Kathy Schroder Sass

Doopy Doo, I'm Two

2010-04-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

So my little babe Ryker turned 2 on April 17. He always sees cookie monster on Sesame Street and makes the cookie eating noise so of course that was the cake he got. We all got extremely blue mouths.
Of course grandma gave him this goofy dog that rolls around and laughs and it NEVER EVER STOPS!! Leave it to grandma to constantly drive us crazy with battered powered noisy toys. Thanks grandma!

My lovely creation, thanks I'm crafty!

My First Stitches Boy

2010-04-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Went to visit some family in California this past week and Ryker had a mishap. Just running around a friend's house and right smack into a wall. Of course we all just thought it was a bloody lip until I looked closer and could see all the way through to his teeth.
The doctor gave him a little druggie to calm him so that they could sew him up, yep he fell right to sleep.

2 stitches inside and 5 outside. I figured he would be our first kid with stitches he is certainly the wildest and craziest one.

I also had to post the funny video of him all drugged up on Versed. Look at his crazy loopy eyes and his crazy giggle. It was so funny!

My First-Born Alli

2010-03-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

I need to acknowledge my first born since she is VERY responsible, VERY sweet and is just the best daughter and big sister ever!

My big girl Alli riding the train with little Makenna
Her gymnastics performance. She was AMAZING!!

I had to show a picture of her tricky hair-do!

And, YES, she got to wear makeup. She was so excited.

Unfortunately she is at the weird tooth stage where they are growing in and she looks strange. She even pointed out that she looks like Mater. You will grow into your teeth my dear, just wait.

For crazy hair day I put some wires in her braids to make them stick out. I think she took them out at school, they were piercing the skin and didn't feel so great.

Ski Bunny

2010-03-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

So one of the great advantages of living at a ski resort is that my kids have many opportunities to have some specialized lessons. My 7-year old Alli has grown leaps and bounds this season. She is doing moguls and is even catching air on the jumps at the terrain park.
Alli is the youngest kid on the Sunrise Park Resorts A-team. There were some pictures posted of her skiing on Fox 3 News in Phoenix this past week. I'm SO proud.

The team didn't have enough sponsorship to go to the nationals in Steamboat Springs this year but her coach said she would have done fantastic. I am SO grateful for the opportunities that have happened for our kids while living here. Look out Lindsay Vonn here comes Alli Schroder to the Winter Olympics!!

New Jewelry Box

2010-02-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

Well this has been the top of my dresser for months now. Trying to find an earring and dumping everything out and sorting through bags and detangling things and finally just chucking everything and leaving with no earrings on (a crime!) I asked for a new jewelry box for Christmas and... nothing. Waited until Valentine's Day and... nothing. Finally I said if I want something I just need to get it MYSELF! And therefore I did!
I love my new jewelry box so much that I could just French kiss it. No more detangling necklaces and sorting through to find matching pairs. It is so dreamy!

I gave my daughter my old one and she asked if she could have this one after I died and I said, of course, Why not! I am a simple girl and simple things make my happy. Now I need MORE, and MORE jewelry to fill it.

Treadmill!

2010-02-19T10:26:00.001-08:00

I am one of those mothers who have ALWAYS heard the scary stories of children getting caught in exercise equipment and therefore I have always been very cautious. If my children are young and I am on the treadmill they are in their cribs or confined to a high chair to keep out of danger. I always hide the key but unfortunately kids are sneaky buggers and my little 22 month old got hurt the other day. My oldest Porter found the key, plugged it in, and turned it on full blast while my 22-month old was on it. He was thrown back and was pinned between the rollers and the couch for maybe 10 seconds until I grabbed him out. I ripped up his ear a bit and roughed up the skin around his ear as well. I didn't even take him to a doctor so its not as bad as it could have been. I consider us to be very lucky. Let me be a warning to you keep your kids safe around exercise equipment.

Ring-Tailed Cat Cutie

2010-02-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

Living in the woods I have all kinds of critters on my porch like raccoons, squirrels, and fun hummingbirds. The other night I heard some racket on the porch, flung the door open and saw a raccoon tail scampering off, until it turned around and looked at me. I stared right up at this little guy up in the rafters and said "What in the world are you"? I have lived in Arizona for almost 5 years and have never seen this little guy. A ring-tailed cat. He is so stinkin cute and he comes around every single night. I stood on the porch and talked to him in the rafters for awhile and he kept thumping his tail at me which I think means get outta here! He is super and he looks a lot like that little crazy guy in Madagascar. Anyways we have named him Kevin and he is our new pet.

My Cute Sister!

2010-01-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

I called my sister in early November and told her she HAD to come down to AZ and visit, and she DID!! I was so stinkin excited to have her. We had such a super time together and I so badly wish that we could live closer. I LOVE MY SISTER CONNIE!!
Come on you know me better than that!

I can't believe my kids stayed awake until midnight

My mom and dad also made the 7 hour trek up from Yuma, AZ to visit for a few days, it was so much fun!

My sister and I have fun no matter where we go, that's how awesome we are.

Ward Christmas Party

2009-12-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

Alli played Mary

Porter was a not so happy donkey

It is so fun to see them do stuff like this, it just makes me giggle.

