I'm not that cool, to be giving something away, but lets face it. Who wouldn't want to be entered in a drawing for a free swimsuit!?!
So, I'm posting this... go to this site, the Meanest Mom (and read her posts...they're hilarious!!! ) and while you're there, enter to win a swimsuit from MODBE! I hear they're great swim suits! I think it's about time I quit wearing the suits I had in college...six years is a bit long for a swim suit to last...yup! Time for a new one!!!
(Would you get any benefits if I still ordered one Kellie? I totally ran out of time, money and steam last month...but I have a 'savings plan' in place for a new suit this year.)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Family Home Evening...makes a comeback!
Ryan and I have recommitted to making some vital changes in our lives...not that we were doing anything 'wrong', but there was (and still is) room for improvement! One of our goals is to have Family Home Evening each week. This has been a 'challenge' because Ryan has usually had classes on Monday Evenings, and we 'forget' the rest of the week. Plus, most of you know just how 'hard' it can be to have a lesson, song, prayer, game, treat, etc, etc, etc with a one- and three-year old. Those are our excuses anyway. In reality, we've just been lazy.
We decided to kick it up a notch and have a SHORT lesson (like 45 seconds to a minute and a half) which is about all the boys can take.
Tonight we sang "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission", colored a picture of two missionaries (I quickly drew 'my brother and his companion'), each boy colored two, since we were making two packages, and we briefly talked about being an example. Tanner enjoyed putting all the candy in the box along with his pictures that he colored for Elder Crandall (my brother) and Elder Sok in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Elder Crandall (my cousin) in Lafayette, Indiana. He helped me hold the box together while I taped it shut; I think it made his day! And Mine. ♥ Taylor got a kick out of pounding the tip of my brand-new crayons into his picture...so his picture is mostly slabs of colored wax...he did get a few scribbles down though!
{Here are my handsome sons. It is my prayer that someday, they will gain a testimony of missionary work, and want to serve the Lord where He would have them teach His children of His gospel.}
I think this was a VERY fun and successful Family Home Evening, even though we forgot to say a closing prayer. We didn't forget treats though..."Napoleon" ice cream...I can't pronounce or spell what it really is. I've always called it Napoleon. :)
What fun things have you done or do you do for your Family Home Evenings? I'd LOVE to hear some ideas! Simple or complex, I'm open for suggestions!
We decided to kick it up a notch and have a SHORT lesson (like 45 seconds to a minute and a half) which is about all the boys can take.
Tonight we sang "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission", colored a picture of two missionaries (I quickly drew 'my brother and his companion'), each boy colored two, since we were making two packages, and we briefly talked about being an example. Tanner enjoyed putting all the candy in the box along with his pictures that he colored for Elder Crandall (my brother) and Elder Sok in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Elder Crandall (my cousin) in Lafayette, Indiana. He helped me hold the box together while I taped it shut; I think it made his day! And Mine. ♥ Taylor got a kick out of pounding the tip of my brand-new crayons into his picture...so his picture is mostly slabs of colored wax...he did get a few scribbles down though!
{Here are my handsome sons. It is my prayer that someday, they will gain a testimony of missionary work, and want to serve the Lord where He would have them teach His children of His gospel.}
I think this was a VERY fun and successful Family Home Evening, even though we forgot to say a closing prayer. We didn't forget treats though..."Napoleon" ice cream...I can't pronounce or spell what it really is. I've always called it Napoleon. :)What fun things have you done or do you do for your Family Home Evenings? I'd LOVE to hear some ideas! Simple or complex, I'm open for suggestions!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
{that was fun!}
We headed to Utah for the weekend, to attend Ryan's cousin's wedding. Our (my) biggest endeavor, however, was to get some pictures of the kids and attempt to get a decent 'updated' family photo. Here are the results...Enjoy!
{Shopping}
Because we wanted to leave town so quick, I neglected to pack Ryan the 'issued uniform' for our pictures: Levi's. So we HAD to go to University mall and HAD to go to Eddie Bauer to get him another pair of jeans. :) We found this fun corner before the mall opened. While 'shoppers' were gathering at the enterence, they were ooh-ing and ahh-ing...if only they knew how long of a day it was going to be!!!
