up, dropping kids off, running to the store...and that was from 2:30ish until 7 o'clock. It was slightly obnoxious. Hayden plays his last game of soccer on Saturday. He met a little boy his age around the corner!! Hannah has about another month left in her soccer season, and she just started in a book club. They are reading the Little Princess. She volunteered to host the discussion. She's my girl. Hunter wrapped up football by winning the SkyHawk award- he showed the most football spirit. That made Scott proud, as you can imagine. Go Hunter! He has started wrestling. Being the good mother that I am, I showed him pictures of cauliflower ears. We don't want cauliflower ears. He came home yesterday with some head gear. He told his coach, "My Mom wants me to wear head gear, even in practice!" Darn right. Practice is killing him, he says it's harder that football practice in TX. You KNOW it's hard!

The roomba is still my friend. I have had some people asking. Momma still likey. I'm starting to see the beauty in this whole robotic cleaning solution. What about bathrooms? Dishes? Laundry?

The weather is still very nice here. I keep waiting for the rain to hit...I know it's coming....but I'm enjoying every day I can outside. Hope and I run to the park just about everyday that we can (for a few minutes anyway) after the gym. The only problem is, now she expects it, and if we have something else going on, she feels slighted. I'm going to take my workout outside this morning. My version of boot camp. No boot camp classes at this gym, so if I want that kind of pain, I have to inflict it upon myself. Good day to you!

Scott's version of a cleaning lady

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a Roomba. Scott and the kids surprised me for my birthday, with a Roomba. It's one of those gifts, I never knew I wanted. I have to admit, I choked a little when I did a little research to get a picture for my blog...about how much they cost...but hey, it was a gift. But that is one hard working little robot. I have had plenty of family and friends that have/had them. Some reviews have been great, some not so good. But, for the three days that Mr. Roomba has been cleaning at my house, I like him, and I'm keeping him. Back and forth, under the table, around the table, on the carpet, in the pantry,laundry room, and bathroom even. Places I don't even go, to sweep or vacuum. It's a lovely thing. Hayden announced that we now have "eight people in our family!" Huh? Mom, Dad, Hunter, Hannah, Hayden, Hope, Scout and Roomba. I have to admit it's quite the thrill for everyone to watch the Roomba. They like to watch the Roomba, I like watching them, like the Roomba. If you are thinking about getting a dog or some other pet? Consider a Roomba, the kids love 'em, and they clean up after themselves.

Happy Birthday Hope!

This is Hope today talking on the phone to my parents. She was talking and then started singing a song. It was pretty cute.

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of Hope. She was just little with two teeth.

LIPS!

Hope had been crying and I took about 30 pictures, during the fit and after. They are some of my favorites too. Here is just one.
Hopey the thumb sucker. I sometimes miss that bald head.

"hospital picture" Here's what's funny...you know how you take about a million pictures when your baby is born? We are no different, some you'd show others and some...you might die if someone else saw. Anyway, Scott took pictures and sent pictures to lots of close friends. The only problem was he sent them ALL to everybody. :) No crotch shots, just after the baby was born, but some first time nursing pictures and such. I had one friend that said "oh I just deleted some of those!!" Thanks Scott ;)

I like those feet.

Happy Birthday to my Hopey girl. Seriously, where does the time go? It seems like yesterday we were trying to decide what to name this girl...and I couldn't have found a better name for her. She is my HOPE.

I took one for the team

Eau de parfum, Chanel #5, that's a classic. How about Eau de Scout? Getting old sucks. And I'm not talking about myself. After all, it is my birthday in a few days. No no, not that. Scout is 15 years old (Scout is the golden retriever...not Scott the husband) which is like 105 years old in dog years. Much like with humans, when dogs get old they can't hold "it" very long. Like, if they gotta go, they just...go. Hence, since we moved into the new house, Scout's new home, is the garage. I'm over feeling guilty about having my "house" dog turn into a garage dog. About 6 months ago over it, every time I have to clean up a mess I just thank my lucky starts I'm cleaning up concrete and not hardwoods or new carpet.

But anyway, the reason I tell you all this is, I was loading the car to take Hannah to soccer, when I smell the smell. Dog pee doesn't smell good as is, but old man dog pee???? Think rotten tuna juice/pee. UUUGGGG! I don't have time to clean up a mess, I think. But I open the garage door (he always goes right by the door-poor dog) and as I'm stepping under the garage door...I feel a drip. A drip that lands right on my part, a drip that I feel dripping down my scalp. A drip of dog pee, old man dog pee. I hurry and go in to wipe and drown my head with water, that's all I had time for. I took one for the team. I dropped Hannah, picked up Hunter and was in the shower about a 1/2 hour later. All better now, but that was a long 1/2 hour!

I bet you've never...

had someone blow a kiss and wave bye-bye to your pee before. Hope is almost 2 and very interested in all things potty. So, I finished doing what I needed to do, and she was right there, to say bye-bye, blow a kiss and wave as my business went down the flusher. We are off to go play at the park, because if we don't I think she will drive me completely nuts this morning. Remember, she is almost 2. Plus, vacuuming my blinds isn't all that fun. I tried to tell Scott that I needed a house cleaner this morning...just every few months even, but I was met with a blank stare. SO, I vacuumed. haha

What I really wanted to say was...