Quick Rundown

2009-12-06T17:24:00.000-08:00

My little Porter turned 4 on November 28. He got a super great bounce back racer and a big dinosaur that growled from Grandma. He is just the greatest.
We spent Thanksgiving with my parents at the senior retirment park in Yuma, AZ and you know what that means. BINGO BABY!!! I played and had a blast.

On the way to Thanksgiving we checked out the Phoenix zoo with some of our friends.

Of course we went to the opening of New Moon. Ahhh Jacob you are so lovely!!

We are people who get the tree done fast and early, before Thanksgiving. We even cut down our own this year and the kids loved it.

Went flying up to northern Utah for Halloween where of course our family was The Wizard of Oz theme. I thought we were pretty stinkin cute and my husband was a great sport.

Flying Monkey, Dorothy, and the Lion

Pumpking Patch in Snowflake

My scary little creatures.

We have 11 kids that live at the Sunrise Park Ski Resort with us so of course we had a Halloween party. Cookie decorating, Hocus Pocus, and dancing to strobe light.

Crafty Kathy

2009-10-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

If it wasn't for church Super Saturday I would never have anything crafty in my house. Our ward made these cute magnet boards this past month and I just LOVE them. I will probably hang up schoolwork, church coloring papers, or jobs on these boards. It is just a piece of pressed board with 4 1/2 inch scrapbook paper squares modge podge around and a piece of sheet metal in the middle. Pretty easy I think, even though I showed up and most of the prep work was already done for me. I am proud of myself. WATCH OUT MARTHA STEWART!!

My Must-Have!!

2009-10-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

For the past 3 months I have been FRANTIC!! This wonderful product Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cream has been missing from all the pharmacy shelves in my town. I checked Wal-mart, Walgreens, K-mart and even drove to a remote drug store to find it but it was nowhere to be found. I finally ordered it online at drugstore.com. I LOVE this product. I still get acne and if I use just an acne moisturizer it is too drying and makes my wrinkles show. If I use a wrinkle moisturizer it is WAY too greasy and it gives me zits and so this stuff is the best!! If I am ever out of it I always break out. It's my favorite thing and I wanted to share my joy. I sure hope that it doesn't get discontinued because I might freak out!!

Ryker's First Job

2009-09-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yep, he's not quite 18 months old but he's gotta earn his keep. Ryker is now in charge of feeding our dog "Fat Boy". MY first job was putting the empty milk bottles on the front porch (that tells you how old I am)

Porter's Haircut

2009-08-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when I left Porter alone with scissors, he took a HUGE chunk out of the front of his hair and well.... therefore its all gotta come off!
He never usually cries when getting his hair cut but this time he was in trouble so it was a different story.

Ending on a high note we cut his hair on the front porch and human hair keeps away skunks (yep thats a tip from me to you)

St. George Girl's Trip

2009-08-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

We go every year my mom, sister, and I and we added my cousin Heather this year.

We go to this super outdoor theater Tuacahn every year. This is the opening set of Annie. The neatest was when we saw Footloose and they brought 2 real tractors back in those rocks and had a battle just like the movie. So fun!

Pedicures too!

Me and my crazy mom

My sister, mom, and I outside the theater

We had such a super time. So needed for all of us.

Alli's First Day of 2nd Grade

2009-08-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

My girl Alli started 2nd grade on August 12. We switched to Round Valley school district this year because they decided to send a bus up to our resort and it would save me ENDLESS hours of driving. She was very excited and of course nervous but her best friend Ashley is in Mrs. Udall's class with her and that makes everything better. It was so nice that Ted was able to give her a blessing to begin her school year. It was a great tradition in my family and I know that it will bless all of our children as they enter a new school year.

I had to show her first lunch on her first day of course!

The Faces of Camping

2009-08-11T11:34:00.001-07:00

The ring of dirt around my tub explains it all. We decided to do a little camping right before school started and the kids had a super time. Alli learned to wing a frisbee super well, Porter found new and interesting places to go to the bathroom, and Ryker kept falling head first out of every single camp chair.

2009-07-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

How I love the Fourth of July. We went to our little pancake breakfast at our church and than on to the parade where we baked in the sun (what's new). We invited close to 50 friends over to our house for some food and fireworks. Our resort (Sunrise Park) did some great fireworks next to our house over the lake.

Our girl Alli turned 7 on July 16th. She is such a crazy girl but also such a responsible and helpful big sister. We went down to a waterpark in Phoenix and than off to Peter Piper Pizza with some friends. We also invited some friends over for cake and ice cream. Alli is SUPER into bugs and insects so she got a butterfly pavillion with live caterpillars and I am sure that she will love it.

Shout Out!!

2009-07-03T10:21:00.001-07:00

Hey giving a thanks to my friend Jenny Mathews who operates the website bowtiquechic.com for making Alli these super cute korker fourth of July bows. My good friend Amy Allred who was my top bow-making friend moved away and since it is DEFINITELY not a skill that I possess I have to sub-contract out. Thanks and give her some business she is top notch.

I LOVE IT!!!

2009-06-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

OK in the movie Empire Records Renee Zellweger drives one and Johnny Damon from the Red Sox has one. I am a simple girl and it is totally my dream car! I could even take one that is way more beat up than this one. How I would love it!

