One of my favorite summer memeories

I think Cathy summed up the way I feel about summer. It is all about the music and the sunroof! Summers in the NW are beautiful...to die for. As a matter of fact you just might die (death by drowning or consumed by the gloom) waiting for them! But it has finally made it here this year, WooHoo! So after I read Cathy's "summery" of summer I wasn't sure what I wanted to add but then Dan asked me the other day if Drive-in movies existed anymore and it reminded my of one of my favorite summertime memories. Drive-in movies! Mom and Dad used to take us to the drive in movies. The movie that comes to my mind was watching "The Neverending Story". I just remember being so excited to go and we would pile all our blankets into the car and then putting that big metal speaker on the window. As a kid this was a little bit of heaven!

Second memeory monday - Movies

Movies, I love movies! The movies I could watch over and over again are Grease, Gone with the Wind, Moulin Rouge, The Notebook, Second Hand Lions, Big Fish and A Knight's Tale. I also love watching the old cheesy Elvis movies...always have ever since I was in highschool.

Clearing it up after all these years.

OK, so I am a little behind on memory Monday, but I will work on catching up. I chose to start with the driving memory. I felt like this would give me the opportunity to clear up a little story that has been SO misconstrued over the years. This is not my first driving experience but a very memorable one.
So it goes like this:
On my way to work one day, I was sitting at a stop light in a long line of traffic creeping along. I was playing with my keys listening to the music when I scratched my finger. Now I know that you think you know the rest of the story BUT this where all of you were misinformed! I didn't just yelp in my best sissy voice, begin nursing my poor ol' finger and completely forget what I was doing to the point where I rear ended the car in front of me. What REALLY happened was that I started investigating the steering column to find what was sharp. Not paying attention I apparently let just enough pressure off the brake and slowly rolled forward not even more than 2 miles per hour (if that) and bumped into the lady in front of me. The problem arose when I realized what was happening I was very slow at reacting and bounced off her bumper about 4 or 5 more time before I brought the car to a complete stop.
After all these years I finally got an opportunity to tell mom the real story and she laughed so hard she spit her lemonade all over me! But, I felt better despite the lemonade because I finally got to clarify what happened when I was 16! And now that you all know the real story I feel even better :)

What smells so good?

Ok, I am finally putting up a new blog. I think I milked out all I could get from Dan's Birthday blog. You should all be thankful that it wasn't another Mother's Day Blog that stayed up there forever!
Since Feb.7th, we have:
1. Moved yet again from Camas to (wait for it....) a 2 bedroom apartment! We are actually in the same complex as Mom and Dad. Talk about family togetherness...sheez! Just kidding, actually we are really enjoying our time of no yard work, very little housework and believe it or not, spending more time with Mom and Dad. This move happened because our land lady decided that she wanted to sell her house so she could buy another one with her "shack up honey" so we got the boot! That's ok because as usual we were getting along so delightfully with our neighbors that one of the women actually kicked Dan (I think she did this after Dan was expressing his admiration for her snotty attitude toward our kids and dogs)! We are such white trash...we belong in the apartments.
2. Dan left IES, the company he has been building for the last 3 years. He has put out several resumes and has already received an offer for a company in Tualitin, OR. We think this is where he will end up at for a little while anyway. He actually has a phone interview with an architect firm in Georgia tomorrow. We will see how that goes. We will be sending out one more resume to Irvine, CA. With any luck, maybe we will be down with the Blackburns!
3. My car broke down again...with another hefty repair bill. Gotta love those Volvo's....never again will I buy another one. You would think I would hava learned from the first 2 but nooooo.
4. Sent Eco to live Ciria as you well know from Ciria's blog. We miss him so much but are EXTREMELY thankful to both Ciria and Adam for taking him for awhile. From the sound of it, Eco is very happy with them and the girls love him too!
5. As for me, I was thinking about going back to work. The day Dan received the job offer, I was headed down to Costa Mesa for an interview with Alaska Airlines to be a flight attendant. But, when Dan got the offer, (thanks to my dedicated, hard working husband) it enabled me to go back to concentrating on being a full time mom again. So, with Zeke going into the 1st grade next year I think my new goal will be to go back to school and obtain a nursing degree. We will see.
6. Now that we live in Vancouver, we are making 3-6 15 min. drives back and forth to Camas. So, I am spending a bunch of time in the car again. Thank goodness we only have 4 weeks left of school.

So, that gets you pretty much up to date with our family. But, before I leave I thought I would remind you that Toni's 10th birthday is on the 21st of this month. And I thought I would tell you a funny Zeke story. Here goes:

The other day Zeke had fallen asleep in the late afternoon. He woke up and came into the kitchen where I was making dinner and said: "Mom, what smells so good?" I said, "Dinner, Zeke." Then he replied, "No really, Mom." By this story, you can tell how Zeke feels about my dinners.