Hell no! When they told me I was going to have to go to the "other" ward. You see, we have not been going to the right ward, well since we moved into this house. Remember, we were going to buy another house, we waited and waited...but then didn't buy that house, in "that" ward. But we had already started, and the other ward was so big a) they filled the chapel + the whole gym, b) they had to set up 2 sacrament tables to be sure everybody got the sacrament (they had like 20 deacons passing the sacrament!!) c) yesterday during the testimony meeting, a man bore his testimony and started it out by saying he didn't even know who the new bishop was-he had seen him before but didn't know his name!! Hello that was one big ward, so our bishop just said, hang out here until they split the "other" ward. We were hoping the boundaries would be re-worked in our favor and we would go to our ward...for real. But alas, it didn't work, and yesterday was our first day in the new ward.

The new ward...is fine, they are nice (all except the man that prayed and said he was thankful we live in a country that there are no secret police out watching us-seriously he said that.) The people are very nice, I'm just tired. I was getting so comfortable in my new-old ward. I knew the people, I knew the freaks, I knew some background stories. Starting fresh all over again. I don't feel like being all out going and friendly, again. My new-old ward was feeling like home. It takes about six months and I had been there over six months!! Dang. Do I have a bad attitude or what??? **sigh**

On a happier note, my parents were out this past weekend for a little fun. They got to see everyone at their best...and worst. Like always, right? Last night, Scott had put Hope to bed and then ran downstairs to play some game with Hunter. The other two kids were sent up to shower/bathe/get ready for bed. Well, Hope just knew she was missing something, so she got herself up. All, of a sudden Hayden and Hannah are screaming for me...or for Grandma, or for Grandpa-SOMEONE to come up. Hope had gotten the toilet brush out, put it in the tub water, and then put it in her mouth! Yes, you read that right. Here is my question, I've got some kids that know how to tattle, WHY did it take them so long to tell me a) Hope was EVEN up and b) she was up to NO good? I do not understand all that, or WHY she would do that in the first place. Hope got scrubbed down, a new toothbrush, clean PJ's and a stern talking to and was put right to bed, where she did NOT budge.

But I did get a new crepe maker. And we had some tasty ones last night for dinner. Yes, they should have been a dessert, maybe...but I also made that pumpkin gooey cake the day before and we had to prioritize...you know fit it all in. I did buy my Dad brussel sprouts (special for him- I was going to make chicken parmesan last night) but again we had to prioritize the good stuff. Anyway, we had all that crepe goodness, and brussel sprouts and carrot sticks for dessert. I'm good like that.

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

The name says it all. Last night at recipe club, somebody brought this delightful little morsel. OH MY GOSH. It was so good. The problem was, there were a couple of other delicious treats, so I had to spread it out...meaning I didn't take as big of a piece as I'd like. (I'm such a dainty eater) Lucky for me, I was one of the stragglers, so I was offered some to take home. Now, I know myself...and I took 1 piece. Because, I wasn't home 10 minutes, and that piece (it was smallish) started calling my name. I reasoned it wouldn't be as good tomorrow. So, I ate it. And I loved every single mouthful. If you are looking for a gooey buttery pumpkin treat, give this one a whirl.

**Recipe link here**

We could all use a little more thrift in our lives

Seeing that I'm the CEO of my own company and all, I have been ever more aware of finding new ways to do the same things. Does anyone else freak out a little bit about the economy these days? While I do believe this will pass, it does cause some concern.

I don't shop nearly as much as I used to, for a variety of reasons. I don't live as close to stores, I was trying to save gas by not bumming around as much, I have gotten a lot more picky with what I buy (don't want to have piles of stuff) and simply, if you don't go shopping as much you don't spend as much money. Go figure. The biggest reason though, is the picky part. If I don't LOVE something I don't buy it. Even if it's on sale. If it doesn't fit just right? I don't buy it. I don't like clutter!!

I have gotten really good at not being as compulsive as I used to be. On many, many fronts. But I like to wait on a lot of things, to make sure it's what I really want. I have become a waiter, a browser, a I'm going to think about it kind of girl. Last Saturday, I took the kids to Target for some costume shopping. While shopping, I had put several outfits in my basket for Hope. She needed a few new things to call her own. I like hand-me-downs...Hannah had a lot of cute things, but sometimes, the cutest things 7 years ago aren't as cute today. So, I shopped. But I wasn't sure, I hadn't been shopping at Gap, Gymboree, Old Navy, and if I wasn't going to buy a ton, I didn't want to waste "it" if there was something cuter out there, you know. So, I put everything back. Hannah couldn't believe I was doing what I was doing. But I did, and I proceeded to shop online over the next couple days. I didn't find anything at any of those stores I liked as much as the Target finds. So, I went back today. And low and behold, everything was 30% off. How I love a good deal.