Muddy Boys

2009-06-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Bringing the kids back from camping today I decided to let them play outside while I unloaded the car. Big mistake!! They played in that mud puddle for over an hour and had a super time doing it. Oh well I guess kids are washable.

Lots of Posts!!

2009-06-17T16:49:00.001-07:00

Our primary took a trip to the Snowflake temple and the temple president spoke to us. We heard in the latest conference from President Monson that if you touch the temple (even children) the temple will touch us and so we wanted our primary children to have that opportunity.

My girl Alli touching the temple

Porter touching the temple

Alli wanted to take some pictures and of course I was the model.

I LOVE TO READ!!

I was such a bookworm as a child and I read in the tops of trees, while walking down the road and anywhere else (obviously). I know that it has greatly helped me throughout life and I am hoping that my kids will also love reading.

I started Alli with the library's summer reading program and she is doing super! She loves Junie B. Jones and I am trying to find some Amelia Bedelia's for her. She thinks she is a really big girl now because she reads "chapter" books.

HIKING THE MOUNTAIN!

The ski resort created a Frisbee golf course down one of the runs. We all had to test it out of course so we took all the kids and they did super great. My shoulders were killing me after hauling my little babes around but so fun and what a great way to spend a summer day.

I Want That Baby!!

2009-06-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Ellen and I know that is for me!! The cooler in the back also has a lid that flips down and makes another seat. It's just what I need. Do you think I could bungee a carseat on the back??

10-year Anniversary Trip

2009-06-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry there are a lot of pictures but we had a super time and it is our FIRST vacation alone since our honeymoon. (random overnighters don't count) We went down to Marco island in Florida first since Ted had a work thing there for the National Ski Area Association and than we meandered down to the keys and than ended up in Miami. About 9 days away and I wasn't as freaked about being away from the kids as I thought I would, it was super!!

OK I am NOT really going to the bathroom I am just posing for this because this weird room we had in Key West didn't have a door to the bathroom. I guess it brings a couple closer together.

I couldn't resist!!

Checking out the church in Key West

My pirate lover!

Chillin and listening to a band play while eating dinner

We got our littly scooty scoot in Key West and there is no other way to see the island it was the best!!

The view from our fancy hotel in Marco Island

Another view it was super lovely even though I stepped on a sting ray on that beach. Shuffle your feet in the sand they say, oh well.

I'm a kook I loved this. It doesn't take much to entertain me.

I guess I am REALLY not used to this but they hit alligators on the road like they hit deer in my neck of the woods I just thought it was really weird. People would also sit on the banks and fish next to them it creeped me out!!

Hi

2009-05-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Can't talk now busy doing nothing!

Ryker's 1st Birthday

2009-04-29T09:51:00.001-07:00

Oh how the time goes and he is 1 and I no longer have any babies. It is sad but there are always more fun times to be had. We invited some friends over for Ryker's b-day and had some dinner and cake and ice cream. It's gotta be simple what does a 1-year old know anyways. He was our first child to actually dig into the cake and eat it, which we loved. He has a bit of a temper so I had to keep throwing it on his high chair. So fun, wish more family could live closer so that we could share fun times with them.

2009-04-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

I had to share this super book that I got at the library that a friend suggested to me. When I opened the book I saw a little note that the woman who had donated it to the libray had written and it said "To whomever reads this book... may you feel the love from which it is given." I already liked it, so I finished it off in one day. It is written by an LDS woman who had some major setbacks in life and therefore gained a lot of weight through a lot of emotional eating. It shows that through spirituality and personal strength the way she came back and found herself again. Whether you are LDS or not I thought it was great and really applied to all of us who struggle with body image. A really inspiring story. She's my hero, and who doesn't need more of those.

To Grandmother's House We Go....

2009-04-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

The ski resort shut down for the season and away we went to visit the grandparents in Logan, Utah. We ended up staying an extra week so we are hoping that we don't cause our poor Alli to flunk out of 1st grade. I'm sure she'll be fine she's a smart chickie. It is so hard to visit family and be able to squeeze in all that you want to do but I think that we had a super time. It was so fun to be able to take our kids to the park that I went Easter egg hunting when I was a kid in Hyrum.
Porter was put into the 3 and under group in a little squared off area and as soon as they said Go! he saw the kids tear after the eggs and froze in terror and dropped to the ground crying. Oh well, maybe next year.

We were so glad to have my parents there to enjoy it with us.

We also ended up at baby animal days at a historical farm near my parents home. This is how Ryker spent the day.

Holding turtles

SNAKES!!!

Bunnies, of course

I liked the goats, but of course they all stunk like manure!!

We loved hanging out with my sister and her two boys. Of course Cabellas is always a cheap and easy stop for the kids.

I was so pumped to take Alli to see the opera "La Rondine" by Pucinni. Ted's cousin was the lead at the Lyric Repertory Theater in Logan. I hope so badly that she will love the theater someday like I do. Maybe we'll see her on Broadway. She loved it!

10 years of Marriage, I Need a Vacation!

2009-03-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

So... we walked in from church yesterday and I found these pictures and this note sitting on our floor. It turns out that it was a treasure hunt!!

Just when I think he is driving me CRAZY, he pulls off something great and romantic. I am so excited about getting away for our 10 year anniversary. We are heading off to marcos island off the coast of Florida for 8 days and I am so excited.