I have a couple funny Zeke stories but I will save them for later. I have to go....I have to go tend to Toni. She is sick tonight and I have already had to clean up vomit once tonight while I was writing this new post. Aaahhh, the life of a mother!

Happy Birthday, Dan!

I love you, baby! Hope you had a great day.

Becoming my mother in more than one way

It always makes me smile when I go into mom's house and see all her little reminder notes or motivational sayings posted on the walls, mirrors, refrigerator, cabinets, doors and etc. I actually like reading them and seeing which new ones she has added. Although I had to finally ask her after approx. a year why exactly she needed emu oil?? I don't remember her answer.

Anyway, my point is, as I get older I find myself seeing mom in me in different ways. For example, whenever I look at my hands I see mom's hands; or when I call boys that don't belong to me "son", I think of mom. Or when I stay up later than I should watching TV or some movie I feel like mom; or when I can be chewing out my kids when the phone rings and I answer pleasantly like nothing is going on all the while continuing to give my kids chastising looks and snapping my fingers at them, I giggle to myself and remember mom.

Well, I have found that lately, I am posting more notes to myself like she does. The one I posted tonight was this thought I had...

"Kids - listen to them, get to know them, make time for them, be there for them, remember them, love them. It's not just about the job of being THE mother; it's about being THEIR mother."

So not only am I becoming my mother in so many different ways, I want to become more like her in this one particular way...I want to have a great relationship with each of my kids and be their for them the way she was there for us.

..... Love You, Mom!

No More Weigh in Wednesdays - Stuck in Utah

I weighed in 2 weeks ago (Jan. 23rd) but never got around to posting that I had lost another 2 lbs. Then we left for Utah on an impromptu trip Friday night (Jan.25th) hoping to return the following Tuesday at the latest. While I was pretty good about eating right while I was traveling but my exercise stopped completely. I thought this would be ok because I would start right back up again when we got back but then we got stuck in Utah with all the storms and was not able to return to Wa. again until Friday at 1:30am. We had started to drive back on Thurs. and got 3 hours into our drive when I-84 was shut down in Idaho so we turned back around and headed back to SLC. Dan decided to fly us back home so we headed to the airport to catch a 7:05 pm flight. The flight was delayed for 2 hours then cancelled completely. They then rerouted a plane from Phoenix and picked us up and like I said before we didn't get back home to Camas until 1:30 am. Thanks again Mom for picking us up and waiting all that time!

By Tues. or Wed. of the week we were in Ut. I had stopped eating right all together and I haven't eaten right or exercised since then. I am sure I have gained weight again and I have too much to worry about right now without needing to put this on my plate too. I know I am lame but what can I say. I am sure I pick up again soon but I don't know when. So if somebody else wants to start back up they can pick up where I left off....sorry!

On a lighter note, here is a picture of Zeke with his future wife(he-hee)....Sophie Belle! Love her!!! Wouldn't they make a great couple?!

I think we should keep this picture and use it to announce their engagement in about 16 years. I proposed this to Carrie (her mom) and she said; "First you should know--Sophie is a 10 cow woman. She has several offers on the table, so we are upping the dowry. Maybe you could build us a house!" We are currently still in negotiation. Anybody have some cows I can have?

A tribute to President Hinkley

This was sent to me, I loved it, so I thought I would share. What an amazing man he was and I hope that one day I will have lived my life in such a way that I am able to be in his influence again someday.

Weigh-in Wednesday #2

OK Alex, I guess this just for you and me since we seem to be the only ones participating. I have to sadly report that I did not lose any weight this week but I didn't gain any either. Huge bummer but I am sure that "my fat is turning into muscle". At least that is what everybody says to make you feel better. Dan did start this week. This is my good news for the week...Dan finally came home after being in Utah for 12 days. I am so happy to have him home. Which brings me to Calixta's post. Diet cola cans usually remind me of Dan. But in addition to that when ever I see the kids playing their instruments it reminds me of him, my Grandfather clock that he chose, and one of my favorite things is Harley Motorcycles.

We had SO much fun when we had a motorcycle. I can't wait until we can do that again. Hopefully I will be able to fit into all my leathers when we get around to getting another Harley, which brings around full circle to weight loss. It's not to late to start! Come jump on the fat wagon with us!

Weigh-in Wednesday and other happenings

Today is weigh-in Wednesday! I weighed in today at 138.8 lbs. which means that I have lost 2.2 lbs. That equals to 1.56% lost this week so far. 17.8 more pounds to go! I am excited to hear the progress of everyone else.

I am sooooo happy because I have located all my pictures that I feared were lost for good. I have spent the last 3 days going through them all and doing a thorough back up to hopefully ensure that I won't lose them again. Ciria will be happy to know this because I was worried I didn't have enough pictures of 2006 to do the scrapbook page. So, Cathy, Kiki and Ciria.......I am doing my pages for both 2006 & 2007. While going through my pictures I found some great ones that I thought I should share.