I got home from the gym, took a bath, (Hope was in bed), put on sweats (no bra) and plopped down to watch me some Oprah. We have a very busy evening so I took advantage of some quiet time. I watched an Oprah from a few days ago. It was the one about being thrifty. With the way the economy is right now, we could all be a little more thrifty. Go check out the Oprah link, I think there is a lot of good information and tips out there. I might even start planning my menu around stuff that's on sale and use a coupon. I haven't clipped coupons in...forever. Here's to living within our means and staying on a budget!

carnage

Scrub Jay
Red Tailed Hawk
Me pointing at the smudge and feathers left on my window. The camera wouldn't focus on what I wanted, but you get the "picture"...literally.

Poor Mr. Scrub Jay was happily eating at my bird feed this morning when along came Mr. Red Tailed Hawk and...

feathers!

Usually once a day I hear a bird fly into a window or my sliding glass door. This morning I was brushing Hope's teeth and I heard a BIG thud. Hayden started screaming "MOM! The hawk is eating that blue bird you like!!" That scrub jay comes down to my feeder everyday at about the same time. I have noticed it, and so did the hawk I guess. Apparently, from the eyewitness, the hawk swooped out of nowhere and caught the scrub jay by surprise. There was a bit of a struggle, but the hawk "had really long claws that squished the blue bird all up". Hayden says the squirrel that we don't like because he eats all my bird seed "got mad at the hawk and about fell off the deck trying to save the scrub jay!" The squirrel got a plate of peanuts down on the grass as a token thank you. haha

Who has my keys????

Just so you won't lose anymore sleep...I'll update you on our Halloween decorations. I settled for a BIG spider and some spider web. Both relatively cheap"ish". Kids were happy. We spent part of the afternoon hanging the web. Hayden pronounced our house "the scariest on the whole street!!". We also got some stuff out that I forgot I even bought last year out. I love that.

When I was in San Fran a while ago, we ate at this one Italian restaurant. (Just so you know, I misspell restaurant just about every time I use it!! grrrr) Eye-talian food is my favorite. So, when I had this one ricotta cheese gnocchi, I was about in heaven. I started searching for a delicious recipe. I found (a bunch) and printed five. I tried one last night, and it was just okay. Well, better than okay, but it was no where near the experience I had in San Fran. I was slightly disappointed. But that's okay, I will try again! I must have fabulous gnocchi like I had that night. I'm on a quest. My family will be so sick of it, there will be plenty of eye rolling to go around. Oh well. Once they taste the winning recipe, they won't be rolling their eyes any longer. They will be rolling their big fat bellies they will be so happy. Well, that doesn't really make sense, but you know what I mean.

Have I told you that I'm going to be planting a garden, and that I'm still excited about it? Many a times, I have come up with a wonderful idea only to get my senses back and come back to reality. Well, I have wanted to plant a garden here since we moved, but it was much too crazy to plant one when we first moved in. Then, it was just too late. I have been thinking about one ever since. I really wasn't too sure about the location either..you know in the yard and all. We have lots of shade. Our friends have been doing a garden this year on a little bit of her parent's land. Well, I'm excited to say that we will all be gardening there this next year. Here's what I'm excited about...all the yummy food we will be growing, teaching my kids how stuff grows (all kinds of hand on lessons there) and doing it with people/friends/compadres. I'm not so sure Scott will be in "love" with this current brainstorm o-mine, so...even if he hates it and/or me for "making us" do this (I jest I think he will be just fine about it) I'll still have some motivated partners in crime. Hannah and Hayden's school has a garden (it's really big and cool- they got to work at the local farmers market a few weeks ago selling stuff from their school's garden!) Anyway, the garden grows the food in the salad bar area. Anyhoo, you know I was wanting to do the whole local food thing anyway. How much more local can you get. If nothing else...I'll have some killer-let me repeat that- KILLER arms from all the hoeing! Just call me Farmer Jones, I'm off to go look at a seed catalog...I'm not joking :)

But, just so you don't think I'm always so happy and chipper let me tell you a story...EVERY Saturday Scott gets up at 6 am to play basketball. Not so bad if he were home by 7:30, but he usually doesn't come home until 8:30 or 9. So, most Saturdays I miss my run. But, besides that...I'm not bitter at all, and I'm happy that he is working out ;) But this last Saturday, I had to get the kids packed up and to soccer (lunches packed we had two games) rain gear (it did rain) and everything else packed and to the field by 8:30. I WAS feeling a little bitter this fine morning. At 8:10 I go to start packing up my car...I can't find my keys. I look, and look and look...no keys. I start calling Scott, "I bet he took my keys". Now, I have the reputation of being a blamer...I may or may not be, but this I know... if my keys are not in my purse or RIGHT next to my purse it's because somebody ELSE moved them. I am super anal about my keys. At 8:40, 10 minutes late for Hannah's warm-up (game didn't start until 9) and 10 calls to Scott later (he wasn't answering his phone- how convenient) Scott calls and tells me he has my keys. I'd like to say, I said "oh thanks babe!! Thanks for letting me know", but I didn't. I thought I was over this whole key thing, until I couldn't find the TV controller this morning...why can't some people just put the controller on top of the TV when they are finished?? haha

Halloween is one of the coolest holidays, a day devoted to candy...hello?