I Love to See the Temple

2009-03-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

Recently in the news I read that the HBO show "Big Love" was going to show the endowment ceremony from the temple in one of its episodes. I felt that it was a really bad tacky call and than just forgot about it. I happen to flip on the televison on the EXACT channel at the EXACT second that it was on. I was frozen in place and I did watch 10 minutes of it. It isn't just the fact that they were showing it but the lack of respect for somebody else's beliefs. It's not like there is some crazy nudity going on (even though some people think that we do that in temples) it is the fact that we consider it sacred. Whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Jewish, or whatever if someone considers something sacred we should all respect that. I do feel that I can be an open-minded person on some things I just hope that we all as friends, neighbors, and co-workers and the general population can find a way to just respect everyone's beliefs. I know that I am working on myself all the time and I slip up.... I was just having these thoughts and feeling a little depressed by how desensitized we have all become. I hope that we can all strive to become more understanding of everyone's differences.

St. Paddy's and other such Nonsense

2009-03-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well we awoke to a splendid surprise, that crazy leprachaun had come to our house in the night and scattered all of his coins in the kids bed, bedroom, and all down the stairs. The kids got to keep them and they were shocked!! Leprachauns really DO exist!!

Of course green everything which Porter really enjoyed, he gulped down the milk and pancakes rather quickly. Alli was much more reluctant and thought that the green pancakes and milk tasted really badly.

We have a new toy at our house and myself and the kids are hooked! Our friend is letting us store it in our house for awhile but we are hoping that he might forget about it and maybe we'll have it forever. Alli is starting to kick some serious tail at it and I am getting pretty good myself. I hope I don't wake up with the claw hand from too much Pac-Man playing.

Our little doggie Fat Boy is starting to poop in the house more and more lately. Alli and I usually trade off cleaning up his droppings but just lately Porter has decided that it is so much fun to do so he has taken over. I love this picture he looks like his is inspecting the poop.

He is my little helper boy and he does such a great job.

Climby Monkeys

2009-03-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

Alright this video is NOT the best. I turned the camera sideways to get a better shot and realized later that it wasn't so great. Our babe is turning 1 next month and is zipping up our stairs. We lose him sometimes and forget to put up the gate and there he is upstairs playing with toys. No tumbles yet but I am sure they are to come.

2009-03-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

TELL YOUR FRIENDS >>> Anyone can join--it's all done online, so it doesn't matter where you live.SUMMER-READY COMPETITION--LET'S BE WINNERSTELL YOUR FRIENDS
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Only The Truly Dedicated Will WINEveryone Involved Will Pay $25Towards the Pot Through PaypalThis Ensures Your True DesireTo Not Only Look Fantastic, But To Win The PotExactly a 12 Week CompetitionMarch 6--Through--May 29thWeigh In is Every Friday MorningWinner Takes All The Cash--No Second or Third PlaceWINNER TAKES IT ALLDo Whatever It Takes For 12 Weeks StraightAnd Look Incredible For the SummerEating Healthy and Exercising---KEY ELEMENTSE-mail at amylavonallred@yahoo.com and I will send Official Invite

The End of Breastfeeding

2009-03-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well my littlest boy Ryker is 6 weeks away from turning 1 and I have stopped breastfeeding. It wasn't a choice that I liked but I am living with it. He slowed down right around 9 months and than 3 days ago I got super mega sick with strep and I felt paranoid about infecting anyone and so I stopped. I feel such super mega mom guilt. I always plan on breastfeeding my babies until a year because that is what all the pediatricians recommend, so why do I feel like the worst mother in the world for stopping six weeks from that date. It's like I finished the marathon at 25 miles instead of 26. Alli I nursed until she was a year and Porter I nursed until 9 months due to a crazy pediatrician who told me he wasn't gaining enough weight so I had to supplement in a lot of formula and finally he wouldn't nurse anymore. (My Porter is a super chunky monkey now so what the crap do doctors know anyways) I also received the super mom guilt from stopping his nursing at 9 months as well. This is probably my last little babe and that has a factor in my super mom guilt. He just grew up so stinking fast and he is my wiggliest little kid that will not snuggle any other time of the day unless I was nursing him. It's so weird I don't consider myself to be that attached to nursing at all but that little closeness while he is grabbing my nose and looking into my eyes is so sweet. So.... I have resorted to snuggling him up next to me with that bottle and hoping that he will remain my little babe for a little while longer.

Porter My Workin' Boy

2009-02-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

Well it started January 1st. We had a family home evening lesson on goal setting and Porter finally finished his job chart today!! He was so excited to get his reward "Mater"from the movie Cars. He has been battling pottytraining but I am thinking (fingers crossed) that he has finally got it down. Alli is close behind on her job chart and she is pretty excited about her reward as well. I am so proud of them.

I also had to post this quick funny video. We went swimming and than Porter came into my room to watch me fold laundry and he fell asleep. He wakes up briefly during this video but than fell right back to sleep. He is such a sweet boy.

My Bag Balm Boy

2009-02-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

I put my little 3 year old Porter to bed tonight and than went downstairs for some much needed peace. I started to hear some serious giggling and went upstairs to find him covered in that nasty Bag Balm stuff that comes in a green tin can. It was in his hair his clothes and covering everything on his chest of drawers as well. I tell ya I don't know what to do with kids they are freakin crazy. I put him in the shower for like ever and scrubbed him down but he is still a greasy monkey it just won't come out at all!! He is too cute though so it was hard to be super mad at him but I did my best.