Taylor had had it. This was shot at approximately 10:07 am, and only frame number 267. Yeah. It was a long day!
I purposefully picked this book for Tanner. The first thing he said when he opened it was, "I'll eat you up!" {sigh}
Maybe I'll have some more time later on in the month to play with the gazillions of picutres we snapped. Ryan took his camera and would shoot one boy while I did another with my little 'diaper-bag' camera...all in all, I think they turned out pretty good! Now I just have to decide which one I want enlarged...any suggestions?
{GradShots}
My little brother and his lovely wife were so generous to house us during our getaway, despite studying for boards and finals. {Thank you, Keith and Tricia!!!} We managed to get in a few frames of them, as well! The intent was to get some shots to be used on a graduation announcement, since Keith is graduating from the Marriott School of Business with his Bachelor's and Tricia is graduating from UVU in Dental Hygiene (and going to complete two more semesters at BYU for her Bachelors) next month...leave me a comment if I didn't even get that straight, guys! Hence, the non-fun poses. Pretty basic. :)
{Shopping}
Because we wanted to leave town so quick, I neglected to pack Ryan the 'issued uniform' for our pictures: Levi's. So we HAD to go to University mall and HAD to go to Eddie Bauer to get him another pair of jeans. :) We found this fun corner before the mall opened. While 'shoppers' were gathering at the enterence, they were ooh-ing and ahh-ing...if only they knew how long of a day it was going to be!!!
{Backdrops}
Our next stop was the RiverWoods. It's a strip-mall/shopping center at the mouth of Provo Canyon. We figured with all the shops there'd be some great walls and fun 'stuff' to use as backdrops. I picked up the cute little tweet-tweet at Target when we went to get the wedding gift...I'm in LOVE with it!!! But not as much as I am with my boys!!! Ryan included. He was a trooper!
Taylor had had it. This was shot at approximately 10:07 am, and only frame number 267. Yeah. It was a long day!
I purposefully picked this book for Tanner. The first thing he said when he opened it was, "I'll eat you up!" {sigh}
{Back Home}
The following pictures were taken where I grew up, in Springville, Utah. Our family photo (the only decent 'family' shot out of about a hundred) is in front of the barn where we played our little hearts out. Looking back and being there, it could have been fatal! I have MANY fond memories playing with siblings and cousins here, in the barnyard, which was our back yard. I want to cry, knowing my children will never have the wonderful adventures we went on growing up.
The new and improved version:
Maybe I'll have some more time later on in the month to play with the gazillions of picutres we snapped. Ryan took his camera and would shoot one boy while I did another with my little 'diaper-bag' camera...all in all, I think they turned out pretty good! Now I just have to decide which one I want enlarged...any suggestions?
{GradShots}
My little brother and his lovely wife were so generous to house us during our getaway, despite studying for boards and finals. {Thank you, Keith and Tricia!!!} We managed to get in a few frames of them, as well! The intent was to get some shots to be used on a graduation announcement, since Keith is graduating from the Marriott School of Business with his Bachelor's and Tricia is graduating from UVU in Dental Hygiene (and going to complete two more semesters at BYU for her Bachelors) next month...leave me a comment if I didn't even get that straight, guys! Hence, the non-fun poses. Pretty basic. :)
Thanks again, guys!!!! We owe you one!
I have more pictures of the wedding reception, etc, but lets face it, that is a TON of pictures. Maybe later...maybe not. It was a GORGEOUS wedding at the famous Springville Art Museum.
Anyhoo. We had a great weekend. Got home at nearly 2:00 am Sunday morning, but it was worth it!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Trying-It
I'm trying it out...and I like it! (I will post pictures as soon as I can get my camera to work with the computer. I've been having technical difficulties! The picture here is from the web - but Ryan's looked just like this. It was BEAUTIFUL!)
Ryan made this yummy salmon dish for dinner last night, and I hate fish. I thought it was just the taste, but it's the way my teeth stick together after biting down that gives me the willies!
However, this dish was SO good, I just might have it again!
Ryan made this yummy salmon dish for dinner last night, and I hate fish. I thought it was just the taste, but it's the way my teeth stick together after biting down that gives me the willies!
However, this dish was SO good, I just might have it again!He found this recipe on the Internet at AllRecipes.com. You can link to it from here, or on the title of the recipe.