For the last few Halloweens, my children (specifically Hannah and Hayden) have been bitterly disappointed in our decorations. I do more of the "fall" theme with a few witches thrown it. Last year we did throw up some little ghosts hanging from the tree. Well, according to them, it's still not good enough. They want some scary decorations. SCARY! Like tombstones and spider webs. So, today, I hit the road in search of some scarier things. I'll let you know how it all shakes out. I'm sure you'll be dieing to know.

Hope and I went for a run yesterday. And for the first time in a while (with her) I enjoyed it!! She just sat there...I looked down at her a couple of times to make sure she was still breathing. It was a lovely day outside (weather wise) and Hope must have been tired enough to just sit and veg. She had a dolly with a blanket (aka a towel) whatever it takes.

Tonight is the VP debates. I am very excited to watch. Palin needs to pull it together tonight! Did you hear the moderator has a pro-Obama book coming out? She stands to make lots of $$ if he wins. You'd think they could come up with somebody else to moderate. Whatever. I think Sarah Palin needs to go out there and just be herself. She AND McCain need to stop playing it nice. Why couldn't she have back mouthed to Gibson with his Bush Doctrine gotcha question, or tell Couric her question about McCain's senate history was crap! She needed to, but she didn't... now she is the one that looks dumb. Are you sick of the Hollywood "elite" mouthing off, or what?? Put a sock in it already. Everybody should tune it, it's an important election. Well, they all are really, this just happens to be the one...right now. What do you guys think?

Have a good day, I'm off to waste some $$ on Halloween. Really, I do like Halloween. It rates up there for me on coolest holidays. A day devoted to candy :)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Since this is October 1st, Breast Cancer Awareness month begins. And since I am a woman and I have two breasts...I'm taking notice of the event. I missed the Race For The Cure this year in my new city. I was very disappointed when I heard it was "yesterday". Not literally yesterday...a few weeks ago but still. I didn't know Christina Applegate had breast cancer. Do you know about her story? I guess she had early stage breast cancer, they did the lumpectomy, but then she tested positive for the breast cancer gene. So, she had a double mastectomy. Wow. I have heard about the breast cancer gene. I have even wished my insurance paid for the test. But wait, do I wish they did? Do I really want to know? Kind of...sort of. I'm pretty sure if I tested positive, I might do the same thing she did. She said she didn't want to wait around for the other shoe to drop. I hear her. Anyway, in the spirit of breast cancer awareness, do those self exams girls!! I'm the worlds worst, so I will take my own advice.

Code Red

Yesterday morning, Hayden, Hannah and I were downstairs getting stuff ready for school. You know packing lunch, flash cards, book reading, piano practicing. It was surprisingly peaceful, because Hope was upstairs with Scott. Oops did I just say that? Well, it was, but not for long. When all of a sudden I hear Scott yell, "Heather CODE RED!" Of course I go flying up to see what the heck is going on. I find: Scott in the shower with soap and shampoo all over, and Hope, still in PJ's, no diaper and poop all over her hands and a neat little pile of poop on the floor. My immediate response? "That's not a code red that's a code BROWN!"

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to the coolest Poppie ever. This picture was taken at Disney...he kept asking for water (it was Florida in August...we were thirsty) the waitress had some sparkle to her and so she brought him out a pitcher filled with water and ice. NOW we're talking :) I love that picture of my good old Dad. He's the best Dad a girl could ever ask for and the best Grandpa around. Happy Birthday Dad. I love you.

Updates

Hayden still has no front teeth! The dentist (our friend Todd) says they are there...they just haven't come down yet. They are getting close though. I will miss that toothless smile. Every day Hayden brings home a new book to read. He really likes reading and he seems to be liking piano. He is getting better at both. Yesterday, he read the book he brought home 11 times. He was so proud of himself!!
Little Miss pre-teen. She is at a hard"ish" stage right now. Just a little bit...mouthy should we say...but oh so cute when she wants to be! Already she'll spend lots of time on her hair. It must be just so. She is pretty good with the flat iron. Impressive. I had a skirt and shirt on on Sunday, and boy did she like it. She made me feel so good! It's been fun seeing her make new friends. I thought she was shy, but she sure seems to have out grown that!!
Hopey and Hunty. That's what Hope calls Hunter...Hunty. We love it. Hunter likes it too. What other 12 year old boy would sit down and watch "Abby's and Elmo" (aka Sesame Street) with his little sister WHILE she pinches his ear. It used to be she would rub softy the ear lobe, but not anymore. She pinches right on the cartilage. Ouch! Hunter is a smart nice boy, despite me :)
Hope giving her "babies sum mulkies" she loves her babies. I bought her this "Mickey Mouse with a bow" (Minnie Mouse, but it's NOT Minnie it's Mickey, okay???) that has a blanket attached to it. She sleep and naps with it daily. She loves it. But heaven help us all if that blanket is messed up. The blanket must be just right and Mickey has to be tucked in her arm. Ahhh, much better.