Cadbury Mini Eggs!!!

2009-02-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

Oh baby my mouth is a-watering. Spring feels like it is coming even if it is still the first of February and I actually saw some Cadbury mini-eggs in the store the other day and almost lost my freakin mind!! Some people obsess about food more than others but I seriously love these things. I wait for them all year long and at the end of the Easter season I stock up for the next few months. Ahhhh. it is so wonderful to spy that dark purple bag, it makes me so happy I feel totally euphoric. Hurray for Cadbury mini-eggs let the fun begin!

From Then to Now......

2009-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

I remember when I first had Alli over 6 years ago and was waiting for the day when she was old enough to run around and do fun things with and those days have finally arrived. I finally started skiing again after having little ones and being pregnant for the past 3 years. It was so fun to ski with my little girl for the first time. This is her third season skiing and I have never been able to do it and it is so much fun to share these times with my kids. Even though I love the age that they are it is always fun to look to the future and plan the fun things that you will do together.

I only fell once which was right off the ski lift on the top of the mountain. Totally embarrassing, but the best part was that my little girl kept saying you can get up mom,you can do it!! So funny.

Ryker Rugrat

2009-01-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

Well my little boy Ryker is starting to crawl and is 9 months old. Here is a little video of it. Please look away from me getting mad and reprimanding my daughter. I am always working on my patience, if you are a mother I'm sure you will understand. Ryker is such a sweet little guy. Sleeps well through the night and for naptimes and loves to shriek when he wants his food. I am still waiting for some Hungry, Hungry Hippo marbles to return to us via his poop but all in all his is a super baby and has made our life more fun. We love you Ryker!

Biggest Loser Holiday Challenge

2009-01-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

I've been doing this challenge for the past 4 months. I lost 20 pounds the first and after that I have slowed down. It is super fun and a great way to get cracka lackin for the new year. If you are interested let me know and I'll help you out!!

Biggest Loser Post Holiday Challenge 2009

Beginning January 9th-March 6th8 weeks long$25 to join (goes into the pot)1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ prizeLosing 10% of your starting weight gets you $10 backWinners determined by % lost of starting weightWeekly weigh ins (on honor system, don't join if you havean honesty issue) every Wednesday.You can also join without paying the $25, but you will not be eligable for theprize $$ or the weekly challenge prize.You can also join without paying, you just won't be in it for the $For more info, and to join e mail Kristal @ chickybumlooka@yahoo.com

Tooth Fairy Are You Really There???

2009-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

So my girlie Alli has been losing lots of teeth lately. She lost her bottom one last Sunday on our way to church and than she lost the top one yesterday on our way to church again. (I don't understand the church connections but there must be one) Alli kept playing with her big top tooth all day and of course I kept reminding her not to play with it too much and of course when nighttime came she lost it and we couldn't find it to give to the tooth fairy. She tearfully sat down to write this note and hoped that the tooth fairy would be merciful. Of course the tooth fairy was great and apparently found her tooth that night and gave it back to her. I am sure that she will be more careful next time.

Christmas 'N' Stuff

2009-01-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Some friends came over last night and we had dinner over at the resort and than came back to our house for fun games. We ran over to the lodge at midnight to dance and party with the hotel guests. It was pretty fun!

My girlie Alli playing in the snow on Christmas day and watching the snowplows dig out our driveway.

I don't know what Santa was thinking but he brough some 4-wheeler 90's for the kids. I guess he had some extra room in his sleigh this year.

yep Porter's a boy and he loves anything with wheels that moves makes noises and flies.

Oh to be able to get 1 picture of them looking forward is a miracle. Don't you just love matching pj's

My Little Skibunnies!!

2008-12-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

My little 3-year old boy had his first ski lesson today and he did just awesome! We took off his skis and he cried and said no I want to go to the top. My girl Alli just skis circles around everyone else. I am so proud of them they are such tough and adventurous kids and I just love them to pieces.

Cabin Fever!!

2008-12-18T07:52:00.000-08:00

Well today is our third no school snow day in a week and I have had it!!! The problem with this is that we can't get into town at all and I've still got Christmas junk to get done!! I am started to say "Red Rum" in my sleep and the snow is starting to form crazy images. I mean snow is good for our ski resort but I am going banana sandwich. Help me!

Let It Snow!

2008-12-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

We've had some snow this past week and they even cancelled school. Our ski resort should open this coming weekend following a whole week of snow, snow, snow!! I hope we don't get snowed in again. This is a shot of our little cabin and a shot of the way to school. We hope you all have a White Christmas!!

Porter Turns 3!!

2008-12-04T08:15:00.001-08:00

So my little boy turned 3 last week the day after Thanksgiving. We spent it in Yuma with my parents and had a great time. I made him a fire truck cake in a big hurry and we ate cake and our mouths were dyed black or red from the large amount of food coloring in the frosting. Porter is such a sweet little guy. He has been my easiest and most laid back child. So funny and loving and busy with his toys for hours and hours. We are still trying to tie up some loose ends pottytraining but he is really doing well. He is a crazy car boy and just loves all kinds. We had to sit the other day and watch a backhoe work for about 20 minutes, he was mesmerized. I just love him and I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I love my little guy!