This was at the Provo Temple when Calixta and Nate got married. Apparently I didn't get the memo that said I was supposed to wear a pink shirt with a black skirt.

These were taken this year on the 4th of July at Fort Vancouver. We missed having Alex & Ciria and their families. I look forward to this up coming family reunion this year. I think it will be fun to have us all together this year. Thanks for getting the ball rolling Alex.

If you want any copies of these let me know and I will be happy to e-mail them to you.

The start of a New Year

Ok....today is January 2, 2008 as I am sure you all realize, but this also means today is day 1 of the Biggest Loser Challenge. It is not to late to start. Today I dragged my but out of bed, got the kids off to school and turned on my i-pod and worked out with Tony Horton. I only remember one other time that I have felt so fat and out of shape (not being pregnant) and that was when I started Power 90 the first time in 2004. Except back then I weighed 6 more pounds than I do this time. I am motivated! If you choose to participate I think we should do weigh-in Wednesdays. You should weigh yourself on the same scale each time at approximately the same time each day and then report progress. Today I weighed in at a whopping 141 lbs! My goal is to lose 21 lbs (that is 15% of by body weight) but my body usually stalls when I reach 126 lbs. so we will see what happens. BTW you don't have to post your weight if you don't want to...I am hoping by my doing so it will further motivate me to keep on track.
The next thing that started at the beginning of this month is the 2008 HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. You can enter once a day from now until Feb. 19th. This year the house is in the Florida Keys...how awesome would that be. Here is the link: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dream_home_2008/text/0,,HGTV_30596_65584,00.html if you are interested in entering, I know it is a huge chance that any of us will win it but the way I see it, somebody has got to win it so we should all at least try, beside it doesn't cost you anything. Good Luck on both! Have a great day!

New Years Eve

As Zac is downstairs partying with his friends, I am hiding in the office hoping to escape some of the noise and commotion of 12 year old boys. I can't believe that we are in our last hours of 2007. I also can't believe how time flies as you get older, it seemed when I was a kid time took forever to pass. Anyway, this is my list of the top 10 events (good & bad) for our family in 2007:

10. Moving back to Washington / Moving out of Utah either way you look at it, it is a good thing.

9. Rush Concert (Dan & Zac)

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry is alive, Snape is good and Dumbledor...well, 2 out of 3 isn't bad.

7. Fudge the Guinea pig :(

6. Completing a 7 mile run (then I stopped running completely and gained 15 lbs.)

5. Our "Sister's weekend" in St. George

4. Christmas 2007

3. Seeing Zac become a Deacon

2. Our Cape Disappointment trip

1. Celebrating our 15 year anniversary

What I am looking forward to next year: Buying Lyn Spears book on parenting so I can do exactly opposite to raise healthy and successful children. LOL!

Happy 2008!

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

We went to go see National Treasure: Book of Secrets today. Pretty good movie, although Zeke was pretty bored. He kept saying "When are they going to find the treasure, mom"? I liked it but I also like Nicolas Cage as an actor. It give you a new way to look at Mt. Rushmore. If you don't see it in the theaters it is definitely worth renting when it comes out. Tomorrow is Zac's 12th birthday. He is going to be sustained a Deacon...can you believe it? He would love to hear from you tomorrow.
Only 2 more days from the new year...any more takers in the Biggest Loser Challenge?!? It will be fun.......

I accidentally....

Yesterday we were out as a family and the topic of silly things we have all done came up. Zac reminded us of this incident that happened last year between he and Toni. After he reminded us about it we laughed so hard and agreed that I should share this on my blog.

Like I said, about a year ago Zac and Toni were tasked with helping me clean the bathroom. I had left them alone for a short time when Dan & I heard them arguing downstairs. Zac and Toni quickly found us both very eager to share their side of the story. Zac being his usual obnoxious self, managed to annoy Toni to the point where she decided to take action, and according to Zac she bit him on the butt. Toni's side of the story went something like this: "No, I didn't bite him! I tripped and I ACCIDENTALLY bit him on the butt"! Zac angrily responded, "How could you trip Toni, you were crawling"!

The Biggest Loser Challenge

Ok....we are getting close to January 1, 2008 which means new years resolutions. The number 1 New Years resolution is to lose weight. I for one am in great need of this resolution so I thought it would be fun to have a family and friends "Biggest Loser" Challenge. Anybody who wants to participate is welcome to. I wanted to start Jan.1 and go through March 31st for the contest. I was thinking anybody who choose to participate would put in $20 into a pool and then we would divide the winnings between the top 2 losers. If any of have watched The Biggest Loser you know how this works, the weight loss is measured by body percentage loss. I think we should have a weekly check-in to report progress. You can lose the weight however you feel most comfortable, ie., Weight Watchers, Power 90, Tae Bo, The Subway "Jared" diet and etc. What do you think? Anybody ready to put down the cheeseburgers and pick up the carrot sticks and weights?I need to hear back from those wanting to participate soon as Jan.1 is only 4 days away. Who is up for it?

Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas! A loud Christmas but a great one. Here are some pictures:

Zac got his Ibenez Bass Electric Guitar that he asked for. He has already been practicing. He wants to be able to play Sting's song "Message in a Bottle".

Toni received the Wii. She was the first one to wake up at 4:30 am and woke up the whole house screaming..."I got a Wii, I got a Wii"! The boys received their own numchuck and wiimote of their own.

Zeke received an electric drum set. Santa brought this to be therapeutic for Zeke. We have been told that he was born right handed but due to the complications at birth, he is forced to be left handed. Drumming is a way to help strengthen both hands. Anyway, Zeke has been thrilled about these.

The kids also got Guitar Hero from us. We are all having fun playing on it....including me. Although I am terrible. Today I actually passed 3 different songs.

This is video of Zeke trying out his punk rock singing voice. I warning you now to turn down the volume.

We had snow flurries throughout the day. By the end of the Day there was about a 1/4 inch of snow on the ground which meant that we had a white Christmas for the first time ever here in Washington!

This was Zeke by the end of the day and what a day it was. We sure missed being with our family. Thank you Mom & Dad for the ornaments and thanks Cathy, Vallen, Summer and Breck for the gifts. We loved them. We hope you guys had a great of a day as we did. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Well, if it isn't done by now I guess it really wasn't all that important! That is what I am telling myself anyway. The kids are all tucked into their beds and I can hear Zeke and Toni excitedly whispering in bed. I am monitoring Santa's progress for them on Norad and giving occasional updates. Zeke has been so excited all day. We had to finally break down and let him open his "jams" ie: pj's at 2 o'clock today just to settle them down. We had taco's for our Christmas Eve dinner. Then Mom came over and gave the kids their ornaments. She gave us an update on Dad and she left about 8pm. We read the account of Jesus' birth in the scriptures and watched "The Nativity". We wrapped up the evening with a couple of Christmas carols, led by Toni, family prayer and finally setting out cookies and milk for Santa. Whew, what a day! I must admit, even though I am so tired, I am excited for tomorrow.

"Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;He had a broad face and a little round belly,That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,....He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

15 years of marriage

As I have mentioned once or twice before, today is Dan & I's 15 year anniversary. I can't believe it! I feel way to young to be married that long and it has gone by so quickly. So, I thought I would stop and remember the top 10 things (in no real order) of the last 15 years of marriage with my wonderful husband Dan.

• 10. Cooking his favorite meals.


• 9. Living in Monterey CA for the first year of marriage. Dan still says it was a year long honeymoon, I think I have to agree.


• 8. Getting to go to China with Dan and standing on the Great Wall. WOW!


• 7. Watching him teach my kids soccer, guitar, to fish, ride bikes, their homework and etc.


• 6. Wrapping my arms around him each night and saying "I love you".


• 5. Seeing or hearing him come through the door at the end of the day. I still get just as excited as the kids.


• 4. Hearing him compliment me at least once a day....he has not missed a day yet.


• 3. Laughing on a daily basis with my best friend


• 2. Having Zac, Toni & Zeke with him.


• 1. Being married in the temple for all time and eternity with my soul mate.

I love you, Dan. Happy 15th Anniversary! I hope we have at least 50 more years!

Toni's Humor # 2

Tonight we were watching a reality show called "America's next big band" or something like that. It was the finale show and this was the first time we ever saw this particular show. There was this band called "The Clark Brothers". They were extremely talented and played all kinds of different instruments. They were announced the winners and performed one last song. One of the brothers was playing a mandolin and he was rocking out on it. Toni started laughing and said "that guy should not be rockin' out with such a tiny guitar!" Zac rolled his eyes and said "it's a mandolin Toni." I thought her comment was funny... I was laughing. I don't know, maybe you just had to be there.

You gotta love Clorox

So at least one person in my family has been sick for about 3 weeks now. So after Dan called me this afternoon to tell me that he had to go to urgent care because his eye infection had gotten worse, I decided that I was done with this sickness. I got my ipod turned on and spent at least 5 hours today going around with Clorox and disinfecting everything in the house. I am talking walls, cabinets, door knobs, handles, switches, the whole bathroom (all 3) and the kitchen, everything down to the stair banister as well as keyboards, remotes and telephones... anywhere our hands would have touched. I changed all sheets and towels. They were washed in HOT water and I replaced all toothbrushes. After I was done, it felt so good to know that everything was clean and germ free. Hopefully this will help us all get feeling better. Tomorrow....time to bake. Only 3 more days til' Christmas!