Keeping it fresh

So, you are probably like me in a lot of ways. Sometimes, I get a little bored...not bored like I don't have anything to do. Of course not, we've all got lots to do. But bored like...I'm not mentally challenged enough, bored like...I picking up the same things day in and day out. Lately, I feel like I am changing my attitude, my perception of what it is I do around here, this house, and with my family. It's still a work in progress don't get me wrong. But now my new perspective is this: My full time job is keeper of this house and all that's in it. That includes the house the people the food. It's my full time job and I get payed LOTS of money. Lot's of it. (haha this is where you need to imagine a little) So, if I want to keep getting those pay increases ;), I must keep it fresh. Find new ways to do old things. Find new ways to cook the same old food. Find new ways to teach my kids all that they need to learn. Find news ways to keep myself mentally stimulated and motivated at the gym. Keep on keeping on. I even called a bunch of people to meet up at the park. I haven't done that in a while, so that's keeping it fresh too.
**PS I'm probably the only one to tell a difference, but that's okay. It's huge to me.

The defensive "dummy" Hunter called Coach

It looks like Hunter's 7th grade football career is on break, if not over for the season. I think it's over, but we'll see. On Friday, the wise and super caring defensive coach, took a defensive dummy and clocked Hunter in the head. I know my football experience is low, but I thought you were supposed to knock people in the core with those...you know to knock them off balance. Not in the head, to knock their block off. Nice, right? Poor Hunter put his hand up to block the blow, and got his finger broken. On his left hand, down by the knuckle...on a growth plate. No band, no piano, no football, no wrestling (his flex class at school he was loving-that's another blog entry "why I don't want my son wrestling"...but I think I'll be out voted here) I have been really rather annoyed about the whole situation. So, much so, I held off blogging about it in fear I'd saying something so inappropriate like "I wish I had a defensive dummy to knock that coach in the nuts with"...ooops I said it anyway. Accidents happen, injuries even happen, but this seems a little needless. Scott sent "the" email to the coach today voicing our displeasure. I didn't want to come across like the "irate, over emotional Mother". Ha ha. We haven't heard anything yet. I was expecting flowers of apology.

After a couple weeks of "fancier" meals Scott made a comment last week that rather amused me. I asked him how this one asparagus orzo pasta dish was. We've had it before and it IS good. He hadn't commented, and that's usually a pretty good indicator on how he feels about something ;). Anyway, he said, "You know what sounds really good to me...plain old fashioned spaghetti!!!" So, I was thinking of him this week as I menu planned. We all need good old fashioned spaghetti every once in a while. But, I have been making this foccacia bread that is to die for. It's easy. They sell these delicious loaves of foccacia bread at my Costco. You take one of those, put lots of butter on it and then saute garlic and lay the garlic on the bread. Then you bake the bread just long enough to melt the butter. Yummy. You must enjoy the garlic though. I put 4 cloves on the loaf tonight. I'm sure we stink to high heaven, but who cares??? Have you ever had the garlic bread at Buca di Peppo? That's what it's like.

What is that book you are reading?

I am currently reading a book that I am loving- L.oving with a capital L. It's about...something I thought I knew a lot about but apparently, I really don't know much about...FOOD. I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the book, but if I don't learn anything else from here until the end, it's been a good book, it's opened my eyes and made me see things I wasn't paying attention to. Things I had no idea even mattered.

So, last weekend you may remember me blogging about this wonderful Italian dinner we had at this restaurant here in Portland. Here is something that I copied from their menu: "The menu, which changes seasonally, is built around a commitment to using natural meats, the freshest seafood, and locally grown fruits and vegetables." The thing about it, was the food really was good, it really was fresh and you could tell. Typically, I'm not a lover of the tomato. Who would, the tomatoes you buy at the store typically, are not juicy, have very little flavor and they have a mealy feel to the pulpy part of the fruit. I had this caprese salad there that night that was delicious. The tomatoes they used were heirloom tomatoes. Click away so you know what I'm talking about. The only reason I knew what they were talking about was I had been doing a little research about rose bushes a while back and that term heirloom kept coming up. So, I checked it out, and since I have noticed it a lot.

Okay, so let me get back to the book I'm reading, that I'm loving. It's called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. My friend Kendra let me borrow her book. At the time she offered it up, I remembered somebody had told me about it...somebody had really liked it...I thought it was one of my sisters, but it wasn't any of them. So, whoever told me about it, thanks. Anyway, Kendra was telling me more about it, and I thought it sounded interesting. I took it home, but didn't start reading it for a month or so. I had other books to read.

At first, you hear what the book is about and you kind of go...hmmm okay???? You know Barbara Kingsolver, right? She wrote: The Poisonwood Bible (a favorite book of mine), Prodigal Summer, The Bean Trees, and several others. Let me quote from the back of the book: "Author Barbara Kingsolver and her family abandoned the industrial food pipeline to live a rural life-vowing that, for one year, they'd only buy food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it. Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is an enthralling narrative that will open your eyes in a hundred new ways to an old truth: You are what you eat."

While it's not realistic for me, or probably for you, to say I'm only going to eat/feed my family food that I have grown or raised myself, it is an interesting concept. For instance, it's got me investigating CSAs again. Go to this website Local Harvest and check it out. I am thinking about signing up with this farm locally, that grows fruits and veggies. From May-October or November, every week I will take delivery of locally grown produce. Because, as discussed in the book, we are getting produce from all over the world, not only is that bad for the environment, but it's bad for our taste buds too.