Double Bad Day!!

2008-12-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry I know this is kind of a gross picture but it was an interesting sight. We live in the woods so of course lots of mice so we have traps everywhere. This poor mouse got his head in one trap and his bum in the other. What a bad day he had! Sometimes I feel like I have those days

I Know It's Really Early But.....

2008-11-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

Well since we live up on a ski resort and we are leaving for a week we decided to cut down our tree early and put it up. There might be a lot of snow on the ground when we get back so we did it early and now we can enjoy Christmas a lot longer than most.

My Alli Girl

2008-11-10T13:07:00.001-08:00

My little girl's 1st grade pictures. Just reminiscing today looking at her picture and how big she has gotten. I remember holding her in the hospital when she was born and crying my eyes out because she was so perfect, such a blank slate and there I was her mother and I cried and told her how sorry I was that I was her mother because I had no idea what I was doing. I still think about it and to tell you the truth I still don't know what I'm doing. I try to ponder and listen to the spirit to direct her because I have such high hopes and dreams for her. There are so many problems with girls these days with low self-esteem and body images and things that I just want to protect her from. I want her to be a mother and wife but I also want her to dream so big and have absolutely no restrictions for herself. She was watching something on tv the other day and looked at me and said "Mom, I thought that only girls went to college"? That's my girl!! There are so many reasons that I love her:
1. She is such a kind and loving sister to her younger brothers
2. She always tries so hard at her schoolwork and wants to do it just right
3. She loves to draw, draw, draw!
4. I can hear her singing at night up in her room
5. She is very adventurous and loves to explore the woods and trails around our house
6. She loves her daddy
7. She is very tough and hardly ever cries when she is hurt, mostly when her feelings are hurt
8. She is always coming up with new magic tricks to try out on us
9. She is not afraid to tell us how she feels(no matter how loudly or what it is!!)
10. Because she's ours

Rock the Vote!

2008-11-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

That's right, even though it didn't turn out the way I had planned I hope it all turns out for the better.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Well I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. Ted and I were both saucy wenches and he even got candy shoved into his bosom by passing men. I super crazy love Halloween so I like to do as much as possible so we went to the ward trunk or treat and than to the school carnival and we tried to make it to a haunted house but the lines were too long. We ended the night at a trunk or treat at a local park and headed home. Too much candy too little time.

I Got 3rd place last time let me know if you want to join?

2008-10-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Biggest Loser Holiday Challenge
Beginning November 5th-New Year's
8 weeks long
$25 to join (goes into the pot)
1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ prize
Losing 10% of your starting weight gets you $10 back
Winners determined by % lost of starting weight
Weekly weigh ins (on honor system, don't join if you have
an honesty issue) every Wednesday.
You can also join without paying the $25, but you will not be eligable for the
prize $$ or the weekly challenge prize.
This is a great way to help us all stay somewhat on track with the
upcoming holiday festivites.
For more info, and to join e mail Kristal @ chickybumlooka@yahoo.com

I hate this tagging crapola!

2008-10-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

8 Things I Did Today:
1. Went running and did abs
2. Danced around with Porter and gave out Skittles for peeing in the potty
3. Bought costumes for me and Ted for Halloween(we're both bar wenches)
4. Went to story time at the library for a Halloween shindig
5. Played at the park with Porter
6. Read my dad's bio on how he converted a man to the church in the army and who later ended up with a big article in the Ensign
7. Shopped at Wal-mart for food and other essentials(that felt like my whole day)
8. Had time to freakin blog

8 Shows I Love:(I don't watch much nighttime tv anymore, kids ya know)
1. Jon and Kate Plus 8(I think that her and I should be friends)
2. Forensic Files(I'm a nerd)
3. Cold Case Files(Double Nerd)
4. Snapped(I'm also a crazy woman)
6. Roseanne(she makes me laugh alright)
7. First 15 minutes of The View(I just like Hot Topics)
8. Friends(will always love them)

8 Restaurants I Love:
1. Olive Garden
2. Pizza Hut(I love a pan crust)
3. Johnny Carrinos
4. Fazoli's(I guess this is all Italian??)
5. Chili's
6. Texas Roadhouse(This hot rolls for sure)
7. Quizno's
8. El Toro Viejo(logan, UT)

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1. My final weigh-in tomorrow to see if I won my weight loss competition
2. Having 1 week off to eat a little candy and junk before starting another competition
3. Halloween of course!!
4. Getting my dog fixed on Thursday(I sure as heck hope it will stop him from peeing all over the freakin house!!)
5. Learning how to ski better this year and keep up with Alli
6. The opening night of the movie "Twilight" we are having a major girls night out with dinner and everything. It's going to be fun.
7. Election day, get out there people
8. My 10 year anniversay. I know its far but I want to do a trip in August so bad for it.