Marinade
- 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 4 (8 ounce) salmon fillets or steaks
Filling
- 3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon whole grain Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1. Stir together the soy sauce, honey, 2 tablespoons mustard, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Arrange the salmon fillets in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the salmon, turning fillets to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the salmon stuffing by combining the cream cheese, green onions, and 1/2 teaspoon mustard in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to cook in salmon.
3. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F. Line a baking dish with foil, and lightly grease foil.
4. Remove salmon from marinade. Cut a slit in the thickest part of each fillet to make a small pocket. Spoon cream cheese mixture into the pocket. Place salmon in prepared baking dish.
5. Cool salmon in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven; spoon teriyaki sauce over fillets and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Reduce heat to 300 degrees F. Cook until fish is easily flaked with a fork, about 5 minutes more.
This dish is really yummy! I LOVE cream cheese, but the salmon was also so good, I didn't have to frost it with the extra cream cheese to get it down!!!
HOORAY for loving husbands. Remember the shrimp incidence? I BAWLED when I tried to eat it. This was not so hard! He didn't even have to pay me to eat it... :)
Thanks, Sweetie-Pie!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
HELP!
I am tired of cleaning my bathroom - Tanner has peed on EVERYTHING trying to get potty trained and just "MAKE ME HAPPY", but the kid just can't get it in the toilet!!!
Any pointers? I need help, and bad!
We've tried sitting, but he falls through the seat.
We've tried a smaller 'child' seat, but we can never get it in fast enough...so we have a stool (the Stool stool) he stands on it and tries to aim at a square of toilet paper...but unless I'm there to point the way, literally (he squeezes 'it' so hard nothing will come out), it's a mess!
What now??? Any tips?
Any pointers? I need help, and bad!
We've tried sitting, but he falls through the seat.
We've tried a smaller 'child' seat, but we can never get it in fast enough...so we have a stool (the Stool stool) he stands on it and tries to aim at a square of toilet paper...but unless I'm there to point the way, literally (he squeezes 'it' so hard nothing will come out), it's a mess!
What now??? Any tips?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Who Knew?
Today was a good day. After getting home from work earlier than expected, we popped a Stouffer's Lasagna in the oven and went outside to play. The boys had a blast throwing a Frisbee around, and Taylor LOVED eating the snow - or what's left of it!!! Ryan eventually came outside to join us and we walked around the block. It was a bit chilly, but not bad. Actually, it was quite refreshing!
After eating warm lasagna that I didn't have to slave over (granted, it didn't taste as good) we played and played, and played some more. After all, what do you do when you're supposed to kill some time and daddy decided to get rid of the DVD player?
Around 7:30 we grabbed coats and a binki and headed off the the County Fair grounds for a good ole' 4-H Sponsored St. Patrick's Day Dance for families. I'll admit, I wanted to support my 'work', but I didn't want to go. After all, I have dress alterations I want to finish! I don't have time for a dance!
But we went, and wouldn't you know, WE HAD A BLAST!!!
We entered about 14 tickets into raffle baskets, won "The Sweet Tooth" basket with homemade bread and goodies along with a toothbrush and paste, won two door prizes, one of which was a cake I made at work during a day camp today, the other was a head-light thingie I'm going to use as a book light if it doesn't blind me. I can't wait to read in bed!!! or go mining :)
We got our picture professionally taken on a great backdrop of rainbow balloons which our kids pretty much destroyed by the time we left, but it was fun, nonetheless. I'm just glad our kids weren't the ONLY ones pulling balloons off!
We ate gobbs of green-sprinkled cookies and drank ourselves silly with green punch. Tanner also drank everyone else's punch. I hope none of it was spiked or laced or contaminated with the flu bug that's been going around! (and as I type this, Tanner has fallen fast asleep...he was either drugged without our knowledges, or dead-tired.)
By 9:30 our kids were pooped, we were pooped and had had so much fun we didn't know if we'd ever begin to wind down!!! We finally gave Deb, the 4-H secretary our tickets to 'babysit' and call if we'd won another basket (there were like 30 baskets and less than 50 people).
What a night! Who knew...
Now onto my project for the evening:
Operation Jr. Miss Wardrobe Corrections.