I have learned that produce is cultivated (that's not the right farm term, but I think you know what I talking about...I can't think of the word) so that produce is more uniform, withstands transportation better, doesn't mold and mildew as quickly. Taste?? Not even a consideration. Hence the nasty tomatoes, mealy oranges, and juice-less apples I find at the grocery stores all the time. Strawberries for instance. Strawberries are big here in the summer, and boy are they good. I used to think the strawberries from Costco were the best, until I had a locally grown strawberry. No comparison. Do you find it strange that we import and export roughly the same amount of potatoes? Why can't we just keep the potatoes grown in our own country and let (wherever else we import potatoes from) keep theirs? Don't even get me started on meat. That's a whole other blog post.

So, blah blah blah blah. Go read that book, it's a good one, and I want to discuss. I'm not going to go sell my house, and buy a farm or anything, but I think we could all make a few changes. And, don't get worried, it's not as "crunchy" or "granola" as you'd think. It might make you think twice about what we get at Walmart!!

Houston has power! At least my old street does.

Let me just start this blog post with a very important question...have you ever stubbed your toe and looked down...just knowing half of your toe was missing? I have, I do all the time, that's why I must wear shoes in the house. I have been blessed with a certain amount of grace, you see. Anyway, I stubbed my toe the other day, so hard I saw stars, seriously. I didn't even look down, I was concentrating so hard on not saying a bad word (my 12 year old was close by) when I finally did, I had about a half inch gash on my little toe. I caught the metal garbage can just right. Stitches?? Well no, it wasn't THAT bad, but it did hurt. It still hurts to wear close toed shoes, but I manage. I just wanted to share that.

Most of my friends in Houston got power last night!! My old house made it through the storm just fine, good old house!

The owner of my new gym is a big tri-athlete. She is a little "different" but very nice. Her story is pretty motivational. She used to weight 240, decided she didn't want to be fat anymore, and lost weight-diet and exercise. She started running, biking and swimming. In August she just won some race in OR. Anyway, I took her spinning class today. She is always a talker. Usually, it's about upcoming races and such. Today, she was talking about goals. When I got back from Disney, I looked at our pictures and decided it was time to loose a few LBs. Nothing major, I'm not saying I was fat, but I was getting a gut. So, I decided to pay attention to what I was eating. I stopped the recreational eating, you know get a snack for Hope hmmm get a snack for Mommy too. I was getting pretty hooked on sugar too. I was craving it, all the time. Have you noticed the more sugar you eat, the more you want? I was in a bad cycle. So, I decided to put a big hold on all the sugar. Funny thing happened, I stopped craving it 24/7. (I did enjoy my big piece of truffle cake the other night, don't you worry- I'm not crazy!) I'm still all about balance. I'm just saying, I was getting off balance and I restored balance. I had been a little bored at the gym too. So, I really started mixing up my workouts. I'm still bored with cardio, but I think that has to do with goals. I'm going to start really running again. Sad, that I wasn't "really" running this whole beautiful summer. I'd run, but only like 1/week. My miles were really low. But, I think I'll start putting some more miles up. As long as the itching thing in my legs goes away. Have I told you why I only run 1/week? With all the hills here, I get this terrible itching sensation on my legs. My legs actually turn all red. It has something to do with friction (the pounding going down hills) It's not weather related, I've had it in different places I've lived. It's friction I tell you!! But I'm hoping, if I run more that 1/week, my body will adjust. It's about being mentally tough, and surviving the torture until it goes away. Plus, I talked to her about swimming. They currently have clinics going, but they have already started. January is when the next round of clinics start. I don't want to wait until January though. Not sure what I'll do there, but I'm thinking. Just mixing it up and keeping it fresh. I just need to get my friend Julie in the pool with me. Julie? Strength in numbers. Maybe we can hang out and get some pointers from all the professionals. Did I mention that the people here are WAY into biking, swimming and running? Shoot, maybe I'll join a run club. They'll get my butt moving.

You a good girl!

Hope likes to go down to the bus stop with me (morning and afternoon) to get the kids. She likes to "walk Momma". Walking to her is either running, or stopping to look/touch something. She was being especially cute yesterday, and luckily I had my camera. I told her a couple times she was being a good girl (because she wasn't running into the street, picking flowers, or taking off her shoes). When we got home she gave me a big hug around my legs and said, "You a good girl Momma!"

Layered Chocolate Truffle Cake

Last night we went out to dinner with some friends. I'm really loving Portland. It's a fun city, with lots of good food to try. Vancouver, doesn't have a rich variety of fun restaurants like Portland does. We went to Serratto last night for dinner and I had some delicious homemade ravioli. We were in a trendy part of town that I had not been in before. It totally felt like parts of San Fransisco to me. Loved it. Then we walked to Papa Haydn for dessert. OH MY GOSH. I found the above picture and recipe on the internet. It looks pretty darn close to the goodness I had last night. I will be making that bad boy sometime soon. Can I just say, that anything with layers of ganache in it is going to make me happy.