8 Things I Am Wishing For:
1. That I could lose weight faster....please!!
2. That I could balance my time better between keeping the house clean and spending time with my kids.
3. That Porter was pottytrained like now!
4. My baby Ryker would sleep through the night like now!!
5. To feel contentment with who I am no matter what
6. That my food supply was up to par
7. That I lived closer to my sister Connie, I just love her loads!
8. That my kids will feel confident in their principles and be able to overcome the influence of the world(that last one was a biggie)

Nataliedee.com

2008-10-27T09:23:00.001-07:00

I just found these cartoons and I don't know why they are so funny to me. Just a mood I am in for the day, Enjoy:

My Little Stinkers!

2008-10-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

Just had to post a quick picture, Happy Halloween!!

13 Days of Halloween

2008-10-20T21:13:00.001-07:00

Hey there we just love the 13 days of Halloween on the ABC Family Channel. They have a Halloween movie every night until Halloween for the kiddies. We watch it almost every night and it is super fun. On their website you can also "Werewolf Yourself" look at me:

Pumpkin Pickin'

2008-10-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Of course the yearly tradition of the pumpkin patch. Kids screaming from the wind and getting tired and needing to be carried through the corn maze. It was still fun though. We have an itty bitty pumpkin for Ryker and Porter thinks that it is his. Porter also tried desperately to carry a large pumpkin but alas he couldn't carry it far and was disapointed in himself.

We made Pumpkin shaped Sugar Cookies and Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and delivered them to neighbors tonight. The kids just loved it and now my house smells like pumpkin and nutmeg. Yum!!

Ice Cream, Popsicles, and Pudding!

2008-10-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

So during the past few months when Alli had some health problems her tonsils got crazy big. They were touching in the back and she was snoring like crazy and gagging on her food. So out they came. She did great and wasn't scared a bit. She has been running around ever since and is begging for chips but she won't get any. The nurse let her see them and she thought that was cool too. By the way the blue popsicle that you see in the picture, she threw that up on the wasy home. Blue vomit is awesome!!

Daddy and Porter

2008-10-09T15:51:00.001-07:00

Just had to post this quick little shot of Ted and Porter it was very cute!

Ryker Baby 5 Months

2008-10-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

My little Ryker baby. He has a sweet little bald head and pokey out elfy ears. He is getting sweeter every day. So far my hardest and the one that needs the most attention but I think that I am dealing with it fairly well. I can't believe that he is already this old and probably my last child. Take the time, snuggle your babes it goes by so fast!

Let's Do Some Potty Dancing!

2008-09-26T09:58:00.001-07:00

Yes I love to show naked pictures of my children. I am sure they will thank me for it later. Just as a fluke I have not really started my full on committment to potty training but I decided to just get him naked and make him sit there and watch Sesame Street and lo and behold he did it. I just thought I would share this with my friends and family. If you are a mother you will appreciate and understand my excitement. If you are not pardon my excitement over bathroom matters.

Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe!

2008-09-24T15:54:00.000-07:00

I made this last night and it was so fetchin good, give it a try and tell me what ya think.

3/4 pound chicken breast cutlets Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling 2 teaspoons grill seasoning, eyeball it 1 pizza dough, (I used 2 boxes of the Jiffy Pizza Crust) Cornmeal or flour, to handle dough 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce, medium to spicy heat 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, a few generous handfuls 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Preheat grill pan to high.
Place chicken on a plate and drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the chicken then season with grill seasoning. When grill is hot, add chicken and cook about 3 minutes on each side. Stretch dough to form pizza using cornmeal or flour to help you handle it. If you let it rest and warm up a few minutes it will handle even easier. Set pizza on pizza pan to the side and clean board.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in Worcestershire, hot sauce, and tomato sauce.
Remove the chicken from grill and thinly slice it. Add chicken to sauce and coat. Cover the pizza dough with the saucy Buffalo chicken, cheeses. Bake 18 minutes or until crisp.

I'm a Brunette Baby!

2008-09-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Well it is almost autumn and time to shake things up a bit. I decided to go brunette for awhile just to be a different kind of chicky. That is what is so fun about being a girl I guess.

Night Time Antics

2008-09-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

OK so I am trying desperately to get my 4 month old to sleep through the night. After camping with family this past week and trying to keep him quiet throughout the night my baby had the all night boob buffet every night and I need some fetchin sleep so bad. Starting 2 nights ago I decided enough is enough he is getting like a ton of cereal before he goes to bed every night and I know he is just waking up from habit and not from hunger. His room is upstairs so I parked my sleeping bag outside his door and every time he woke up I just popped that binky back into his mouth and laid back down. Screaming some he slept from 9-6 am and therefore I think it is working. I am going to do it a couple of more nights to make sure that he is got it and than I am going to reclaim the bed back with my husband. Holy cow this sucks!!

Super Book!

2008-09-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

I know that books are like my lovers and I love quite a few of them but this was so great. She is the best freaking author. Every single one is great I have to recommend this one it was fantastic. So I haven't blogged in awhile. Been up to Midway, Utah camping with family. My kids had such a great time and I dyed my hair like way dark. I'll have to get a picture up of it soon. Back to the grind of going to school and everything else

I Love Doing Laundry!

2008-08-26T20:41:00.000-07:00

OK so like a really strange thing about me is that I LOVE to do laundry. This has to do with some freaking obsessive compulsive disorder that I certainly possess but also due to the fact that I freaking switched up within the past few years to some super good smelling laundry detergent. Oh the difference it makes!! I love to smell it throughout the house all day. Ah .... it is so lovely.