This dress is GORGEOUS on the girl! After revising and refitting strips of fabric and patterns, I am pretty confident it will look stunning when I'm done. (I'm not trying to be stuffy or cocky, but I KNOW this will look TONS better with sleeves - especially with the gathers already allover the dress, I just have to bring that design element into the sleeves and they'll look like they were meant to be!!!)
After eating warm lasagna that I didn't have to slave over (granted, it didn't taste as good) we played and played, and played some more. After all, what do you do when you're supposed to kill some time and daddy decided to get rid of the DVD player?
Around 7:30 we grabbed coats and a binki and headed off the the County Fair grounds for a good ole' 4-H Sponsored St. Patrick's Day Dance for families. I'll admit, I wanted to support my 'work', but I didn't want to go. After all, I have dress alterations I want to finish! I don't have time for a dance!
But we went, and wouldn't you know, WE HAD A BLAST!!!
We entered about 14 tickets into raffle baskets, won "The Sweet Tooth" basket with homemade bread and goodies along with a toothbrush and paste, won two door prizes, one of which was a cake I made at work during a day camp today, the other was a head-light thingie I'm going to use as a book light if it doesn't blind me. I can't wait to read in bed!!! or go mining :)
We got our picture professionally taken on a great backdrop of rainbow balloons which our kids pretty much destroyed by the time we left, but it was fun, nonetheless. I'm just glad our kids weren't the ONLY ones pulling balloons off!
We ate gobbs of green-sprinkled cookies and drank ourselves silly with green punch. Tanner also drank everyone else's punch. I hope none of it was spiked or laced or contaminated with the flu bug that's been going around! (and as I type this, Tanner has fallen fast asleep...he was either drugged without our knowledges, or dead-tired.)
By 9:30 our kids were pooped, we were pooped and had had so much fun we didn't know if we'd ever begin to wind down!!! We finally gave Deb, the 4-H secretary our tickets to 'babysit' and call if we'd won another basket (there were like 30 baskets and less than 50 people).
What a night! Who knew...
Now onto my project for the evening:
Operation Jr. Miss Wardrobe Corrections.This dress is GORGEOUS on the girl! After revising and refitting strips of fabric and patterns, I am pretty confident it will look stunning when I'm done. (I'm not trying to be stuffy or cocky, but I KNOW this will look TONS better with sleeves - especially with the gathers already allover the dress, I just have to bring that design element into the sleeves and they'll look like they were meant to be!!!)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
For Frustrated-ness!
It's been a while since I last posted, and here's why:
Our Computer CRASHED, AGAIN!!!
I've been without my desktop and photoshop and pictures for over two weeks, and it's starting to get to me!!!
I have my Dell Laptop, from 2002, that works occasionally, and I can check facebook on it. Ryan's laptop doesn't have any sort of antivirus protection, so he's limited the sites I can access...
Of course, I have my computer at work, but I try not to get on it for blogging or facebook purposes, as it's unethical to get paid to do that (though I get paid to scrapbook, sew, workout and talk...a lot.)
Anyhoo, forgive my blogging negligence. Hopefully we'll be back up and running by next week, and if I have to, I will scrub the entire house and take the kids all day just so Ryan can get my pictures and photoshop and antivirus back up on the desktop so I can return to some sort of normalcy.
In the meantime, enjoy my quiet-ness in the blogging world!
Toodles!
Our Computer CRASHED, AGAIN!!!
I've been without my desktop and photoshop and pictures for over two weeks, and it's starting to get to me!!!
I have my Dell Laptop, from 2002, that works occasionally, and I can check facebook on it. Ryan's laptop doesn't have any sort of antivirus protection, so he's limited the sites I can access...
Of course, I have my computer at work, but I try not to get on it for blogging or facebook purposes, as it's unethical to get paid to do that (though I get paid to scrapbook, sew, workout and talk...a lot.)
Anyhoo, forgive my blogging negligence. Hopefully we'll be back up and running by next week, and if I have to, I will scrub the entire house and take the kids all day just so Ryan can get my pictures and photoshop and antivirus back up on the desktop so I can return to some sort of normalcy.
In the meantime, enjoy my quiet-ness in the blogging world!
Toodles!
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