Hurricane Rita

I have been tuning into the news about Ike. It looks like people have learned and things are going a lot more smoothly than when Hurricane Rita came for a visit several years ago, my real one and only brush with a BIG hurricane Not to mention, less people are evacuating, or so it seems. I talked with some friends who were making preparations this morning. Hopefully, the hurricane will be downgraded, and/or blow another way. Here's to hoping Ike turns out like Rita. This picture was going around after Rita struck Houston. Obviously, it was a joke. Remember Katrina had just hit, and there was a lot of destruction in New Orleans and also in other parts of the Gulf Region with Rita. It was like a big thunderstorm in Houston. We took down our swing set, our trampoline, taped and/or boarded up windows...only to have this kind of damage. Thanks heavens, but still it was a funny email. The only injury on our street? That would be Hayden, when a branch fell from a room top and scratched his face. School and work were "out" and all the neighbors had gathered for one of our team meetings. (The neighbors that didn't evacuate, stuck together. We all had walkie talkies and "team meetings" every couple of hours) Leisa are you reading this? Maria? Funny how those day leading up to Rita and then a few after are some of my fondest memories of happy times on our street. Ahhh memories.

Hunter has his first football game today at 3:30. The ONLY problem is, the other kids don't get home until 4, so we will hurry as fast as we can to get there. But I'm excited to see my boy play, and we have 2 soccer games tomorrow. Should be a good day, with some pretty weather.

I went to my first book club here last night. It was fun, and loud. We met at Red Robin and stayed until after 10:30. At about 10, they turned the music up really loud. That really didn't faze us, however. We managed to stay another 30 minutes or so in our seats. Finally, I guess we got the clue and took it outside. We read East of Eden, which is possibly one of my favorite book club books. I was happy that others seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. That's a good sign. Next up, Their Eyes Were Watching God. I have seen the made for TV miniseries put on my Miss Oprah Winfrey, but have not read the book yet. I liked the mini series, thankfully, I can't remember much of it. I must go fold some laundry and start dinner preparations. Once 4:00 hits...

Because I am such a good friend...

When it is cold and rainy and not so sunny here in the winter, please help me remember that I thought the summer here was pretty close to perfect. At least most of the summer. I love how it is cool in the morning, warms up during the day, and then cool again at night. I love to sleep with the window open. Last night as I snuggled into bed, with one light blanket nestled all around me, I could hear my wind chime blowing in the breeze, I thought it doesn't get any better than this. Perfection.

I didn't get into bed until 10:30 ish. And since school started that's a little on the late side for me. Wild I know. BUT, we had two soccer practices, football practice and a parent curriculum meeting last night. So, it seemed perfectly logical, that I would try and make homemade pizza last night for dinner. Right, when you don't have any time, you should be rolling and kneading dough and letting it rise?? Perfectly logical. BUT, if you know anything about me, when I set my mind to something...by golly nothing slows me down. So, my spinach artichoke pizza was sounding oh so good. And I had everything, so why not. Well, as it turned out, my kids ate leftovers, and Scott and I didn't eat our lovely pizza until AFTER the parent meeting at school. But in the mean time, my kitchen looked like a bomb had exploded. I had blanched spinach left out, my Kitchen Aid out, all manner of pizza making supplies left out on the counter. Not to mention, the left-over layered enchilada mess that the kids so lovingly- did NOT pick up. Oh oh and not to mention again soccer stuff that was left all over. As I stepped into the house, I felt my face flush. I hate it when the house is a mess, and I hate it when I come HOME from someplace all nice and relaxed to a messy house. But you know what I hated even more? As I kicked my way threw the mess, I saw some lovely veggies our friends Todd and Julie brought over from their garden. At first I forgot all about my irritation, oh look tomatoes, and zucchini and squash!! And then I realized they had seen the state of my kitchen and/or house. Really, I was just being a good friend, if ever her house was a wee bit messy, I wanted to make her feel good about herself. "At least my house isn't as messy as Heather's was that day!"

It can't be the end of the napping era for me, it just can't be!

I made this Layered Enchilada Bake last night for dinner and it was yummy. The nice people over at Kraft even put together a little how to video. Wow. Deluxe. I have made it before, but last night it just seemed extra good, and SO easy. I also tweaked it a little bit, I added ground turkey instead of hamburger and I DID NOT add the Italian dressing. Taco seasoning and salsa were enough for me, no mixing of the ethnic spices, please. Plus, I used those tortillas that you cook, you know the ones that you get at Costco, everything tastes better with those tortillas, am I right or am I right? You know what else is good with those tortillas? Butter and cinnamon and sugar, I'm just saying.

Hope is back to crawling out of her bed. Jeez. It took 4 tries yesterday to finally get Hope to nap. Tries number 2 and 3... I wasn't very nice. Try number 4, she was looking to make up, get a kiss, and grab an Elmo book. For about 2 weeks now, after every nap time she would just suddenly...appear. She was stealth. It can be a little nerve wracking, but as long as she took a good nap, I was okay with her getting herself out of bed. Let's face it, it's one less trip for me. But yesterday, OH boy, she had gotten herself up at 6:20 and was ready for a nap at about 9 am. So, she WAS napping, and she did, she just made me work for it for about 5 minutes. It can't be the end of the napping era for me, it just can't. So, I will continue putting her back in bed, until she remembers that I am the boss, and that naps are very very important.