Mama Mia!

2008-08-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

OK so here is the Kathy movie review. I freaking loved this movie. It made me want to dance around and I felt all womanly and empowered. I would not suggest seeing this movie with your husband(unless he is gayish) men tend to ruin this movie and you don't enjoy it as much. I suggest a whole bunch of girlfriends and some fun crazy ones at that who want to dance in the aisles. Have fun ladies!!

My Alli Girl

2008-08-20T09:45:00.001-07:00

The story that happened was that started 2 weeks ago she had really bad shooting pains in her hip joints so we took her in for X-rays and mri's and cat scans and ultrasounds and they found fluid on her joints which the pain actually went away but more symptoms persisted such as a constant 101 fever for 2 weeks and also really puffy swollen face and red urine. So they took her down her for more tests trying to determine what it was. It is a really long name that I can't pronounce so what she had was a post nephritis which means that she had some type of infection that went untreated and moved into her joints and kidneys. She should clear up in a week or so and we are doing a final blood test to make sure that all the levels are normal in 6-8weeks. I guess this thing happens more with strep if it goes untreated but in her case it wasn't strep just somethign else. She went back to school today so she is fine. It was a close call though and we were scared!

Alli

2008-08-20T09:43:00.001-07:00

There was a playroom on her floor and she loved to paint all day long.

My Sick Little Girl

2008-08-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am now sitting next to my sleeping little girl at Phoenix Children's Hospital and wondering and hoping that everything will turn out o.k. She was transferred down here last night and we hope that they find out why her kidneys aren't functioning correctly. I pray for my little girl... holy moly how do things like this happen?? .. and so fast.. so out of the blue. It really makes me appreciate the good times. I think about the times that I got mad at her for giggling too loudly and now I just want her to giggle some more. Well hopefully within a few days this will be resolved and everything will work out fine. Please pray for us!!

Attack of the Killer 2-year old!!

2008-08-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

So my little baby boy Ryker was laying on the floor when my 2-year old Porter decided to pretend to be a doggie and scratched the crud out of his head. My poor baby he doesn't know what he is in for being the youngest. Hey there I desperately need a good craft project for a bunch of women. My family is going camping and we women need a fun little craft to do?? Any ideas?? Also I need some craft or fun thing for the kids to do as well.

My Anniversary Table

2008-08-14T08:41:00.001-07:00

My husband just brought this table home last night. He made it for our anniversary and I think it fits nicely in our little cabin in the woods with out orange 70's countertops. I like it a lot, although diamonds are always nice too?!?

My Forever 80's Family

2008-08-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

OK I had to post this way funny picture of my family. I am the kid in the green dress with my bangs eating my face. How stinking funny is that???

2008-08-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm sure like everyone else around I am reading "Breaking Dawn" So far so good. Who would have thought that I would be reading vampire books. They are good thought

2008-08-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

2008-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

Our 9 year anniversary just came and went on the 7th. Ted spent the night in the hospital with Alli but he still managed to remember to bring me flowers. I reflect back on the person that I was when I first got married. An innocent and naive 22-year old with no idea of what marriage really is. I still work every day to not scream and yell and to tell him to please pick up his own clothes for heavens sake! I think at that age was I wise enough to make such a disease? Do I know enough or have I experienced enough. I have decided it doesn't matter how much you think you know someone. Until you marry them you will never understand what it is about. I think that with marriage you will never be more miserable in you life and you won't ever be any happpier. I'm still learning every day to become more accepting and forgiving and to... well to not be such a weirdo that my husband has to contend with. (Even though I think he married me for my super weirdness)

2008-08-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

My poor little girl Alli has been terribly sick lately. She has been having some really severe hip joint pain along with a 101 fever. She was in the hospital a couple of days ago for observations and tests and we are hoping to get back some of them soon. On her first day of school she tried to squeak out a little smile for me but it was hard. By the end of her first day she was crying in pain. I love her and I hope that everything works out.

2008-08-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

This is my please may I have a full night of sleep soon face!! My baby is 3 months old and while he is a good kid he doesn't sleep like I would like him too.

2008-08-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Our new fun toy that we bought and haukled home from Oklahoma. We are finally home and int he school mode somewhat. My newphew who is 17 is living with us for the school year. How do you handle a teenger?? I don't know. Do I check their homework and make their lunches with SpongeBob fruit snacks? I guess we'll find out.

2008-07-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

I just read this great book. It is about an island off the coast of Hawaii where they kep lepers back in the late 1800's. I am such a stinkin' crazy reader so that whatever I put on my blog will be good so accept my book review and go read it!!

2008-07-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

OK my new favorite thing is this that my sister gave to me for my birthday. It is a candle warmer but this is the thing it also has a fan with it so it smells magically delicious. I have tried lots of candles and stuff and like glade stuff but this has to be my favorite! candlebreeze.com

Alli's 6th Birthday

2008-07-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

Alli had her 6th birthday today. We swam at the lodge and had some friends over. She got brand new earrings from mom and dad and we'll get her ears pierced in a couple of days. Holy crap I am so tired!! I have been out of town to Utah and to Oklahoma for the past month. I am hoping to settle down for a few weeks and just enjoy the last bit of summer before school starts

My New Blog

2008-07-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here I go. Getting this thing started.