Well, I don't know, maybe you DO need shampoo AND conditioner?

Yesterday was a lovely day. And if it means I'm getting older because I loved such a day, then so be it! Hope and I went over to this nursery Shorty's, and I proceeded to walk around and LOOK for about an hour. I filled my cart with some pansies and then a few other things to change out my planters. Love it. Then, I headed up to the bird store. Yes, the bird store. I'm making friends with the guy in there, he is very helpful. I finally decided on a hummingbird feeder. Most of them have migrated, but there is still one species that lingers. I may or may not get very excited when a new bird comes to my feeder. Later, I came home and had fun playing with my flowers. And that is why I say I must be getting old. Because, I loved my day. I loved going to the bird store, and hanging my new feeder, and planting my flowers. Isn't that something that "older" ladies enjoy? I don't care.

And, my house is clean. Ahhh, you don't realize how hard it is to keep up when the kids are around 24/7, until they go back to school...and you're like ahhhhhhh.

Hunter came into my bathroom this morning dressed and ready for his day, and proceeded to ask, "Mom should I put shampoo and conditioner in my armpit hair?" I smiled (a little) at first and politely told him, "No that wouldn't be necessary." Then I busted up, I couldn't help it. And I told him sorry, but that was too funny and it was going on my blog. He just smiled and said, "okay". Maybe he is some kind of amazon, and I need to check into it. Maybe he has a lot more arm pit hair than I'm giving him credit for. Maybe.

And, wait for it...pictures!

He completes Her

My sister is getting married! Go check out all the details. I'm the ONLY sister that hasn't met him, but I still love him. If he makes Hayley this happy, well then, it's all good! He completes her :)

It's going to be a faaast year

First days of school went great! Hayden said this was his "best first day of school ever!" I smiled, he's only in 1st grade. He did go to preschool for a few years...so...maybe he was lumping that into it too. Hannah knew 3 girls in her class. One from soccer, one from Activities Days Day Camp (she was in her group) and then another girl that lives down the street and around the corner. Yippee. Hunter is busy busy. And the real homework hasn't even started yet. The year will be going very fast, I can already tell.

Hope is now talking in full sentences. The only problem is I can't understand her. I can usually pick out a few words, but she really has a lot to say I'm not quite getting. It's really pretty funny, it's like it's her own language. I'm sure the "understandability" with catch up-hopefully soon. She isn't the most patient and/or understanding of children haha.

I'm off, I'm taking the day off from the gym so I can get some "stuff" done.

First day of school...

finally. Not that I wanted my kids to go back to school, heavens no :) BUT it's September 2nd! And it's just now the first day of school. What is kind of nice...listen...can you hear that? Yeah me neither, it's totally quiet. Hope is even asleep. With the start of school, comes all the activities too though. Always a trade-off. Hunter was loaded down with school supplies, football stuff and a helmut. He will dump most of that stuff off,and leave it. For a little while anyway. Oh the smell of the football stuff when it does come home though! We missed meet the teacher this year. First time EVER for me to miss a meet the teacher. Oh well, I drove everybody and figured out schedules, rooms, teachers, school supplies today. No biggie. Hayden is back to a full day of school. Yippee. He was excited to be able to eat lunch again at school. Priorites. Hannah was a little nervous about changing schools-again-but I think the praying helped because she felt pretty good this morning. I'm excited to hear how everyone's day went.


I got Hunter a bunch of new clothes mid summer this year. All of a sudden the kid needed new stuff. So, I didn't buy him a whole lot for school. Except new shoes. Shoes are important to boys that age. The ones he liked were even on sale. Score.
She was up and ready about 2 hours before she needed to go. ;)
Normal smile Hayden, please?

Look at all the stuff.
You can't see them, but Hannah has her birthstone earrings on that we got at Disney. She planned her whole outfit around the earrings!!
He was excited!

The happiest place on EARTH.

The happiest place on earth.

Hannah and Hayden both had autograph books, but it was Hannah that was my girl and WANTED all the autographs. I think Hayden did most of them, because I said. (haha) Not Hannah though, she is a girl after my own heart. The ones Hayden didn't want to do...no problem, you better believe I was in line with "his" book hahahaha.

Hayden as Jack Sparrow. My little pirate..

It really was SO hot in Florida...in August, what do you expect, right? We lucked out and only had rain ONE day for about 1 1/2 hours!! We missed all hurricanes. Poor Hope looking oh so hot. Her hair was wet and curly the whole time we were in Disney.

Hunter "rocking" out at one of the parades. He was cute. People were dancing, and he decided to "dance it up!".

Here we are at Hollywood Studios, aka MGM. As of 1/1/08 they changed the name. We were lucky enough to be able to have my parents come to Disney with us. I'm telling you, what a great time we had with them! They didn't look at me funny when I started to cry at one of the parades. I think it was at that point my kids kind of looked at me and thought I may or may not be a little crazy. My parents teared up as well, and we had a little cry fest reliving some of our childhood memories. Good times good times. Scott was our official fast pass getter and meal planner. He is a real trooper and he knows how to do the park.